Some puzzles for me and my 307

[MattBLancs]

I've also got a set of these:

Link from eBay:
https://ebay.us/m/vwWYOX

Which are also very useful - designed to be hit but also a hex to allow them to be turned with a spanner.

Not too aware of garage sales in the UK - we tend to have "Car Boot Sales" where folks assemble with their, miscellaneous tat / second hand treasure at central location, commonly car park if a sports ground or similar.

I do t know a great deal about car boot sales as I've near deliberately stayed well away from them - my hoarding tendencies would end up with me accumulating loads of useful stuff I'm sure!

[mickthemaverick]

Cheers Matt, I followed the link, saw they were magnetic and hit Buy it now. I don't have a small magnetic crosshead at all so they will be good to add to the kit.

[myglaren]

Which reminds me that I had a similar set in the eighties, more of them and some very big, all with a hex on the handle to use spanners on them for increased torque.
I wonder where they went. Along with many other tools of course. They escape in the night.

[Rhothgar]

Makes me chuckle Ozfrog, given your location (other side of the world!) I've got matching green screwdriver(s) to your pictured item!

Matt, I'd love to know where I can purchase the rest of the set. That one screwdriver came in a tray of odd tools that I picked up at a garage sale - is that a thing in the U.K.? - for $2:00, about 10 years ago. It's been such a handy screwdriver with that reinforcement.

Like this:

Image from:
Clarke Cht121 7 Piece Mixed Screwdriver Set | Power Tools Direct https://share.google/QUFZrIOdpm8Ngu9ts

I'm sure mine came from Screwfix (a hardware and tool supplier national chain in UK) but I can't find them listed there now.

Above mentions brand as Clarke, which is often stocked by Machine Mart (another national chain tool and power tool supplier) but they don't seem to list them either.

EDIT here they are, Google failed me first time around! https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cht121- ... 1017f125c3

I believe Clarke is Machine Mart's own branded items. Their HQ is right here in Nottingham. I drive past it most days.

[PaulC5]

You can make a screwdriver magnetic by running a magnet along it a few times.

[mickthemaverick]

I've done that many a time Paul, even put them inside a drilled out 3000 type relay coil which works even better, but i liked the idea of buying a full set to replace some of my tired ones too!!

[MattBLancs]

Good thoughts folks! I have got a magnetiser/demagnetiser block thing, but like the electromagnetic idea too.

I believe the key property of the screwdrivers discussed above is around that pelting the end of them with a hammer is designed in to their construction (and hence isn't an act of tool abuse!) hence the "hammer - through" or (yuk!) hammer-thu term used.

[myglaren]

Only useful for small stuff but I have loads of tiny 'button' magnets and attach one to a screwdriver shaft to hold tiny screws when repairing specs etc.
Also some ex-hard drive magnets where more magneticness is called for.

[ozfrog]

You can make a screwdriver magnetic by running a magnet along it a few times.

Yes, I understand that, thanks, Paul.

What I especially like about these screwdrivers, or at least the one that I have, is that it has the steel rod going down through the length of the handle. I don't think I explained that properly! The blade (the shaft) of the screwdriver continues into the handle. That allows the screwdriver to be properly hit with a hammer.

I was talking to a mate this morning (oops, yesterday morning) and explaining what had happened with the bonnet release cable and how I'd managed to get it back into place. I then showed him the picture of the screwdriver. He acknowledged the usefulness of that type of tool then said that he'd purchased a similar set a few years ago. But his set also had the top of the handle shaped to accept an open ended or ring spanner, or a socket. I don't remember if he said what size spanner/socket was used. But I thought that was a really useful idea.

[ozfrog]

my hoarding tendencies would end up with me accumulating loads of useful stuff I'm sure!

That's the whole idea!

One man's trash (horrible Americanism) is another man's treasure, and all that.

[MattBLancs]

What I especially like about these screwdrivers, or at least the one that I have, is that it has the steel rod going down through the length of the handle. I don't think I explained that properly! The blade (the shaft) of the screwdriver continues into the handle. That allows the screwdriver to be properly hit with a hammer.

Spot on, that's what I thought you meant

I was talking to a mate this morning (oops, yesterday morning) and explaining what had happened with the bonnet release cable and how I'd managed to get it back into place. I then showed him the picture of the screwdriver. He acknowledged the usefulness of that type of tool then said that he'd purchased a similar set a few years ago. But his set also had the top of the handle shaped to accept an open ended or ring spanner, or a socket. I don't remember if he said what size spanner/socket was used. But I thought that was a really useful idea.

Green ones= square section shaft can be turned by open ended spanner

Look closer at the Blue ones, they have just what your mate describes!

[MattBLancs]

my hoarding tendencies would end up with me accumulating loads of useful stuff I'm sure!

That's the whole idea!

One man's trash (horrible Americanism) is another man's treasure, and all that.

Ah yes, but the other issue is that ultimately my home's ability to store all the useful things that come under my nose gets challenged! Ie. I'm "at capacity" here!

[ozfrog]

Look closer at the Blue ones, they have just what your mate describes!

Thanks for pointing that out. I definitely missed it. My eyes were not so sharp at 2:30 this morning.

They aren’t much better now after 3 hours of sleep, so I’m glad that you pointed that out to me.

[MattBLancs]

Look closer at the Blue ones, they have just what your mate describes!

Thanks for pointing that out. I definitely missed it. My eyes were not so sharp at 2:30 this morning.

They aren’t much better now after 3 hours of sleep, so I’m glad that you pointed that out to me.

Ha ha, oh dear, hope you get some more sleep soon!

[ozfrog]

P1403 and P1404 relate to the addition water heating block on the bulkhead below the windscreen.

If you need if I can find the link to one of my recent posts about repairing mine. I had the codes for 3.5 years and only just got around to it in December 2025.

Basically, the first thing to check is the nut to the earth wire which should be a thick white wire connected to the back of the block. See if you can undo it with your fingers. If not, undo it, clean up mating faces and replace nut. A bit of Thread-lock wouldn't go amiss and don't go Neanderthal on tightening the nut as the stud is a small shank.

Next. If fault still exists, remove the rubber covers and carefully remove glow-plugs. Clean up all surfaces. Test for continuity between threads and shank where nut screws onto. Replace any that are out of range. If you are the careful type, you can test the glow-plugs across the battery but holding with a pair of pliers, applying to battery positive and a thick earth wire to the threads. I use 2.5mm 240V mains cable. The tip should glow red. DO NOT TOUCH! and put them somewhere sensible to cool down for a while afterwards. Even when they are not red they are still damned hot. You will only touch them once...

Where, please?