Anglefire

Take the the rocker shaft out and give the valves a tap with a brummi screwdriver - should sound solid if its stuck - but in my view given it drove ok for 15miles, it is more likely lack of oil.

I admit that I changed the bonnet to gas struts - and think they are great - but can't see the issue with the boot stay - works perfectly well.

I doubt its unheard of - but I would say its rare! The only real reason I can think of for a breakage like that is seized on the shaft - lack of lubrication, or everything set too tight - but I can't see how the latter could happen!

Oh the single one on the middle pack? I did look at that this morning and thought it odd!

I did buy a 1/2” lowering block at the same time. So should be good to go either way. No Owens sticker on mine.

When I fitted my duplex chain (Canley Classics from memory) I don't recall any particular issues with the tensioner. I do know the timing is every so slightly out- as it happens to the good as it effectively brought the torque down which is no bad thing on a 1500.

Hi Colin, all she meant was that the old spring was probably worn out - so softer and hence lower. I got the lowering block as a just in case really. Based on many peoples comments as being too high when new! I shall only fit it if I really have to! The new spring arrived today - so typical efficiency from Canleys. I'll take some pictures later or perhaps the weekend.

I’ve order a rear spring, lowering block studs etc from canley classic. Never got a reply from the one you suggested Roger. 🤷‍♂️ phoned canley yesterday and spoke to a nice lady and she said their supplier is Sheffield - so British made and not from China or anywhere else. Which I like. Dearer than other places - but for some reason I do like their service and parts always seem decent quality she did say it would be harder than what’s fitted - hence the lowering block. will see how it goes.

My current modern has done 37k on its current set of pads - last service a couple of weeks ago said they had plenty of life yet. My Land Rover would do about 40-50k on fronts with a disk change every other time. Always bought OEM as they did last longer - and were not any more expensive than decent alternatives. Rears would last 60-70K ish - Hand brake shoes I only replaced once in 174k - though I think they did get changed when the hand brake module was replaced under warranty. Didn't have the BMW long enough to replace the pads (46k) Previous Audi's I seem to recall went through pads every 20-30K - or was that tyres? I can't remember 🤣

Found the box for my 25A jobby and it says suitable for everything. Though the box has now gone in the car ready for the tip run booked for tomorrow

My mum had a Fiat 127 many years ago and that had a fixed time intermittent position - which mum thought wrong - so I took it apart and altered the speed by changing one or more resistors (Was 30years or so ago now, so forgotten exactly)

I have a 3.8 (Or whatever it was when I bought it some years ago) and it would be fine for a small car to trickle charge. I also have a 25A CTEK 25 which I bought when I have to Land Rover so could set it to supply mode when doing the odd firmware update and it does charge the spitfire very quickly.

I had tyre pal on the caravan and Land Rover. They worked great and as you say temp and pressure. For some odd reason whenever I went to the Pyrenees off-roading the right rear would go mental after a few days and read 70psi or off the scale. But after a clean it went back to normal.

@JohnD Yes the 1500 Spitfire engine at least does have a recessed block. And there is a tab at the back to indicate same.

My BMW used sensors in the wheel - gave live temperature and pressure - worked well enough - though when I had a 4" gash in the inside of the tyre due to long term underinflation I guess - it was a bit late. Still given they were run flats it got me to the garage 20miles away without any drama! The skoda just uses the ABS sensors to work out difference in rotation speed of the wheel across the axles. It works. Just about, but too late in my view to be actually useful.

You could very well be right. Tbh I’ve not checked mine - despite having a suitable guage 😂

Ah you designed and implemented by the British. Which is best. (Well sometimes) Bmw pinched the terrain response system from land rover to use in the x5. Was a disaster and was removed. I think they Have (and others) got something similar working - but the Land Rover one is simply the best. it’s a shame a lot of the other tech in land rovers is crap.

My discovery 3 (2006) had (has it’s still going) air suspension. It was very reliable (especially given what I did in it!). The air bags I changed at 160000miles as a precaution. There was actually nothing wrong with them. Replacements have been going since and its now on about 260k. Compressors are a bit more fragile. I had to replace it twice. Once was a 2nd hand one so wasn’t the best when it went on. But it lasted about a year before it totally died. So no I don’t agree that air suspension is a bad idea. It just has to be maintained properly.

They look familiar- but not on my spit. another thing worth checking is the fuel pressure. If the pump has been changed it might deliver too much pressure. Should be around 2 to 3 psi from memory.

Not something as stupid as the sump is a bit too small and now its been beaten into a shape that clears the moving bits?

Almost every modern car has those, its the way of the world with the electronics controlling everything to keep the emissions as low as possible, so there is just so much that can go wrong at any particular time.

Friend of mine has recently bought himself a 1989 560SEC and that is well built last of the good ones I understand. Though he does have relatively new S Class which is very nice (Made 160mph on the Autobahn a year or two ago.)

When Dad did mine - he did give me a bit of a deadline as his wrists from 60odd years of woodwork had basically worn out of as soon as I could decide the veneer - and was done last October ish - (Can't believe it was that long ago TBH) - he had a fairly large stock of different ones so I could choose - I went Burr as it just looked better. Not original but then neither is my car!

When Dad did mine he thought the original was meant to be American Walnut. But I have no way of knowing for sure. (That's Spitfire 1500 BTW)

I've had 3 Audi's, 1 BMW and a couple of VW's (Some worked some were spares for the ones that worked! - was back as a kid when I had a Beetle) - Not owed a Merc but have been in a few and drove one to Germany. I now have a Skoda. As it stands I wouldn't buy another BMW - lovely engine (I bought it to experience the 3ltr engine - which is as good as it is said to be) - but aftersales is not good (Ok but not great). And I wouldn't buy another Audi or VW. But I would buy another Skoda. Basically it is a VW/Audi, without the price tag (And to be fair slightly cheaper trim)