Michel's Motors

Tell us your ongoing tales and experiences with your French car here. Post pictures of your car here as well.
RichardW
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by RichardW »

Ah, you've found something that I never had to look at! I had the lower door cover off a couple of times to attend to the boot handle, but never the top.

PS... picture of Garrett turbo - it is clearly marked with Garrett cast into the air outlet housing.
IMG_20180622_160034055_HDR.jpg
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Thanks Richard. It's exactly like that.

As for the rear washer jet, it's accessed from the hole that the high level brake light occupies. To get at it, the top piece of internal trim needs to come off, then there's two 10mm nuts that need to be undone to pop the high brake light out forwards. Shut the tailgate and then look in the hole where the light was, and the washer piping and jet are right there.
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Well, it has become necessary to change the drop links on the GP.

I presume Richard has done this more than once, and wondered if his good self could proffer some advice or pitfalls. The top mounting point looks a bit of a git, but nothing Mr. D. Remel can't solve if need be...
RichardW
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by RichardW »

Only did it once - I fitted Myele heavy duty links and they lasted over 4 years! As I recall I managed to undo them, but I'm sure there would be a way of attacking with the grinder if required.
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

RichardW wrote: 19 Jul 2018, 12:43 Only did it once - I fitted Myele heavy duty links and they lasted over 4 years! As I recall I managed to undo them, but I'm sure there would be a way of attacking with the grinder if required.


I don't suppose you'd have a link to where you purchased these heavy duty ones from would you kind sir? The ones I got appear to be made of cheese...
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bobins
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Most kind Mr. Bobins, however, though I can find the part I want, I can't work out how to register to buy them - does one have to be in the trade or something?
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bobins
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by bobins »

Probably best bet is to find a motor parts trader (eBay ? highstreet ?) who does Meyle parts and ask them: " 'scuse me, can you get me part number xxxxxxx".
As an aside, I've always found Lemforder drop links to be good quality and last the distance. They don't claim to be heavy duty like the Meyle's, but I've not had cause to grumble about them.
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bobins
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by bobins »

As to fitting the drop links - I don't know how they compare to C5 X7 ones, but I've found it useful to drive out the old link's top thread by using a ½" or ¼" extension bar and leave that in place, then drive that back out as you tap the new drop link back in - it keeps everything lines up. As I say though - it might not be the same set-up as your GP, though it saves a lot of grief on the C5 !
RichardW
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by RichardW »

Here's the link the seller I used (originally via e-bay): https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=47065 but it doesn't seem to be working anymore. They are some on e-bay, e.g.: Drop links
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Thanks Richard!

Is this the first post ever from Mexico City airport on the FCF? :)
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Well, after a few weeks away, and smashing myself up in a powerboat, it's time to buy another car :)

Actually, I've got a new job, working at Heathrow Airport. I had planned to commute by motorbike, but because I've been working shifts for the last 8 years, I'd forgotten how mental the traffic is down the M4 or even over the back roads from my house. I can handle it on a motorbike, but frankly, in winter, getting filthy and riding on permanently greasy roads - well, I've more sense than I had 20 years ago when I last did such things.

So..... it just happened by pure coincidence that the guy I sold my first red C1 Vibe to back in 2016 - welll, I worked with his boyfriend for the last 8 years. I spoke to him this morning and he told me the C1 was for sale again as they now need a bigger car. I'm therefore picking up an 06 plate red C1 Vibe next weekend, which is nice. At least I know the car, the previous two owners (one being him, the other me!) and previous to that, it was a one owner from new car. It'll keep me dry and warm, and the bike can go under cover for the winter. Ideal.

I still have the Grand Picasso, which I think needs a new engine mount, and definitely a rear caliper. It knocks alarmingly on taking up drive from the left hand front. I don't *think* it's a balljoint as it doesn't seem to do it over bumps. It needs a new rear caliper on the passenger side as it binds. It's better than it was since I freed it off, cleaned it up and greased it, but it's still not right. It will be getting a pattern £45 part for now, until I decide whether to keep it or not. I will also get the injector seals done at the end of the month as the smell is doing my head in. Easily stopped by running the AC on recirc, but that's not the point is it? I want to make sure it's all ok as we are off to Germany for a few days in it in early December...
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Michel
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Michel »

Well, I've decided that I'm done with French cars after today's shenanigans.

The GP is now on the drive SORNED, my friend's Xsara Picasso is going back to him tomorrow. Both of them developed issues today.

I commandeered my neighbour's Polo that I sold them (after I bought it from another neighbour). That's now taxed and insured..

It's been fun but life's too short for this nonsense!
Hell Razor5543
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by Hell Razor5543 »

:?:
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daviemck2006
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Re: French car fatigue and a Japanese crotch rocket.

Unread post by daviemck2006 »

I think im with you there Mike. The old £100 skoda fabia I has for a little while was a nice car, or would have been if it had a decent body on it, and my seat leon is lovely. Although it is a golf under the skin it is quite comfortable, the ride is not rock hard, and the trip computer is saying 50 mpg, over 176 miles since I filled it. The guage is still above 3/4 mark. It is so much more stylish than a golf too. I have absolutely no desire to have a golf, the spaniards make a better job of it.
Skoda Karoq 1.6tdi 2018
Citroen dispatch 2014
In the family
Seat Leon 1.5tsi tourer 2019 daughter 1
C1 vtr+ 2010 daughter 2