The Joy of Running an Old Shed

[Bullet-Proof_Biscuit]

I went mad at my leather with some £3 ebay 'saddle cleaner' which worked very well btw, the horse saddle type I might add. Credit to whoever suggested to use it here on ph I think lol...

[gman88667733]

A500leroy said:

when i do my panda i use a hand held suction pump from machine mart (£50) through the dipstick tube and change the filter every other time.
Any car specific parts i use shop4parts, for things like oil i go to cough B&M bargains..

Is it definitely OK to change the filter every other time? Also, is a handheld suction pump as effective as draining from the sump plug?

This method would work better for me as I don't have the most even ground the jack the car up on at home and I do like to change the oil in both our cars as regularly as I can (every few months) it is a really cheap way to give yourself some peace of mind.

If the suction pump will be as good as the traditional draining at the sump, I will get one ASAP as it'll make my life easier!

[redandwhite]

gman88667733 said:

Is it definitely OK to change the filter every other time? Also, is a handheld suction pump as effective as draining from the sump plug?

This method would work better for me as I don't have the most even ground the jack the car up on at home and I do like to change the oil in both our cars as regularly as I can (every few months) it is a really cheap way to give yourself some peace of mind.

If the suction pump will be as good as the traditional draining at the sump, I will get one ASAP as it'll make my life easier!

Sounds like suction pump method will be perfect for your needs, IMHO its not as 'good' as a sump dump in removing all the oil but its pretty close (they seem to have better results on certain cars due to the shape/routing of dipstick) - if your concerned you could suction pump it out and then remove the sump plug for confirmation of how much was removed - then decide if its the option for you.

[aaron_2000]

TVR-Stu said:

aaron_2000 said:

Been a long week of cleaning. I've 3 staged the paintwork which is still pretty fked, I've also deep cleaned the interior. Disinfected everything, leather cleaner with magic erasers to deshine it all and balm on every leather surface, then a wetvac to every bit of fabric which it needed badly. Only thing letting it down is the steering wheel, it'll never be like new again, I'm happy with the results though. Makes it nicer to drive, got 300 miles to do tomorrow which I'm looking forward to as long as it will still manage over 50mpg.

What a difference! A week well spent I think. Shame about the steering wheel as it's the bit you notice the most with your hands on it, might be worth trying some sort of leather dye?

The steering wheel is partly my fault. When I had it the first time last year, the wheel was a melted mess that left residue on your hands when you touched it. I couldn't stand that so I sanded it down a bit which did the trick.

[swampy442]

aaron_2000 said:

Been a long week of cleaning. I've 3 staged the paintwork which is still pretty fked, I've also deep cleaned the interior. Disinfected everything, leather cleaner with magic erasers to deshine it all and balm on every leather surface, then a wetvac to every bit of fabric which it needed badly. Only thing letting it down is the steering wheel, it'll never be like new again, I'm happy with the results though. Makes it nicer to drive, got 300 miles to do tomorrow which I'm looking forward to as long as it will still manage over 50mpg.

The 320D does 50+ on a long run?

[aaron_2000]

swampy442 said:

aaron_2000 said:

Been a long week of cleaning. I've 3 staged the paintwork which is still pretty fked, I've also deep cleaned the interior. Disinfected everything, leather cleaner with magic erasers to deshine it all and balm on every leather surface, then a wetvac to every bit of fabric which it needed badly. Only thing letting it down is the steering wheel, it'll never be like new again, I'm happy with the results though. Makes it nicer to drive, got 300 miles to do tomorrow which I'm looking forward to as long as it will still manage over 50mpg.

The 320D does 50+ on a long run?

In a 60mph average zone on the motorway, it'll do around 50mpg without an issue. Mid to high 40's around 80. Averaged 36 when pushing it down some B roads, it's remarkable on fuel economy.

[Kiribati268]

gman88667733 said:

Is it definitely OK to change the filter every other time? Also, is a handheld suction pump as effective as draining from the sump plug?

This method would work better for me as I don't have the most even ground the jack the car up on at home and I do like to change the oil in both our cars as regularly as I can (every few months) it is a really cheap way to give yourself some peace of mind.

If the suction pump will be as good as the traditional draining at the sump, I will get one ASAP as it'll make my life easier!

Depends on how much faff you can put up with, if you find it a ball ache jacking up, messing with the sump plug when you invariably drop it in the container and have to fish it out and then move the oil into a can hoping that none of it spils! Then yeah, the pump is a brilliant method. The suction method is wonderfully easy, oil and filter change done in 15 mins, the longest part is stood there waiting for the oil to drain, and you can get the filter done while it's pumping.

There's mixed opinions about whether it's a good enough way of removing enough oil, but what does it matter is there's a quarter of a litre that you can't get to, especially on a shed? It'll get heavily diluted down and with the ease of doing it i'm more likely to change it twice a year instead of once.

Many people have tested it by draining with the pump and then undoing the sump plug and there's just some dribbles that come out, but it must depend on where the dipstick tube runs to whether there's "lots" of oil the pump can't get to. Or as said above you can try that too and see if it pumps enough out for you to be happy.

I wish i'd had bought one sooner, saves a lot of messing about.

[LukeyP_]

I could be about to give up on shed life, only because I got an itch of a petrol hatch again in the Fiesta ST (MK6) variety.

I have a transporter guy collecting one anytime now for me, see what it's like when it arrives and going to run it for a month to check if it's the route I want to go down, then move the shed on or move the ST one and keep the shed.

[lyricalgangster]

So, by all accounts I drive a shed - 2009 Seat Ibiza, 95000mls. WBAC valuation is now £830 ish, was £1100 before COVID.

Anyway, it's in good condition, I kinda like it. My dilemma is this:

Do I pay for cambelt/water pump etc quoted £400 or do I play cambelt roulette?

Iv'e had the car 4 years and 50,000miles, so I know its history well. It's serviced annually.

I just don't know whether to pay half it's value or risk it. My gut says pay for cambelt done, knowing that hopefully it's the last biggish bill until it's time to change.

What do you sheddists think?

[gman88667733]

lyricalgangster said:

So, by all accounts I drive a shed - 2009 Seat Ibiza, 95000mls. WBAC valuation is now £830 ish, was £1100 before COVID.

Anyway, it's in good condition, I kinda like it. My dilemma is this:

Do I pay for cambelt/water pump etc quoted £400 or do I play cambelt roulette?

Iv'e had the car 4 years and 50,000miles, so I know its history well. It's serviced annually.

I just don't know whether to pay half it's value or risk it. My gut says pay for cambelt done, knowing that hopefully it's the last biggish bill until it's time to change.

What do you sheddists think?

If it were me, I would get it done 100%.
Ask yourself how much you'd have to pay to buy something similar/suitable as a replacement if it were to go bang? That would then be an unknown car, with potentially more issues.
You know the history, mileage isn't exactly high, nor is it a bad car. I say get it done and have a few more years out of it/however long you intend on keeping it.

Edit - also, I would say it's value is much greater than £830 that WBAC offer you. Privately I expect you'd get a fair chunk more as they are a desirable, popular car.

Edited by gman88667733 on Tuesday 2nd June 16:15

[greenarrow]

LukeyP_ said:

I could be about to give up on shed life, only because I got an itch of a petrol hatch again in the Fiesta ST (MK6) variety.

I have a transporter guy collecting one anytime now for me, see what it's like when it arrives and going to run it for a month to check if it's the route I want to go down, then move the shed on or move the ST one and keep the shed.

I'll be interested to see how you get on. I assume its the Fiesta ST150. We have one that is worth shed money that could be for sale soon, for anyone out there who fancies a hottish hot hatch at shed prices. Its got a crumpled rear wheel arch where the Mrs scuffed a BMW X3 in a car park and it could do with a new bonnet but mechanically its straight. Only 82000 miles and passed last MOT with no advisories......would be a bargain for someone who didn't mind a less than perfect looking car to hoon around in!!

[A500leroy]

gman88667733 said:

lyricalgangster said:

So, by all accounts I drive a shed - 2009 Seat Ibiza, 95000mls. WBAC valuation is now £830 ish, was £1100 before COVID.

Anyway, it's in good condition, I kinda like it. My dilemma is this:

Do I pay for cambelt/water pump etc quoted £400 or do I play cambelt roulette?

Iv'e had the car 4 years and 50,000miles, so I know its history well. It's serviced annually.

I just don't know whether to pay half it's value or risk it. My gut says pay for cambelt done, knowing that hopefully it's the last biggish bill until it's time to change.

What do you sheddists think?

If it were me, I would get it done 100%.
Ask yourself how much you'd have to pay to buy something similar/suitable as a replacement if it were to go bang? That would then be an unknown car, with potentially more issues.
You know the history, mileage isn't exactly high, nor is it a bad car. I say get it done and have a few more years out of it/however long you intend on keeping it.

Edit - also, I would say it's value is much greater than £830 that WBAC offer you. Privately I expect you'd get a fair chunk more as they are a desirable, popular car.

Edited by gman88667733 on Tuesday 2nd June 16:15

THIS

[Bumblebee7]

A500leroy said:

THIS

Indeed, I just spent over a grand replacing the clutch and flywheel on my daily that isn't even worth that. Logic was I've had it 7 years and definitely wouldn't buy something better or more reliable for £2k.

[lyricalgangster]

Cheers for the input - just confirming what I thought really.

Needs a tyre, oil change etc but thats just conumables so don't really count.

Will book it in

[CX53]

greenarrow said:

I'll be interested to see how you get on. I assume its the Fiesta ST150. We have one that is worth shed money that could be for sale soon, for anyone out there who fancies a hottish hot hatch at shed prices. Its got a crumpled rear wheel arch where the Mrs scuffed a BMW X3 in a car park and it could do with a new bonnet but mechanically its straight. Only 82000 miles and passed last MOT with no advisories......would be a bargain for someone who didn't mind a less than perfect looking car to hoon around in!!

I'm drawn to the ST150's at the moment, I keep looking at one in the works car park and keep thinking it would be a good car to rag to work and back in! I might be in touch in the near future.

[swampy442]

lyricalgangster said:

Cheers for the input - just confirming what I thought really.

Needs a tyre, oil change etc but thats just conumables so don't really count.

Will book it in

You could always just use your mk1 eyeball and look at the belt, see what condition its in.

[tomble22]

gman88667733 said:

lyricalgangster said:

So, by all accounts I drive a shed - 2009 Seat Ibiza, 95000mls. WBAC valuation is now £830 ish, was £1100 before COVID.

Anyway, it's in good condition, I kinda like it. My dilemma is this:

Do I pay for cambelt/water pump etc quoted £400 or do I play cambelt roulette?

Iv'e had the car 4 years and 50,000miles, so I know its history well. It's serviced annually.

I just don't know whether to pay half it's value or risk it. My gut says pay for cambelt done, knowing that hopefully it's the last biggish bill until it's time to change.

What do you sheddists think?

If it were me, I would get it done 100%.
Ask yourself how much you'd have to pay to buy something similar/suitable as a replacement if it were to go bang? That would then be an unknown car, with potentially more issues.
You know the history, mileage isn't exactly high, nor is it a bad car. I say get it done and have a few more years out of it/however long you intend on keeping it.

Edit - also, I would say it's value is much greater than £830 that WBAC offer you. Privately I expect you'd get a fair chunk more as they are a desirable, popular car.

Edited by gman88667733 on Tuesday 2nd June 16:15

Definitely agree, given you've had it so long and want to keep it going for a while longer, it makes sense to get it changed. Worst case you don't get it done and the cambelt goes in the next few months, then you've lost the use of the shed and most of it's value!!

[tomble22]

I'll be moving the A2 i bought last week on again. Lovely little car, good history etc but just not for me. Going from a big estate to a small car really highlights how bumpy the ride is and how even though they are quite a tall car, being 6 '3" and of larger build doesn't quite work in one. Will make back what i've spent on it anyway so nothing lost.

I've had circa 50 cars since i passed my test in 2005 and i can count the ones I miss on one hand, my old MK3 VR6, my first MK5 GTI among them. I now count the Shedaccord in that category. For some reason that 15 year old, high mileage ropey old Japanese estate has really got under my skin and I just couldn't part with it, so it's staying at least until the MOT runs out, then we'll see what it needs. I've got a mate who'll do the clutch on it if it goes for £150 and that's the only big thing it's likely to need.

I took some pictures to sell it last weekend and it just sealed the deal for me. So much in fact that i'd happily have another Accord Tourer to replace it when it does go.

[LukeyP_]

greenarrow said:

I'll be interested to see how you get on. I assume its the Fiesta ST150. We have one that is worth shed money that could be for sale soon, for anyone out there who fancies a hottish hot hatch at shed prices. Its got a crumpled rear wheel arch where the Mrs scuffed a BMW X3 in a car park and it could do with a new bonnet but mechanically its straight. Only 82000 miles and passed last MOT with no advisories......would be a bargain for someone who didn't mind a less than perfect looking car to hoon around in!!

Cheers, I just took delivery of it yesterday - pic below. It is a ST150 yeah, cost me £2k with 85k on the clock. Car itself seems in good condition, needs a couple of tyres, couple of bodywork stuff to sort out and it should be good to go. Yours sounds a good car though, what colour is it?

I'm going to run the ST until end of June, then make a call if the lowered hot hatch life is for me or not!!

[greenarrow]

LukeyP_ said:

Cheers, I just took delivery of it yesterday - pic below. It is a ST150 yeah, cost me £2k with 85k on the clock. Car itself seems in good condition, needs a couple of tyres, couple of bodywork stuff to sort out and it should be good to go. Yours sounds a good car though, what colour is it?

I'm going to run the ST until end of June, then make a call if the lowered hot hatch life is for me or not!!

Looks like a nice one. £2K for a late model, not bad at all.

Here is ours;




You can probably tell that the bonnet paint has gone very badly wrong! I've been looking out for a replacement one for a while but not found one yet. The rear drivers side wheel arch also crumpled. There is absolutely zero rust however anywhere on the car. New alternator 3 weeks ago and plenty of parts replaced during our ownership, mainly suspension related as we tried to trace an annoying clonk, which turned out to be a track rod end!

However, at 82K miles its lower for its year than any other 2005 car I've seen for sale and anyone reading this and interested should check the MOT history as its pretty good. We bought the car in December 2014 and my wife never thrashes her cars, doing about 2,000 miles a year. Anyone who picked this up would, bodywork issues aside, have a good car for shed money! They're good value now, these STs. Being an old sporty Ford, the values will also eventually rise, just like the inferior XR2s before them.......