Your Bangernomics successes

worried_jim

I am servicing the Saab on Saturday. I am kind of doing it myself. I know through a friend of a friend a specialist RAC technician who has agreed to teach me how to service my car. He has already arranged for me to get the parts needed from Eurocarparts which I pass on the way home from work at RAC discount prices.
I plan to make some step by step photo guides for things like brake pad replacement. I already have a new set of locking wheel nuts as we are going to "break off" the existing ones as I don't have the key.
Looks like I will get to do this in the glorious sunshine as well! The A/C is still running icy cold after I topped it up myself a few weeks ago.

motorguy

worried_jim wrote: »

I am servicing the Saab on Saturday. I am kind of doing it myself. I know through a friend of a friend a specialist RAC technician who has agreed to teach me how to service my car. He has already arranged for me to get the parts needed from Eurocarparts which I pass on the way home from work at RAC discount prices.
I plan to make some step by step photo guides for things like brake pad replacement. I already have a new set of locking wheel nuts as we are going to "break off" the existing ones as I don't have the key.
Looks like I will get to do this in the glorious sunshine as well! The A/C is still running icy cold after I topped it up myself a few weeks ago.

Out of curiosity, whats your thinking RE: the locking wheel nuts? They're hateful things that invariable give trouble. Would you not be better without them, or is there a viable theft risk on the alloys?

TradePro

motorguy wrote: »

Out of curiosity, whats your thinking RE: the locking wheel nuts? They're hateful things that invariable give trouble. Would you not be better without them, or is there a viable theft risk on the alloys?

+1

Totally agree.

motorguy

Heres a pic of my current banger.



2002 Fiat Marea 1.9 JTD. MOT to mid november, tax to 31st Oct. 118K miles when i bought it, though 121K on it now.

Started a new job 3 weeks ago so currently doing my 90 mile return commute in it each day and getting 54mpg. Mechanically brilliant. Bodywork scratchy and the odd ding.

Would struggle to get £500 for it, but theres probably years of life left in it.

Mild dilemma in that i've no evidence of the timing belt being done, though its bound to have been to have got this far and not snapped. Its in for a service next week so I'm thinking of getting a timing belt kit fitted, even though it will probably work out at 1/4 of the cars value.

I cant think of ANY reason to change it in the near future so its probably worth the investment.

Every week it gets a wash, chamois down, cleaned out, hoovered out and the lights and levels checked. Fitted a good used tyre on monday there at £20 and got the front wheels balanced as there was bad vibration at 70mph.

Fitted a £14.99 sunvisor bluetooth kit and invest £59 in a years comprehensive breakdown recovery. Currently racking up the miles at a rate of 500 a week.

System

^^^ proper shed that, love it!

Rolandtheroadie

Not normally one for doing timing belts, but I've discovered the Passat I just bought probably has 220k instead of 150k so will probably shell out to make sure as well.

mattyprice4004

When considering a timing belt, I put myself in the position of it failing.
That gives me the kick I need!

Farzackerly

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

When considering a timing belt, I put myself in the position of it failing.
That gives me the kick I need!

Yes, that's quite sobering and it's just as well I bit the wallet and had it done (I can't spend hours bent over an engine any more, so paid a local garage). Money well spent, as it turned out. The previous owner had cheaped-out on it and only done the bare belt, leaving the pump and idler in place - they were shot and would have collapsed within ten thousand miles, I reckon. Bye bye engine if that had happened.

worried_jim

motorguy wrote: »

Out of curiosity, whats your thinking RE: the locking wheel nuts? They're hateful things that invariable give trouble. Would you not be better without them, or is there a viable theft risk on the alloys?

Not really my choice. I got a message that he had ordered some parts for me and to pick them up from Eurocarparts. I had already let him know that I couldn't get the wheel nuts off and I assumed this was a tool he would need but when I got there they were heavy duty top end locking wheel nuts to replace the ones he will be breaking.

The plan is to take the wheels off and then look at the condition of the pads and disks before going and buying everything else we will need.

I would have been happy to replace with regular nuts but he obviously has my security in mind- there is little risk of theft but now there is no risk! I will report back with pics of the condition of the bits I take off.

Paul- I love your Fiat Marea 1.9 JTD, a great example of what £500 will do and why there is no need to spend £k's on a car and still get 50mpg+.

mattyprice4004

Farzackerly wrote: »

Yes, that's quite sobering and it's just as well I bit the wallet and had it done (I can't spend hours bent over an engine any more, so paid a local garage). Money well spent, as it turned out. The previous owner had cheaped-out on it and only done the bare belt, leaving the pump and idler in place - they were shot and would have collapsed within ten thousand miles, I reckon. Bye bye engine if that had happened.

Exactly - always do the full shebang. I sell Rover parts, and won't usually sell a belt without tensioners (and pump if applicable) for this very reason.