So what have you done with your Aston today? (Vol. 2)
Discussion
Tin Hat said:
As I wondered how to dispose of the old battery, I noted that it was in remarkable condition, it looked in mint condition, as good as new.
I used to take my old batteries to the local recycling centre.
On one occasion, a few batteries had accumulated (yes
), so I went to a scrap metal firm who gave me money for them.One day, a flash of inspiration came my way. I read a report that Mr. Musk planned to use old Tesla car batteries as an electricity storage system. That made me realise, that old car batteries might not be dead, but still contain some electricity, just not enough to start a car engine.
I am using one old car battery to power two led green lights, in a full size topiary grizzly bear. The lights are the eyes. I did ponder having red eyes, but decided that was rather gruesome.
Remarkably, those lights remain illuminated for months, before the power becomes too low and the 'eyes close'. The battery can either then be recharged, or connected to a small solar panel to keep the charge topped up.
So there we are. Old car batteries are not useless, they still contain useable energy.
What ingenious activities have found to use old batteries for ?
Simpo Two said:
Things you can only find on PH 
How do other people here light the eyes in their topiary grizzly bears?
How do other people here light the eyes in their topiary grizzly bears?
My front garden bear is providing joy and entertainment to children and adults. No coach parties yet, but cars sometimes stop.
I had to make an adjustment to the branch, which represents a waving arm. A gentleman told me he was not sure whether he was looking at a bear, or Hitler! Need a bend at the elbow. A young sapling was only intended to be a small tree, but then a different idea came to me. With only one tree, you cannot have two legs, so the plan changed to create a squatting grizzly bear. The very last part is taking a while, the ears.
I recommend topiary as a fun extra hobby. Representing an animal has been a good choice, rather than just a shape. People walking past don't want to talk about a cone, or a cube.
Yew is the choice of topiarists. It is a very slow job, but after planting, you just need to tie ropes to tension into shape and occasionally be handy with the shears.
I must keep to topic, so this is my answer to the topic question.
Connected the trickle charger and replaced the two Egyptian cotton dust covers.
Sunshine at the moment, so perhaps a drive later.
alscar said:
Tin , I laughed out loud far more than I should have done when I read your install of the old battery.
Glad it went well for the correct battery and congrats on the much improved time.
I thank you, Sir.Glad it went well for the correct battery and congrats on the much improved time.
Just to note that as my garage has no power ,I have a C Tek charger that can be used with a ‘slave’ battery, and with the addition of various additional leads ( which are beyond IPhone expensive) it can keep a regular charge. TBH,I am not convinced that it works, but it is made in Scandinavia and they have various YouTube tutorials that are delivered with such conviction that I can only assume that if it doesn’t work, it must be user error ( as you can tell from my recent experience that is entirely likely ).
Happy motoring guys
Tin Hat said:
I bought a new battery for my V12s, and having read up about the process of replacement, got myself ready for the unwanted challenge of slipping the hated battery clamps off.
Having got set up and armed with a steaming cup of coffee, I fastidiously followed the directions from the service manual, the seat was powered back 90 minutes later, I was quite chuffed with myself.
As I wondered how to dispose of the old battery, I noted that it was in remarkable condition, it looked in mint condition, as good as new. Indeed it was, I had taken out the old battery and then installed……….the old battery.
It took 25 minutes the second time round.
It’s running like a dream, I simply love it.
Brilliant! If it was me I would also have drawn blood in the process …Having got set up and armed with a steaming cup of coffee, I fastidiously followed the directions from the service manual, the seat was powered back 90 minutes later, I was quite chuffed with myself.
As I wondered how to dispose of the old battery, I noted that it was in remarkable condition, it looked in mint condition, as good as new. Indeed it was, I had taken out the old battery and then installed……….the old battery.
It took 25 minutes the second time round.
It’s running like a dream, I simply love it.
Started with a spotless car. Ended up with a downright dirty car. Enjoyed the heck out of it in beautiful autumnal sun. Winner!
Just passed 12k miles (nearly 10k being my doing). Not been using it as much lately due to work, which makes it even more special when I step back in it. Somehow always surprised how small the steering wheel is, which I really like. And I like every other nut and bolt that makes up this amazing machine.
Just passed 12k miles (nearly 10k being my doing). Not been using it as much lately due to work, which makes it even more special when I step back in it. Somehow always surprised how small the steering wheel is, which I really like. And I like every other nut and bolt that makes up this amazing machine.
t day feel a small percentage better listening to it start up.In my pursuit to create the largest list of replacement parts I can for the DB11 5.2L V12, despite AMs policy of only making parts available to its dealer network,
Yesterday, I pulled the #7 spark plug and coil to ID replacements. What I found is,:
Coils used in the newest V12 Biturbo platform are the same FoMoCo coils (DSVYA) in the later Rapide (later 6L V12).
ED23-12A366-AC
B17X1700627
It is a common Ford coil used in some Ecoboost 2.0L engines. Only the coil head can be used and the AM stem has to be reused.
The spark plugs are also the same NGK SITR7A11G (catalog #94949) used in the 6.0L V12.
To change plugs and coils, the intake manifolds must be removed, just as the intakes on the 6L V12 does and, surprisingly, even the intake gaskets for the newer 5.2L are the same as the 6L AM.
This is a major help for me in maintaining my own vehicle which I take pride in doing with all my previous cars, some of which were - Bentley CGT, MB AMG GTS, several Jaguars all the way back to a series III and several Corvettes.
So far I have found replacement parts on the DB11 5.2V12 for:
air and oil filters
preferred oil (Total Quartz)
Brake pads, front and rear and parking brakes.
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
Yesterday, I pulled the #7 spark plug and coil to ID replacements. What I found is,:
Coils used in the newest V12 Biturbo platform are the same FoMoCo coils (DSVYA) in the later Rapide (later 6L V12).
ED23-12A366-AC
B17X1700627
It is a common Ford coil used in some Ecoboost 2.0L engines. Only the coil head can be used and the AM stem has to be reused.
The spark plugs are also the same NGK SITR7A11G (catalog #94949) used in the 6.0L V12.
To change plugs and coils, the intake manifolds must be removed, just as the intakes on the 6L V12 does and, surprisingly, even the intake gaskets for the newer 5.2L are the same as the 6L AM.
This is a major help for me in maintaining my own vehicle which I take pride in doing with all my previous cars, some of which were - Bentley CGT, MB AMG GTS, several Jaguars all the way back to a series III and several Corvettes.
So far I have found replacement parts on the DB11 5.2V12 for:
air and oil filters
preferred oil (Total Quartz)
Brake pads, front and rear and parking brakes.
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
skhannes said:
In my pursuit to create the largest list of replacement parts I can for the DB11 5.2L V12, despite AMs policy of only making parts available to its dealer network,
Yesterday, I pulled the #7 spark plug and coil to ID replacements. What I found is,:
Coils used in the newest V12 Biturbo platform are the same FoMoCo coils (DSVYA) in the later Rapide (later 6L V12).
ED23-12A366-AC
B17X1700627
It is a common Ford coil used in some Ecoboost 2.0L engines. Only the coil head can be used and the AM stem has to be reused.
The spark plugs are also the same NGK SITR7A11G (catalog #94949) used in the 6.0L V12.
To change plugs and coils, the intake manifolds must be removed, just as the intakes on the 6L V12 does and, surprisingly, even the intake gaskets for the newer 5.2L are the same as the 6L AM.
This is a major help for me in maintaining my own vehicle which I take pride in doing with all my previous cars, some of which were - Bentley CGT, MB AMG GTS, several Jaguars all the way back to a series III and several Corvettes.
So far I have found replacement parts on the DB11 5.2V12 for:
air and oil filters
preferred oil (Total Quartz)
Brake pads, front and rear and parking brakes.
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
Brilliant - keep it coming. It’s extremely helpful. Perhaps update the ‘alternative parts’ thread? Yesterday, I pulled the #7 spark plug and coil to ID replacements. What I found is,:
Coils used in the newest V12 Biturbo platform are the same FoMoCo coils (DSVYA) in the later Rapide (later 6L V12).
ED23-12A366-AC
B17X1700627
It is a common Ford coil used in some Ecoboost 2.0L engines. Only the coil head can be used and the AM stem has to be reused.
The spark plugs are also the same NGK SITR7A11G (catalog #94949) used in the 6.0L V12.
To change plugs and coils, the intake manifolds must be removed, just as the intakes on the 6L V12 does and, surprisingly, even the intake gaskets for the newer 5.2L are the same as the 6L AM.
This is a major help for me in maintaining my own vehicle which I take pride in doing with all my previous cars, some of which were - Bentley CGT, MB AMG GTS, several Jaguars all the way back to a series III and several Corvettes.
So far I have found replacement parts on the DB11 5.2V12 for:
air and oil filters
preferred oil (Total Quartz)
Brake pads, front and rear and parking brakes.
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
It’s great to know the blown Aston V12 is still using some generic Ford bits, it will help keep future costs for owners under control, especially as we are now starting to discover what the costs are for coil pack replacement on the Mercedes M177 engine.
Remember to post if you ever identify anyone or any organisation who has worked out how to get round the Mercedes electrical architecture OBD fault analysis limitations.
Calinours said:
Remember to post if you ever identify anyone or any organisation who has worked out how to get round the Mercedes electrical architecture OBD fault analysis limitations.
Hi,Yes, as the architecture is used in the AM, I too would like more access here. I can scan simple powertrain codes on my V12 (as P-codes, especially P-0xxx codes are universal across any/all OBDII platform(s)).
I have a tool that would deep scan my AMG GTS. It would report the status of 40 modules. That is the V8, of course. The architecture used on the 5.2L V12 platform is modified. I've tried my tool (big risk) but it stalled half way through the report. I do not have access to a DB11 V8 or Vantage V8 so I am unable to try the program on the AM V8 platform.
Edited by skhannes on Saturday 18th November 14:13
skhannes said:
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
Have you tried https://thumbsnap.com/ ? Either way, people can always download and rotate them if they wish.Simpo Two said:
skhannes said:
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
Have you tried https://thumbsnap.com/ ? Either way, people can always download and rotate them if they wish.Composer62 said:
Simpo Two said:
skhannes said:
I have pictures of these coils and plugs, but they ALWAYS post on this site sideways or upside down and, as much as I've researched it, I cannot find a simple answer, so, sorry, no pics at this time.
Have you tried https://thumbsnap.com/ ? Either way, people can always download and rotate them if they wish.Best,
Calinours said:
Brilliant - keep it coming. It’s extremely helpful. Perhaps update the ‘alternative parts’ thread?
It’s great to know the blown Aston V12 is still using some generic Ford bits, it will help keep future costs for owners under control, especially as we are now starting to discover what the costs are for coil pack replacement on the Mercedes M177 engine.
Remember to post if you ever identify anyone or any organisation who has worked out how to get round the Mercedes electrical architecture OBD fault analysis limitations.
Fundamentally, you can scan: It’s great to know the blown Aston V12 is still using some generic Ford bits, it will help keep future costs for owners under control, especially as we are now starting to discover what the costs are for coil pack replacement on the Mercedes M177 engine.
Remember to post if you ever identify anyone or any organisation who has worked out how to get round the Mercedes electrical architecture OBD fault analysis limitations.
AM5/6/7 as a Mercedes C63 W205, not all modules will be available though owing to the fact that number of modules are recoded by AM despite looking the same
AM8 (DBX) needs to go as a E63S again same issue as described above.
DB12 and onwards have a new star topology so would need checking again.
There is currently no real aftermarket support for all modules I know of (or my source knows of at Gaydon).
AMDS2 is being replaced by AMDSDB anyway and unknown to dealers is being replaced in the coming time with Aston Martin Aurora which is still in testing at Gaydon.
Internally at Gaydon AMDS2/DB is rarely used for engineering, instead they use Softing DTS or Mercedes Vediamo (neither of which are friendly to use without an engineering guide before people try and you will likely be missing specific required files for AM before anyone is tempted!).
We should also be careful referring to it as an M177, there is no M177 that actually is the same as an AM one.
In general you have:
AE22 - the 4 litre in standard guise
AE24HP - 707 engine
AE31 - 5.2 litre V12
Additionally, despite many statements otherwise internally Gaydon still call the DB12 an AM5 (DB11) car, the AM568 DB11 MCF.
The new facelift Vantage is the AM672 Vantage MCF.
Edited by Ninja59 on Sunday 19th November 17:58
Edited by Ninja59 on Sunday 19th November 18:04
Ninja59 said:
We should also be careful referring to it as an M177, there is no M177 that actually is the same as an AM one.
In general you have:
AE22 - the 4 litre in standard guise
AE24HP - 707 engine
AE31 - 5.2 litre V12
In general you have:
AE22 - the 4 litre in standard guise
AE24HP - 707 engine
AE31 - 5.2 litre V12
I am trying to understand a simplified picture of all this.
The starting point appears to be;
The Mercedes M176 4 litre V8TT.
When the M176/M177/M178 engines arrive at Gaydon, what parts of the engines are changed by Aston Martin ?
In 2019, the M176 was equipped with the Mitsubishi starter/generatir mild hybrid 48V electrical system, producing additional output 16 kW (22 PS) and 250 N?m (184 lb?ft) of torque. I have not heard about any of the Aston Martin models using that system.
This V8 is made in different variations and various power outputs.
M177 - higher power - used in DB11; Vantage F1 and AMR 59; DBX; DB12.
This version of the engine uses wet-sump lubrication.
M178 - 740hp Dry sump - Planned for use in the Aston Martin Valhalla.
Is this roughly the correct (not too technical) basic understanding Chris ?
Has your contact ever mentioned the DBX 3 litre in-line 6 engine, M256 ?
After the original announcement of 'China only', I don't think we have heard any more.
It is an interesting engine and of course in-line sixes are in Aston Martin's heritage.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff