general chat thread

[KevJTD]

More genius car design, why design it so the AC condensation drip pipe keeps the brake pipe connector permanently wet, Peugeot this time...

[KevJTD]

Then you get a Mercedes sprinter for a service and it has no dipstick, just an electronic sensor so you have to trust the data is correct on filling up the oil.
You then have to start the engine to get a level reading, not only that but you have to get it up to temperature before you can get a reading, hoping the data is correct and there's enough oil in!

[LooLooSud33Spider]

That remind me if my first experience of servicing a smart 4-2. First car I’d ever seen with no sump drain plug . But it did have dipstick tube that you had to use an oil vacuum system to suck the oil out of the sump . I remember thinking at the time that’s a STUPID idea !!!
My Porsche also has an oil level meter like that when you first turn on the ign it shows the level and if you run the engine you have to wait 5-6 mins and it actually counts down . Again STUPID !!!

[Spacenut]

That is mad.

So an electronic fluid level sensor is now cheaper than drilling a hole in the block and putting a stick in it?

The motor industry is so keen on the "sealed for life" engine concept, they forget that there is still a significant minority of owners that want to pep up their vehicles, but I guess they have got used to fitting big stereos and cat-back exhaust boxes, neither of which do anything for performance.

And now they expect us to buy a boring electric box! I think I am going to be cycling a lot more in the next ten years as petrol becomes more scarce

[KevJTD]

That is mad.

So an electronic fluid level sensor is now cheaper than drilling a hole in the block and putting a stick in it?

The motor industry is so keen on the "sealed for life" engine concept, they forget that there is still a significant minority of owners that want to pep up their vehicles, but I guess they have got used to fitting big stereos and cat-back exhaust boxes, neither of which do anything for performance.

And now they expect us to buy a boring electric box! I think I am going to be cycling a lot more in the next ten years as petrol becomes more scarce

Worse than that Lauren, the dipstick tube is still in place and is merely blanked off with a plastic bung where the dipstick would go!

[LooLooSud33Spider]

If that’s the case Kev. I think I’d be making my own dipstick.

[KevJTD]

Yes, it did occur to me that if I ever owned one (unlikely as that is) then I'd either get a dipstick from one that's pre electronic setup (tube lookd in the same place/height as the older version) or use one from something else and calibrate marks to suit.
It just makes no sense to fully rely on an electronic system.

[KevJTD]

Discovery in today, this is what you get now re the dipstick issue, or lack of...
I blame focus groups where they ask idiots what they want in a car, the rest of us are too busy to answer their stupid market research questions so they rely on the "look at me" lemon sucking facebook/instagram brigade who will answer anything if it makes them feel important.

If they insist on fitting electronic dispsticks to suit the numpties why not at least fit a manual one alongside it, so the sensible amongst us can keep a check on things.
But no, they have to make a new design and spend more money than simply fitting a dipstick where it's always been!!

[KevJTD]

Now this really is the stupidest of ideas, cars with no spare wheel! Unfortunately it's very common now, yet the spare wheel well remains in place just filled with a foam spacer, not like they've used it to create for storage space!
This is a Peugeot 3008, a car aimed at the family motorist, just the job to be stranded with a flat tyre with the kids on board.

[KevJTD]

So instead of the tried and trusted spare wheel they now spend money on supplying a small compressor and a bottle of puncture sealant, which invariably doesn't work.
Then they can charge you a fortune to replenish the sealant or better still, declare it out of date and sell you a new bottle even if you don't use it!
The amount of cars that get brought it on flatbeds or on towing dollies by the AA or RAC is crazy, all because there is no spare wheel to fit.

[LooLooSud33Spider]

When we bought our Octavia VRS it did indeed come with a polystyrene thing that held a compressor and tub o goop . but like you Kev. I hate the idea so we ordered a full size spare. Ok so It’s a 16” steel but It’ll get me home. It cost about £150 with the tool kit and jack !!
In fact Kev that leads me to a question. Can you buy new tyres for space savers. As you know the spider has a small space saver. And the spare is a little tired .

[KevJTD]

I actually got asked that fairly recently Lou, a customer had damaged his space saver tyre while driving on it!
Couldn't find a replacement one, I do recall them being crazy prices when we had them listed, so advised him to try ebay as there'll be loads available from scrapped cars.
Or try a breakers yard, they'd be only too happy to sell one rather than them pay for disposal.

[LooLooSud33Spider]

I did have a spare from the silver spider but 4 yrs sat outside the back of the shed did for it and one day it just exploded through dry rot luckily no one was around it at the time I just heard this almighty BANG !!!

[KevJTD]

Just to keep the "genius car design" theme going, although I have mentioned this before I'm sure.
The offending car is an Audi Q7, in for brake work which means getting at the cleverly positioned fluid reservoir under the scuttle panel vents.
Now, not only is the reservoir positioned handily for rainwater and crud ti keep it moist but an ecu sits there which is now growing a nice covering of moss, ideal for an electronic unit encased in alloy!

[Kegsti66]

They are not that clever are they.
This is why these sort of cars become trouble once they are about six years old. Look at all the Range Rovers that all have suspension faults.

[KevJTD]

Had this car in last week, the elderly owner clearly thinking paintwork is a doddle

[LooLooSud33Spider]

Looks fine to me !

[Sud 145]

It's been fairly quiet on here lately but I do know of a Sprint and a Tix local to me that will be hitting the streets in the not to distant future.

[KevJTD]

Self inflicted car calamity today.
Bloke brings a Zafira in for tracking as it looks a bit strange...
He's not kidding!
The passenger front wheel was canted right over, like those banger racers who deliberately put about 20degs of negative camber to "make it handle"!

He did actually admit that he'd hit a pothole, must have been a hell of a hit!!

Expecting to see a bent bottom arm on the lift I was surprised to see what actually was damaged, but was very clear to see.

The strut was visibly bent!

Took it off and stood it next to the new replacement, look at the angle it sits at!

The tube had rippled just above the mounting flange, amazingly it still functioned.

[LooLooSud33Spider]

Wow that must of been one heck of a hit. Did it not damage the wheel ??

[KevJTD]

Luckily he was on 205/55 tyres so there must have been enough flex to prevent the rim buckling, but the impact must have been terrific.
If he'd been on low profile ones like 40 or worse then for sure it would have been worse

[KevJTD]

Spotted in the paddock at Cadwell Park today, only car I've seen make Robs' Imp look big!
Actually belongs to Paul the former circuit manager who Rob got to know as that's his Clan and it runs an Imp engine so he supplied him some parts a year or so ago when he was still the manager, we got to do a few "parade" laps a while back at a lunchtime halt.

[Kegsti66]

I love when these rare cars turn up. I like the louvered boot lid.

[KevJTD]

Wish I'd taken a few more pics of it now, looked in great condition.
From behind, with Robs' Imp in the foreground, the Clan looked tiny!

[Spacenut]

Wish I'd taken a few more pics of it now, looked in great condition.
From behind, with Robs' Imp in the foreground, the Clan looked tiny!

That's because it IS tiny!

I think the owner is the same guy who has produced a couple of short documentaries about the Clan on Youtube. He has also made one or two shorts, like "driving a Clan to the shops" - the kind of thing I would do

Lauren

[junior]

Just about to go on a run with the Sud, but very relaxed early morning went wrong as I thought i would just check the rear tyre for pressure. Instead of normal foot pump my little compressor was out so fired it up and shoved so air in. I could hear the leak over the noise of the compressor and the gauge was showing it not going up at all.

so realising i was going to have to take the Lancia instead and it was going to take a while i ran around like the proverbial hen and then got going.

When i got back i took the wheel off and the front one that leaks a bit. The front was was leaking from a hole where one of the split rim bolts has sheared off. The rear was just fine. Very odd. Then it clicked. The leak I could hear was in the hose from the compressor

[KevJTD]

Why are car designers hell bent on not giving a toss how they make things
Take this newish VW, no please... take it!
Why make the brake reservoir cap in a position so its tucked under the scuttle panel rather than just making it at the front of the bottle a few inches forward so at least a pressure bleed cap can be screwed on.
Arseoles.

[KevJTD]

And no, there isn't a removable section above it...

[alfadave]

Do you ever use vacuum pumps to bleed brakes?

[LooLooSud33Spider]

That was obviously deigned by some Gen Z, Soy drinking Incel “engineer” that has a degree in media studies but cant get a job in the media so they got a job designing cars. They are also own every product Apple have ever produced but can’t even fathom out how to open the bonnet on they’re car because they drive a Tesla so have no need to. Their response to hearing a well tuned car on twin carbs or open throttle bodies is “ ahh that sound hurts my ears !! I’m going to sue you for emotional distress”