Car D.I.Y.

[Deleted member 26715]

My next project is to make sense of this

 

[Gunk]

Good luck!

 

[cosmicbike]

That was a bargain!

I thought so, especially as I bought it from the original owners Son, so effectively 1 previous owner. Love the thing, and it is cheap motoring really.

 

[Tom B]

Ten days ago we went to see the *luminations at Blackpool. Arriving back late I quickly bundled the kids out of the car and into bed.

Seems my little lad left the interior light on (at least I'm blaming him) after a week or so it seemed to have run the battery down. The first I knew about it was this weekend when I came to get some bits out of the boot and it wouldnt zap.

Popped the cover off the door handle cover and used the key to open the door and retrieve my bits including the battery charger. Next problem was the car was down the street from the house and being an electric handbrake I couldn't just roll it. I managed to daisy chain enough extension cables together to reach the car. I then remembered I'd attached the connector that came with the charger to the battery and left it tied up near the grill with the intention that I could simply fish it out and plug the charger in without having to open the car if it went flat. (I have a tendancy to get flat batteries when camping). Surely connected and a few hours later we was back on the road. The reconditioning cycle on the charger seems to have done the battery good and it's stop starting more than ever. I'm going to see if I can find a weatherproof connector that I can fix into the grill to simplify the process*.

Interestingly I didn't refit the emergency lock cover right away and noticed that I couldn't then open the drivers door with the handle for the outside... Only the inside. Normal service was resumed when I snapped the cover back in place. I assume it is some sort of anti theft feature.


*Of course the whole ease of charging thing is defeated if I leave the charger in the boot.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Next problem was the car was down the street from the house and being an electric handbrake I couldn't just roll it.

I have always thought electric handbrakes were one of those, just because you can doesn't mean you should inventions, not being able to move the car with a flat battery further enforces that belief.

 

[bikingdad90]

I have always thought electric handbrakes were one of those, just because you can doesn't mean you should inventions, not being able to move the car with a flat battery further enforces that belief.

Most cars have a manual override that is like a cable pull in the boot to overcome this problem.

 

[Jameshow]

I thought so, especially as I bought it from the original owners Son, so effectively 1 previous owner. Love the thing, and it is cheap motoring really.

Back in 2000 I brought a 940 for £500.

I drove it for 3 years, till my first son came along. Sold it as the Mrs found it too big. I regret selling it and still wish I had it!

 

[mikeIow]

I can recommend having a USB battery pack car charger. Used mine several times on the kids old Fiesta (now gone), & even a couple of times on our Kona EV - the 12v battery can cause grief, although ours was over 3 years old.
Also recommend the BM2 battery monitor (available at popular internet outlets): get a regular check on the 12v battery 👍

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Just the front wiper-blades for my Kodiaq this afternoon

The ice finished the near-side rubber
£18 for the pair (21” & 24”, l think)

 

[Jameshow]

I had the egr valve replaced, the dsg oil replaced(sounds much better) and new winter tyres just in time...

Only to find a 9" dent to the front wing. Wheelie bin height!

My wife denys all knowledge of it!!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Checking on the engine out in the garage that's going in the kit car, previous owner said he'd changed the cam belt & water pump but not turned it over since. Tried to turn it over only to find the alternator had seized, not a problem as there was a spare in the shed. Sorted that out & engine turns over freely.

Then went to start the other kit car which hasn't been started for a couple of months only to find the alternator had seized lol.

 

[Hicky]

Back in 2000 I brought a 940 for £500.

I drove it for 3 years, till my first son came along. Sold it as the Mrs found it too big. I regret selling it and still wish I had it!

The landlord of our local is considering selling his 940, less than 200k red block LPT owned for 20+years, Volvo serviced. I’m sure it’s a GLE, leather seats, dog guard accessories all there. No piston slap however the usual lacquer peel. If the price is right and I can get classic insurance I might have a punt.

 

[Hicky]

The XC70 just had a new battery(by me), a new coolant thermostat housing and a tyre repair(left to the garage). I might pop the tailgate light back in to see if it was genuinely that or a diff battery now it has a new one🧐
I need to takeoff the O/S mirror to see why it isn’t moving as I can hear the motor going.
Pickup the replacement retaining clip for the a pillar and fit(Volvo OE £1.78), recover the first attempt so they all match….I just need to replace the split washer res.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

03/03/2021 bought a pair of Goodyear 225/65 R17 (102) H EFFICIENTGRIP SUV £162.68 fitted, they went on the back, getting ready for a pair on the front, same company, same tyres £258.78, 60% increase in price in 2 years

 

[multitool]

Fitted reversing sensors, cruise control, new electric window regulators, oil/filters changes, fitted air horn to van, battery replacements etc.

Won't do anything that requires long periods under car.