Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

elma
Posts: 3745
Joined: 13 May 2007, 02:17
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars: Undisclosed
x 287

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by elma »

Theres method 2 which is probably quite bad for the gearbox. Just push the gearstick firmly into 1st, with a little practise you can get the car half rolling with the stick almost in 1st and then tap it all the way in at just the right time. Get it wrong and you can feel the gearbox grinding itself to pieces, probably best for emergencies and hire cars only.
isisalar
Posts: 662
Joined: 27 Apr 2008, 14:16
Location: london UK
My Cars:
x 3

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by isisalar »

Way back when Minis were competitive in international rallying Swedish and Finnish drivers were very successful largely because of their driving technique which involved left foot braking, right foot to the floor and cluchless gear changes. It's not that difficult with a bit of practice, not so easy on RWD vehicles.
I had to use the starter motor starting and get the revs right system twice on my old VSX Xantia when the clutch clips went, not terrifying as I've done it loads of times before. The last time was a bit hairy going from Holloway to BL auto's in Welwyn Garden City.
J reg 1.9d auto BX first Citroen
M reg 1.9d auto Xantia lx
N reg 1.9 td Xantia VSX Estate
T reg 2.0HDI Xantia Exclusive Estate Present car
M reg 106 diesel red
L reg 106 diesel white
02 Saxo 1.1i desire wife's present car(sadly now very ill cambelt gone- Doh)
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24563
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

just bought this at my local MOTAPARTS shop. Great service and price as ever. Just over £10 for the 25 feet of pipe, and 35p an end.

Image

(there's something reassuring about terrible photography)

I am thinking of getting a flaring set like this offered by toolstation for £13.54 with several cars in the maintenance responsibility stable now it could be handy, but Dave at the shop said he would flare the pipes for me when I had cut them to size, gratis!

Image

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
Online
Hell Razor5543
Donor 2023
Posts: 13727
Joined: 01 Apr 2012, 09:47
Location: Reading
My Cars: C5 Mk2 VTX+ estate.
x 2993

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I recall once having a problem with the company Xsara Picasso. I was just heading out of Bracknell on the A329 when suddenly the gear lever broke (with her in third gear). I managed to coax her onto the Southern Industrial estate, somehow getting her up the slope without stalling her, and then I called the Fleet company to get rescued. That would have been bl00dy awkward if it had happened an hour later, when the rush hour was in full swing!
James
ex BX 1.9
ex Xantia 2.0HDi SX
ex Xantia 2.0HDi LX
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR
Ex C5 2.0HDi VTR

C5 2.2HDi VTX+
Yes, I am paranoid, but am I paranoid ENOUGH?
Out amongst the stars, looking for a world of my own!
dnsey
Posts: 1538
Joined: 20 Oct 2004, 01:39
Location:
My Cars:
x 19

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by dnsey »

Roundabouts really test anticipation - look well ahead and adjust speed on approach to accelerate into a gap as it comes round. Not always possible, of course, but a good game.
User avatar
Zelandeth
Donor 2024
Posts: 4731
Joined: 16 Nov 2014, 23:36
Location: Milton Keynes
My Cars: 2006 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi.
1988 Renault 25 Monaco 2.0i.
1985 Sinclair C5.
1984 Trabant 601S.
1975 Rover 3500.
1973 AC Model-70.
x 1403
Contact:

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by Zelandeth »

Starting off was a case of 1st gear and crank it - 1st on the Niva is a silly low ratio, so it would catch and go just fine. Otherwise was just a case of matching the revs perfectly and slotting it in. Knowing the box well helped and having a very good ear was also an advantage. 5th had no syncro on mine anyway and 3rd depended what mood it was in.

Idle in 1st was about half walking pace, so stop-start traffic was even manageable with a little forward planning.

Wouldn't recommend it...but with the schedule I was running back then I didn't have much choice. Useful thing to know how to do though sometimes!

...it is always funny to watch people the first time they encounter a crash box (where I properly mastered this) and their reactions to the noises that the box emits when they get it wrong.

Mind you, I've never managed to get completely crunch-less changes out of the Albion...it's the only one that has proven properly hard to master, though I think part of that is just the ratios being so ridiculously widely spaced. First into second goes from the thing just about screaming its head off to it virtually stalling as soon as you come off the clutch, so not sure it actually *is* always possible to match it perfectly...
Current fleet:
06 Peugeot Partner Escapade 1.6HDi, 88 Renault 25 Monaco, 85 Sinclair C5, 84 Trabant 601S, 75 Rover 3500, 73 AC Model 70.
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by van ordinaire »

NewcastleFalcon wrote:...Random link of the day 2

Just to establish how unlikely it was that the Austin Champ would be mentioned within the FCF, I put a seach enquiry on the forum for the word "Champ".

Never has it appeared before in the context of a mention of the Austin Champ, so today's entry mention by Van Ordinaire was the very first time, and on the exact day the Teardrop Explodes receives a play on Radio 2.......as before what are the chances of that happening?

The word "Champ" does get a mention, by CitroJim no less, in the thread "Best Driving Music!" in the context of his little Champ, although Jim's little Champ is probably more modern than this one :!:

Image

Still the old thread was interesting from my point of view, being a Steely Dan appreciator, on the back of a mention by Active8, of FM by Steely Dan, Steve (Myglaren) offered up this from Rosie Vela. Its from a collaboration with Becker and Fagen of Steely Dan, and much enjoyed by me this afternoon. Possibly an acquired taste but interesting nonetheless.



Regards Neil
Bear with me but I'm just catching up with this thread:-

Glad it's not just me that sees lyrics/song titles/assorted musical reference in everything.

Surprised "Champ" hasn't cropped up more often as c15's were marketed here, although (I don't believe) not badged, as such.

I got a seal kit for my Niva's master cylinder, about 3p mail order from main dealer in London (when I was living in Northampton)

The clutch hydraulics went on my 100e Ford, turning right out of Regent Street into Gt Marlborough Street - learned to drive without a clutch VERY quickly! Stood me in good stead many years later when the nipple came off the cable on friend's Bedford HA & had to get it home to fix.

More recently the clutch was getting worse with every gear change on an XJ40 on my way down to Devon, got to about 10 miles from destination, gave up - just left it in 4th: that's the beauty of torque! A lesson I'd learned in a Mk3 Zodiac - when the gear lever broke - &, of course, I had to get home!
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24563
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

van ordinaire wrote:
Surprised "Champ" hasn't cropped up more often as c15's were marketed here, although (I don't believe) not badged, as such.
A van in a boxing ring.....that's got to be a champ :!:

Image

regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by CitroJim »

Brilliant :) I like it!
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24563
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Well the Ford 100E got name check.....our first family car.....still remember well the billiard ball gear knob

Image

and the zodiac mk3, column change and bench seat

Image
Image

regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
CitroJim
A very naughty boy
Posts: 49526
Joined: 30 Apr 2005, 23:33
Location: Paggers
My Cars: Bluebell the AX, Polly the C3 Picasso, Pix the Nissan Pixo, Propel the duathlon bike, TCR Pro the road bike and Fuji the TT bike...
x 6160
Contact:

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by CitroJim »

Column changes were brilliant :) Shame they have completely disappeared. Ditto bench seats.

I'd love to see both come back....
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by Stickyfinger »

Best "courting" car....my old Austin Westminster, I did well in that with the Ladies but did not think it through when I decided to get a VW Beetle....a bad move on the cuddles front :)
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24563
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Stickyfinger wrote:Best "courting" car....my old Austin Westminster, I did well in that with the Ladies but did not think it through when I decided to get a VW Beetle....a bad move on the cuddles front :)
Worth a picture, here's one in A110 MkII form-Nice two tone

Image

That heated rear window thing reminds me of similar contraptions I had in some of my cars.

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
Stickyfinger
(Donor 2016)
Posts: 10411
Joined: 28 Mar 2013, 21:05
Location: Somset my lovleee
My Cars: Xantia V6 ACTIVA 3ltr 24v Manual p1
Xm 2.1TD Ph2 Exclusive
AX, little Daffodil
SAXO White Mk1. Sally
x 1280
Contact:

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by Stickyfinger »

Had Eleven in mine one night, two in the boot.....we didn't gas them thankfully

them were the days :)
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Ever sheared off a bleed nipple?

Post by van ordinaire »

Ye gods & little fishes, what have I started?

Loved the C15 Champ piccie!

100E was my father's 2nd car - & my 1st (no, not the same one!). Also my introduction to running two cars, when a garage offered me what we'd now call a project that they'd taken in PX - for £7.50 or something.

Not my idea of a billiard ball gear knob - but know what you mean. Swapped mine for a red one off a Scammel Constructor (can't remember now if that was the transfer box, 4wd or PTO. Later replaced with a very crude remote control, with a swoopy curved chrome lever, topped off with a wooden knob)

Westies? When I had that 6/110 [still (a) probably my favourite car (b) the only one that'd been to Land's End & John o' Groats - not bad for a £10 (scrap value at the time) car I only had for a year!] I was offered a Westy for nothing - delivered! I passed it on to a friend for the cost of the 4 tires & 1/2 an exhaust system it needed for an MoT. True he had to have the trans rebuilt - but still made a tidy profit when he chopped it in for a, much newer, P5B Rover!

11 up? Really! I took 14 to the pub in my Prefect (meant removing the passenger seat, I seem to recall).

Column changes: now, let's see:-

4-speed Fords (a la Mk3 Z cars) - broke across the pivot hole

3-speeds (Mk 1,2 & 400E vans) - bushes wore, linkages parallelogrammed & jammed together

4-speed BMC - once nearly lost the knob down a drain when I pulled it out, for reverse, it came off the splines, flew out the (open) window - & rolled under the van!

I'm told Standard Vanguards were good but the only one that was really a success was the Renault 16 - &, in TX form, a 5 speed at that!
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Post Reply