DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

[bobins]

Shhhhh !! Don't tell Ryan about the secret part of the forum, he's not supposed to know about that

[CitroJim]

Shhhhh !! Don't tell Ryan about the secret part of the forum, he's not supposed to know about that

[mickthemaverick]

Update on the MX3 - having had the work on the alternator, water pump and cambelt I finally got the chance to take it for a run on Thursday. Bob came and helped me get the cover off and low and behold a flat battery greeted us. We jump started it and, with the new alternator whirring away, we were confident to go for a run and a Guinness 0 or 2!! We had to stop for petrol after 12 miles which is when the next issue arose. On returning to the car from paying I found the battery was unable to crank it over. Long story ensued involving pretty girl, two old feeble gits and a rugby player type, but we eventually got the car away from the pumps and parked to find some jump start help. The aforementioned rugby player pulled up beside us in his van and we jump started it ok.

After that sequence we did not want to risk the planned visit to a local hostelry for Guinness 0, so we headed straight home, stopping at a local store where Bob popped in to purchase some cans while I sat in the car keeping it running. Once home I got the meter out to discover the new alternator was providing a healthy 14.3V at the battery so I knew the battery had died. I was annoyed, believing I had only fitted a new one last September but I ordered a new battery and we went inside to do the cans some damage.

The battery was delivered yesterday, sitting on the doormat when we returned from lunch, it had been expected tomorrow!! So this morning I set about swapping it out which I had to do in 4 x 5 minute sessions with 15 mins rest between them and it is now in situ and starting fine. I took the old battery and put it on my test kit to discover it was dropping to 7.2V under load, no wonder it was knackered!! So I thought, the battery had a four year warranty so I'll contact them for a refund. I went to the MX3 file to find the receipt for it but after a good five minutes searching I realised the error of my thinking. The battery I replaced in September was on the Legacy!! I found the MX3 battery receipt in the file, dated 23/07/2018 !! So the battery is 8 years old and I was confused!! All's well that ends well!!

[Sloppysod]

.... I found the MX3 battery receipt in the file, dated 23/07/2018 !! So the battery is 8 years old and I was confused!! All's well that ends well!!

Things just don't last as long a they used to, do they.?

Tip:- When I put a battery on a car, I always write on it the month & year it was fitted. Possibly a knock on from when you used to get little stickers with you filters to stick somewhere under the bonnet.

[mickthemaverick]

A good tip that Stu, although I rely on the accurate records I keep of all expenditure and work in the file. Sadly I don't always remember to refer to it!!

[Sloppysod]

A good tip that Stu, although I rely on the accurate records I keep of all expenditure and work in the file. Sadly I don't always remember to refer to it!!

Similar here, the writing on the battery is just a quick check.
I don't keep paper copies, I scan everything in a save as PDF, and use an Excel spreadsheet to keep it all in one place. When I sold my C5, the new owner was very impressed and pleased, as I give him the history of everything that was bought, and done to the car on a USB stick.
I'm a data freak.

[mickthemaverick]

We are of the same mind Stu. I keep all the paperwork as evidence to the entries on my spreadsheet which has a summary of all the work. I keep them for all our 3 vehicles and they generally are an asset when sale time comes around!!

Screenshot of the MX3 summary sheet.