MikeT's Rescue C3 1.4hdi

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 04 Oct 2018, 17:04

I wasn't sure I was going to keep this rescue car, it started as a personal challenge/educational project due to the initial problem(s) as documented;
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60625
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60700#p583062
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=60834

It's been parked up (SORN) with a view to putting it through the MOT to see how it would fair then maybe sell it on.

However, my already poor health had taken a further nose-dive last month and as the C5 needs a fair few jobs doing, on top of it's already overdue service that I've been unable to do, I think it makes sense to try to get it back on the road asap.

So went to ask my regular MOT centre if they could kindly collect it, test it and return it, due to it being SORN and uninsured.
Sure, they said and booked it in for tomorrow. A young lad will pick it up on his way in to work.
Great!

So when I went to remove any clutter I may have left in the car, it showed no sign of life! Soon discovered the battery was flat.
Ok, it's been sitting with me for just over a month but it started fine before and I let the engine run a fair while to replenish some of the charge but taking a meter reading today it showed a shockingly low 2.6V. I've never known a battery to run down that low and am hoping it's not lost a cell or three - but am not holding my breath. I just need it to start and run for the MOT, the rest I can deal with in due course.

It's one of those batteries with a floating green ball indicator that says Green is OK, Black is Recharge and White is Replace. Well it was green when I left it last month and is black now so fingers crossed I simply didn't make good contact when I took the meter reading? Will know better tomorrow after an overnight charge attempt.

Simple76 · Unread post by **Simple76** » 04 Oct 2018, 17:47

The colour indicator on the battery only tests one cell. However it would seem if the voltage is that low the battery needs recharging or replacing.

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 04 Oct 2018, 20:13

When a battery gets very flat, below about 9V, no reasonable amount of charging with the alternator will bring it back (the alternator is a constant voltage charger). It needs to be put onto a constant current charger for a few hours.

Simple76 · Unread post by **Simple76** » 04 Oct 2018, 20:32

Battery charger obviously

Unread post by **bobins** » 04 Oct 2018, 21:12

It's also worth bearing in mind that it's far from ideal to get an alternator to recharge a flat battery. It's akin to driving a car on the red line - it'll do it, but it's not good for its health.

Simple76 · Unread post by **Simple76** » 04 Oct 2018, 21:42

That’s why you use a battery charger

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 04 Oct 2018, 22:08

Yeah sorry I wasn't clear. I pulled the battery and put it on a mains 12v 6A "automatic" charger around 4.30pm, just before posting.

I'm resigned to needing a replacement but live in hope it's got a will to live as I've only today noticed it's a very decent battery for this little car - Yuasa CCA 620

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 05 Oct 2018, 09:13

To my surprise and delight, the car started very spritely for me this morning.
It must have started ok for the mechanic too as he's now taken it to await it's fate at the MOT centre.

Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 05 Oct 2018, 09:14

Good luck with it Mike.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 05 Oct 2018, 09:34

At 9.20 this morning I got a call from the MOT centre and my heart sank, thinking battery failure.

Nope, it'd been tested and failed. But only on brake fluid. They're going to change it for me (I'm in no condition to do it myself), issue a PASS and deliver it back to me at close of business.

Well chuffed!

Unread post by **GiveMeABreak** » 05 Oct 2018, 09:35

Great news.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 05 Oct 2018, 10:42

Yep, things were progressing pretty well.... until I got the insurance quotes.

Just under £300 for FC, while TPF&T was £10 less and TP-only came in at just under £500.
My C5 estate cost much less to re-insure a few months back.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 06 Oct 2018, 14:31

Car was dropped back as promised last night and I've got the full MOT details;

Brake fluid contaminated, was the fail and they sorted that for the pass.
Advisories; Front n/s Disc worn,pitted or scored but not seriously weakened (with the caveat the plastic wheel trims obscure the view)
Front n/s ARB corroded but not seriously weakened
Rear lower o/s Coil Spring corroded (corrosion at bottom of spring)

Just want to get it insured now (proving more expensive than the C5 at the moment!) and see how nimble the little green go-kart may be.

Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur · 07 Oct 2018, 10:35

I would've thought that you could get it insured for the purpose of a day's 'Trial' on a short term policy for £20-£30.

Sounds like your Insurers are taking the Mickey.

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 07 Oct 2018, 12:55

Well, yes, isn't that what insurers do?

But it's not just my insurers, it's three "compare" sites worth.
Which just happen to have my own insurers coming up cheapest every time. (Got it down to £250 now - but it's still above my C5 premium)

I've used short-term insurers before and yes, it's an option but it can get expensive real fast beyond a few days.

However, I've got a setback with the charging circuit that's now taken priority so I'll resume the insurance game later. viewtopic.php?p=587757#p587717

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MikeT's Rescue C3 1.4hdi

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