Bengo's One Stop motor shop

[roverboy]

Dear Hogwartsbengo,

Having consulted my Marina Mk2 1800 Haynes manual for the method of adjusting valve clearances, it states:

"with Valve 8 fully open, adjust valve 1
with Valve 7 fuly open, adjust valve 2
with valve 6 fully open, adjust valve 3
with valve 5 fully open, agjust valve 4 etc etc, you get the gist.

However, it fails to mention which valves are which. Is valve 1 at the front of the cylinder head, or is this valve 8?

Also, when re-tightening the valve adjusting nut, what is the torque setting?

I have the honour of being your obediant sevant etc, etc......

 

[Chuff Chart]

Toyota for relaibillity and resale value Plumber. Plus you just know that the wife will give you a flea in your ear if you buy the Mitsubishi lol
Generally cylinders are numbered 1-4 from the front RB

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Dear Hogwartsbengo,

Having consulted my Marina Mk2 1800 Haynes manual for the method of adjusting valve clearances, it states:

"with Valve 8 fully open, adjust valve 1
with Valve 7 fuly open, adjust valve 2
with valve 6 fully open, adjust valve 3
with valve 5 fully open, agjust valve 4 etc etc, you get the gist.

However, it fails to mention which valves are which. Is valve 1 at the front of the cylinder head, or is this valve 8?

Also, when re-tightening the valve adjusting nut, what is the torque setting?

I have the honour of being your obediant sevant etc, etc......

a ferkin marina? get a grip.

Look, I'm an (ex) ocifer mate. Don't do oily bits. I just drive the things and know a good deal from bad.

Head down to your nearet real ale pub - find a group of blokes in wooly jumpers with beards and smoking pipes - they tend to be the sort of people who tinker with Marinas/allegros/triumph heralds etc.

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

OK Plumber is stuck, after a recent jaunt away to the land of the long white cloud, it became apparant that to do the things I/we want out there I/we need a 4x4. I've managed to narrow the field down to either a Mitsi L300 Triton or a Toyota HiLux, all the write ups don't leave much difference between the two. Can anyone give me pointers as to which one I should plump for, to be honest I prefer the Mitsubishi but Mrs P won't walk away from the Toyota.

Toyota all the way Plumber. as many people have said, they are indestructible.

But if you've got to have a 4x4 - why not get a real one? and by that I mean the only real 4x4 - a Landy. Defender.

Not sure about the car market 'down under' but you generally can't go wrong with a toyota (except with a ferkin Prius) when it comes to reliability etc - but toyotas tend to be a bit dull to drive. Mitsubishi have appalling deprciation - usually because their new models are re-released 2 years later as Protons.

Why not plump for a dirt cheap 'lived-in' Hilux for all the rough stuff, towing boats, surfing etc and save your real cash for something really tasty like a Holden Monaro? (the 5 litre V8 version!)

 

[Plumber]

Toyota all the way Plumber. as many people have said, they are indestructible.

But if you've got to have a 4x4 - why not get a real one? and by that I mean the only real 4x4 - a Landy. Defender.

Not sure about the car market 'down under' but you generally can't go wrong with a toyota (except with a ferkin Prius) when it comes to reliability etc - but toyotas tend to be a bit dull to drive. Mitsubishi have appalling deprciation - usually because their new models are re-released 2 years later as Protons.

Why not plump for a dirt cheap 'lived-in' Hilux for all the rough stuff, towing boats, surfing etc and save your real cash for something really tasty like a Holden Monaro? (the 5 litre V8 version!)

The decision has already been made by you know who and it is going to be a new Hilux. As for the other car, that is the one I'm going to be using to go to and from work, and considering speed limits, road conditions and other drivers in Auckland, a swish car isn't needed or the constant fretting about having a dink in it so any old jalopy will do. Thanks for your thoughts anyway matey.

 

[scoobyroo]

Dear Hogwartsbengo,

Having consulted my Marina Mk2 1800 Haynes manual for the method of adjusting valve clearances, it states:

"with Valve 8 fully open, adjust valve 1
with Valve 7 fuly open, adjust valve 2
with valve 6 fully open, adjust valve 3
with valve 5 fully open, agjust valve 4 etc etc, you get the gist.

However, it fails to mention which valves are which. Is valve 1 at the front of the cylinder head, or is this valve 8?

Also, when re-tightening the valve adjusting nut, what is the torque setting?

I have the honour of being your obediant sevant etc, etc......

Roverboy,
The Haynes talks a lot of sh1t and should be taken with a pinch at times. Manually turn your engine until the exhaust valve (The one nearest the exhaust manifold/outlet) on the No1 cylinder is fully depressed, then adjust the inlet valve gap for the No1 cylinder. Then turn the engine until the Inlet valve is fully depressed on the No1 and adjust the exhaust Valve. Continue this process with the other 3 cylinders. The cylinders are numbered from left to right when facing the engine with the flywheel (or gearbox) to your right. You will find it easier to turn the engine if you remove the spark plugs first. Also another tip for turning the engine if its fitted to the car is to put it in gear (if manual) 4th or 5th and rock the car back and forth. The correct Torque setting should be stated at the start of the chapter for the valve settings in the Haynes book of lies, failing this 15-20Nm should suffice.
Hope this helps mate, and I apologise BEngo if I have stepped on your toes.DT_Xtremez_06:

 

[lisab]

Could I please have some help with a motoring issue!
I am thinking about purchasing a new motor I currently have a Renault Megane, I know I know its french thats why Im whispering! I am after a smaller car 3 door good on fuel, Im a girl so not interested in a babe magnet! just a good reliable smallish car so also cheap to insure
Any thoughts please???

 

[Penguins Suck]

Could I please have some help with a motoring issue!
I am thinking about purchasing a new motor I currently have a Renault Megane, I know I know its french thats why Im whispering! I am after a smaller car 3 door good on fuel, Im a girl so not interested in a babe magnet! just a good reliable smallish car so also cheap to insure
Any thoughts please???

Right listen in Lisarb i can sell yous mine Saxo, it only has a few dents in it and thems smell of vomit goes if yous put loads of thems magics tree air freshneers things in it.

 

[lisab]

Erm mmm yes I shall certainly bear that in mind Kevin thankyou but do any other goaters have any suggestions please!!!

 

[scoobyroo]

LisaB
There are a several options for what you are after. The first one that springs to mind is the Peugeot 306, although it is French they have one of the best Turbo Diesel engines on the market, especially the HDI, it is a very reliable engine with excellent mpg and the insurance isn’t a killer. If you don’t want French again you might want to consider the Ford Fiesta Diesel, again very cheap to run and insure and reliable although a bit boring. The car I would be tempted to go for would be the VW Polo TDI, these are fantastic cars, excellent engines with very good performance and economy. They are a bit more expensive to insure, but you get the German build and drive quality, which in my opinion is well worth it. I personally will only own a German car (modern) these days for that very reason. One more for you if you want to go really small would be a Smart Car, They are not the cheapest to buy, but they cost bugger all to run, with something like 65+ Mpg, very nippy, and they are quite reliable as they are built by Mercedes, the tax is cheap too. You get over diesel economy with petrol fuel prices, so it’s a win win. Stay away from the very early ones tho as they suffered Turbo problems, which was sorted out later on in the model.
After all that I hope I have been of some help to you and not confused you too muchDT_Xtremez_30: The most important advice is to get it checked before you buy it and mostly make sure you enjoy driving it as there is nothing worse than hating what you have to drive.DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[Inch High PI]

LisaB, we have one of the new style Clios. Its cheap insurance and cheap for fuel. We have had no problems with it at all and it also loks quite nice.

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Could I please have some help with a motoring issue!
I am thinking about purchasing a new motor I currently have a Renault Megane, I know I know its french thats why Im whispering! I am after a smaller car 3 door good on fuel, Im a girl so not interested in a babe magnet! just a good reliable smallish car so also cheap to insure
Any thoughts please???

Right then *cracks knuckles* enough of the dross from the others, here's BEngO's advice:

Lisab - enough of the french dross. Time to head a little farther east to the land of the rising sun. When it comes to cheap, reliable small runarounds the Japanese have the market licked. You can't go wrong with a Nissan Micra - Mrs BEngO drives one of the current shape ones and it is a cracking little motor - she loves it. We will be looking to replace it in the spring and another micra is top of the shopping list. It's got funky styling (although I concede it's not everyone's taste), practicality in buckets, a really good driving position with excellent visibility, the tightest turning circle in it's class (making it a doddle to park) and on a run it's good (the 80bhp 1.2 litre petrol) for nearly 50 mpg - so it ain't thirsty. Older versions are brilliant used buys too and are vertually bullet proof.

Other cars to consider are the Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift

Here's whatcar's video review of the Micra:

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-video.aspx?MA=29&RT=556

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Roverboy,
The Haynes talks a lot of sh1t and should be taken with a pinch at times. Manually turn your engine until the exhaust valve (The one nearest the exhaust manifold/outlet) on the No1 cylinder is fully depressed, then adjust the inlet valve gap for the No1 cylinder. Then turn the engine until the Inlet valve is fully depressed on the No1 and adjust the exhaust Valve. Continue this process with the other 3 cylinders. The cylinders are numbered from left to right when facing the engine with the flywheel (or gearbox) to your right. You will find it easier to turn the engine if you remove the spark plugs first. Also another tip for turning the engine if its fitted to the car is to put it in gear (if manual) 4th or 5th and rock the car back and forth. The correct Torque setting should be stated at the start of the chapter for the valve settings in the Haynes book of lies, failing this 15-20Nm should suffice.
Hope this helps mate, and I apologise BEngo if I have stepped on your toes.DT_Xtremez_06:

not at all, often need a bit of help for the oily bits

 

[gemarriott]

MY new motor

MY new motor

Cheers Bengo, picked up the new Golf today and very pleased with it too. OK it is only the poverty spec 1.6 but it drives fantastically and more importantly from the missis's point of view it has that new car smell. Mind you poverty spec includes, cd,ac traction control abs electric bits and bobs that are extras elsewhere. Very happy indeedDT_Xtremez_31:

Good call mate.

 

[vim_fuego]

It's french.

Need I say more?

*sighs* give me some time to peruse the usual gallic sales bumpf, the JD power results etc and I'll see what I can dig up...

*cough*VW Touran*cough*

Just to let you know I did indeed buy a Grand Scenic and will let you know how it goes for future reference (I don't pick it up until tomorrow)...DT_Xtremez_30:

I couldn't find a Touran that was young enough for my budget.

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Cheers Bengo, picked up the new Golf today and very pleased with it too. OK it is only the poverty spec 1.6 but it drives fantastically and more importantly from the missis's point of view it has that new car smell. Mind you poverty spec includes, cd,ac traction control abs electric bits and bobs that are extras elsewhere. Very happy indeedDT_Xtremez_31:

Good call mate.

As I recall, you had already chosen the Golf, I merely approved and then suggested a few ways to squeeze the Stealer for a few extras after they mucked up your colour choice! I'm glad you're happy - did you get the stereo upgrade and the free fridge?

If you'd asked me for help choosing your actual car, I would have suggested a quick trip to the local Seat dealer to look at a Leon. For the same money as the poverty spec golf, you could have had basically the same car only without the conservative styling - you would have moved up a trim level or 2 too where you would get get sports seats, remote audio controls, front and rear electric windows, alloys and a dynamic, sportier drive. Or you could have stayed poverty spec and saved 2 grand. The Leon still retains the reliability and build quality of the golf but is cheaper and for some, much more stylish.

BUT the Leon will lose it's value quicker than the comparible golf and overall, the golf owner won't be out of pocket. The Leon also suffers from iffy visibility due to the prominent A pillars.

It all comes down to choice though and the Golf delivers an excellent package. I'm glad you like it and here's to many happy miles of motoring pleasure for you and your clan. DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Just to let you know I did indeed buy a Grand Scenic and will let you know how it goes for future reference (I don't pick it up until tomorrow)...DT_Xtremez_30:

I couldn't find a Touran that was young enough for my budget.

Just pray those iffy electrics don't catch you out!

No, seriously - It's always nice to pick up a new car isn't it? The Scenic is a handsome beast and is by all accounts a very comfortable and pleasurable drive with loads of space. I hope you enjoy it.

Would appreciate any feedback from all of BEngO's happy customers.

...and to continue the thread, my circumstances may change soon and Mrs BEngO and I may only need 1 car! Mrs BEngO doesn't like my superior German prestige estate cos it's too big (women eh?) and her little Micra will be too small - so we may be part-chopping both for a family hatch.

Heaven forbid but BEngO may look outside of Germany for his next car DT_Xtremez_17:

will keep the E-Goat motoring fans posted of my car-buying exploits...

 

[TheHogwartsBEngO]

Maybe someone could do some research for me, but in this month's TopGear magazine, in the section on their long-term Focus ST, they mention that the armed forces get 20% discount from Ford.

Anyone clarify this? cos it sounds great! 20% off the cracking range of Ford cars (except the Mondeo Ghia - meh! DT_Xtremez_06: ) is definately worth it. 'Bout time somebody recognised the armed forces with a discount worth having.

 

[gemarriott]

As I recall, you had already chosen the Golf, I merely approved and then suggested a few ways to squeeze the Stealer for a few extras after they mucked up your colour choice! I'm glad you're happy - did you get the stereo upgrade and the free fridge?

If you'd asked me for help choosing your actual car, I would have suggested a quick trip to the local Seat dealer to look at a Leon. For the same money as the poverty spec golf, you could have had basically the same car only without the conservative styling - you would have moved up a trim level or 2 too where you would get get sports seats, remote audio controls, front and rear electric windows, alloys and a dynamic, sportier drive. Or you could have stayed poverty spec and saved 2 grand. The Leon still retains the reliability and build quality of the golf but is cheaper and for some, much more stylish.

BUT the Leon will lose it's value quicker than the comparible golf and overall, the golf owner won't be out of pocket. The Leon also suffers from iffy visibility due to the prominent A pillars.

It all comes down to choice though and the Golf delivers an excellent package. I'm glad you like it and here's to many happy miles of motoring pleasure for you and your clan. DT_Xtremez_28:

Quite right but VW or Seat purely on snob value the VW gets the vote. The upgraded stereo is good though and the colour is actually better than the one I originally chose so happy alround.

After getting rid of the rover it is nice to drive something where the dashboard doesn't squeak, the heater has warm and not just roast or freeze in the temperature range and you can hear the music over the wind and tyre noise.

 

[roverboy]

Roverboy,
The Haynes talks a lot of sh1t and should be taken with a pinch at times. Manually turn your engine until the exhaust valve (The one nearest the exhaust manifold/outlet) on the No1 cylinder is fully depressed, then adjust the inlet valve gap for the No1 cylinder. Then turn the engine until the Inlet valve is fully depressed on the No1 and adjust the exhaust Valve. Continue this process with the other 3 cylinders. The cylinders are numbered from left to right when facing the engine with the flywheel (or gearbox) to your right. You will find it easier to turn the engine if you remove the spark plugs first. Also another tip for turning the engine if its fitted to the car is to put it in gear (if manual) 4th or 5th and rock the car back and forth. The correct Torque setting should be stated at the start of the chapter for the valve settings in the Haynes book of lies, failing this 15-20Nm should suffice.
Hope this helps mate, and I apologise BEngo if I have stepped on your toes.DT_Xtremez_06:

Thanks Scoobyroo, it's good to get advice from someone who actually works for a living. I've actually rebuild the engine, so it's easy to turn. The Haynes manual doesn't state any torque settings for the valve adjusting nuts, but I shouldn't think they need more than just a nip.