Car D.I.Y.

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fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Son is currently using our 'spare' Aygo that we have - it's generally the shopping trolly or to bail out son when his cars are off the road. I've asked him to do regular things like empty rubbish, hoover and maybe wash it, as I've been a little bit 'temporarily disabled'. I also asked him to check the oil a number of times. "I've done it" he said. Aygo's do use a bit of oil, especially if doing a lot of motorway work (he's done 25k in it between MOT's), so you just need to check on them. The car has about 130k on it.

I've also been meaning to top up the air con on it as I have previously used a kit and they work very well. So, had access to the car keys, wobbled out, checked pressure and it's just on the bottom of normal range, hence the compressor not kicking in much, or sometimes constantly running (something I've noticed when son comes home in it - he's not noticed). Topped up and it's doing exactly what it should for the air temperature, kicks in for a bit, gets to temp, turns off (very noticeable on a small engine car). It only remains constantly on when it's really hot outside.

Righty, gave it a quick wash, as son's version of washing is a quick jet wash, and no sponge or brush - so the dirt stays on.

Better check the oil. Hmm can't see any on the dip stick. Tried a few times as the Aygo dipstick is a bit rubbish and needs a few dips to get it right. Grab a litre of oil, hmm, just see it now below the minimum. In goes another litre. Ah 3/4 to the full. So that's two litres in a car that takes three from empty. WTAF. He's supposed to be a mechanic ? Checks screen wash, empty.

I dare not go in the car, it's a rolling tip with tools everywhere. I took out a load of empty food and drink packets, scrubbed the drivers door and steering wheel (full of oil from his job) and shampooed the driver's mat as it was also full of oil.

So the car looks presentable from the outside and is not going to run out of oil ! Only down side is there is a bill for four new tyres very soon as they are approaching the limit !
 

Jameshow

Veteran
Son is currently using our 'spare' Aygo that we have - it's generally the shopping trolly or to bail out son when his cars are off the road. I've asked him to do regular things like empty rubbish, hoover and maybe wash it, as I've been a little bit 'temporarily disabled'. I also asked him to check the oil a number of times. "I've done it" he said. Aygo's do use a bit of oil, especially if doing a lot of motorway work (he's done 25k in it between MOT's), so you just need to check on them. The car has about 130k on it.

I've also been meaning to top up the air con on it as I have previously used a kit and they work very well. So, had access to the car keys, wobbled out, checked pressure and it's just on the bottom of normal range, hence the compressor not kicking in much, or sometimes constantly running (something I've noticed when son comes home in it - he's not noticed). Topped up and it's doing exactly what it should for the air temperature, kicks in for a bit, gets to temp, turns off (very noticeable on a small engine car). It only remains constantly on when it's really hot outside.

Righty, gave it a quick wash, as son's version of washing is a quick jet wash, and no sponge or brush - so the dirt stays on.

Better check the oil. Hmm can't see any on the dip stick. Tried a few times as the Aygo dipstick is a bit rubbish and needs a few dips to get it right. Grab a litre of oil, hmm, just see it now below the minimum. In goes another litre. Ah 3/4 to the full. So that's two litres in a car that takes three from empty. WTAF. He's supposed to be a mechanic ? Checks screen wash, empty.

I dare not go in the car, it's a rolling tip with tools everywhere. I took out a load of empty food and drink packets, scrubbed the drivers door and steering wheel (full of oil from his job) and shampooed the driver's mat as it was also full of oil.

So the car looks presentable from the outside and is not going to run out of oil ! Only down side is there is a bill for four new tyres very soon as they are approaching the limit !

Just like a builders house then!
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
The 'other' Aygo that my son is repairing - failed the retest on emissions - they were very happy with the welding. So he's ordered a new cat for £40 and new lambda sensors (under £40 for two). These are being fitted now (front off job). Silly cheap these cars.

Fingers crossed he'll make over £1k on it. Bought for £200, needed indicators fixing, repaint front bumper, bonnet catch, re-paint some scuffs, oil change and filters, welding and now a new cat/sensors. Think the extras have been under £300. Used prices are around £2k.
 
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dicko

Guru
Location
Derbyshire
Our Ford Ka is thirteen years old next month and I have just bought a new stop/start battery and fitted it. For thirteen years the little battery has faithfully worked never faltering I havnt ever had a battery last that long.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Son now has the spare Aygo ready to MOT but has a wait. Halfords wouldn't do a partial retest for second time so has to book in for another test.

The Leon FR is now on my drive and he's checking to see if there is any major issues with the engine. The coil packs were partially cut out by a garage as they suspected a blown cylinder. Son says remaining coil packs have fell to bits removing them so he thinks the plugs haven't been changed. He's about to do a compression test. Two possible outcomes it needs need plugs and coil pack or a new engine. He could make a tidy profit on this but needs to MOT and sell the Aygo to fund the Leon repairs.

Looks like it's a new engine. No compression on Cylinder 1 and cylinder 4 is low.
 
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gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
Our Ford Ka is thirteen years old next month and I have just bought a new stop/start battery and fitted it. For thirteen years the little battery has faithfully worked never faltering I havnt ever had a battery last that long.

Me neither. Our Mazda stop start battery is original and that's circa 7 years old. I can't see it making another winter..although I may be wrong, it's just a gut feeling its perhaps a bit slower on the starter motor in the cold.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Is it valves or piston rings? Maybe a head job if valves

Cheaper job to change the engine ! It's been modded then ragged. Son picked it up off a friend and my son knows the engines well - and faster to swap out then investigate the knackered engine. Suspects valve impact.
 
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CXRAndy

Guru
Location
Lincs
Ingenium engine on Jaguar/Land Rover :ohmy:

Wise words from a young man, if you buy a Jaguar/LR make sure you can afford to buy it twice. What a crap design


View: https://youtu.be/zFbpfwTL6RY?si=tH12kRtg2ET4E8ho
 

Adam4868

Legendary Member
New clutch in the Berlingo....450 quid ouch.
I might have got rid if we didn't use it for camping and lumping stuff around.Serves it's purpose I guess Needs a couple of rear tyres as well,they have worn badly on the outer edges.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
New clutch in the Berlingo....450 quid ouch.
I might have got rid if we didn't use it for camping and lumping stuff around.Serves it's purpose I guess Needs a couple of rear tyres as well,they have worn badly on the outer edges.

Sort of wear and tear isn't it. Cost us £250ish fitted for an Aygo clutch - the thrust bearing went, and by the time you changed the £20 bearing, you might as well spend £80 on the clutch kit as the rest was labour.
 

Adam4868

Legendary Member
Sort of wear and tear isn't it. Cost us £250ish fitted for an Aygo clutch - the thrust bearing went, and by the time you changed the £20 bearing, you might as well spend £80 on the clutch kit as the rest was labour.
Sorry yes...but was maybe thinking about upgrading a little,then thought nah stick with what you know.Its good enough for what we use it for.Its a bit battered and scratched....alloys look like my partner has been driving it into kerbs just to annoy me !
I drive the polo if I need a car to use...cheap and nimble,lovely and light to drive.The Berlingo reminds me more of a work van...complete with the crap on the floor 🤣
 
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