Mot fail co reading .700

321p123

Thanks for all comments,  I'm awaiting the quote of a mechanic, as the bolts n nuts are too corroded for me to get off with my basic tools, might need to go up for sale for repairs 

321p123

Bought for 2995 in early 2017, she's done me well old zaffy  

Goudy

321p123 said:

Thanks for all comments,  I'm awaiting the quote of a mechanic, as the bolts n nuts are too corroded for me to get off with my basic tools, might need to go up for sale for repairs 

Yes, that can be a problem.
If you snap any of the manifold to head bolts/studs, that's a bigger problem.

You can buy some cheap heater tools that use induction on the nut/stud to heat it up.
You place the coiled wire around the nut/stud, press a button and wait until it starts to glow.
Works on the same principle as an induction hob in the kitchen, they use an electromagnetic field that oscillates, heating up whatever is in the path.

They are much better and safer than the old "hot spanner" of a blow torch.

Cheap ones can be a bit limited, but with some patience they can be made to work ok.
I paid around £90 for mine a while ago and it's saved me loads of grief. Anything like a exhaust stud and I go right in before even trying a spanner.
You can get them cheaper these days, the quality might be a bit low though.
Heavy duty ones are a few hundred but you aren't using it often so a bit of over kill.

Some tool hire places hire them by the day as well.

Mildly_Miffed

I'd be very interested in a source for a tried-and-tested induction heater for less than a hundred quid...

Goudy

Mildly_Miffed said:

I'd be very interested in a source for a tried-and-tested induction heater for less than a hundred quid...

You have to search a bit further than Ebay, like Aliexpress.

321p123

Cheers all, will wait for quote then see my options from there, got an old fiesta been sorn for 3 years lol might need to get that up n running, decent used cars are so expensive now

321p123

Are these tools called induction heaters? I've never heard of them before 

Mildly_Miffed

321p123 said:

Are these tools called induction heaters? I've never heard of them before 

They're great. They use electromagnetic induction to put heat exactly where you need it, and nowhere else.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJElT9xK3bk

Try doing that with a blowtorch.

Goudy said:

Mildly_Miffed said:

I'd be very interested in a source for a tried-and-tested induction heater for less than a hundred quid...

You have to search a bit further than Ebay, like Aliexpress.

I've just had a look on Ali, and they start at about £100.
Plus £20-30 delivery. Plus tax.

So you're already basically at the same actual £170ish as Amazon and above the £155ish for UK-based sellers on eBay. With all the extra uncertainty, delay, and potential for import costs...

Goudy

Mildly_Miffed said:

I've just had a look on Ali, and they start at about £100.
Plus £20-30 delivery. Plus tax.

So you're already basically at the same actual £170ish as Amazon and above the £155ish for UK-based sellers on eBay. With all the extra uncertainty, delay, and potential for import costs...

Prices do swing about a bit on Ali, probably due to the exchange rate but you can find most products with free shipping if you search enough.

I don't like waiting for long distance stuff so I tend to order it before a holiday and just forget about it until it arrives.

I also bought one of those electromagnetic dent machines. 
The Mrs parked under a horse chestnut last year and had loads of soft dents on the roof and bonnet.
30 minutes with it and all but one popped out. The stubborn one is 99% better than it was and you have to know it's there and look for it to spot it.

It'll only tackle those soft dents that haven't stretched the metal too far, it won't do much for sharp, deep dents.
Not a bad bit of kit if you have those types of dents. I would have paid lots more for a specialist to pop them out.

321p123

Just a little update, first guy seems to have blown me off, so called a mobile mechanic who has quoted 150 labour there abouts, to change the cat, the post cat sensor, and look at the non functioning 1 yr old caliper, 330 Inc vat for cat, and 54 Inc vat for sensor.
So about 550 all in all going well with removal of the rusted nuts etc....
Does that sound not too bad, or am I wrongly throwing money at a 16 yr old car with 123 k on the clock?