The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
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This is just outside official shed budget, but the want is strong for, reasons. Citroen Xantia 1.9td, running on veg oil, with 17" steel wheels https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193428510993
I've probably obliterated shed rules over the last week or so but I've been tarting up the shedaccord, mainly because I'm currently furloughed and ran out of things to do around the house, so thought I'd fiddle around with the car.
Also had an issue with an intermittent battery light which turned out to be a duff battery, it managed nearly 8 years though so not too bad. A nice new Varta for £86 has done the job. Have also bought some new front pads as they're low, stick them on this week.
Couple of before and after photos. Currently spraying the handles in the body colour and that's it then, no more lavish fettling.
Before:
After:
Also had an issue with an intermittent battery light which turned out to be a duff battery, it managed nearly 8 years though so not too bad. A nice new Varta for £86 has done the job. Have also bought some new front pads as they're low, stick them on this week.
Couple of before and after photos. Currently spraying the handles in the body colour and that's it then, no more lavish fettling.
Before:
After:
We haven't got many tarmac roads down here in Cornwall!! 
RedFella90 said:
If the limt is £1500 to happily walk away then I'm part of the club !! 
I've a wee '09 2.0 TDI CR Passat Highline that's now sitting at 195k miles.
It's been in my care for 6 years now, by far the longest I've ever kept a car.
It's slowly evolved itself into a shed over the years as the big miles racked up and took their toll.
More recently, it's also been used as a builders van while fixing up the house, it's a steady little workhorse happily towing very heavy trailers.
Now it's a point were it has failed it's MOT (last year) and this one is looking ropey.
When do you call it a day and walk away ?
There are definitely some miles left in it, but how much do you put into it to eek the very last out of it.
The car requires an EGT Sensor for next MOT (£50-60ish).
Front Suspension is knocking - I suspect a front nearside wishbone bushing - but if I fix it, I'd want to do all the bushings + balljoints, left and right.
A new driverside front wing is also badly needed due to iron acne erroding it away - but not bad enough to fail MOT.
It's in dire need of a Timing Belt as I'm currently playing T-Belt Roulette (last changed 86K-ish !!).
I've done all work to this car myself and this is the one I fear the most and don't have the balls to tackle it myself.
Despite what some people think a car won't explode a few K over the recomended service period, however I definitely realise 100k is taking the pee.
Fellow shedder's where do I go from here ?
The EGT probe goes into the turbocharger turbine housing or exhaust manifold, DIY-able. Wing, black duct tape. The wishbone bush (90% certain it's the rearmost of the two, and the bigger) can actually be replaced with a Fabia/Polo bush for about 15 quid and a hydraulic press (or some bolts and flat plate and pipe if you're that way inclined, done it both ways). Timing belts AFAIK are 100k miles or 5 years, but it's rarely the belt that fails, usually the water pump. I think the £250 ish cost would come back if you sold it. I've a wee '09 2.0 TDI CR Passat Highline that's now sitting at 195k miles.
It's been in my care for 6 years now, by far the longest I've ever kept a car.
It's slowly evolved itself into a shed over the years as the big miles racked up and took their toll.
More recently, it's also been used as a builders van while fixing up the house, it's a steady little workhorse happily towing very heavy trailers.
Now it's a point were it has failed it's MOT (last year) and this one is looking ropey.
When do you call it a day and walk away ?
There are definitely some miles left in it, but how much do you put into it to eek the very last out of it.
The car requires an EGT Sensor for next MOT (£50-60ish).
Front Suspension is knocking - I suspect a front nearside wishbone bushing - but if I fix it, I'd want to do all the bushings + balljoints, left and right.
A new driverside front wing is also badly needed due to iron acne erroding it away - but not bad enough to fail MOT.
It's in dire need of a Timing Belt as I'm currently playing T-Belt Roulette (last changed 86K-ish !!).
I've done all work to this car myself and this is the one I fear the most and don't have the balls to tackle it myself.
Despite what some people think a car won't explode a few K over the recomended service period, however I definitely realise 100k is taking the pee.
Fellow shedder's where do I go from here ?
193k is small on these, if there are no DPF problems, DMF/Clutch OK then she's good for another 100k easy. Many taxis pushed past the half-million.
I've had a few B6s (2x 1.9 and a 2.0 PD) and know them almost inside out, and have plenty of experience of the 2.0CR from working in a dealership, just prefer the PD, just personal preference.
Just ordered up an EGT and 2 bushes for £100 all in.
Patent parts, but brands I've had experience with.
Its Sensor 4 so the furtherest one from the turbo.
I did a bit of a scout under the car last night looks like it'll be doable provided the sensor isn't seized solid.
The bushings should be a doddle, again IF the bolts aren't seized.
The replacement parts come with new bolts, so I've no fear in butchering them if needs be.
I'll get a colour match wing from a local scrappy for £20-30 when things start to open back up.
As for the timing belt, I'll leave well enough alone for now and reconsider when the mechanic is back to work after this Covid-19 business.
It also looks like I've a '04 Skoda Fabia Saloon 1.9TDI coming my way, as a mate is simply looking rid and can't be bothered with the hassle of scrapping it. This car has been on the road until a few months ago when it was replaced.
So this may be my testing bed for a T-Belt change
Patent parts, but brands I've had experience with.
Its Sensor 4 so the furtherest one from the turbo.
I did a bit of a scout under the car last night looks like it'll be doable provided the sensor isn't seized solid.
The bushings should be a doddle, again IF the bolts aren't seized.
The replacement parts come with new bolts, so I've no fear in butchering them if needs be.
I'll get a colour match wing from a local scrappy for £20-30 when things start to open back up.
As for the timing belt, I'll leave well enough alone for now and reconsider when the mechanic is back to work after this Covid-19 business.
It also looks like I've a '04 Skoda Fabia Saloon 1.9TDI coming my way, as a mate is simply looking rid and can't be bothered with the hassle of scrapping it. This car has been on the road until a few months ago when it was replaced.
So this may be my testing bed for a T-Belt change
ajprice said:
This is just outside official shed budget, but the want is strong for, reasons. Citroen Xantia 1.9td, running on veg oil, with 17" steel wheels https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193428510993
lol! that's got shed points, retro ride points, and made with funny french angles points! But agree way out of shed budget.Demelitia said:
magpie215 said:
Building up an ablative layer just in case it ever needs to survive reentry in to the atmosphere. Smart thinking.seriously i had to hot soapy water my windows to get off the sap and bird crud before i could drive it - doesnt help its parked in wooded area and not driven for about 2.5 weeks apart.
rider73 said:
Demelitia said:
magpie215 said:
Building up an ablative layer just in case it ever needs to survive reentry in to the atmosphere. Smart thinking.seriously i had to hot soapy water my windows to get off the sap and bird crud before i could drive it - doesnt help its parked in wooded area and not driven for about 2.5 weeks apart.
Bullet-Proof_Biscuit said:
ajprice said:
This is just outside official shed budget, but the want is strong for, reasons. Citroen Xantia 1.9td, running on veg oil, with 17" steel wheels https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193428510993
lol! that's got shed points, retro ride points, and made with funny french angles points! But agree way out of shed budget.ajprice said:
Bullet-Proof_Biscuit said:
ajprice said:
This is just outside official shed budget, but the want is strong for, reasons. Citroen Xantia 1.9td, running on veg oil, with 17" steel wheels https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/193428510993
lol! that's got shed points, retro ride points, and made with funny french angles points! But agree way out of shed budget.RedFella90 said:
Just ordered up an EGT and 2 bushes for £100 all in.
Patent parts, but brands I've had experience with.
Its Sensor 4 so the furtherest one from the turbo.
I did a bit of a scout under the car last night looks like it'll be doable provided the sensor isn't seized solid.
The bushings should be a doddle, again IF the bolts aren't seized.
The replacement parts come with new bolts, so I've no fear in butchering them if needs be.
I'll get a colour match wing from a local scrappy for £20-30 when things start to open back up.
As for the timing belt, I'll leave well enough alone for now and reconsider when the mechanic is back to work after this Covid-19 business.
It also looks like I've a '04 Skoda Fabia Saloon 1.9TDI coming my way, as a mate is simply looking rid and can't be bothered with the hassle of scrapping it. This car has been on the road until a few months ago when it was replaced.
So this may be my testing bed for a T-Belt change
The TDI's all generally share a timing belt design, apart from the 2.0 is twin cam and sixteen valves. There are tools you can buy on eBay (I got a set for small money a couple of years ago) that lock the crank pulley and cams. Patent parts, but brands I've had experience with.
Its Sensor 4 so the furtherest one from the turbo.
I did a bit of a scout under the car last night looks like it'll be doable provided the sensor isn't seized solid.
The bushings should be a doddle, again IF the bolts aren't seized.
The replacement parts come with new bolts, so I've no fear in butchering them if needs be.
I'll get a colour match wing from a local scrappy for £20-30 when things start to open back up.
As for the timing belt, I'll leave well enough alone for now and reconsider when the mechanic is back to work after this Covid-19 business.
It also looks like I've a '04 Skoda Fabia Saloon 1.9TDI coming my way, as a mate is simply looking rid and can't be bothered with the hassle of scrapping it. This car has been on the road until a few months ago when it was replaced.
So this may be my testing bed for a T-Belt change
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S-X1620-Timing-Tool-Set...
£29.
I do belts now without even using timing marks, but that's just the way I was taught as an engineer. Long plastic straw through the glow plug hole for Cyl1 TDC crank and valves rocking for cam. Make my own marks, belt on and check, and all good. Modern TDIs auto-adjust the timing to suit the running anyway. I had to physically adjust the injection timing slightly on a 1.9TDI A4 of 2000 vintage over the weekend, where you loosen the pump and physically move it to alter the timing slightly. That's all gone now, old tech!
Anyone else spotting a lot of really cheap sheds for sale recently?
I'm not sure if it's just because I've got more time to browse, or there's actually more sheds appearing. Some real bargains!
I was extremely tempted by this weekender shed although I have absolutely no need for it. It was gone within the hour, unsurprisingly.
I'm not sure if it's just because I've got more time to browse, or there's actually more sheds appearing. Some real bargains!
I was extremely tempted by this weekender shed although I have absolutely no need for it. It was gone within the hour, unsurprisingly.
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