Stuff you have fixed today

[Blobber]

Got the timer/programmer working again on my 38-year old Hotpoint washing machine. Decided it would be to hard to dismantle, so played it safe with some contact cleaner and some lube (in very limited quantities and places and it's working again. Roll on the big 40

View attachment 410609

I think i might have a new one in a box of "useful one day" spares, when it stops heatwaving down I will have a look

 

[DanZac]

when it stops heatwaving down I will have a look

Brilliant.

 

[Cobbler]

Perhaps we should have a sub-section on here “what I should have fixed today” 229 pages so far, I think that might add a few more

 

[qwakers]

please dont judge my welding too harshly... i know my alu tig is terrible....


rad mods to keep the inlet pipework as far away from the turbo as possible.
cut off the old inlet (scary part!)

and welded a plate over it (can you spot where i dipped the tungsten?)

cut a hole in the new location and tigged the elbow on to it.

pressure tested it (it leaked. big surprise. bit more welding and it now doesnt)

put the fans back on to check fitment.

fitted into the car 3 times before i got it fitting.......

not much room in there! its almost touching the steering rack. will put a dent there to stop it vibrating a hole into the pipe.

and started to plumb the much simpler cooling system up.

 

[DennisCA]

Replaced the turbo bypass valve on my Saab which was broken, man it was caked in oily mud. Of course everything got cleaned up good before going back.

Then I replaced the spark plugs, and about time too!

I am surprised the car ran as well as it did

I found some NOS plugs, NGK BCP7EV plugs with the older gold-palladium plating instead of iridium or platinum. Got two changes worth and the saab people said the turbos liked these older ones over the newer replacements.

 

[T5 TDI]

View attachment 410243

The plan for theses two T15 heaters was to fix one by using parts from the other one.

But the best laid plans of mice, men and TYA..................


The biggest fear was, as both wicks are seized that the adjuster had been forced and broken.

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Both wicks were rotten and seized.
You tear the wick down to the tails.
Then gently pull it apart.


View attachment 410245

The wick support was in need of a good clean.

There is no tool or easy way the do this.


View attachment 410246

So I made one.


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New wick fitted in to one.


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This is the other heater, again a seized wick.
You can see the arms that raise and lower the wick.
Yes they are that slim and weak.
But they work very well through.



View attachment 410249

Hot plate removed.

Both are burning away very nicely.

That pic with it burning nicely with the new wick took me back to my childhood and that freezing winter or 1961. We didn't much heat in our old Victorian house and an identical paraffin heater used to come out when it got really bad. That pic made me think of the smell. Pretty evocative for a four year old child.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

That pic with it burning nicely with the new wick took me back to my childhood and that freezing winter or 1961. We didn't much heat in our old Victorian house and an identical paraffin heater used to come out when it got really bad. That pic made me think of the smell. Pretty evocative for a four year old child.

Yep, we had one of those too.

 

[Cobbler]

Yep, we had one of those too.

And us.

 

[prepman]

And us.

Remember the 'Esso-blue" ads.

 

[Blobber]

And us.

And us! we had polystyrene ceiling tiles as well, not a fire hazard at all

 

[prepman]

And us! we had polystyrene ceiling tiles as well, not a fire hazard at all

But the asbestos tiles protected them.......

 

[dobbslc]

But the asbestos tiles protected them.......

Along with the lead paint...

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Yep, we had one of those too.

And us.

They were very common.

But try find one that is a decent price, good condition and is worth investing time into.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

But try find one that is a decent price, good condition and is worth investing time into.

Why would anyone want one burning in their home nowadays?

 

[arian]

I seem to remember television campaigns against them from the likes of Esther Rantzen. I think they claimed CO2 worries, and instability concerns. Might be wrong.

 

[MattF]

Why would anyone want one burning in their home nowadays?

Nostalgia.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Why would anyone want one burning in their home nowadays?

Nostalgia.

Me don't

But they make green house heaters.

Plus I know some one in a na4row baot whi has one.

They are useful.

 

[minimutly]

And us! we had polystyrene ceiling tiles as well, not a fire hazard at all

Still got them...

 

[Arc Tourist]

I modified a new set of Barkbuster hand guards for the bike I recently acquired. They fit ok, but not entirely to my liking, as when the handlebars are turned to contact the fork stops, the inboard ends of the handguards are almost touching the digital speedo. So, I disconnected the clamps and moved them as far as was feasible up the bars away from it and drilled new holes in the aluminium arms; cut off the excess, and contoured the ends on my die filer. Much better clearance now, so less of a chance of damage in the unlikely event of the bike falling over.

 

[brightspark]

Remember the 'Esso-blue" ads.

my x gaffer sold pink parafin in his shop