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Post by dave1800 on Sept 27, 2015 1:03:26 GMT
Yes, good luck for the forthcoming happy event!
It's not just old cars that have earth problems and with all the modern sensors you can get some amazing effects and random and often irrelevant /misleading fault codes. I believe that many a £1000 ECU has been replaced because of a dodgy earth lead. One ECU remanufacturer claimed that up to 70% they received for overhaul weren't actully faulty.
A quick test is to measure the voltage between the engine block and the battery ground terminal when operating the starter. It should remain close to zero. If you see more than around 0.3 volts (preferably less) then definitely a bad engine earth connection or the cable itself failing or has been replaced with too thin a wire. Remember the bad earth will also have reduced the charging current reaching the battery from your dynamo /alternator, a double whammy for starting. You can also check the voltage drop across the power feed cable to the starter motor and this should also show a similarly low drop.
Maybe also worth checking the parastic drain on the battery if the battery weakens more than usual when not used. Insert an ammeter in series with the battery lead. It should stabilise after a few minutes and then be just a few milliamps if you have an alternator or electric clock. If there is a drain and you can't find it easily given your commitments the easiest thing is to disconnect the + lead (if it's negative earth). There are isolating switches available that can make sense for cars that are laid up to enhance safety by avoiding fires if there are any wiring faults or, as over here, gnawing rodents.
regards
David
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Post by indianajones on Oct 3, 2015 7:09:10 GMT
Placed an order in for a set of front rotors for the 'crab, earlier today. Just settling down for the evening and just had a horrible thought: are the rotors for Aussie made cars different to UK ones? as I know they used PBR etc for the servo and calipers etc.
If that's the case, I dare say that they might have ordered the PBR ones.
-Andrew
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Post by indianajones on Oct 10, 2015 5:00:01 GMT
Righto, picked up the rotors on Friday, unsure if they're correct or not (yet to take a wheel off the car and check side by side). Here's a pic, do they look correct to you lads?  Cheers, Andrew |
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Post by dave1800 on Oct 10, 2015 5:24:47 GMT
Er -- sorry no nothing like it; I guess that's a PBR part? I believe the brake discs are currently unavailable, last I heard. The front face should be pentagon shaped with 5 holes for mounting to the drive flange - see the photo towards the bottom the page DiscI wonder whose car that is?  regards David |
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Post by indianajones on Oct 10, 2015 7:22:18 GMT
Cheers David, I had a feeling that was the case when I saw it only had 4 holes.
I'll return them tomorrow and keep my eyes open for them elsewhere.
It could be a PBR part thing, I'll have to look a little more into it.
What a fine looking car, lucky chap that owner *cough cough* - Yeah right lol
-Andrew
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Post by Penguin45 on Oct 10, 2015 9:29:47 GMT
Oh dear. Princess ones?
Chris.
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Post by foglaursen on Oct 11, 2015 7:54:38 GMT
Doesn’t look like Princess either  |
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Post by indianajones on Oct 11, 2015 9:55:59 GMT
No idea what they were from/for, but they've been returned. Will keep my eyes open elsewhere!
-Andrew
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Post by indianajones on Dec 13, 2015 2:35:11 GMT
Still on the topic of brakes!
Adjusted my rear brakes today, that was fairly simple. But when I jacked up the front I noticed that one of the front brakes is binding (I didn't get a chance to check the other ones due to my services as a father being needed). I imagine the other side is doing the same too, as I have heard them squeaking a bit when I reverse out of the driveway.
Any ideas as to what could be causing it? my shoddy workmanship on the calipers? flexi hose need replacing?
Cheers,
Andrew
PS Sorry for the lack of updates \ pics, busy as always!
Edit: Just took my eldest daughter out for a drive in the 'crab. Noticed the handbrake has to be right on for it to hold properly, I may need to look at getting the spare handbrake cables installed on her at some point.
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Post by dave1800 on Dec 13, 2015 4:11:33 GMT
It could be the caliper pistons, hoses or m/s or the pads themselves binding if there is insufficient clearance between the edge and the calipers. (I've seen that with new pads). Quick check, undo the bleed valve on the caliper on the side the wheel is binding to release any residual pressure, if it clears look at the hose on that side. They can deteriorate and act as partial one way valves. If the binding is on both sides then it may point to the m/s rubbers. Next check is to remove the brake pads and make sure they are not binding in the calipers and then check the pistons can be pushed back evenly with strong hand pressure. If all is good then the m/s may need to be checked out. Are the rears binding as well, if so that will point to the m/s. Regards David Still on the topic of brakes! Adjusted my rear brakes today, that was fairly simple. But when I jacked up the front I noticed that one of the front brakes is binding (I didn't get a chance to check the other ones due to my services as a father being needed). I imagine the other side is doing the same too, as I have heard them squeaking a bit when I reverse out of the driveway. Any ideas as to what could be causing it? my shoddy workmanship on the calipers? flexi hose need replacing? Cheers, Andrew PS Sorry for the lack of updates \ pics, busy as always! |
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Post by dave1800 on Dec 27, 2015 2:27:58 GMT
Hi Andrew
Did you ever get a chance to find the cause of the brake binding or has it been too hectic over the holiday period so far?
Regards
David
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Post by indianajones on Dec 27, 2015 23:25:37 GMT
Cheers for asking David,
Bit too hectic at the moment mate, Mother in law is down at the moment, then my folks are visiting.
Not to mention there are a couple of things I need to sort out around the house, you know how it is.
Was just talking to the Mrs today, on the way home from the supermarket about how I feel bad that I haven't done much with the car lately. Just feels like the last thing on my list to do at the moment, as bad as I feel saying it, young kids are certainly a handful.
-Andrew
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Post by indianajones on Jan 3, 2016 7:26:10 GMT
Well I won't be doing much crab work soon, head gasket gave out on the Rover around 800m from home, felt like one of the cylinders stopped firing. Plenty of of oil in the radiator. Fun times lol.
-Andrew
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Post by Penguin45 on Jan 4, 2016 0:02:18 GMT
Oh 'eck. Are you going to give it a crack or pay the man?
Chris.
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Post by dave1800 on Jan 4, 2016 0:29:20 GMT
Sorry to hear that. What a pain but at least you weren't hundreds of miles from home.
Regards
David
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