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Gas Guzzling Money Pits
https://www.beexcellenttoeachother.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1635		 Page 370 of 613
Author:  Kern [ Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
New wheels! Got myself a 2008 Chevrolet Lacetti. Not quite the blue 1952 Chevvy I always imagined I'd get to do a road trip in but I'm happy with it nonetheless.
Author:  Grim... [ Fri Jul 18, 2014 14:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
To the Top Gear track!
Author:  BikNorton [ Sat Jul 19, 2014 0:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I had one of those in Tuscany. Daewoo badge.

I had a fycking WHALE of a time hooning it around the mountain roads, its limits are just right for making narrow cliff/cliff/hairpin setups brilliant fun.

Apart from when massive VW SUVs come round blind bends on the wrong side of the road, but that's not daewoos fault.
Author:  Zardoz [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 0:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Kern wrote:
New wheels! Got myself a 2008 Chevrolet Lacetti...

...and stuffed it straight into a hedge.

Congrats on the new car :)
Author:  Trooper [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I've done 3000 miles in the beemer in 6 months. That's a lot of cash sitting in a car that does fuck all.

That's as good an excuse as any to swap I think ;) I fancy a manual this time, I miss changing gear.
Author:  MaliA [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Trooper wrote:
I've done 3000 miles in the beemer in 6 months. That's a lot of cash sitting in a car that does fuck all.

That's as good an excuse as any to swap I think ;) I fancy a manual this time, I miss changing gear.


You'll want one with a new clutch, then. And a fairly new alternator. And starter motor. In fact, luckily, I've got a Ka just for you!
Author:  Trooper [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Sorry dude, I don't trust the shady seller ;)
Author:  BikNorton [ Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Trooper wrote:
I've done 3000 miles in the beemer in 6 months. That's a lot of cash sitting in a car that does fuck all.

That's as good an excuse as any to swap I think ;) I fancy a manual this time, I miss changing gear.
ha! I've done 4000 in more than a year.

Helen's focus has done 4400 in nearly 18 months.
Author:  MaliA [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 10:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
One of th sales guys has rocked up in a C63 AMG. That's got to be some cost to do business in.
Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I'm at Thruxton, about to drive various quick Vauxhalls around a track, probably a lot slower than they are capable of.
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Make sure you fall off the track in at least one of them - this is your chance to do it safely!
Author:  markg [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Yeah I was going to say, they're someone else's cars, you want to be trying to go much faster than they're capable of.
Author:  GazChap [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
markg wrote:
Yeah I was going to say, they're someone else's cars, you want to be trying to go much faster than they're capable of.

Was it you that put Jem up to this on Saturday when I took my Celica to Blyton Park? :P
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 12:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Did you end up in the kitty litter?
Author:  GazChap [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 13:03 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Actually, no - but whereas I'm quite brakey when going around tight corners, Jem apparently isn't - and this particular tight corner was absolutely saturated in standing water so I was *convinced* that the car was going to slide off and end up way off track.

Of course, when all of said standing water flew up on to the windscreen and caused Jem to try and flick my indicators on instead of the wipers, she did have a little panic and think she was going to drive off the track with no vision :P

To say I had a "moment" would be an understatement ;) I think there are still finger imprints in the passenger door handle.

(for those not on FB who've not seen the photo of the amount of water she drove through...

Image)
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 13:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
So basically she drives faster than you and you're a big girl's blouse.

Good to know!
Author:  Grim... [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 13:07 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
I tell first-time Tomcat drivers that if they cause me to grab the roll cage in a panic, something's about to go very wrong.

Zio managed it :)
Author:  GazChap [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 13:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote:
So basically she drives faster than you and you're a big girl's blouse.

Pretty much.

Although, in my defence, I've had a rather nasty experience of my Celica understeering on a very wet corner (on a public road) so I'm mightily surprised that it gave no fucks about going around this corner. Guess it's the Goodyear Eagle F1s - I was probably using the crappy tyres that came with the wheels when I had my near-miss.
Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Tue Jul 22, 2014 16:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote:
Did you end up in the kitty litter?


Nope. Nearly ran wide and on to the grass at Church in the Insignia as it's a big heavy lump, but other than that it was all disaster free.

It takes a bit to adapt to just how hard you can push these cars on track so took a few laps to get up to speed, but when you do it's great fun. Did 3 laps as a passenger for familiarisation, 18 laps driving, and 1 with Paul O'Neil driving who is just insane behind the wheel.

The fastest I remember seeing was 130 before breaking into the last chicane.

It only cost £35 for an hour on track plus a really nice lunch which is a bargain. I'm sure I got through more than that in tyres, brakes and fuel.
Author:  Mr Russell [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 7:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Somehow new car is broke.

Neither key works to let us in, so used the manual key hidden in the fob to get in (in case it was the central locking) but the ignition system doesn't respond.

Hope it's just the battery discharged somehow, but we only used it the day before yesterday, and it did a loooong journey on Sunday. :(
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Sorry to hear that. It's unlikely as both keys don't work, but have you tried changing the batteries in the fob?
Author:  markg [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.
Author:  Mr Russell [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
markg wrote:
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.

I'm really paranoid about that since the last car used to drain a lot so I pay real attention. Plus everything automatically turns off. Hope it's easy to diagnose and fix.
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mr Russell wrote:
markg wrote:
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.

I'm really paranoid about that since the last car used to drain a lot so I pay real attention. Plus everything automatically turns off. Hope it's easy to diagnose and fix.



Does turning the key in the ignition do anything?
Author:  Trooper [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Immobiliser fault would be my guess.
Author:  Mr Russell [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
It's keyless entry and push start, so there's no ignition to turn.

Any way to sort/diagnose an immobiliser fault?
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mr Russell wrote:
It's keyless entry and push start, so there's no ignition to turn.

Any way to sort/diagnose an immobiliser fault?


Change battery on fob
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Trooper wrote:
Immobiliser fault would be my guess.


I was thinking that, too.
Author:  Mimi [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
MaliA wrote:
Mr Russell wrote:
It's keyless entry and push start, so there's no ignition to turn.

Any way to sort/diagnose an immobiliser fault?


Change battery on fob


Its not working on any of the fobs, and they were all working on Monday. Unless the batteries have run out on all of the keyless entry fobs on exactly the same day it isn't that.
Author:  Trooper [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:54 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Do you have AA membership? If so, use it :)
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 9:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mimi wrote:
MaliA wrote:
Mr Russell wrote:
It's keyless entry and push start, so there's no ignition to turn.

Any way to sort/diagnose an immobiliser fault?


Change battery on fob


Its not working on any of the fobs, and they were all working on Monday. Unless the batteries have run out on all of the keyless entry fobs on exactly the same day it isn't that.


It's unlikely, true.
Author:  Mr Russell [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Have got the RAC coming out to look at it. Just annoying not knowing.

Thanks for the help so far though :)
Author:  markg [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mr Russell wrote:
markg wrote:
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.

I'm really paranoid about that since the last car used to drain a lot so I pay real attention.

In that case it was Mimi who did it.
Author:  Mr Russell [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
markg wrote:
Mr Russell wrote:
markg wrote:
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.

I'm really paranoid about that since the last car used to drain a lot so I pay real attention.

In that case it was Mimi who did it.

You talking about my wife?!
Author:  Mimi [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 10:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
markg wrote:
Mr Russell wrote:
markg wrote:
He tried the manual key. It sounds like a totally flat battery. One of you probably left an interior light on or something.

I'm really paranoid about that since the last car used to drain a lot so I pay real attention.

In that case it was Mimi who did it.


It probably was :facepalm:

No, to be honest, I wouldn't even know how to put the interior lights on. I think all of the electrics switch off if you are not in the vicinity of the car anyway, so I don't think it is something that e have left on, or if it is, it should go off after a few seconds.
Author:  BikNorton [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
All the electrics in my car are supposed to go off too. They don't. It's never actually not started but yeah, modern cars are stupid.
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
BikNorton wrote:
All the electrics in my car are supposed to go off too. They don't. It's never actually not started but yeah, modern cars are stupid.


I found out the other weekend that the switch on the steering column turns the parking lights of the car on...
Author:  GazChap [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:17 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
The other night, I grounded the Celica on Jem's driveway after sinking into some gravel. Trying to unbeach myself has stuffed the exhaust, despite me thinking there was no obvious damage it turns out one of the welds has split open or something so there's a humungous hole in the exhaust now.

Clearly, the logical thing to do would be to simply pay my local garage to repair the weld, which would take barely any time at all and cost me about £40.

But no, what I've actually done, is buy a second-hand Blitz Nur-Spec R exhaust which arrives tomorrow. I've asked the guy at the local garage to swap them over, and then repair my old exhaust anyway so I can sell it - so the total cost is going to end up much higher. Hopefully I can sell the repaired exhaust for a decent sum.

Kinda curious as to the volume increase though - the current exhaust tested at 88dB at a track day last year, the mental M5 exhaust I had on tested at 103.4dB, and this Nur-Spec R apparently tests at 105+dB in this configuration...
Author:  BikNorton [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
'last year'? Didn't you have it on track recently?

I thought that they checked every car on track days because of 95dB noise pollution stuff because of idiots buying houses next to tracks than complaining about noise.

They did at oulton when I took my civic in 2004.

Are you just lucky to have a local track with no nearby idiots?
Author:  GazChap [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Yeah, last track event was last weekend at Blyton Park up in Lincolnshire - no noise testing is done there, it's far enough out of the way that it's out of earshot of everyone basically. They do say that there is an "unofficial" limit of 105 though and that if they think a car is taking the piss noise-wise they'll pull it in for a test.
Author:  GazChap [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Hnnngh. I WANT IT.
Author:  Mimi [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 11:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
BikNorton wrote:
All the electrics in my car are supposed to go off too. They don't. It's never actually not started but yeah, modern cars are stupid.


The chap from the RAC is here. Only four hours later than expected, so that's cool. The return to work today has been fab.

Anyhoo, it is definitely the battery. He has checked and nothing was left on. He has re-charged the battery and re-turned the car off and there is a drain of 9 or .9 somethings running the car down whilst it is all completely off, though he can't work out what. So, boo.
Author:  markg [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
A cursory Google suggests that people have had issues with the bluetooth module draining power or the immobiliser not going to sleep properly. Is it under warranty at all?
Author:  Grim... [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Mimi wrote:
He has checked and nothing was left on.

How in the name of Christ can he tell that?
Author:  markg [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
The interior and exterior light switch positions? There's nothing much else you can leave on is there?
Author:  Grim... [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
markg wrote:
The interior and exterior light switch positions? There's nothing much else you can leave on is there?

How many cars actually have switches for that, rather than them being automatic or push-buttons?
Author:  Mimi [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
Grim... wrote:
Mimi wrote:
He has checked and nothing was left on.

How in the name of Christ can he tell that?


By first checking that the boot etc were properly locked (not to leave them ajar, where the light can be left on, like a fridge door) then powering the car and seeing what pops back on, from what he said. There was nothing that came on (lights... other things - I don't know - radio?) to see if it was something that we could physically leave on, though as he said, unless the door was open it should all power off automatically even if we did leave them on. But we knew the doors were not left open as we couldn't get into the car this morning.

But there is a drain on the battery with everything off, so that is in line with what he said, also, I suppose.
Author:  MaliA [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
COuld be the regulator/rectifier not charging the battery fully as it goes around, which, if nothing was left on, could cause it to slowly drain as it isn't charging properly. I think they are hidden in the alternator. I had a motorbike do that once, took bloody ages to work out what was wrong with it. Turns out, you souldn't ride an er5 through foot deep water.
Author:  Mimi [ Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
It's a fuse.

He has removed and tested the fuses one by one and the very last one that he tried was the culprit. So, he replaced the fuse but it doesn't solve the problem, so he brought up the wiring diagrams and the fuse serves about eight different systems (it's the 'battery +' lead fuse.)

To temporarily enable us to use the car whilst we get it to a garage, he is making us a fuse with a little handle that Russell can easily remove from the car each time he parks to stop the battery drain, but it will need to be booked in.
Author:  asfish [ Sat Jul 26, 2014 7:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: Gas Guzzling Money Pits
My replacement car arrived yesterday. In the end I went for another Octavia 2.0 TDI

Did fancy the VRS but the petrol was crap mpg when compared with the TDI, went after a couple of Diesel VRS but these had sold already

Paid 14K for a late 2011 model that's Laurin Klement spec so Sat Nav, Leather, cruise control, will get around 4K back for the other car so not a bad deal at all. Its got 20,000 on the clock.

Based on how lost the deliver guy got when dropping the car off, I figured the Sat Nav maps were very outdated, the updates for it for June 2014 is 17GB in size!!?
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