does an oil change ever have an adverse effect?
- Thread starter LaLaLand
- Start date
LaLaLand
0
We loosened the fan belt on the roadside to see if it would stop the screeching but it didn't. We ended up cutting the fan belt. The ranch have told me that they tested the alternator and it isn't charging fully. I don't really understand any of it but what's very confusing is that after sitting for 5 months, van and battery, I tried staring her and after the normal 2 attempts, she started no problem and the engine sounded fine.
I will get to the bottom of it, even If I have to do a course on engine mechanics and figure it out myself ... Along with all of this invaluable help and advice of course!
La-La La-La Lola . . .
I will get to the bottom of it, even If I have to do a course on engine mechanics and figure it out myself ... Along with all of this invaluable help and advice of course!
La-La La-La Lola . . .
LaLaLand
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Oh I was screeching alright! However the engine wasn't but there was a knocking noise which got progressively worse. Power worsened too. I think I only drove the van about 5 miles but by the end the electrics light was on steady and poor Lola barely made it up the hills. She was crawling at 5 mph.
Worst drive ever! [V]
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Worst drive ever! [V]
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Lulu
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I do hope that the new mechanic that you are going to have work on the vehicle knows what he's doing unlike the rip off merchants where she has just been. Being ripped off, and knowing it, is a terrible feeling.
quote:
Originally posted by LaLaLand
Oh I was screeching alright!
However the engine wasn't but there was a knocking noise which got progressively worse. Power worsened too. I think I only drove the van about 5 miles but by the end the electrics light was on steady and poor Lola barely made it up the hills. She was crawling at 5 mph.
Worst drive ever! [V]
La-La La-La Lola . . .
quote:
Originally posted by LaLaLand
Oh I was screeching alright!
However the engine wasn't but there was a knocking noise which got progressively worse. Power worsened too. I think I only drove the van about 5 miles but by the end the electrics light was on steady and poor Lola barely made it up the hills. She was crawling at 5 mph.
Worst drive ever! [V]
La-La La-La Lola . . .
LaLaLand
0
I hope so too lulu!He seems nice. No ego or hubris. Said he'd have a look and made no promises.
The other outfit were brim full of their own self importance. Their reason for palming-off Lola is that it was coming into racing season and they had other vehicles booked in. Thankfully racing season worked in my favour.
Good luck with your van lulu - you're much further down than road than me
La-La La-La Lola . . .
The other outfit were brim full of their own self importance. Their reason for palming-off Lola is that it was coming into racing season and they had other vehicles booked in. Thankfully racing season worked in my favour.
Good luck with your van lulu - you're much further down than road than me
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Lulu
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The problem with the new age mechanics is that they are not real mechanics, they are mechanical testers, in other words they check a vehicle electronically to find out which part is faulty, but they haven't the faintest idea how to repair the part so just throw it away and fit a new part. An old time mechanic would find the faulty part and then repair it, if at all possible but I suppose nowadays we live in a throw away society[V]
quote:
Originally posted by LaLaLand
I hope so too lulu!
He seems nice. No ego or hubris. Said he'd have a look and made no promises.
The other outfit were brim full of their own self importance. Their reason for palming-off Lola is that it was coming into racing season and they had other vehicles booked in. Thankfully racing season worked in my favour.
Good luck with your van lulu - you're much further down than road than me
La-La La-La Lola . . .
quote:
Originally posted by LaLaLand
I hope so too lulu!
He seems nice. No ego or hubris. Said he'd have a look and made no promises.
The other outfit were brim full of their own self importance. Their reason for palming-off Lola is that it was coming into racing season and they had other vehicles booked in. Thankfully racing season worked in my favour.
Good luck with your van lulu - you're much further down than road than me
La-La La-La Lola . . .
andrew
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I think your right lulu, we do live in a throw away society. I always take my van(when I can't fix any problems myself) to my classic car garage. They give me an honest opinion, but more importantly they understand how these old vehicles work. Good luck lalaland, I'm sure with a decent mechanic things will start moving in the right direction.
Member of the non-Facebook club.
Member of the non-Facebook club.
We have similar problems here, although there are plenty of good mechanics you need to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay them.[:0]
Panel beaters are the worst, it is really hard to find one that knows how to "beat panels" these days. Its all unbolt and throw the plastic panel away and bolt on a new one.
They are only interested in fast turn over repairs and insurance work always get priority.
Thankfully we are lucky to have this little club, many of us can talk about and learn how to do some of these jobs on our own.[^]
Rain, hail or shine a Commer adventure awaits,,
Mount up!.
www.commervanoztour.blogspot.com
Panel beaters are the worst, it is really hard to find one that knows how to "beat panels" these days. Its all unbolt and throw the plastic panel away and bolt on a new one.
They are only interested in fast turn over repairs and insurance work always get priority.
Thankfully we are lucky to have this little club, many of us can talk about and learn how to do some of these jobs on our own.[^]
Rain, hail or shine a Commer adventure awaits,,
Mount up!.
www.commervanoztour.blogspot.com
Lulu
0
Unfortunately I never learned how to use a welder or the other tools necessary for restoration so I have to rely on using garages. I think that at my age and knowing the risks of using some of these tools that I am better doing it this way. It's not that I'm scared to use them as I still use a chainsaw and there's not many machine more dangerous than them but I have been to many fires caused by amateur welders not knowing what they are doing and I certainly wouldn't know what I was doing.[:0]
quote:
Originally posted by Aussie Commer
We have similar problems here, although there are plenty of good mechanics you need to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay them.[:0]
Panel beaters are the worst, it is really hard to find one that knows how to "beat panels" these days. Its all unbolt and throw the plastic panel away and bolt on a new one.
They are only interested in fast turn over repairs and insurance work always get priority.
Thankfully we are lucky to have this little club, many of us can talk about and learn how to do some of these jobs on our own.[^]
Rain, hail or shine a Commer adventure awaits,,
Mount up!.
www.commervanoztour.blogspot.com
quote:
Originally posted by Aussie Commer
We have similar problems here, although there are plenty of good mechanics you need to take out a second mortgage on your house to pay them.[:0]
Panel beaters are the worst, it is really hard to find one that knows how to "beat panels" these days. Its all unbolt and throw the plastic panel away and bolt on a new one.
They are only interested in fast turn over repairs and insurance work always get priority.
Thankfully we are lucky to have this little club, many of us can talk about and learn how to do some of these jobs on our own.[^]
Rain, hail or shine a Commer adventure awaits,,
Mount up!.
www.commervanoztour.blogspot.com
LaLaLand
0
Just as a wee update to my plight, lola's bearings need replaced and new mechanic said I could have this done - might keep lola going 3 months or 3 years; or I could have the engine rebuilt. So I've opted for the rebuild. Hopefully it'll all be done within a month.
La-La La-La Lola . . .
La-La La-La Lola . . .
LaLaLand
0
quote:
Originally posted by Hubbell
Yeah same problem at my end. It wasn't the distributor or alternator in the end rather that pesky bottom end...
Hubbell - I'm actually pleased to hear that (sorry:I), confirming it's the same problem. It gives me hope that my new mechanic does know what he's at. Hope you got everything sorted.
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Originally posted by Hubbell
Yeah same problem at my end. It wasn't the distributor or alternator in the end rather that pesky bottom end...
Hubbell - I'm actually pleased to hear that (sorry:I), confirming it's the same problem. It gives me hope that my new mechanic does know what he's at. Hope you got everything sorted.
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Hubbell
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You can pick up a brand new low compression bottom end on eBay for £410.00. Maybe that would be more economical than a rebuild of your current engine? This is what I'm trying to determine at the moment. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rootes-Minx-Commer-Hillman-Hunter-Humber-Scepter-Sunbeam-Alpine-LC-Short-Engine-/271361473650?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f2e677c72
Lulu
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If your engine has been running Ok then you know the old saying "better the devil you know" If you get a good mechanic and a rebuild at least you know it's been done right, if you buy an engine on ebay you don't know what you're buying. Me I'd go for the rebuild should last years if done right. Anyway good luck whatever you both decide.
LaLaLand
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Hard to beat a good cup of tea!Cheers for the info and advice Hubbell. I'm of the same opinion as lulu, that I think I want to stick with what I have and if the rebuild is done right then Lola will be good for years to come. Also, my mechanic seems good, if he rebuilds the engine hopefully he will be more inclined to continue to work on her in future. My biggest struggle with my van, to date, was finding a mechanic.
As I'm in Ireland, I'd also prefer to buy little parts rather than big engine bits, for shipping purposes. :I
As always, thanks so much for feedback and comments, I'd be totally lost without this wee group!!
La-La La-La Lola . . .
Cheers for the info and advice Hubbell. I'm of the same opinion as lulu, that I think I want to stick with what I have and if the rebuild is done right then Lola will be good for years to come. Also, my mechanic seems good, if he rebuilds the engine hopefully he will be more inclined to continue to work on her in future. My biggest struggle with my van, to date, was finding a mechanic. As I'm in Ireland, I'd also prefer to buy little parts rather than big engine bits, for shipping purposes. :I
As always, thanks so much for feedback and comments, I'd be totally lost without this wee group!!
La-La La-La Lola . . .