The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
LukeyP_ said:
So changing the boost sensor on my Octavia 1.9 TDI helped a little but still getting turbo issues which must be the vanes sticking. So I put a bottle of that in, 40L of diesel and took it for 30 mile run. First 10 miles turbo cut out twice, but once it clearly got through it’s made the car a different car to drive. It pulls right through to 4,500rpm in 2nd, 3rd and 4th - keeps the boost Nicely but just pulls so much better with no lag.
I must admit I was a bit sceptical on this working but reviews seemed good - I just couldn’t understand how it wouldn’t combust before it had chance to reach the turbo. I’m not expecting it to last forever, but maybe one of these a month will keep car running better for now until I can be bothered to faff around with mr muscle during the nice warmer summer months.
Edit - pic wasn’t that way on my iPad !!
What engine is it, PD or pre (non?) PD? The VE (Verteiler Einspritzpumpe) 90 and 110bhp engines ae phenomenally unbreakable.
I had a PD100 Passat B5.5 for a year and ran it on a mix of about 50% diesel and 50% the dregs of what we drained out of misfuelled cars at the garage I worked at. Petrol station next door would just roll cars round the corner and we would drain it, suck it out or whatever.
There had to be 1000L of that mixture gone through, and a half litre of cheap (free) 10w40 into the tank every once in a while.
Sold that one to a mate who had had several, and had an identical machine at the time, he reckoned that the year running maybe 10-20% petrol cleaned the 250,000 miles of crap out of it and it was better than a 130bhp one of the same age.
Wouldn't get away with that in a common-rail that's for sure!
LukeyP_ said:
So changing the boost sensor on my Octavia 1.9 TDI helped a little but still getting turbo issues which must be the vanes sticking. So I put a bottle of that in, 40L of diesel and took it for 30 mile run. First 10 miles turbo cut out twice, but once it clearly got through it’s made the car a different car to drive. It pulls right through to 4,500rpm in 2nd, 3rd and 4th - keeps the boost Nicely but just pulls so much better with no lag.
I must admit I was a bit sceptical on this working but reviews seemed good - I just couldn’t understand how it wouldn’t combust before it had chance to reach the turbo. I’m not expecting it to last forever, but maybe one of these a month will keep car running better for now until I can be bothered to faff around with mr muscle during the nice warmer summer months.
Edit - pic wasn’t that way on my iPad !!
I have to go from underneath with a long screwdriver or a couple of extensions put together.
When you do get around to the kitchen product method you could well be amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of the exhaust the first time you floor it.
A couple of regular runs all the way to redline will do the turbo some good as well. As for the rest of the car I couldn’t say either way though, ha.
mercedeslimos said:
What do you mean by boost sensor?
What engine is it, PD or pre (non?) PD? The VE (Verteiler Einspritzpumpe) 90 and 110bhp engines ae phenomenally unbreakable.
I had a PD100 Passat B5.5 for a year and ran it on a mix of about 50% diesel and 50% the dregs of what we drained out of misfuelled cars at the garage I worked at. Petrol station next door would just roll cars round the corner and we would drain it, suck it out or whatever.
There had to be 1000L of that mixture gone through, and a half litre of cheap (free) 10w40 into the tank every once in a while.
Sold that one to a mate who had had several, and had an identical machine at the time, he reckoned that the year running maybe 10-20% petrol cleaned the 250,000 miles of crap out of it and it was better than a 130bhp one of the same age.
Wouldn't get away with that in a common-rail that's for sure!
I changed the N75 valve on it as I thought from what I read it was cutting out as various RPM and it did fix it slightly but the higher revs, turbo still cut out. After tonight though I could redline it in every gear and it was brilliant. What engine is it, PD or pre (non?) PD? The VE (Verteiler Einspritzpumpe) 90 and 110bhp engines ae phenomenally unbreakable.
I had a PD100 Passat B5.5 for a year and ran it on a mix of about 50% diesel and 50% the dregs of what we drained out of misfuelled cars at the garage I worked at. Petrol station next door would just roll cars round the corner and we would drain it, suck it out or whatever.
There had to be 1000L of that mixture gone through, and a half litre of cheap (free) 10w40 into the tank every once in a while.
Sold that one to a mate who had had several, and had an identical machine at the time, he reckoned that the year running maybe 10-20% petrol cleaned the 250,000 miles of crap out of it and it was better than a 130bhp one of the same age.
Wouldn't get away with that in a common-rail that's for sure!
Mine is a 110 non PD ASV engine. Quite interesting to hear that actually and one I have heard before.
Demelitia said:
If you can’t be arsed with the mr.muscle now, along with putting this stuff in, it might be worth seeing if you can get on to the turbo actuator rod to give it a bit of manual manipulation to help free it up a bit.
I have to go from underneath with a long screwdriver or a couple of extensions put together.
When you do get around to the kitchen product method you could well be amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of the exhaust the first time you floor it.
A couple of regular runs all the way to redline will do the turbo some good as well. As for the rest of the car I couldn’t say either way though, ha.
Yeah that crossed my mind earlier, is it just a rod basically? I may give it a try over the weekend. I have to go from underneath with a long screwdriver or a couple of extensions put together.
When you do get around to the kitchen product method you could well be amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of the exhaust the first time you floor it.
A couple of regular runs all the way to redline will do the turbo some good as well. As for the rest of the car I couldn’t say either way though, ha.
Yes I think it’s the quickest I have been in that car tbh. It shifts when it wants to lol.
aaron_2000 said:
I'm hopefully off to look at a Renault 19 16v shed this week that runs and drives with MOT.
Awesome shed! I had all the road tests of these when they were new and they generally did very well. Have you seen this months Modern Classics magazine feature on it? There are only a few left. I tried to find one several years back and could never find any for sale. The Nissan Almera GTI is another one I wish I'd bought back in the day and is now nearly extinct..... ....Hope you buy it!
Rhun91 said:
What do you guys think. I'm no longer doing big miles so I'm planning on selling my MK3 megane 1.5 DCI shed. It's been ultra reliable and cheap to run (has to be the king of bargain diesel sheds) however it's just passed 135,000 miles and with no record of clutch or DMF being done I am concerned if anything goes the value could plummit. Thinking it's gotta be worth at least a grand with almost full documented service history including timing belt 20k miles ago. MOT til October too. My mate at work has a 07 C4 1.6 petrol that is just sitting about and he wants £350 for it. It's almost at 120k but just passed its MOT with one advisory for a front tyre. Anyone drove one of these? I quite like the quirky french style.
I've owned a C4, my wife had a C4 and Kitchski on here has a C4 https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Perfectly acceptable cars, but the cheapest car is the one you already own.
S100HP said:
Rhun91 said:
What do you guys think. I'm no longer doing big miles so I'm planning on selling my MK3 megane 1.5 DCI shed. It's been ultra reliable and cheap to run (has to be the king of bargain diesel sheds) however it's just passed 135,000 miles and with no record of clutch or DMF being done I am concerned if anything goes the value could plummit. Thinking it's gotta be worth at least a grand with almost full documented service history including timing belt 20k miles ago. MOT til October too. My mate at work has a 07 C4 1.6 petrol that is just sitting about and he wants £350 for it. It's almost at 120k but just passed its MOT with one advisory for a front tyre. Anyone drove one of these? I quite like the quirky french style.
I've owned a C4, my wife had a C4 and Kitchski on here has a C4 https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Perfectly acceptable cars, but the cheapest car is the one you already own.
greenarrow said:
S100HP said:
Rhun91 said:
What do you guys think. I'm no longer doing big miles so I'm planning on selling my MK3 megane 1.5 DCI shed. It's been ultra reliable and cheap to run (has to be the king of bargain diesel sheds) however it's just passed 135,000 miles and with no record of clutch or DMF being done I am concerned if anything goes the value could plummit. Thinking it's gotta be worth at least a grand with almost full documented service history including timing belt 20k miles ago. MOT til October too. My mate at work has a 07 C4 1.6 petrol that is just sitting about and he wants £350 for it. It's almost at 120k but just passed its MOT with one advisory for a front tyre. Anyone drove one of these? I quite like the quirky french style.
I've owned a C4, my wife had a C4 and Kitchski on here has a C4 https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Perfectly acceptable cars, but the cheapest car is the one you already own.
greenarrow said:
aaron_2000 said:
I'm hopefully off to look at a Renault 19 16v shed this week that runs and drives with MOT.
Awesome shed! I had all the road tests of these when they were new and they generally did very well. Have you seen this months Modern Classics magazine feature on it? There are only a few left. I tried to find one several years back and could never find any for sale. The Nissan Almera GTI is another one I wish I'd bought back in the day and is now nearly extinct..... ....Hope you buy it!
I'd love a nice one, but they seem to be very rare and decent money when they appear now.
greenarrow said:
aaron_2000 said:
I'm hopefully off to look at a Renault 19 16v shed this week that runs and drives with MOT.
Awesome shed! I had all the road tests of these when they were new and they generally did very well. Have you seen this months Modern Classics magazine feature on it? There are only a few left. I tried to find one several years back and could never find any for sale. The Nissan Almera GTI is another one I wish I'd bought back in the day and is now nearly extinct..... ....Hope you buy it!
LukeyP_ said:
Demelitia said:
If you can’t be arsed with the mr.muscle now, along with putting this stuff in, it might be worth seeing if you can get on to the turbo actuator rod to give it a bit of manual manipulation to help free it up a bit.
I have to go from underneath with a long screwdriver or a couple of extensions put together.
When you do get around to the kitchen product method you could well be amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of the exhaust the first time you floor it.
A couple of regular runs all the way to redline will do the turbo some good as well. As for the rest of the car I couldn’t say either way though, ha.
Yeah that crossed my mind earlier, is it just a rod basically? I may give it a try over the weekend. I have to go from underneath with a long screwdriver or a couple of extensions put together.
When you do get around to the kitchen product method you could well be amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of the exhaust the first time you floor it.
A couple of regular runs all the way to redline will do the turbo some good as well. As for the rest of the car I couldn’t say either way though, ha.
Yes I think it’s the quickest I have been in that car tbh. It shifts when it wants to lol.
https://images.app.goo.gl/to29vrtckPHeXiTXA
Similar to that. Don’t push it far. In an ideal world it would be better to try actuate the rod using a vacuum pump. I assume there’s a diagphram inside the actuator that won’t be moving so you’re pushing against that.
greenarrow said:
hmm...if you've got a reliable car you're happy with, is it worth changing it for an unknown quantity? If the clutch isn't slipping and there are no DMF type noises, you may as well run it into the ground - its not like it really owes you anything even if its worth a grand, which at that mileage and being a mid 2000's Renault is perhaps debatable....
This. If it's working well, kep it.When I'm chatting sheds with a couple of friends, they think that my shed is too thirsty for shed life (Mercedes ML270 CDI)
But since the total repair bill for 15 months and about 30,000 miles comes to £60.60 (replacement thermostat that I could've managed without - the old one was just sticky rather than dead), it has very cheaply covered that distance. Plus you can fill it with shedloads of crap and put a massive trailer on the back.
Not that this applies to the Megane, but just an example of why keeping the one you know can be the best bet. The grass is not always greener
Thanks for the replies. I was hoping my car was worth a bit more than 750 being a diesel and in good nick for its age with good quality consumables and recent timing belt but such is the market. I've managed to knock him down to £300 as I found out it only has one key. Still seems ridiculous cheap for a car with 12 months MOT with such good mod cons for the year. Does need a good valet though and laquer is peeling on the bonnet and roof which according to Google seems a very common flaw on these C4's. I guess I just fancy a change but realistically I know deep down the sensible choice is to keep the known entity that is my megane. My car does have some shakes and rattles when pulling away and at idle. Especially when cold. However it's been that way for 20k so God knows how long is left in it.
I chopped in my Astra Sri which was starting to faulter, for a 2008 C4 1.6Hdi Coupe the other week.
It’s a great car! I love the way it looks and the interior is so quirky...
I don’t think there’s a better looking rear end in this price range and it’s a bit different from the usual sheds.
My main thing when changing the Astra was to get a £30 a year tax vehicle...I had been looking at the usual C1, 107, aygo stuff and the Suzuki alto and Kia picanto’s and getting a bit depressed that this was all that was out there...turns out the 2008 c4 coupe is only £30 a year road tax too!
That and the looks of it were enough to make me switch...the steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to and it does sound a bit like a tractor, but the stereo is great, cruise control and air con are bonuses I didn’t expect and when on a run can easily get 60+mpg while having enough grunt 40-70 to overtake easily.
I really like mine and have priced up a remap and getting a full service and brake refresh this week.
Insurance is also dirt cheap and according to man maths, the car is saving me £60 per month over the Astra. Win win (so far). It is a 12 year old Citroen with a missing 40K miles of service history, so who knows, it could blow tomorrow...
Until then, I’m going to enjoy it. It really does feel like an occasion every time I drive it. Sounds stupid to talk this way about a 90hp diesel, but it really just gets me and I don’t know why!?!?
It’s a great car! I love the way it looks and the interior is so quirky...
I don’t think there’s a better looking rear end in this price range and it’s a bit different from the usual sheds.
My main thing when changing the Astra was to get a £30 a year tax vehicle...I had been looking at the usual C1, 107, aygo stuff and the Suzuki alto and Kia picanto’s and getting a bit depressed that this was all that was out there...turns out the 2008 c4 coupe is only £30 a year road tax too!
That and the looks of it were enough to make me switch...the steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to and it does sound a bit like a tractor, but the stereo is great, cruise control and air con are bonuses I didn’t expect and when on a run can easily get 60+mpg while having enough grunt 40-70 to overtake easily.
I really like mine and have priced up a remap and getting a full service and brake refresh this week.
Insurance is also dirt cheap and according to man maths, the car is saving me £60 per month over the Astra. Win win (so far). It is a 12 year old Citroen with a missing 40K miles of service history, so who knows, it could blow tomorrow...
Until then, I’m going to enjoy it. It really does feel like an occasion every time I drive it. Sounds stupid to talk this way about a 90hp diesel, but it really just gets me and I don’t know why!?!?
LukeyP_ said:
I loved the 19s.
I remember my Dad having one from work at times when his van was in for service etc. Nice cars, think it was a K plate.
If there are some Renault shed experts on this thread then I have a question about my daughter's Clio shed: -I remember my Dad having one from work at times when his van was in for service etc. Nice cars, think it was a K plate.
The orange coolant/antifreeze seems to have "bits" in it, we can see them in the translucent bit of the header tank, do we just leave it or does it really need a flush and some new proper Renault antifreeze (is the genuine Renault stuff orange, pink, blue or green?)
(Not sure where else to post this question!)
mickyc79 said:
I chopped in my Astra Sri which was starting to faulter, for a 2008 C4 1.6Hdi Coupe the other week.
It’s a great car! I love the way it looks and the interior is so quirky...
I don’t think there’s a better looking rear end in this price range and it’s a bit different from the usual sheds.
My main thing when changing the Astra was to get a £30 a year tax vehicle...I had been looking at the usual C1, 107, aygo stuff and the Suzuki alto and Kia picanto’s and getting a bit depressed that this was all that was out there...turns out the 2008 c4 coupe is only £30 a year road tax too!
That and the looks of it were enough to make me switch...the steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to and it does sound a bit like a tractor, but the stereo is great, cruise control and air con are bonuses I didn’t expect and when on a run can easily get 60+mpg while having enough grunt 40-70 to overtake easily.
I really like mine and have priced up a remap and getting a full service and brake refresh this week.
Insurance is also dirt cheap and according to man maths, the car is saving me £60 per month over the Astra. Win win (so far). It is a 12 year old Citroen with a missing 40K miles of service history, so who knows, it could blow tomorrow...
Until then, I’m going to enjoy it. It really does feel like an occasion every time I drive it. Sounds stupid to talk this way about a 90hp diesel, but it really just gets me and I don’t know why!?!?
It's good to hear your positive opinions on the car. His is the 1.6 16v petrol in 'cool' trim. The tax is quite a bit more than I would like at £235 a year compared to the £30 a year on my megane dCi. However the insurance is over £200 cheaper so it kind of balances out. It’s a great car! I love the way it looks and the interior is so quirky...
I don’t think there’s a better looking rear end in this price range and it’s a bit different from the usual sheds.
My main thing when changing the Astra was to get a £30 a year tax vehicle...I had been looking at the usual C1, 107, aygo stuff and the Suzuki alto and Kia picanto’s and getting a bit depressed that this was all that was out there...turns out the 2008 c4 coupe is only £30 a year road tax too!
That and the looks of it were enough to make me switch...the steering wheel takes a bit of getting used to and it does sound a bit like a tractor, but the stereo is great, cruise control and air con are bonuses I didn’t expect and when on a run can easily get 60+mpg while having enough grunt 40-70 to overtake easily.
I really like mine and have priced up a remap and getting a full service and brake refresh this week.
Insurance is also dirt cheap and according to man maths, the car is saving me £60 per month over the Astra. Win win (so far). It is a 12 year old Citroen with a missing 40K miles of service history, so who knows, it could blow tomorrow...
Until then, I’m going to enjoy it. It really does feel like an occasion every time I drive it. Sounds stupid to talk this way about a 90hp diesel, but it really just gets me and I don’t know why!?!?
Although I'm expecting the mpg to be pretty bad compared to my megane which may push the running costs higher. So it's whether the risk of a modern diesel going wrong is worth choosing the petrol instead. Like you I'm a big fan of the looks of the C4 and it does come with a great spec just like the megane. Realistically all it needs is a good valet and a full service, the parts are pennies. In an ideal world I'd have them both and ditch the megane if anything expensive broke as clutch/DMF isn't financially worth it at all now I know how little my car is worth. I was hoping for £900 private sale but I'm doubting it after what's been said by previous posters. However paying for insurance and tax on two cars is a big no no. Taking the C4 for a test drive next week, the lad selling it is a work mate and is a nice honest guy so I'm not worried about any shifty business. Part of me knows I should just keep the megane but I do fancy a change. Decisions, decisions.
M4cruiser said:
LukeyP_ said:
I loved the 19s.
I remember my Dad having one from work at times when his van was in for service etc. Nice cars, think it was a K plate.
If there are some Renault shed experts on this thread then I have a question about my daughter's Clio shed: -I remember my Dad having one from work at times when his van was in for service etc. Nice cars, think it was a K plate.
The orange coolant/antifreeze seems to have "bits" in it, we can see them in the translucent bit of the header tank, do we just leave it or does it really need a flush and some new proper Renault antifreeze (is the genuine Renault stuff orange, pink, blue or green?)
(Not sure where else to post this question!)
In other news the rear brake disc and pad change has defeated me. The Rev. is going to have to go to the local car wizard for at least a caliper rebuild (might get away with just polishing the existing pistons but I'm not sure they'll bother with the faff or if they do it'll be more expensive. I can't get either piston to go back in, they're too stiff. Bloody awkward trying to get a decent purchase on anything with the handbrake cable making moving it to the right angle almost impossible (those bolts are pretty gunged up, too...)
In fact, I've got a big decision to make. The shed will be liable for a charge under the new ULEZ rules in Birmingham by the time I need it next winter. I still need to either fit the replacement driver's door (totally different colour) or cobble together a working window mechanism if I've got any hope of getting more than scrap value for it, despite 4 tyres with only about 2000 miles on them. Any ULEZ compliant shed is going to be about £500 come October (when I usually make my purchase) purely because of the charges, I reckon.
The alternative is to use my PCPmobile for my commute and buy a more recent, lower mileage conservatory/orangery (posh shed) for Mrs P. (or I suppose I could just get a posher lower emissions shed...)
In fact, I've got a big decision to make. The shed will be liable for a charge under the new ULEZ rules in Birmingham by the time I need it next winter. I still need to either fit the replacement driver's door (totally different colour) or cobble together a working window mechanism if I've got any hope of getting more than scrap value for it, despite 4 tyres with only about 2000 miles on them. Any ULEZ compliant shed is going to be about £500 come October (when I usually make my purchase) purely because of the charges, I reckon.
The alternative is to use my PCPmobile for my commute and buy a more recent, lower mileage conservatory/orangery (posh shed) for Mrs P. (or I suppose I could just get a posher lower emissions shed...)
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