DIY Car Maintenance with function over finesse!!

[MattBLancs]

Always save old tooth brushes, a quick go in the dishwasher gets them clean enough (for car jobs)

Have used the heat gun to reshape a good few, works well! Never strapped one to a wooden spoon though!

[Gibbo2286]

No you are not Ryan, That's exactly what it is!! Works very well too

Did you put it back in the bathroom?

[CitroJim]

Always save old tooth brushes, a quick go in the dishwasher gets them clean enough (for car jobs)

I'm exclusively electric... I do have a few manual ones for those jobs where a toothbrush is just right. I've bought cheap ones in the past especially for cleaning jobs...

No you are not Ryan, That's exactly what it is!! Works very well too

Did you put it back in the bathroom?

Waste not, want not

[Sloppysod]

Bit of PTFE tape on the nipple threads?

I always put PTFE on the nipple threads, It stops air being pulled in and also helps to stop nipple seizing in

Never thought of that one

Always save old tooth brushes, a quick go in the dishwasher gets them clean enough (for car jobs)

I have splashed out and bought toilet brushes, great for cleaning the next size up apertures (didn't says holes as I'm trying to keep thread clean)....in Alloy wheel.

[mickthemaverick]

No you are not Ryan, That's exactly what it is!! Works very well too

Did you put it back in the bathroom?

No it was already in the cupboard under the sink for cleaning the bird table so it was returned there as it will still be ok for that!!

[MattBLancs]

I'm exclusively electric... I do have a few manual ones for those jobs where a toothbrush is just right. I've bought cheap ones in the past especially for cleaning jobs...

The electric brush heads are useful too, the Sonicare type things most useful (as no moving parts) but the rotary type things work ok for a quick scrub too.

I've an electric toothbrush head in each grease pot, good tool for it's application and fits in with the lid shut too!

Did you put it back in the bathroom?

Via the dishwasher again, eh!?

[CitroJim]

I've an electric toothbrush head in each grease pot, good tool for it's application and fits in with the lid shut too!

That's a good idea Matt, I'll start keeping them from now on...

[mickthemaverick]

I had a new toy arrive today, replacing my old version which had begun to decompose, so it will be interesting to try it out over the weekend!!

MTMO

[Hell Razor5543]

My Mum has one of these. We had to use it on Sapphire in August 2022. Took a while, but we emptied out around 200l from the engine bay!

[mickthemaverick]

Hopefully James my uses will be confined to 5-10 litres per time depending on whether its gearboxes, diffs or occasionally engines!

[bobins]

I wouldn't be without mine, however.......... I think it might be my pick-up truck........ one of the fleet has a handy feature in that it will trap the end of the suction hose in the bottom of the dipstick hole. The first time I got caught out was, not surprisingly, a little worrying I tend to drop the sump plug on the truck these days which is why I don't get caught out any more

[mickthemaverick]

Coolant replacement update:
You may recall I recently flushed and refilled the MX3's cooling system, details here, and I have just returned from the first decent run since doing that work. After a 22 mile drive I am pleased to say that the engine is running sweetly with the temperature gauge reading just below where it used to. The heater is toasty to the point of having to turn it down and there are no signs of any leaks!! Job done!

[myglaren]

Poking around with the Mazda 6 to see if there was a spare wheel or a can of gloop:-

Nice to see that there is a full sized spare, even looks like the other four.

What was less pleasing was that it was partialy submerged.

As was the jack, in a separate well. 'Well' being the operative word, although all was clearly not well

A previous owner has presumably had a roof rack that they have retined but not refitted the plugs for the attachment points, just put tape over which has leaked into the boot.
Aquavac clone to the rescue, may have to visit the dealer for replacement plugs.

Lots of niggles, some overcome, many remaining. Worked well on an eighty mile trip yesterday but son has had numerous problems including a flat battery, presumable due to one of the reading lights being left on. The interior lights are odd and seem to have a life of their own.

Can't set the clock, will have to disconnect the battery at midnight.
No music bar the radio which is also a very odd thing to set, so silence reigns. Did get radio 3 for a bit but that seems to have disappeared now. Aux input seems to be resisting.

Still need to work out the bluetooth. Son will never manage that as he won't talk to machines, it is all voice control. Perhaps his girlfriend will oblige.

New dashcam installed, seems OK for thirty quid (Amazon).

[mickthemaverick]

Good news on the spare Steve, pity about the gremlins. The interior lights on my last 6 were also oddly setup. Different delay times on the front and rear and different according to engine running or not I seem to remember. Good luck with them, sounds like you have an aerial issue too which may also be due to water ingress in the roof area!!

[CitroJim]

Coolant replacement update:

Great news Mick

Poking around with the Mazda 6 to see if there was a spare wheel or a can of gloop:-

Good to see a proper spare Steve but a shame about the well actually trying to be one... Hope no lasting damage has been done and caught in time...