Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

That’s odd and similar to a current issue I have. Spare key does not open all the doors. Battery replaced - no change. My mechanic says it cannot happen - the key either works or it doesn’t. I sent him a video and he still says that! The car will be going to him for a service in a while. It’s an Audi A6 and old. Strange

My limited understanding is that if it needs re gassing its pretty much leaking, and regassing with a leak will just mean same thing in time.

When I got van, I took it to a good garage, they got a specialist with UV die to find the leak, fixed that with a new part then gassed it. Been rock solid for a year now.

Yeah I've heard that. Which is why I wanted somewhere decent.

I guess the only counter is after 12yrs there could be miniscule leaks, and it just needs a regas.

The main thing is finding somewhere decent and trustworthy. We use our car almost daily and a 2hr round trip isn't viable. I'm probably going to go for my local VW dealer. While the indy I used for the major service seemed OK (and much better value) the customer service and my confidence was a bit lacking. That said they were very busy as it was just after garages were back open.

Look for a radiator specialist local to you. There is one near me but you have to book well ahead to get an appointment.

Ok 12y, discount my comment!

Bloody hell. I'd planned to go and, finally, get the MG out of its Brockley winter garage today. It stayed in during the monsoon that was May. Then I've been away for half term and last week.

And now it's due to start raining again.

Arse biscuits.

I agree with Skinny, the only time a re-gas helps is if the system is not blowing ice cold, but is still cold. If the system has a leak then you must fix the leak before doing anything else. On my 996 their are long pipes that run front to back along the sill- people jack the car up on the pipe, crushing it partially. The pipes then leak, and have to be replaced, but people don’t want to because they’re very expensive, something like £700+VAT per pipe. So they sell the car “just needing a re-gas”.

do people still bleed gear oil? I know my car has an in and out hole for oil, I reckon it should be quite easy, just finding a flat place to do it. reason is I have been grinding the gears looking for reverse all winter, shifting is way better in summer and I am imagining loads of little metal filings floating around in my gear box.

What year car? A lot of the newer models have a magnet in the fill/drain plug to capture stray bits of cog. Yes worth getting your transmission fluid changed according to maintenance schedules, but the odd bit of gear grinding shouldn't be terminal.

I've seen your MG, it would certainly dissolve if it got wet.

Never doubt the load capacity of a humble hatchback... Had to pick up a load of plants today and the dude at the nursery was like "nu uh, no way it'll fit..." Ha, the 306 reigns supreme again! (15x 40cm hanging baskets)

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hmm, thanks

Where are you based? I've just been recommended a guy via a bmw forum for my e34, based in Woking. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send over his details

awesome. and with room to spare I reckon. particularly if you engaged hanging mode on those baskets

As far as I’m aware, it’s highly illegal for anyone to knowingly re-gas aircon when the system is leaking, and the refrigerant gas used is gnarly stuff, both to yourself and the planet.

Deffo get a UV dye check done on the system and repair any leaks before hitting a cowboy re-gasser.

Just a quickie if you're draining and refilling gearbox oil - the very first thing to do is make sure you can undo the fill plug. If you were to drain it first and then find that you can't refill it you'll be a silly Billy.

I changed the battery, it's perfect now... 🤡

The refrigerant in that car right now is probably the R134a that’s been in common use for over 20 years. Car manufacturers started switching to R1234yf circa 2016. R134a's effect on the ozone layer is insignificant and it’s non-toxic. But it is very bad for the greenhouse effect. It’s approx. 1300 times worse than CO2 when you calculate the GWP against standard protocols. R1234yf is flammable and highly toxic particularly during combustion when it releases carbonyl fluoride - that's similar to one of the chemical weapons used in the first world war - but it has a very low GWP of about 4.

Just borrowed a family members 3.5 year old decent spec polo, has 12k on it, no gas left in ac system! Put obd11 on it to find it all leaked out when it was less than a year old. Been for 2 vw service since then, most recent would have been a pollen filter change and check of ac, not surprised they've missed it tbh. Never had any main line vag dealer run the actual service list on a car.

Just saw this lad, that would be really really helpful, I’ll be in touch for sure, need to find 2 of those interior dome light covers next

I’m considering buying a new car probably a pick up or 4x4. Although there are petrol options these vehicles seems to be predominantly diesel fuel.

What’s everyone’s opinions on buying diesel in 2021. Surely it’s on the way out sooner or later?

The whole of ICE is on the way out at some stage so unless you need to travel into a ULEZ, I wouldn't be overly worried about buying a diesel for that type of vehicle.

assuming you really need 4x4...

It’s mainly for hauling stuff to my allotment. This means driving in fields and stuff. Not green laning or anything

sounds like an old hilux / L200 / Isuzu would fit the bill. Or did you mean brand new?

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m thinking shogun.