February 2002
I need to remove layers of old paint from the galvanised trim on my Land Rover. It has been loads of colours in the past and several of the last layers have been painted over the trim.
It will strip back to the galv' finish with a wire brush on the drill but that is a bit fierce.
I've seen, but never used, these "mess free" brush-on strippers in the DIY stores.
Any experience of good ones?
Thanks,
David Read more
In the excellent discussion on the best methods as to their removal a few day back, I was surprised that nobody mentioned 'Langka' paint blob remover.
I have used this method on deep scratches and large paint chips successfully.
It eliminates the need for fine brushes/cocktail stick application. The cream is applied with a cloth wraped around a small flat flexible strip. It partly dissolves the hardened touch up, and with carefull rubbing will bring the surface flush with the original paintwork without damaging it. With carefull application this will fill the scratch/chip unnoticably. The same technique can be used on the final laquer touch up on metallic paints.
Even though very expensive, the 50 ml I bought has lasted me 4 years. Read more
The only place I have seen it advertised is on the trading flyer given away with the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA) magazine. It was about £15 with postage. You could try e-mail csma-ro@place4all.com for info.
My 180,000 mile 1986 Golf GTi 1800 8v has mayonnaisy white deposits under the oil filler cap. The dipstick oil is fine.
I rang my local VW specialist to get a price for a head gasket replacement and he was cagey and said book it in and it may not be the head gasket but just a 'sub £100' repair. Now the car does not seem to be losing coolant so perhaps he is right and it is not the head gasket, but any ideas what it could be??? The rocker gasket is leaking but can't see that making a difference??? He would not tell me his thoughts so would be interested if anyone has any ideas...
Ian Read more
If its similar to the one on my better half's polo then its a doddle.
Just 3 6mm colts, undo and voila.
Remove the oil splash plate and you can see whether the mayo is clogging the works or not. In my case it was just around the breather pipe and filler cap. Good clean out and looks like new.
Just remember don't, i repeat DON'T overtighten the bolts and 2 of mine went snap and a lot of buggering around. £1.61 each from vw.
Check if the rocker cover gasket needs replacing and thats a 2 min job also. they cost around £6
Jonathan
Just when you thought the government couldn't make matters worse, there is a letter from the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher, asking the police for ideas to ban motorcycles from National Parks. The roads, that is, not just the parking areas!
One interim idea is to put more cameras into areas of outstanding natural beauty, which I should have thought would stop them from being AONB's...
The actual letter, with some comment, is on
www.speed-trap.co.uk/news.htm Read more
Sorry about the duplication - just read Alwyn's piece on this below. No need to reply here!
I have a Lexus ES300, where is the PCV valve located? does anything else need replacing when renewing the PCV valve? is it difficult to replace? I am replacing due to mileage and to eliminate it while looking for a reason for rough idling.
Thanks in advance
Eleanor Read more
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WHo knows whether or not this will work. However, if it does, this is where I should have left the Freelander.
This is near my house and where I go with the Dogs.
It is also the scene of my first experience with the Freelander Read more
He could neither afford binoculars nor work out how to use them.
However, it would be a dream from heaven if he were in Brazil, we have some fairly direct options available to us here for resolving issues.
Hi
Having just spent a week on Malta, I can confirm that the most dangerous drivers (overtaking? It's not a problem.......anywhere!) with the most appalling cars (including Morris Marinas) on the worst roads (resurface the roads? Why bother? What's wrong with potholes and mirror smooth surfaces?) are not in the UK but here in Malta.
I can only assume that, after several decades of peace on the Island, the typical Maltese driver feels the need to confirm the violent and warlike nature of the island's inhabitants by cutting up all and sundry at any opportunity.
The tourist's rental vehicle of choice? I suggest a skip lorry.
There, I feel better now, thank you
MT
PS My 13 year old son has today demonstrated a complete lack of mechanical sympathy when testing the "jeep" off-road...........so just like his Dad then! Read more
Toni, you know what they say,
English drive on the left
Italians drive on the right
Maltese drive in the shade
and its true!
At 50, I determined never again to lie under a car (but always to tell the truth). At 60 all was going well. At 70 - pear shaped. All my children have come home to roost. You solved the motor caravan. How about this please?
My lovely step daughter has a B reg Renault 5 Le Car (posh eh) by the name of Ronald, which is only marginally younger than she. I do my best and she thinks I am a genius because to date all the problems have been very basic. This one probably is too, but I'm not sure, so without telling her, I sneak into the back room to preserve my reputation. What's your diagnosis?
Hand brake off, first or reverse gear, engine pulling, car stationary, even sliding. Rear off side wheel locked solid. This is not the motor caravan 'under use' problem as it is in daily use. Handbrake operation gives normal feel (I have driven the car frequently).
Would I be getting warm to guess that the brake shoe has somehow locked inside the drum and, if so, how do I get it off again? I have a trolley jack, axle stands, infinite patience and an enviable reputation to preserve.
Your comments and advice would be welcomed and acknowledged.
Thank Colin S
P.S. For other oldies, what happened to the notion that, when you became old, your children and grandchildren took over and looked after you. I seem to spend half my time giving matrimonial, financial and technical (and would you believe sexual) advice to all of them. Read more
Colin
I'm a bit short of 60 and my two sons live away, so car maintenance is mostly mine only. Part of this is due to the fact that I persuaded number two son to take overy my Pug 306D and that was definitely a good plan.
To your problem. Hm. I've a nasty suspicion you might end up facing the sort of desperation cited by DW, because you can't see what's going on inside the brake drum. If I got to this stage I would resort to drilling holes in the face of the brake drum. A decent electric drill ought to manage 3/8 inch holes, and you might just be able to get something in to "wiggle" or prise the shoes.
Make sure you have sourced a scrappy's replacement drum first, and at leat you wont wreck anything else that's part of the rear suspension.
Ian
Hi all,
A local pothole has just claimed my two alloy n/s wheels. They have buckles and need to be replaced.
My local tyre dealer tells me that its quite common and that many people claim against the council - with some success.
Has anyone ever done this - or is it an urban myth?
Comments very welcome as the prospect of forking out over £400 dosn't fill me with any relish.
In anticipation .......
Robert Read more
Who you submit the claim to can be difficult to trace.
In principle the Highway agency are resonsible for A roads and Motorways and the local council responsible for all else.
However councils often act in an "agency" capacity for the Highway Agency for A roads.
My own experience on the A48 of a loose cast iron cat's eye base was resolved by the Highway agency .
It does again highlight the need to carry a camera in the car at all times so you can prove that there was a problem AND record the location photographically , not just the offending hole etc as one hole looks very much like another.
I hope this helps.
Can anyone figure out this madness which is really begining to hack me off.
I drive a 91 Escort 1.8D. I'm over 50. I live on the London outskirts and travel daily to
work in Essex. 75% of my driving is done in Essex. My car is parked in my companies
car park which is safe, has CCT and security staff. At home my car is parked in a secure
garage. But, because I have a London postcode my insurance is very expensive.
My friend lives in Essex. He is 28, drives an X reg Peugeot 306 Cabriolet. He drives to work
on the other side of the Thames in South London. Where his car is parked in a side street
of a not particularly nice area. 75% of his driving is in and through London.
Can anyone please explain why his insurance is at least 30% less than mine?
This is making me soooo MAD! Read more
When I lived in London all my vehicles were supposedly parked in a locked garage in deepest rural Somerset where I grew up.
In truth they were parked on the Barkentine Estate - Isle of Dogs.
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Maybe a bit late for this advice, but today's Telegraph mag. had an article (P81) on a product called Peel Away, which sounds promising.
Hope it's of use.
Regards,
Peter.