Years ago I sold a mate a 1955 Morris Minor with the early spikes to locate the hub caps ( weaker wheels) he fitted some massive 14 inch tyres from somewhere on the standard rims, some thing broke and he had a rear wheel pass him, so I am not sure if it was the semi floating hub failing or the wheel rim breaking a way from overload, he wasn't what I would call mechanically sympathetic.
That was the other way with old screw top batteries crank the engine almost to a standstill and if one cell started to bubble battery was duff, if they all did then usually just needed a charge. Bit primitive by today's standards.
Not involving a computer I'm all in.That was the other way with old screw top batteries crank the engine almost to a standstill and if one cell started to bubble battery was duff, if they all did then usually just needed a charge. Bit primitive by today's standards.
Thanks Jack. Yes, cranking with the ignition disabled - or now a days better to pull the fuel pump relay I'm told - is something I've done many a time. Of course with your trusty analogue voltmeter across the battery terminals. I think an analogue meter is pretty much essential for this sort of thing. Hadn't thought about the current draw being more meaningful when powering the specified motor, but you're right. Trouble is it tails away as the IC engine spins up? Still a good and valid test though.
On my daughters 2010 1.6 VW Gold diesel I put a full can of DPF cleaner in the tank and went for a 30 mile trip in 4th gear at 60 mph roughly 3500rpm and that cured it for another few months, she mostly did stop start town work. her normal driving was change up at 1500rpm.
I haven't noticed any of late but it used to be a regular site to see a VAG diesel sitting out on the extensive forecourt of the big dealer near me with it's engine running quite fast and no-one behind the wheel. After having seen this a few times I walked over and looked in to see a laptop on the driver's seat plugged into the diagnostic port. I stuck my head round the workshop door and, politely, asked what was going on. Forced DPF Regen I was told. either they are hiding them round the back now, or it's not such a problem, or, more likely, just less diesels? Can't stick my head round the workshop door either ever since they went "All Posh" and the reception boys and girls wouldn't know what i was talking about even if I asked.
I prefer to do a Regen on the road, I feel it is kinder on the engine.
Easier to cover up when it goes bang or seriously overheats.
Being some distance from where I can ensure a sufficiently long run at high revs for a full regen, I'm not sure if I could could get there before it goes into limp mode once the warning light comes on.....
Yes, they do get bloody hot and out on the road you've at least got air flowing past. Do you remember the scare stories about catalytic converors setting fire to farmers fields when they were first adopted? Beware where you stop for your picnic I remember being one of the "stories".
I wouldn't mind if they would just acknowledge that you do at least know what you're talking about instead of the almost universal assumption that you know nothing. Sometimes, although they are always polite and friendly, I absolutely cringe at what some poor "non technical" person beside me is being told. There's no point in opening your mouth so I just stand and listen to the "entertainment".I agree it is impossible to speak to a mechanic in a dealership these days and I get really annoyed listening to BS from some prat at reception talking as though they know everything.
On older engines absolutely. Not so sure where the throttle butterfly is motorised? Maybe need to physically chock it open? I'm only guessing though.
A similar situation could easily have arisen when we packed in the DAFs and, after failing to secure the Alfa dealership, took on Polski Fiat. I felt far too much loyalty to the small family garage to have said anything to damage their reputation but that didn't stop me from being "unenthusiastic" about the product and keeping my mouth shut most of the time.Easier to cover up when it goes bang or seriously overheats.
Re talking to the mechanics I recall a customer came in the workshop and asked our genuine advice re buying a Lada, so we told him and then that ars*hole went across the road to the showroom and told the boss! He came back steaming, we stood out ground and said we are not going to lie.
In the end we came to an agreement where if asked we would say "it represents good value for money" as in, if you pay F all you get F all.
I suppose there's situations like this, or, say when you need to "intelligently" hit something very hard with a big hammer, where it's better for the customer not to be aware? Also big workshops are very aware of times. The men's time was possibly the most important thing, especially if your shop worked bonus - Dear God, I learned to hate bonus working, one of the biggest contributors to shoddy workmanship I know! Even back in my day job times were everything - remember the ICME manual folks? If a mechanic - I don't believe most deserve to be called Technicians - isn't on a job it's perceived as an arch crime! So no distractions permitted.
If light comes on telling you it is doing a Regen try just keeping one gear lower than normal whilst you head to somewhere, normally the engine needs to be up to normal running temp/middle of gauge, the main thing is not to shut it down in the middle of doing Regen. Personally the addition of DPF cleaner additive in the fuel I find helps, just half a bottle with a tank of fuel. I am talking about older diesels not with Adblue and all the other more modern emission set ups. So probably pre Euro 6 type stuff.
I used to be the same listening to people in the pub say they had "serviced " their cars and saved loads over the garage prices, until I asked did you do this did you fit new that etc. When the answer was no , I used to say, to "Not much of a f ing service then"
Mind you with all the menu type services you get these days at Dealers I find unless they have had every service done according to the service book many miss items along the way.The black manual.
we used to argue those times were set on a brand new clean vehicle and probably with an apprentice assisting, unlike us working on a filthy rusty car years old bolts all seized and with no assistance. I was grateful never to have worked to a bonus scheme.
