The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)
Discussion
BenS94 said:
Chaps. Evoque update. Not a shed, but advice greatly needed and appreciated!
The dealer I bought it from has offered to sort it out for me and also reckons it'll be the EGR valve thats gone pop.
His way is to blank it off and map it out - also suggested this with the DPF too.
Run for the hills, or jump at the chance of repair?
Absolutely not - potential for MOT failure on particulate emissions. Get them to repair it properly, not a bodge.The dealer I bought it from has offered to sort it out for me and also reckons it'll be the EGR valve thats gone pop.
His way is to blank it off and map it out - also suggested this with the DPF too.
Run for the hills, or jump at the chance of repair?
Sheddy V50 is irritating me.
It's MOT is due on the 20th... a whopping 1100 and something-or-other miles since it's last one and so, knowing full well the handbrake is utterly crap last week I found the "as new" rear calipers that I'd liberated from a Focus in a breakers yard ages ago, ordered a seal kit from Bigg Red and then bought a set of budget rear discs and pads (£67... WTF!!!) and today went off to my tame mechanic's dojo to fix things.
So obviously first of all the caliper seal kit, more so the piston duct boots don't seem to want to stay put on the caliper body so that was the first step towards a tantrum. Next, up on the ramp and things are looking rather crusty under there all of a sudden... including the 13mm fasteners that hold the rear caliper carriers on. Which obviously rounded despite my best care and effort. Smashing an Irwin on achieve sod all.
I gave up in the end and instead wasted about an hour cleaning up the existing caliper slides and the like... which is futile as the discs are pitted and scored, the handbrake cable on the OSR looks like it's hanging by a thread and one of the caliper handbrake mechanism definitely seems a bit unwilling to move. Instead I opted to have a check over the rest whilst in the air and obviously the "as new" springs I fitted a couple of months back, one had snapped.
Over to the local breakers yard in search of a Focus 1.6 Zetec to donate a spring, thus matching the Focus 1.6 Zetec springs it has and obviously there were none. So a diesel Zetec gave up an "as new" one so 30mins with the widow maker spring compressor and it's at least swapped over and doesn't appear to have had any ill effect on the ride height. Changed a couple of bulbs and now I'm back at home, sulking and cursing crappy, rusty nonsense and understanding why blokes my age, with kids, an a job and thus no time or patience all now drive "as new" Kias on monthly deals...
Will fire it in for an MOT and see what happens... but I'm starting to sense the end is nigh for this thing.
It's MOT is due on the 20th... a whopping 1100 and something-or-other miles since it's last one and so, knowing full well the handbrake is utterly crap last week I found the "as new" rear calipers that I'd liberated from a Focus in a breakers yard ages ago, ordered a seal kit from Bigg Red and then bought a set of budget rear discs and pads (£67... WTF!!!) and today went off to my tame mechanic's dojo to fix things.
So obviously first of all the caliper seal kit, more so the piston duct boots don't seem to want to stay put on the caliper body so that was the first step towards a tantrum. Next, up on the ramp and things are looking rather crusty under there all of a sudden... including the 13mm fasteners that hold the rear caliper carriers on. Which obviously rounded despite my best care and effort. Smashing an Irwin on achieve sod all.
I gave up in the end and instead wasted about an hour cleaning up the existing caliper slides and the like... which is futile as the discs are pitted and scored, the handbrake cable on the OSR looks like it's hanging by a thread and one of the caliper handbrake mechanism definitely seems a bit unwilling to move. Instead I opted to have a check over the rest whilst in the air and obviously the "as new" springs I fitted a couple of months back, one had snapped.
Over to the local breakers yard in search of a Focus 1.6 Zetec to donate a spring, thus matching the Focus 1.6 Zetec springs it has and obviously there were none. So a diesel Zetec gave up an "as new" one so 30mins with the widow maker spring compressor and it's at least swapped over and doesn't appear to have had any ill effect on the ride height. Changed a couple of bulbs and now I'm back at home, sulking and cursing crappy, rusty nonsense and understanding why blokes my age, with kids, an a job and thus no time or patience all now drive "as new" Kias on monthly deals...
Will fire it in for an MOT and see what happens... but I'm starting to sense the end is nigh for this thing.
bearman68 said:
I've fitted loads of Napa suspension parts. Are they any good? Well they seem to be better than the ones that I took off. Are they better than a 'proper' brand? No idea, I've never tested them side by side, and I'm probably not a good enough driver / or driving in demanding enough circumstances to tell. Would I fit Napa to my MR2 where the precise handling is the big attraction? - probably not. Would I fit them to a 20 year old shed that I use for commuting that has just failed it's MOT. Hell yeah.
Thank you for the reply.STARK and KRAFT branded shock absorbers are £18 a corner from autodoc. That's alarmingly cheap really!
It hasn't failed an MOT, and I should probably just leave it in all honesty. If I'm doing it solely to bring the handling back to as new then the cheapest dampers are unlikely to be the solution I suppose.
Son had a bump while we were away in Spain. Still looks better than some of the cars out there though. 
Figured insurance would write it off, so he just claimed for the third party's repair. Reckon this should be back on the road for under £400 including paint, so 'better the devil you know' after all the mechanical work I did on it last summer.
At least Fiestas are common and we managed to get a bonnet from the local breakers (just missed out on the headlights though.
). Decided the other bits would be easier to get pattern parts from eBay, plus a used front grille I found locally on Facebook. Hopefully have it back on the road by next weekend, bar some suitable headlamps turning up.
I cable tied up the front bumper and clicked it all back in place. A rub with some Scotchbrite to take the black marks off the number plate and bumper. Doesn't look too bad until I can get round to spraying the new bumper.
I flattened the bonnet out a bit too, so that can go back on when I'm spraying the white one. He's looking for work, so I need him mobile ASAP (plus it'll be good to get him back behind the wheel to build his confidence again as this was his fault).
Figured insurance would write it off, so he just claimed for the third party's repair. Reckon this should be back on the road for under £400 including paint, so 'better the devil you know' after all the mechanical work I did on it last summer.
At least Fiestas are common and we managed to get a bonnet from the local breakers (just missed out on the headlights though.
). Decided the other bits would be easier to get pattern parts from eBay, plus a used front grille I found locally on Facebook. Hopefully have it back on the road by next weekend, bar some suitable headlamps turning up.I cable tied up the front bumper and clicked it all back in place. A rub with some Scotchbrite to take the black marks off the number plate and bumper. Doesn't look too bad until I can get round to spraying the new bumper.
I flattened the bonnet out a bit too, so that can go back on when I'm spraying the white one. He's looking for work, so I need him mobile ASAP (plus it'll be good to get him back behind the wheel to build his confidence again as this was his fault).
Another, 800 miles or so this month on Vecshed - I have washed it now after 12 months...looks almost smartish now, but the dirt was hiding some sins....
The sunshine over the weekend, had drawn my eyes to the rear arches, not too overly concerned, I won't be rubbing down or painting if that's what someone suggests
The sunshine over the weekend, had drawn my eyes to the rear arches, not too overly concerned, I won't be rubbing down or painting if that's what someone suggests
Gordon Hill said:
Driving about in the inclement weather today it hit home to me that I have the worst shed in the world for snow. The little 206 peugeot used to plow through the stuff without an issue, front wheel drive, skinny tyres and a manual gearbox. This in comparison is like a beached whale, auto gearbox, fat tyres and rear wheel drive, losing grip at every feather of the throttle.
I've always coped pretty well in the snow but if it carries on tomorrow I'd rather walk than go through that again, utter garbage.
It is the worst combo for snow you have, been there! I've always coped pretty well in the snow but if it carries on tomorrow I'd rather walk than go through that again, utter garbage.
When you need new tyres get snow ones and run them all year round? or look for a cheap winter set over the next 6 months?
Scootersp said:
Gordon Hill said:
Driving about in the inclement weather today it hit home to me that I have the worst shed in the world for snow. The little 206 peugeot used to plow through the stuff without an issue, front wheel drive, skinny tyres and a manual gearbox. This in comparison is like a beached whale, auto gearbox, fat tyres and rear wheel drive, losing grip at every feather of the throttle.
I've always coped pretty well in the snow but if it carries on tomorrow I'd rather walk than go through that again, utter garbage.
It is the worst combo for snow you have, been there! I've always coped pretty well in the snow but if it carries on tomorrow I'd rather walk than go through that again, utter garbage.
When you need new tyres get snow ones and run them all year round? or look for a cheap winter set over the next 6 months?
bearman68 said:
For whoever was asking, callipers come as callipers and no more. Slider pins, carriers and the like are all extra.
Right, let's get something out of the way. Euro car parts are a bunch of cowboys who know nothing about parts, cars, or probably Euro either. They are a bunch of cheap charlatans who have taken over the world based on buying price only. Now I know this is important, but the cheapest job is usually the one you don't have to touch again, and for that reason ECP should be strung up by their goolies and left to rot. And Pagid brake pads are made to an especially cheap standard by ECP.
Given the time required to make pads fit correctly and not stick in the carriers, the cheapest brakes are actually Allied Nippon, that are excellent, and actually fit.
Apec make good callipers, they fit well and work well.
Bosch filters are the work of the devil, and the ideal are made by Mahle, though ADL and Wix are acceptable alternatives.
Napa rotating parts are rubbish, but suspension is OK, except for the top joints that should be KYB or maybe Febi. Napa suspension is really cheap, so fill yer boots. Delphi make excellent suspension parts as well, and much is often only a tiny bit more expensive than the cheapest stuff.
Gates cam belts have gone rubbish - there bearings have gone shockingly bad. I use Dayco exclusively now - cheaper and better. The belts are very very tough.
Rotating electrics used to be done by autoelec, but I don't know if they are still in business anymore.
Clutches should be Valeo or ADL, and only under the most extreme circumstances would I use LUK, that have also fallen off the cliff quality wise. Wheel bearings seem to be fine whichever brand you use, so I tend to use the cheapest.
I also have decent suppliers for refurb gearboxes if anyone is interested?
Ohh, I know someone will be upset that I think Bosch filters are rubbish. Their wiper blades are OK (Though Valeo are about as good at half the price).
you all know enough to open a garage now. 
Crap, I just bought some NAPA driveshafts Right, let's get something out of the way. Euro car parts are a bunch of cowboys who know nothing about parts, cars, or probably Euro either. They are a bunch of cheap charlatans who have taken over the world based on buying price only. Now I know this is important, but the cheapest job is usually the one you don't have to touch again, and for that reason ECP should be strung up by their goolies and left to rot. And Pagid brake pads are made to an especially cheap standard by ECP.
Given the time required to make pads fit correctly and not stick in the carriers, the cheapest brakes are actually Allied Nippon, that are excellent, and actually fit.
Apec make good callipers, they fit well and work well.
Bosch filters are the work of the devil, and the ideal are made by Mahle, though ADL and Wix are acceptable alternatives.
Napa rotating parts are rubbish, but suspension is OK, except for the top joints that should be KYB or maybe Febi. Napa suspension is really cheap, so fill yer boots. Delphi make excellent suspension parts as well, and much is often only a tiny bit more expensive than the cheapest stuff.
Gates cam belts have gone rubbish - there bearings have gone shockingly bad. I use Dayco exclusively now - cheaper and better. The belts are very very tough.
Rotating electrics used to be done by autoelec, but I don't know if they are still in business anymore.
Clutches should be Valeo or ADL, and only under the most extreme circumstances would I use LUK, that have also fallen off the cliff quality wise. Wheel bearings seem to be fine whichever brand you use, so I tend to use the cheapest.
I also have decent suppliers for refurb gearboxes if anyone is interested?
Ohh, I know someone will be upset that I think Bosch filters are rubbish. Their wiper blades are OK (Though Valeo are about as good at half the price).
you all know enough to open a garage now. 
Bannock said:
carinaman said:
On eBay you can get discs and drums for £80. Refurbed calipers are £55 each, NK branded new calipers are £62 each. Halfords have front pads for less than £30. TRW branded rear shoes £28.
I'd be tempted to put the reg. no. into eBay and let their search engine return the prices.
I've replaced calipers on a Toyota that was getting driven infrequently. The mobile mechanic I used wasn't interested in stripping calipers.
Thanks, I'm having a rummage on eBay. I'll see what it throws up. Quick novice question: if I buy new calipers, do they come with the slider pins and associated bits and bobs to fit? Or do I have to buy those separately?I'd be tempted to put the reg. no. into eBay and let their search engine return the prices.
I've replaced calipers on a Toyota that was getting driven infrequently. The mobile mechanic I used wasn't interested in stripping calipers.
Been checking the underside of the ShedX5 after replacing the cam cover gasket - it definitely seems to have resolved the drips which is a good result for £15.
While under there i gave it a good poke around, everything seems to be OK and the rear sills have had work in the past and still look really solid
While under there i gave it a good poke around, everything seems to be OK and the rear sills have had work in the past and still look really solid
LankyFreak said:
Been offered a 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI
Lords of the Shed, is this vehicle sheddable? and what sort of miles can they go for?
Cheers!
Ensure the timing belt is replaced and there is no smoke on cold start (injector failure) and you could see up to 150k, maybe more with good servicing. Lords of the Shed, is this vehicle sheddable? and what sort of miles can they go for?
Cheers!
LankyFreak said:
Been offered a 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI
Lords of the Shed, is this vehicle sheddable? and what sort of miles can they go for?
I bought a 2006 Polo with the same engine just the other week, with 230k on the clock. Main dealer servicing until 200k, indy every 18 months thereafter.Lords of the Shed, is this vehicle sheddable? and what sort of miles can they go for?
Decided to sell my L405 Range Rover and go back into a shed. Building a new house so feel bad for the state the Range is going to get into.
This was just doing up a flat!
Not quite the old days of a 1 grand shed but a 2 grand 330i manual can’t be sniffed at.
It is currently on its way to me on a trailer from half way down the country, requires a few little jobs to mot (failed on headlights, anti roll bar links and handbrake) but otherwise seems tidy enough.
This was just doing up a flat!
Not quite the old days of a 1 grand shed but a 2 grand 330i manual can’t be sniffed at.
It is currently on its way to me on a trailer from half way down the country, requires a few little jobs to mot (failed on headlights, anti roll bar links and handbrake) but otherwise seems tidy enough.
Slow said:
Not quite the old days of a 1 grand shed but a 2 grand 330i manual can’t be sniffed at.
It is currently on its way to me on a trailer from half way down the country, requires a few little jobs to mot (failed on headlights, anti roll bar links and handbrake) but otherwise seems tidy enough.
That looks ridiculous value for money! Don't get much like that round here!!It is currently on its way to me on a trailer from half way down the country, requires a few little jobs to mot (failed on headlights, anti roll bar links and handbrake) but otherwise seems tidy enough.
I've just picked myself up an oil filter for my 106, again from ECP for 89p!
This servicing lark is turning out to be VERY cheap at the moment!!
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