The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
French chalk powder used to be the trick.
With the Toyota vvti engine you can swap the aux belt in literally 5 mins due to the belt tensioner design being the easiest ever. 19mm socket on a bar, fixed swivel point, tension off by leverage. Slip belt off, new on and retention as you slip over last pulley. The self tensioner has just enough allowance to do it with no other tools. 13 quid for a belt mind was pushing boat out...
With the Toyota vvti engine you can swap the aux belt in literally 5 mins due to the belt tensioner design being the easiest ever. 19mm socket on a bar, fixed swivel point, tension off by leverage. Slip belt off, new on and retention as you slip over last pulley. The self tensioner has just enough allowance to do it with no other tools. 13 quid for a belt mind was pushing boat out...
Love this thread, a quick question.
The heating elements have started peeling on my rear window. It doesn’t demist any more, and since the radio antenna is part of the window elements trying to turn it on now destroys radio reception. It’s normally at most a mild annoyance but with frosty days coming I’m wondering if I should do something.
I’m going to try one of the paint kits for the elements. Have you any recommendations on what to go for?
The car’s 11 years old so I think it qualifies as a shed. It has a few other problems that are livable with but expensive to sort (air con being a big one) and I’m torn between putting money in or trading it in. But I plan to run it through the winter as a bare minimum.
The heating elements have started peeling on my rear window. It doesn’t demist any more, and since the radio antenna is part of the window elements trying to turn it on now destroys radio reception. It’s normally at most a mild annoyance but with frosty days coming I’m wondering if I should do something.
I’m going to try one of the paint kits for the elements. Have you any recommendations on what to go for?
The car’s 11 years old so I think it qualifies as a shed. It has a few other problems that are livable with but expensive to sort (air con being a big one) and I’m torn between putting money in or trading it in. But I plan to run it through the winter as a bare minimum.
Thanks folks. A scrappy’s an option, it’s a saloon (Lexus) so I don’t have high hopes of them having a screen. I do know a trustworthy mechanic who’d do the job for a fair rate if I found one and I’m happy to put business his way vs main dealers. I’ll check the local yards.
It’s annoying as mechanically most of the car’s probably sounder than some cars I’ve owned that were half the age and there are very few cars I’d consider worth the cost to change. But the prices to fix some things can be eye watering.
It’s annoying as mechanically most of the car’s probably sounder than some cars I’ve owned that were half the age and there are very few cars I’d consider worth the cost to change. But the prices to fix some things can be eye watering.
My Toyota avensis is still going. I get engine light on once a week for a O2 sensor that's been on its way out since I got the car nearly 2 years ago. I've covered about 12,000 miles and am still fairly happy with it .
Just passed MOT no advisories, but who knows where the mechanic took it for the MOT.
Just passed MOT no advisories, but who knows where the mechanic took it for the MOT.
p4cks said:
Next question then... does it actually need a repair or can you live with a misted rear window?
Good question and I can definitely live with it. It has been deteriorating for a couple of years now. But if a cheap fix works I’d go for it.The air con not working is more annoying. Summer’s over now so not an issue today but it’s something I’ll have to consider fixing next year. I’ve been quoted 900 quid by a main dealer and my local mechanic has recommended a specialist to try as its outside his expertise. It’s a pity modern climate control systems don’t seem to be able to blow fresh cold air in from the outside like cars without air con used to, if it did that instead of blowing warm I could happily live without air con too 😀.
How long to replace the fuel filter on a 92 Carina 2 I hear nobody ask...well, 2 mins to replace, then 45 mins of getting the other car off the drive to jump start said shed and a blast for a half hour or so....all because I left the sidelights on since Friday...muppetry...a buzzer sounds for headlights left on but not sidelights 
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The air con not working is more annoying. Summer’s over now so not an issue today but it’s something I’ll have to consider fixing next year. I’ve been quoted 900 quid by a main dealer and my local mechanic has recommended a specialist to try as its outside his expertise. It’s a pity modern climate control systems don’t seem to be able to blow fresh cold air in from the outside like cars without air con used to, if it did that instead of blowing warm I could happily live without air con too ??.
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Go on to Groupon - ATS have a £37 regas offer running until 31st. They pressure test beforehand so if there is a leak you can at least work out where. Thou will get a refund if it can’t be done. Parts off a breaker if there is a fault, fit then back to ATS. Cheap fix and if the system is empty you can wield your own spanners.
The air con not working is more annoying. Summer’s over now so not an issue today but it’s something I’ll have to consider fixing next year. I’ve been quoted 900 quid by a main dealer and my local mechanic has recommended a specialist to try as its outside his expertise. It’s a pity modern climate control systems don’t seem to be able to blow fresh cold air in from the outside like cars without air con used to, if it did that instead of blowing warm I could happily live without air con too ??.
[/quote]
Go on to Groupon - ATS have a £37 regas offer running until 31st. They pressure test beforehand so if there is a leak you can at least work out where. Thou will get a refund if it can’t be done. Parts off a breaker if there is a fault, fit then back to ATS. Cheap fix and if the system is empty you can wield your own spanners.
My current shed is known infamously as "The £100 Bora" done 26k in 14 months (1500 of which were in France) needed nothing but a thermostat and a wheelbearing.
Started as just a work car as I didn't fancy parking my RRC on a building site but now I use it everyday for everything. Stuck some heated leathers in it for £140, 55mpg I've grown quite fond of it.
Started as just a work car as I didn't fancy parking my RRC on a building site but now I use it everyday for everything. Stuck some heated leathers in it for £140, 55mpg I've grown quite fond of it.
My Mk1 V70 has developed a minor oil habit of late, it’s not horrific and as the mot is December, it’ll probably wait until I’ve run out of the 15 litres of 10w/40 and 5w/50 in the garage or the mot arrives before being looked at properly.
Owes me £500 minus all the skip/delivery monies it’s saved me whilst working on the house.
Owes me £500 minus all the skip/delivery monies it’s saved me whilst working on the house.
VR6 Matt said:
My current shed is known infamously as "The £100 Bora" done 26k in 14 months (1500 of which were in France) needed nothing but a thermostat and a wheelbearing.
Started as just a work car as I didn't fancy parking my RRC on a building site but now I use it everyday for everything. Stuck some heated leathers in it for £140, 55mpg I've grown quite fond of it.
I've become so used to a easy 60+MPG and not giving a toss about dents and dirt with my Shed now which has turned my XJ8 into quite a needy and expensive PITA in comparison and that's made it practically redundant. Started as just a work car as I didn't fancy parking my RRC on a building site but now I use it everyday for everything. Stuck some heated leathers in it for £140, 55mpg I've grown quite fond of it.
21k on the Shed last year including several trips to Wales, booze cruises, tip runs and about 3k on a rambling road trip to the SoF and back last summer. Total mileage on the XJ over the same period was about 2k.
It's tucked away in the garage and SORN'd until next spring now. I probably won't miss it.
motorwaycruiser said:
Good question and I can definitely live with it. It has been deteriorating for a couple of years now. But if a cheap fix works I’d go for it.
Trick: it steams up when the car temp is higher than the outside temp and hence the humidity of the car is higher. If, as you finish your journey you switch off the heating and open the windows, all that warm humid air exits so it’s less likely to steam up overnight for the next morning. Inside the car should feel like the outside before you close and lock-up.Excellent read this thread.
Just been handed a 'shed' this weekend - my old mans '06 Kangoo van! He was a decorator so paint all over the back doors, a wheel bearing on its way out and more lights on the dash than a christmas tree (ABS fault). 6 months ticket on it still, Engine running great tho and more fun to drive than my '12 Caddy Maxi Life!
Daughters had fun painting the plywood interior this weekend and Ive taxed/insured it. Do I shed it for the next few months or do i just move it on?
Just been handed a 'shed' this weekend - my old mans '06 Kangoo van! He was a decorator so paint all over the back doors, a wheel bearing on its way out and more lights on the dash than a christmas tree (ABS fault). 6 months ticket on it still, Engine running great tho and more fun to drive than my '12 Caddy Maxi Life!
Daughters had fun painting the plywood interior this weekend and Ive taxed/insured it. Do I shed it for the next few months or do i just move it on?
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