The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Jimmy Recard said:
PrinceRupert said:
I got myself a Rover 75 with only 55k on the clock for a measly £650 delivered. Not so much to be run as a shed but it was cheap and interested me. It has a suspension knock which appears to be drop links and should be an easy DIY fix. However, it has no service history, and so is probably well overdue a cambelt change - which is outside my DIY ability and quite expensive on these at around £550.
What is the PH shed consensus on cambelts? Play roulette? Pay for peace of mind? Cannot really decide...
I do belts. I always think it's a false economy to leave it to ruin the engine unless I know the car will be scrapped shortly What is the PH shed consensus on cambelts? Play roulette? Pay for peace of mind? Cannot really decide...
MrGTI6 said:
Agreed. I replaced the timing belt on my car last week. It was well overdue and was constantly at the back of my mind whenever I drove it. Did the water pump at the same time. First time I've spent out on it (aside from tyres/discs/pads) in over three years but totally worthwhile getting it done.
If I was three years in and knew it was a keeper, it would be a no-brainer. A week after ownership on a car that I don't know is sound and don't know how long I'll keep ... different question I think. My main concern is avoiding getting stranded somewhere miles from home when I take it on a trip to North Wales or the Isle of Skye or whatever. PrinceRupert said:
MrGTI6 said:
Agreed. I replaced the timing belt on my car last week. It was well overdue and was constantly at the back of my mind whenever I drove it. Did the water pump at the same time. First time I've spent out on it (aside from tyres/discs/pads) in over three years but totally worthwhile getting it done.
If I was three years in and knew it was a keeper, it would be a no-brainer. A week after ownership on a car that I don't know is sound and don't know how long I'll keep ... different question I think. My main concern is avoiding getting stranded somewhere miles from home when I take it on a trip to North Wales or the Isle of Skye or whatever. I assume your 75 is petrol? The reason I ask is because the diesels are chain-driven. You are probably aware of this, but thought I'd mention just in case.
MrGTI6 said:
Fair enough, I can understand why you might be reluctant to get it done. Then again, another way to look at it is that the car will have set you back about a grand with a brand new cam-belt, which doesn't sound unreasonable given how much some 75s are being advertised for these days.
I assume your Rover 75 is petrol? The reason I ask is because the diesels are chain-driven. You are probably aware of this, but thought I'd mention just in case.
Yes the 2.5l KV6. Apparently there are three belts and it is a bit of a pig of a job. And agreed, even purchase price + belt and ancillaries price still wouldn't be massively expensive.I assume your Rover 75 is petrol? The reason I ask is because the diesels are chain-driven. You are probably aware of this, but thought I'd mention just in case.
Just because a car has a timing chain doesn't necessarily get you off the hook.
The only timing drive failure that I have ever experienced was when a K11 Micra snapped its timing chain.
Whether to play timing belt roulette should be determined by the type of car.
I would happily ignore the 110k interval on a Ford (Peugeot) 2.0 TDCi. When I changed the belt and water pump on my Focus at almost 120k there was no slack in the pump, no discernible wear to the belt and the tensioners were like new. All the bits looked like they would do another 100k without complaint.
By way of contrast, the timing belt and tensioner on a TS Alfa has a (revised) 36k interval for the damn good reason that many Twin Sparks never managed to reach the original 72k interval without failing.
Some engines are surprising. The Lotus 900 series motors fitted to Eclats, Elites, Excels and Esprits never seem to fail and are fitted with an extremely butch timing belt. Which is a good job, as changing the belt on an Esprit is a significant undertaking.
Does anyone have experience of the VW 1.8T petrol engine? I recently bought a cheap Audi TT, which has covered 96k. The service history suggests that it had a timing belt at about 65k, but I am not sure that I believe it.
I have just given it a service and replaced what I am sure were the original
spark plugs and an utterly filthy cabin filter, so I have little faith that the timing belt was done, despite the impressive looking receipt.
The only timing drive failure that I have ever experienced was when a K11 Micra snapped its timing chain.
Whether to play timing belt roulette should be determined by the type of car.
I would happily ignore the 110k interval on a Ford (Peugeot) 2.0 TDCi. When I changed the belt and water pump on my Focus at almost 120k there was no slack in the pump, no discernible wear to the belt and the tensioners were like new. All the bits looked like they would do another 100k without complaint.
By way of contrast, the timing belt and tensioner on a TS Alfa has a (revised) 36k interval for the damn good reason that many Twin Sparks never managed to reach the original 72k interval without failing.
Some engines are surprising. The Lotus 900 series motors fitted to Eclats, Elites, Excels and Esprits never seem to fail and are fitted with an extremely butch timing belt. Which is a good job, as changing the belt on an Esprit is a significant undertaking.
Does anyone have experience of the VW 1.8T petrol engine? I recently bought a cheap Audi TT, which has covered 96k. The service history suggests that it had a timing belt at about 65k, but I am not sure that I believe it.
I have just given it a service and replaced what I am sure were the original
spark plugs and an utterly filthy cabin filter, so I have little faith that the timing belt was done, despite the impressive looking receipt.
There is a long and amusing battle on the Rover forum around timing belts, with one chap saying they should be changed every six years on the button and another saying they are nigh indestructible.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread....
From inspecting the little bit of belt I can see in the engine bay, it looks okay, but I'm no expert and I can't see most of it.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread....
From inspecting the little bit of belt I can see in the engine bay, it looks okay, but I'm no expert and I can't see most of it.
PrinceRupert said:
There is a long and amusing battle on the Rover forum around timing belts, with one chap saying they should be changed every six years on the button and another saying they are nigh indestructible.
https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread....
From inspecting the little bit of belt I can see in the engine bay, it looks okay, but I'm no expert and I can't see most of it.
Visual belt inspection tells you very little hence why there is no visual insp of the belt called up in service schedules.https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread....
From inspecting the little bit of belt I can see in the engine bay, it looks okay, but I'm no expert and I can't see most of it.
Anyway belt failure is usually the result of another component failure waterpump tensioner idler pulleys.
M4cruiser said:
Just done the worst part of owning a shed - the Road Tax!!!!!! 
This year it comes in at £305.
So tempting so get something with annual tax at £30 or less .... but then I look at the depreciation again, payback period is still 5 to 7 years, ..
so I stick with my current shed until it really won't go any more.
?
Biggest downside for me with my 9-3 Aero. Over £500 in tax on a £2k car is annoying to say the least. This year it comes in at £305.
So tempting so get something with annual tax at £30 or less .... but then I look at the depreciation again, payback period is still 5 to 7 years, ..
so I stick with my current shed until it really won't go any more.
?
I’ve thought about selling it and replacing it with the lower tax version but it seems like a lot of hassle
Ive grown strangely attached to my little peugeot 106 since i had it. I was nervous at first as you dont get much for £250, with only word of mouth that it had been serviced, but the oil and air filter looked fairly fresh, so i assume its been looked after.
Cambelt - its done 68k and its an 02 plate. I assume the belt has been done before now, but get it done again? opinions?
My other question, is this. I put the seats down in the back of the car today as i needed to carry some stuff, and found this:
There was a leak of water into the car, for obviously quite a while before i got hold of it! I have sealed the leak (sunroof) and the car has passed its previous MOTs with no issues (partly why i purchased the car) but on putting the seats down, i found this. Is any of this an MOT fail? The rusty part on the base of the car unscrews so looks like i could replace this bit.
Thank you
Cambelt - its done 68k and its an 02 plate. I assume the belt has been done before now, but get it done again? opinions?
My other question, is this. I put the seats down in the back of the car today as i needed to carry some stuff, and found this:
There was a leak of water into the car, for obviously quite a while before i got hold of it! I have sealed the leak (sunroof) and the car has passed its previous MOTs with no issues (partly why i purchased the car) but on putting the seats down, i found this. Is any of this an MOT fail? The rusty part on the base of the car unscrews so looks like i could replace this bit.
Thank you
Pat H said:
Just because a car has a timing chain doesn't necessarily get you off the hook.
The only timing drive failure that I have ever experienced was when a K11 Micra snapped its timing chain.
Whether to play timing belt roulette should be determined by the type of car.
I would happily ignore the 110k interval on a Ford (Peugeot) 2.0 TDCi. When I changed the belt and water pump on my Focus at almost 120k there was no slack in the pump, no discernible wear to the belt and the tensioners were like new. All the bits looked like they would do another 100k without complaint.
By way of contrast, the timing belt and tensioner on a TS Alfa has a (revised) 36k interval for the damn good reason that many Twin Sparks never managed to reach the original 72k interval without failing.
Some engines are surprising. The Lotus 900 series motors fitted to Eclats, Elites, Excels and Esprits never seem to fail and are fitted with an extremely butch timing belt. Which is a good job, as changing the belt on an Esprit is a significant undertaking.
Does anyone have experience of the VW 1.8T petrol engine? I recently bought a cheap Audi TT, which has covered 96k. The service history suggests that it had a timing belt at about 65k, but I am not sure that I believe it.
I have just given it a service and replaced what I am sure were the original
spark plugs and an utterly filthy cabin filter, so I have little faith that the timing belt was done, despite the impressive looking receipt.
VW says most belts at 74k/4yrs.The only timing drive failure that I have ever experienced was when a K11 Micra snapped its timing chain.
Whether to play timing belt roulette should be determined by the type of car.
I would happily ignore the 110k interval on a Ford (Peugeot) 2.0 TDCi. When I changed the belt and water pump on my Focus at almost 120k there was no slack in the pump, no discernible wear to the belt and the tensioners were like new. All the bits looked like they would do another 100k without complaint.
By way of contrast, the timing belt and tensioner on a TS Alfa has a (revised) 36k interval for the damn good reason that many Twin Sparks never managed to reach the original 72k interval without failing.
Some engines are surprising. The Lotus 900 series motors fitted to Eclats, Elites, Excels and Esprits never seem to fail and are fitted with an extremely butch timing belt. Which is a good job, as changing the belt on an Esprit is a significant undertaking.
Does anyone have experience of the VW 1.8T petrol engine? I recently bought a cheap Audi TT, which has covered 96k. The service history suggests that it had a timing belt at about 65k, but I am not sure that I believe it.
I have just given it a service and replaced what I am sure were the original
spark plugs and an utterly filthy cabin filter, so I have little faith that the timing belt was done, despite the impressive looking receipt.
Always do water pump too, usually, the pump starts leaking, bearings bind up and belt comes off long before belt would snap or tensioner fail. However the most pressing issue on your car, for me, would be dropping the sump and cleaning it and the oil pickup. Many a good car has been ruined by neglecting it, enthusiasts recommend doing it every 30k or so. I did it on a 2.0TFSI last week, took me 90 mins including resealing the sump.
Chrysler is over £300 for a year (though I will only have it on road for 6 then sorn it), Saab is around £230, wifes Citroen is around £160 I think.. by far the larger of the bills they present - but seeing as my last PCP was around £230 a month for one car I don't worry too much
It's tempting to look for something lower but then also as someone else said, sometimes the car is bought for its purpose i.e. towing, in the case of my Chrysler it's going to be a day van
It's tempting to look for something lower but then also as someone else said, sometimes the car is bought for its purpose i.e. towing, in the case of my Chrysler it's going to be a day van
Anyone had experiences with Mini Cooper S's at shed money?
Can get 2003 ish ones with a bit over 100k for £1000-1500.
I hear from a friend that Mini's of that era aren't the most reliable but cheap parts and easy to work on makes it bareable.
I'm thinking of getting rid of my '08 Mondeo in favour of one as it barely gets used anymore now I have the Lexus and the other half wants something smaller and I want something fun.
Can get 2003 ish ones with a bit over 100k for £1000-1500.
I hear from a friend that Mini's of that era aren't the most reliable but cheap parts and easy to work on makes it bareable.
I'm thinking of getting rid of my '08 Mondeo in favour of one as it barely gets used anymore now I have the Lexus and the other half wants something smaller and I want something fun.
STIfree said:
Anyone had experiences with Mini Cooper S's at shed money?
Can get 2003 ish ones with a bit over 100k for £1000-1500.
I hear from a friend that Mini's of that era aren't the most reliable but cheap parts and easy to work on makes it bareable.
I'm thinking of getting rid of my '08 Mondeo in favour of one as it barely gets used anymore now I have the Lexus and the other half wants something smaller and I want something fun.
Look at the sheer amount on spares or repairs on eBay and that'll give you a clue, everyone I know who's had one cheap has pretty much ended up with a major issueCan get 2003 ish ones with a bit over 100k for £1000-1500.
I hear from a friend that Mini's of that era aren't the most reliable but cheap parts and easy to work on makes it bareable.
I'm thinking of getting rid of my '08 Mondeo in favour of one as it barely gets used anymore now I have the Lexus and the other half wants something smaller and I want something fun.
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