Car D.I.Y.

[Drago]

Cleaned Mrs D's car. Wanted to go over it with the DA and the Super Resin, but too warm in the sun.

Went over the van, a final check before Tuesdays MOT.

 

[fossyant]

Funny, that, bit cooler here, so AG Super Resin on the van, including going on the step ladder for the roof. Then Quick Ceramic sprayed the lot, and a final microfibre polish. Doesn't half make washing a car clean easy with a nicely polished surface.

 

[tyred]

I replaced a bulb in the interior light, removed the cobwebs from around the engine, inspected the fan belt, checked fluid levels and oiled the bonnet hinges which had got a bit stiff through lack of use.

Looking after a twenty year old Yaris is so stressful.

 

[Drago]

Looking at my diary andnthe weather forecast, I've decided ill service my van tomorrow and give it it's annual anti-corrsion oil undersides spray.

Ill be using Buzzweld ACE on the undersides - I bought some for the C70 and was very impressed, and have loads left.

 

[T4tomo]

I topped up my screen wash this morning.

 

[Drago]

I topped up my screen wash this morning.

Steady onthere old chap!

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I've ordered a thing to connect the wires that the auto electrician cut (with my approval) But get this. The thing acts as a switch so I can switch it on and off as I want.

Sorry if a little technical.

 

[Drago]

Campervan serviced. Undersides sprayed with Buzzweld ACE - some even went on the vans undersides as well!

 

[cosmicbike]

New rear shocks fitted to the Capri. I have wheel bearings to do also, but they are for after the MOT, which was supposed to be yesterday, however the builder placing a skip in front of the driveway gates has put paid to that idea.

 

[tyred]

I went to change a tail lamp bulb in my ancient Yaris yesterday. Should have taken a few minutes.

However, when I went to unscrew the nuts that hold the lamp unit on, the studs decided to round in their plastic holders

I got it off anyway, a used expoxy resin to put the studs back in, and it all seemed perfectly solid this morning. I greased the studs this time. It will come apart easier next time. If the previous owner had done that, I'm sure the problem wouldn't have occurred.

My Dad always greased things when putting them together.

 

[Tom B]

Campervan serviced. Undersides sprayed with Buzzweld ACE - some even went on the vans undersides as well!

What did you spray it with?

 

[Drago]

The trigger sprayer wot it same with.

 

[fossyant]

Just ordered another 6 cans of Buzzweld for 'stock'.

Blimmin cars, or the technology/electrics. The van has decided to throw a battery/electrical circuit error this week on starting in the morning. Easily cleared by disconnecting the battery and connecting again (the positive is a quick release type). Anyway, it keeps coming back, and one morning it caused another error for fuel cut off solenoid - used my OBD reader to clear that code, not come back - caused by the battery issue. I'm concerned it may be the battery, so took it to the local tyre place where I'd just had two new tyres fitted, and they tested the battery. Nothing wrong with it and in good shape.

Car is booked in for service and MOT with the dealer, so I've asked them to check it over.

Anyway, yesterday I decided to get out some brake cleaner (I've since bought more electrical contact cleaner) and blasted both battery terminals, and all the cable junctions for the battery control module - all the electrical systems connect to this control module and the 'terminals' are a little exposed. Left it to dry. Car didn't throw any errors yesterday. Started this morning, again no errors despite it being damp and cold. Been running errands in it and everything OK. Finished off blasting the contacts again this afternoon with the new electrical contact cleaner.

Fingers crossed it was just some light corrosion on a terminal somewhere causing this intermittent fault. Electrical contact cleaner is well worth having to hand - it/s sorted out all sorts of issues, including a motherboard fault on a laptop caused by spilt liquid.

 

[fossyant]

Another start, and no errors.

Owning a modern car is frightening unless you have a bit of knowledge and are happy to use an OBD reader. Said readers saved my bacon a few times with my old car that was rather modern with it's screen and reversing camera (bit ahead of it's time). The scanner I've got seems to navigate OK if I select my van as a Pug Expert - picks up the electric side doors and stuff that isn't on the actual commercial van's - mine is a Vauxhall and isn't listed in the settings. The software did actually suggest downloading the Peugeot modules on the phone app.

The point you do a scan, with the engine running, the anti collision warnings go off to say the system has been disabled, but once done, that stops. Phew.

 

[fossyant]

Error came back, so thought, righty... new battery. That was fitted by a Halfords Mobile technician at lunch (easier for them to come to me whilst working than go to them). Bit of a faff for him to remove it, but all done in 20 minutes. Took another 10 minutes for him to clear the errors/re-programme the battery management. Been for a drive, all good. Went for a Yuasa battery with five year guarantee. I would have done it myself, but access was crap !