car woes

[beaky]

LOL. that really does suck. But at least you could fix it yourself. Thanks to those bloody germans, I'm forced to fly in a guy name franz first class just to change a light bulb it seems. Or at least I'm sure thats how BMW dealers run their business.

LOL. Yeah, I guess I'm lucky... but even this relatively primitive late-90s Suzuki engine is bewilderingly complicated compared to the 70s-era cars I've owned and tinkered with...and so densely packed... it takes an hour just to get at the spark plugs so you can lean and gap them;  the cooling system is more complicated than the human circulatory system; things like swapping the heater core are like performing open-heart surgery, and don't get me started on replacing the main bearing seal, which basically requires disassembling the entire car.

But it sure feels good when it works despite my best efforts...and in 7 years I've only had this thing in the shop once (I don't mess with head gaskets anymore, and automatic transmissions make my head hurt); saved thousands that way, and occasionally enjoyed myself doing the work.

[Triple_7]

Hole in exhaust...depending how much space you have around the hole.  Treat yourself to a beer/soda in a can, then cut the top and bottom off, slice the roll, get a couple of hose clamps a hair bigger then the pipe.  Wrap the can around the pipe and take the hose clamps apart to get them over the pipe.  Tighten down...and there you go...instant patch  2 Coors, a Pepsi, and a lot of wire held my exhaust together for several months before it was replaced.  At least you didn't have to pick your muffler and tailpipe off the road in the middle of the night

[zeberdee]

I have used bean cans many times to patch up a holed exhaust, the bean cans are thicker than drinks cans. I cut the top and bottom off the can ( including the rim ) then cut the can down the length covered the inside with exhaust jointing paste ( in a tube) placed the tin over the hole and secured with "jubelee" clips. My cars have passed the M.O.T with this. They can't fail it if it doesn't leak!! Last done on a "D" reg Espace on the down pipe to first pipe join

[4_Series_Scania]

I have used bean cans many times to patch up a holed exhaust, the bean cans are thicker than drinks cans. I cut the top and bottom off the can ( including the rim ) then cut the can down the length covered the inside with exhaust jointing paste ( in a tube) placed the tin over the hole and secured with "jubelee" clips. My cars have passed the M.O.T with this. They can't fail it if it doesn't leak!! Last done on a "D" reg Espace on the down pipe to first pipe join

Quality!  8-)

I must remember this - the exhaust on my car is unbelievably expensive!  :(

[Craig.]

getting it fixed tomoz, going to be around

[TSC.]

[quote]getting it fixed tomoz, going to be around

[Craig.]

I thought it was, bin my wallet

[Craig.]

fixed for