tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63813957869884198942024-03-13T19:39:46.212+00:00love:mini - Magazine Minislove:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-77354579001272062972018-02-26T11:50:00.000+00:002018-02-26T11:50:09.947+00:00The dreaded MoT 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJF1vluhMv9AAEXzhI4XH6ReNcbAo53_ke1uhyphenhyphenm6Mb13oj8tAAwtG2Cq8PmO9PBMyyh01uxgolwpHkgwccWnXcuHtkt9Qki0ORxB9srWhvbv_VX95NAwLz7eUx-gvDamWW_LB-rU630r/s1600/20180126_140210+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJF1vluhMv9AAEXzhI4XH6ReNcbAo53_ke1uhyphenhyphenm6Mb13oj8tAAwtG2Cq8PmO9PBMyyh01uxgolwpHkgwccWnXcuHtkt9Qki0ORxB9srWhvbv_VX95NAwLz7eUx-gvDamWW_LB-rU630r/s640/20180126_140210+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has sadly worked out the my MoTs are due not long after Christmas... which means after being out of pocket to provide some decent presents for the kids, I've also got to prepare for some hefty repairs for the MINI. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I'd managed to keep on top of most things I was hopeful the MINI would scrape through the test and I would be allowed to keep it on the road for another 12 months without too much expense. If you know anything about my blogs, you'll know it's never quite that simple for me.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO6Cv_hydQLGbt-K5b0RJuMKRZxjya2JXTvzuWf5ZVXl7-VLGLCcg4GkyxbxDVydAmIiyjVCV1rKK87xYktk1t3lLeWvjQxoAM3xJCBO0s4OXXWd9DCPMRCM9xaBm3maMVakdbWEEdQSg/s1600/20180126_140232+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbO6Cv_hydQLGbt-K5b0RJuMKRZxjya2JXTvzuWf5ZVXl7-VLGLCcg4GkyxbxDVydAmIiyjVCV1rKK87xYktk1t3lLeWvjQxoAM3xJCBO0s4OXXWd9DCPMRCM9xaBm3maMVakdbWEEdQSg/s640/20180126_140232+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Firstly I hadn't realised when my current MoT ran out. After thinking about it one day and realising my tyres were getting a little worn, I thought "ooh better get it in quick before they go." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So one night I checked online to see when the MoT ran out and it told me I had two weeks left. "Eeeek!" I thought. This is gonna be a close one if I have any repairs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPhPca2CA5BtzJSX19xNIJybipafkMzSz1s9jvnuUt_H-sdRe4At73Y019PrqbsDDREjYFtMXEP6d9BcZpF5SxgTiuboMrDB3OapT3_m-V0SpZ5jiVv-zFzndcXLWLpzzlpg-q45EiPxN/s1600/20180126_140241+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPhPca2CA5BtzJSX19xNIJybipafkMzSz1s9jvnuUt_H-sdRe4At73Y019PrqbsDDREjYFtMXEP6d9BcZpF5SxgTiuboMrDB3OapT3_m-V0SpZ5jiVv-zFzndcXLWLpzzlpg-q45EiPxN/s640/20180126_140241+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>The first thing the next morning I called up my local garage I use and as usual got booked straight in for later that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eMRbmS1_CkLT3qtp4kT_JDZsc7bE8wuny-6uqJllW0sNYeLht6bml8RJunk71j2DJaYmn9VIEYp5MvB1B7KsC3qPmO3Jpcdw4ENAtsU-BsDNx_3o8eznoBeuf_-QNA5_UnHG3Qx2yXva/s1600/20180126_141848+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eMRbmS1_CkLT3qtp4kT_JDZsc7bE8wuny-6uqJllW0sNYeLht6bml8RJunk71j2DJaYmn9VIEYp5MvB1B7KsC3qPmO3Jpcdw4ENAtsU-BsDNx_3o8eznoBeuf_-QNA5_UnHG3Qx2yXva/s640/20180126_141848+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a new guy doing the test who I hadn't met before, but he seemed friendly enough. UNTIL I started taking pictures and filming. Well, I am a journalist... how else do you expect me to share my exploits?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was stood in the viewing area minding my own business and when it came to the exhaust emissions test I thought, "ooh this might sound good," so switched to video. The tester sticks his head out of the window and starts shouting at me not to film him - which I wasn't - he wasn't even visible. So I stopped and he got out and approached me and said, "you're not doing yourself any favours. Go and wait in the waiting room," which was the other side of the premises. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He walked off and I remained in the viewing area, internally refusing to comply with his order. I am entitled to view the test, and was determined to. I almost told him to shut up and just get on with his job, but didn't. With his words ringing in my ears I knew he was going to fail the car. I was in two minds as to whether to kick up a fuss, but this time stayed quiet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWx2q7I6ZRoTamcKtAe06fRn5ZiXRiYuJB9W2M189_oK2SacymSt9cDwZBBFXjhBvq8s-2GGj41_skivmkvJd3Tp5pb-xVu0JTcdb1VpK4vAuGrIk3uOTnKBcVme1rXCTmCQuaLVLzH7u/s1600/20180126_151754+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWx2q7I6ZRoTamcKtAe06fRn5ZiXRiYuJB9W2M189_oK2SacymSt9cDwZBBFXjhBvq8s-2GGj41_skivmkvJd3Tp5pb-xVu0JTcdb1VpK4vAuGrIk3uOTnKBcVme1rXCTmCQuaLVLzH7u/s1600/20180126_151754+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Predictably, I was right and after the test he explained what was wrong. After watching him do the test, I had a fair idea of what he was going to fail it on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtBAQQVhyphenhyphenvdn0AOH3b8LeAjhPwFSginBynrcDZA4LWS6-UlWSPu0T2N3FFIMESwlKFS6bJEZ2hyJI3BgvPOYHw-zYESWVoh_I5RCizRoTxFu4dh50ahuSyrUg7TcWvZ-DPyYT9hH3XhMs/s1600/20180126_151802+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtBAQQVhyphenhyphenvdn0AOH3b8LeAjhPwFSginBynrcDZA4LWS6-UlWSPu0T2N3FFIMESwlKFS6bJEZ2hyJI3BgvPOYHw-zYESWVoh_I5RCizRoTxFu4dh50ahuSyrUg7TcWvZ-DPyYT9hH3XhMs/s640/20180126_151802+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Both front CV gaiters had split - fair enough. Not too difficult to remedy. The front driver's seat had quite a bit of movement in it when being pushed from behind as if it was coming away from the rails it sits in or something. OK, this might be a bit harder to fix, unless it is just replaced as a whole. My front registration plate had some water ingress which had warped the lettering, so he failed me on that... and those rear tyres I was telling you about - which I thought might just pass the tread depth test... well they failed too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1EXY8TCVWmyFSGlL53ZvYcXLCa8pVLMrO39yi_rUJly5mgjdNBNpKtnCbPP067frVOJoCo8O-mz2S9NwNup_55jNVnS-vtMY2WnJlgpn7e_i9_prYs_-IJWYl7Ch8a2qpvd3pVOOyZsG/s1600/20180126_151818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1EXY8TCVWmyFSGlL53ZvYcXLCa8pVLMrO39yi_rUJly5mgjdNBNpKtnCbPP067frVOJoCo8O-mz2S9NwNup_55jNVnS-vtMY2WnJlgpn7e_i9_prYs_-IJWYl7Ch8a2qpvd3pVOOyZsG/s640/20180126_151818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Treating me like I knew nothing about cars he was explaining what everything meant and in the end I was like "yeah, I know."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the advisory front, there was the required Oil Leak that all Minis have, as well worn brake discs and only one slightly worn brake pad on the front passenger side. I'm not quite sure why one set of pads is wearing quicker than the others - possibly a sticky calliper or because the driveshaft is shorter on the passenger side. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, that gave me two weeks to get everything fixed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funnily enough I received a phonecall whilst waiting for the start of the MoT from my good pals Mintech. I said I'd give them a call back after the test and let them know if I needed anything. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got back on the blower and they said they could fix it all apart from the front registration plate, but that is just a tenner down the local auto parts shop, so no problems with that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem was that Mintech were choc-a-block booked as the January rush kicked in, and the only day they could fit me in was on the last eligible day of my retest. Well I did say it was going to be tight!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMXjwbeZ5gXAz0MyYlWr9xw3cF5tc0XpB28HOvf_cDRbYwSOztLcbHu1dFY8THjvqOdhy3A-8WhFctibnv5m495Z3olDQIwmrkhNYxc9SsCNcExUeITWViyPEpf2Qj7eptjLj0_ggiw3h/s1600/20180209_091832+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMXjwbeZ5gXAz0MyYlWr9xw3cF5tc0XpB28HOvf_cDRbYwSOztLcbHu1dFY8THjvqOdhy3A-8WhFctibnv5m495Z3olDQIwmrkhNYxc9SsCNcExUeITWViyPEpf2Qj7eptjLj0_ggiw3h/s640/20180209_091832+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day of the retest came and my first stop was to the local auto shop to get the new reg plate. Ten pounds was handed over and the guy behind the counter literally printed off the new number on a household printer and stuck it to the back of some perspex - ten quid for that... a nice little earner!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6d03iF3vBTRQgvbiGMdEnscimb0KMloj3IsXkFYnUGSrjcRQ1KR7lSIKvDFxnvw-GGbd76ezkKc5MGQMQ1UK4htlxEt-AGUbssJzdculmJ2O1-Z7kM02qIHZLDQVC90U5RekK6y4KzYN/s1600/20180209_091844+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6d03iF3vBTRQgvbiGMdEnscimb0KMloj3IsXkFYnUGSrjcRQ1KR7lSIKvDFxnvw-GGbd76ezkKc5MGQMQ1UK4htlxEt-AGUbssJzdculmJ2O1-Z7kM02qIHZLDQVC90U5RekK6y4KzYN/s640/20180209_091844+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the bit you'll like. I've never bought a new number plate before, so when he handed it to me I was like... "is this right?" The guy nods to me and says "yeah sure," and I say, "well how come my old one is really clear and this looks faded and blurry??" I don't think he understood first time, and I was thinking to myself - this is pretty obvious - so I repeated myself and he finally understood. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It's got a protective film on the front to prevent damage in transit." Ohhhh. Didn't I feel stupid... Yes is the answer. Heyho. So with that I set off to Mintech.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDoNR5OWDY5GxLoNQAICQMY8_-ovmH5Uy14luV67wRLE5L_cr7ZbVr9oo4dCCmbXC3dS6JbRkg-7vgDVSSj65l0aMQxVjILymgmcqRA_j4NcR0NXvvE7R3jND-nqWcn25qKtH0cGecuaO/s1600/20180209_100815+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDoNR5OWDY5GxLoNQAICQMY8_-ovmH5Uy14luV67wRLE5L_cr7ZbVr9oo4dCCmbXC3dS6JbRkg-7vgDVSSj65l0aMQxVjILymgmcqRA_j4NcR0NXvvE7R3jND-nqWcn25qKtH0cGecuaO/s640/20180209_100815+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Outside their premises it is like a construction site - oh tell a lie - it IS a construction site. Across the road the local council in their 'wisdom' have decided to build new houses on a flood plain - that often floods! Idiots. Anyway it had made the entrance to the yard a mudbath as you can see and parking was at a premium.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9QW1m5EKNULHIzittShmsGR8NM9T7SvF9GOKS10h7yo4O-BzMMA8H9IUkOqBOyUTV4XguQ96y_fNHi_1vv-vlGa5JQhfxzPX_qKE4xeZZCttOA0-_3fnbEd_6kLdr4Il9u7Z6sOW1gWb/s1600/20180209_100841+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9QW1m5EKNULHIzittShmsGR8NM9T7SvF9GOKS10h7yo4O-BzMMA8H9IUkOqBOyUTV4XguQ96y_fNHi_1vv-vlGa5JQhfxzPX_qKE4xeZZCttOA0-_3fnbEd_6kLdr4Il9u7Z6sOW1gWb/s640/20180209_100841+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lads were busy with other stuff and the auditors were in, so I couldn't be hanging around the yard like I normally do, so I walked into Bury town for some munch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn_DT9S-mTMSlj40rgvrf8nDLTuWt2D7nJlI2YSc5W6CVcJoSGvZsE2A5y9JzPMWWDDGlHnZeoOjVsiNLXuBO79gRXGFmkT8sP6wiBGiFOm9kVDKHITHrFd3Fdru_18SQJUOmdAlCqEwR/s1600/20180209_125110+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn_DT9S-mTMSlj40rgvrf8nDLTuWt2D7nJlI2YSc5W6CVcJoSGvZsE2A5y9JzPMWWDDGlHnZeoOjVsiNLXuBO79gRXGFmkT8sP6wiBGiFOm9kVDKHITHrFd3Fdru_18SQJUOmdAlCqEwR/s1600/20180209_125110+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time I got back Nathan and Martin were already working on the car and had already swapped both driveshafts for ones with good gaiters on them and were now changing the rear tyres.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxWA3CnolPwENRHeb3ro4nxGaWt-Xi8vwdB3ZfTLM87Y7UzHFfFtCJM1Ouqn8sDsakpPshoaTb5fqPMKuoYp7XUGq_0dUzNnRiA_3gRNzPRtBsdhpInJsHre30zd1kouyl4bgvaLt908M/s1600/20180209_125121+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxWA3CnolPwENRHeb3ro4nxGaWt-Xi8vwdB3ZfTLM87Y7UzHFfFtCJM1Ouqn8sDsakpPshoaTb5fqPMKuoYp7XUGq_0dUzNnRiA_3gRNzPRtBsdhpInJsHre30zd1kouyl4bgvaLt908M/s640/20180209_125121+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKb8YlTQd_p2ujAL_9Ht8G765f3RadSi93j_K1y-cEf2lvBT2D8QlUH2gveCEt9J_S96S4Nna6gye7bTLr4wiB6zO7JyY_iGMs9r5tHTdUBd3VMovs3YHCDTB7aDt97TJk9oeBFIH4U20/s1600/20180209_125153+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKb8YlTQd_p2ujAL_9Ht8G765f3RadSi93j_K1y-cEf2lvBT2D8QlUH2gveCEt9J_S96S4Nna6gye7bTLr4wiB6zO7JyY_iGMs9r5tHTdUBd3VMovs3YHCDTB7aDt97TJk9oeBFIH4U20/s640/20180209_125153+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Behind my MINI, the boss had bought an accident damaged Land Rover that they were going to resell on the salvage auction site Copart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXEVxaH9RVs-wO_GurvBra4qqOowTQZjNkE6x8mI7vHPTbKEzEcByAqPzZkRaZEKYSkcT42SlXrdQoKftS2_fnEulqeV78v_UsnzjZFRgpoi1rfPDA7F8_7nKLtyJHyhmTbgMV5h3dq34/s1600/20180209_125202+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXEVxaH9RVs-wO_GurvBra4qqOowTQZjNkE6x8mI7vHPTbKEzEcByAqPzZkRaZEKYSkcT42SlXrdQoKftS2_fnEulqeV78v_UsnzjZFRgpoi1rfPDA7F8_7nKLtyJHyhmTbgMV5h3dq34/s640/20180209_125202+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are the old driveshafts. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkFLdKPiCPnU3waoZVbBO5HtSNn_V0WVmCH-gAfSCJ7JWG-dtXKjd5e5zNDlRrr-xpM6Uos5vSvfi8Nq7ECKliacnlCuXOHr-ByHNqLNlUUFporpbUypeUAgFCpFLcdYaRm9pOugFenwd/s1600/20180209_125301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkFLdKPiCPnU3waoZVbBO5HtSNn_V0WVmCH-gAfSCJ7JWG-dtXKjd5e5zNDlRrr-xpM6Uos5vSvfi8Nq7ECKliacnlCuXOHr-ByHNqLNlUUFporpbUypeUAgFCpFLcdYaRm9pOugFenwd/s640/20180209_125301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the rear wheel off I could have a better look at that welding from last year. With recent problems with the exhaust I had a very good inspection to ensure everything was still secure. There was a bit of sideways movement which I compared to other MINIs in the yard, but was reassured there is meant to be some movement (I just didn't think it should be as much as it was).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x7KsrghkcaiP8zAMLfOu2nRIFvI5ZW-attK1WHaZxZU2XfpCtRMIMhlVmBlsCRYBt8PX_kddejsSXgrq-wHt-YHbceDEDxvPWhqISkCOu0_2ChOueDtwMxhS5TSBx0XPUQG4B_27c_vP/s1600/20180209_125319+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x7KsrghkcaiP8zAMLfOu2nRIFvI5ZW-attK1WHaZxZU2XfpCtRMIMhlVmBlsCRYBt8PX_kddejsSXgrq-wHt-YHbceDEDxvPWhqISkCOu0_2ChOueDtwMxhS5TSBx0XPUQG4B_27c_vP/s640/20180209_125319+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Rear pads look OK too. Maybe half worn?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH-iR8YtW9CMoVD-FXw02CpbOufl5k-aia5-EbvVzrDKt4E_xpiX4pzBKQ0hLHD35CwaDz81NvSsb8veguMfn7kWlPkfOBRnRgQufhnoKwj1FpTbN-kZhtByi9ZhzWgvu14tqAowT22oZ/s1600/20180209_125620+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggH-iR8YtW9CMoVD-FXw02CpbOufl5k-aia5-EbvVzrDKt4E_xpiX4pzBKQ0hLHD35CwaDz81NvSsb8veguMfn7kWlPkfOBRnRgQufhnoKwj1FpTbN-kZhtByi9ZhzWgvu14tqAowT22oZ/s1600/20180209_125620+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here you can see the damage to the CV gaiters. It's easier to change the driveshafts than just the gaitors I'm told - anyone with a classic Mini can relate to that. Faffing with grease and zip-ties when the driveshafts just pop in and out - a bit more complex on a MINI though. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O-eGfNJSd3BQ6K-Di70O1q6v4NG_HPTN6eklkl5NW0RCGezdUSNmkpT4UsISgoS2xEMKnfGFPx310WgMdFe-T5PPSHP_a1L0KfekzySjdWKtx7vsWlxPtOsNy6kZPTmtPjVeMq_5XJ9F/s1600/20180209_130037+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O-eGfNJSd3BQ6K-Di70O1q6v4NG_HPTN6eklkl5NW0RCGezdUSNmkpT4UsISgoS2xEMKnfGFPx310WgMdFe-T5PPSHP_a1L0KfekzySjdWKtx7vsWlxPtOsNy6kZPTmtPjVeMq_5XJ9F/s640/20180209_130037+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While Nathan cracked on with the tyres, I went and found a drill and decided to make some fixing holes in the new numberplate. Sticking them both in a vice, I simply drilled some new holes where the old ones were.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDCqKpVUVOL9nOKhA6xebKateGC3t9dPYeDAsWY-45DuNlw-sFDJKo3qLWg1AGGx-vfDhGFXaj-_-PLaWJEavlJTKoQmHAKVvftAkQT3fG5hAryJt4Guqgj2Og_IzSoxN9UQFsUFwQabw/s1600/20180209_130443+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDCqKpVUVOL9nOKhA6xebKateGC3t9dPYeDAsWY-45DuNlw-sFDJKo3qLWg1AGGx-vfDhGFXaj-_-PLaWJEavlJTKoQmHAKVvftAkQT3fG5hAryJt4Guqgj2Og_IzSoxN9UQFsUFwQabw/s640/20180209_130443+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then screwed it on. Easy peasy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E0LhhubJSWiSLVTxmdAHogjOE1J9yHTwPYzjEm6_YFeY6DgjBPNpl-UZ8OUzt-J2Ifj5DX9VIsgL50vtX-b_xb5sauQ1nY8r_gS2TSfS1Ojj2tlZAkmtJ-wtnDkTvwNBwAvwF1FF9gTf/s1600/20180209_130519+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E0LhhubJSWiSLVTxmdAHogjOE1J9yHTwPYzjEm6_YFeY6DgjBPNpl-UZ8OUzt-J2Ifj5DX9VIsgL50vtX-b_xb5sauQ1nY8r_gS2TSfS1Ojj2tlZAkmtJ-wtnDkTvwNBwAvwF1FF9gTf/s640/20180209_130519+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the tyres done, Nathan needed to get the driver's seat out and see what was wrong, so we pushed it out of the garage for easy access.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz_wKUCa_n_5CHmG7HEqvUia3G2v4rxGdmb7xDdSY9qpv37zM5iC_f_3X0GBUZSJ9WMNb_EZUGbkrSsvj54IEYBX1LdPmsMe0tw9-lUTgdJwawGqCigDmT5vtAFEtym5PVGimq9F9B6Ac/s1600/20180209_130543+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz_wKUCa_n_5CHmG7HEqvUia3G2v4rxGdmb7xDdSY9qpv37zM5iC_f_3X0GBUZSJ9WMNb_EZUGbkrSsvj54IEYBX1LdPmsMe0tw9-lUTgdJwawGqCigDmT5vtAFEtym5PVGimq9F9B6Ac/s640/20180209_130543+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Oh look a protective film covers the registration plate - doh!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXZyrTj0QHO3x8bgwvDep2sFnVg8RZJnk78_4b8IP58hQM_ULoVrea8bgH8HgXdUG9PoyDUr1_JWrew2NZo82Yt5ZQ0T5hBr_qplSfRvZwPKfxQSoNyHkXZuKAkB8h-srTjG3TleOdOdt/s1600/20180209_130555+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXZyrTj0QHO3x8bgwvDep2sFnVg8RZJnk78_4b8IP58hQM_ULoVrea8bgH8HgXdUG9PoyDUr1_JWrew2NZo82Yt5ZQ0T5hBr_qplSfRvZwPKfxQSoNyHkXZuKAkB8h-srTjG3TleOdOdt/s640/20180209_130555+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looks nice and clean.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI4exh6jw7bxi93GaJMgIgV6ntvI_93t4ka4qrbaQQbmAr0VTMd1t5-2K23k2X5hfe5aT4rjI_f5QXpWI1GhbiQSml5a3sjBCPTlH4PEnfsVNHKBp7phZnLNvzk4FmSR8_42zjAGngjaH/s1600/20180209_130612+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI4exh6jw7bxi93GaJMgIgV6ntvI_93t4ka4qrbaQQbmAr0VTMd1t5-2K23k2X5hfe5aT4rjI_f5QXpWI1GhbiQSml5a3sjBCPTlH4PEnfsVNHKBp7phZnLNvzk4FmSR8_42zjAGngjaH/s1600/20180209_130612+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few bolts undone at the back...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FEAaylaxO5ZVN0sZbjyH2giyhs82dApOKJkhfMhlBiee5YO2Th_J757oIs6AcCgxI1p4Sj1PxCCgIg31xxiMU4p1yFXIhZ4VvjRbVUUEkrCIo0-SgiuJV5Hc4NmV2I4-oHAvhG67m5i7/s1600/20180209_130633+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FEAaylaxO5ZVN0sZbjyH2giyhs82dApOKJkhfMhlBiee5YO2Th_J757oIs6AcCgxI1p4Sj1PxCCgIg31xxiMU4p1yFXIhZ4VvjRbVUUEkrCIo0-SgiuJV5Hc4NmV2I4-oHAvhG67m5i7/s640/20180209_130633+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...And a few at the front... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmVdkNUoBicYiwmPNJ2Q7ay6YiwDkUNdofM9nYEEyJEfUE6hjdk4rq4kyt3LTvOZm0A76n0-1bclS5uw8nxppk3SQNxFXQZy0d2OAHuhHwepmN_MVqVQyYH2VT3s8K8KEXTtE774hGfCj/s1600/20180209_130640+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmVdkNUoBicYiwmPNJ2Q7ay6YiwDkUNdofM9nYEEyJEfUE6hjdk4rq4kyt3LTvOZm0A76n0-1bclS5uw8nxppk3SQNxFXQZy0d2OAHuhHwepmN_MVqVQyYH2VT3s8K8KEXTtE774hGfCj/s1600/20180209_130640+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And out it pops.... ewwww.... what a mess (blame the kids!!)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs85pcDiacBX0gQlBn-RchQFTuciXHnbTC9LVd-HDkwIy_p9PfIZCJiDTqk4jsN6Jv2bbk1enYvNA6UZPEacCaTUsOmQbdh_DHKyklSKM32xoTvy871m3b5L5eG09uNbWaI41_OZTqz3LV/s1600/20180209_130726+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs85pcDiacBX0gQlBn-RchQFTuciXHnbTC9LVd-HDkwIy_p9PfIZCJiDTqk4jsN6Jv2bbk1enYvNA6UZPEacCaTUsOmQbdh_DHKyklSKM32xoTvy871m3b5L5eG09uNbWaI41_OZTqz3LV/s640/20180209_130726+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtMXnBsQ0PsNxkWrONBmKs3Urrd5Q2wPm2r3ymYc2aWGWT1J3nGSGiCZ7gapxsTdNoR5bDZS2vHE4DNhcqA6Mlh5Jo5V0j8ELFTbQwswo88n0fL1mtCmYwi1pJP6tYZap2kk2xwZPat8R/s1600/20180209_130740+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtMXnBsQ0PsNxkWrONBmKs3Urrd5Q2wPm2r3ymYc2aWGWT1J3nGSGiCZ7gapxsTdNoR5bDZS2vHE4DNhcqA6Mlh5Jo5V0j8ELFTbQwswo88n0fL1mtCmYwi1pJP6tYZap2kk2xwZPat8R/s1600/20180209_130740+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After inspecting the seat it looked like the actual seat was coming away from the frame. Nathan explained it could be a time-consuming job to fix it, so I asked if I could just swap it for one they had - and that was fine. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhPOejIyEh1X76orcG1bGCImObzoIWnH6pqgB3fg-lbwgW84LDR-hbNJ-dl-L74qsD9nQx-OZQa7QmGSVnvtg4zR2vSswd-vRwHEEkxHX7EC9SkFbVMUQvEDWQR8baVCDZ4ZnTBrX4n7X/s1600/20180209_130753+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhPOejIyEh1X76orcG1bGCImObzoIWnH6pqgB3fg-lbwgW84LDR-hbNJ-dl-L74qsD9nQx-OZQa7QmGSVnvtg4zR2vSswd-vRwHEEkxHX7EC9SkFbVMUQvEDWQR8baVCDZ4ZnTBrX4n7X/s640/20180209_130753+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pjTqXYOoTBP-p31wXNdBzuhiYd-WqgJp7egSqMEZJitFmTJ3ua2Hcnv0MyFztwvfM3zxQY1kB_F5pywQWQFrVnnl53rXlbEMkKpekrvD3OErLUENPTaxo5tq5eWujStBfXjoY_JUbUST/s1600/20180209_131610+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pjTqXYOoTBP-p31wXNdBzuhiYd-WqgJp7egSqMEZJitFmTJ3ua2Hcnv0MyFztwvfM3zxQY1kB_F5pywQWQFrVnnl53rXlbEMkKpekrvD3OErLUENPTaxo5tq5eWujStBfXjoY_JUbUST/s1600/20180209_131610+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We went into the stock room and he passed me down a similar seat, albeit with a few more scuffs than mine had - but I couldn't complain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObguSYTVPUlreH9Om1GJkK0IShQ_-xf6PgBJvFjJdmp-05tOFki8xFeUR0AO4iPsUgBDvj3pcz1K01nghb6F0igp8JV5KD7EjpAwGL8p-plEoJEvaDvn0mFmJ4wnu0IATjpctxmSiUX10/s1600/20180209_131824+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObguSYTVPUlreH9Om1GJkK0IShQ_-xf6PgBJvFjJdmp-05tOFki8xFeUR0AO4iPsUgBDvj3pcz1K01nghb6F0igp8JV5KD7EjpAwGL8p-plEoJEvaDvn0mFmJ4wnu0IATjpctxmSiUX10/s1600/20180209_131824+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only problem was that the airbag connector had been cut off the replacement seat and so would need swapping from my old one on to the replacement seat. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With that done, Nathan put the seat back in the car and wired it all up. Reset the fault codes and started her up. Great. Oh hold on... the airbag light has come on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We plug in the OBD computer again and reset all the fault codes again and tried again. Same problem. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't go off to the MoT with it like that, as it would fail, so Nathan had to take the whole seat out again and look at the airbag connector he had wired up. Ten minutes later and it was sorted and no dash lights. Brilliant. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytGcuW2H2jBKAytqeBMY7qYQNjsYnH0p7fG0PNnhtI6aztizRbpHt0vozB88RUGxSWSijaRoF1X2vgp-h-VVOkgbXPOWR6h82THmXY2CXWBsKRCwy06hBxTR6pxHMRiUscZ-hhwkxwP2A/s1600/20180209_140438+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytGcuW2H2jBKAytqeBMY7qYQNjsYnH0p7fG0PNnhtI6aztizRbpHt0vozB88RUGxSWSijaRoF1X2vgp-h-VVOkgbXPOWR6h82THmXY2CXWBsKRCwy06hBxTR6pxHMRiUscZ-hhwkxwP2A/s1600/20180209_140438+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as I was about to set off Nathan remembered he hadn't refilled the gearbox with oil. This is drained before the driveshafts can come out. So we wheeled it back onto the ramp and he showed me how it is filled up. There are two holes for the gearbox oil, one is higher up than the other. Oil is squeezed into the top hole until it can be seen coming out of the lower hole, before the plugs are put back in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once he's done, I'm like a bat out of hell trying to get back home to pick up the kids in time. With about half an hour to spare, I popped into the MoT garage for them to quickly check the fails. The tester asks if I'm here for the retest and I confirm that I am. He says to me, "I think you're out of time for the retest," but I know I'm not. He says, "you only have 10 days," and I'm like, "yeah, 10 working days," i.e. two weeks. So he goes off into the office to put it on the system which will tell him that I'm right. "This won't take long, will it, as I've got to get the kids soon," I ask. "No," says the tester... who seems in a nicer mood today - so decide to let him proceed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After checking all the faults, which takes just a few minutes, he takes an age in the office printing off the MoT sheet, but finally he hands it to me with a pass. What a mission. Note to self, don't leave it so close to the deadline next time!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrNVASAf_7RoYN9IAqDPyEF7E7m8qNsdDyD7d8B4B94cpRdUBgVVZQhTziozxG3a-5wU6lqicAM-R68MB8vRyqeUzDGSeNC2jdwZ4u6tpUzlotlEkJsOUvbzpi4gkZ0-zEETTEL9AP894/s1600/20180209_145845+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrNVASAf_7RoYN9IAqDPyEF7E7m8qNsdDyD7d8B4B94cpRdUBgVVZQhTziozxG3a-5wU6lqicAM-R68MB8vRyqeUzDGSeNC2jdwZ4u6tpUzlotlEkJsOUvbzpi4gkZ0-zEETTEL9AP894/s640/20180209_145845+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-44418080848047022212018-02-23T11:45:00.000+00:002018-02-23T11:45:51.418+00:00What a drag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3ZnTtDeR6pIJq5YlBcoy4x807vBjpnWtyAk0hsXFN9yKeqQrpFI_i6wu9BBcsZOHOTW7hdLraue8RgKxQqjtNlZH1mXnh7i2-nmbzu_864S_0AZq4w6UVXaaLq7_w7jW-xqtX92woFjK/s1600/20171231_141937+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3ZnTtDeR6pIJq5YlBcoy4x807vBjpnWtyAk0hsXFN9yKeqQrpFI_i6wu9BBcsZOHOTW7hdLraue8RgKxQqjtNlZH1mXnh7i2-nmbzu_864S_0AZq4w6UVXaaLq7_w7jW-xqtX92woFjK/s640/20171231_141937+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It had only been about six weeks since I had the exhaust welded up after it went all lob-sided and one of the hangars had broken. With that fixed I was a bit miffed when it seemed as though the problem had returned. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had noticed the left tailpipe dropping down gradually, but I could put it back in position by hand and it seemed to stay there for a bit. Having not long been to Mintech, and it being the Christmas season, I didn't really want to have to head back there, so I left it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well it turns out I didn't fix it soon enough because one day whilst
driving along I heard a 'clunk' followed by a scraping of metal sound. I
knew exactly what it was, one side of the exhaust had fallen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
pulled over, not far from home. I grabbed an old headphone cable and
tied the dropped tailpipe to the one next to it. That would do to get me
home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHO_rpSUT0PNFmUw9NjxqFTbmAXR5w4aksUS5r_PWh_CX5DaSSfjEnWF2d6sMIgntjjbG-YJEfIvZtSioz18D2D1Z5XexCQCdqat3VT52_lJguFve4mDrbhHWD1iQEovhGgpvA1LgUPZS/s1600/20171231_141943+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHO_rpSUT0PNFmUw9NjxqFTbmAXR5w4aksUS5r_PWh_CX5DaSSfjEnWF2d6sMIgntjjbG-YJEfIvZtSioz18D2D1Z5XexCQCdqat3VT52_lJguFve4mDrbhHWD1iQEovhGgpvA1LgUPZS/s640/20171231_141943+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once home I took the MINI to a local car park with a jack and axle stands so I could get a better look at the issue. With it all jacked up I could see that nothing was broken, it was simply one of the exhaust pipes was loose where it joins into another pipe. The exhaust clamps were rotten to hell, but essentially, it was an easy fix and no major damage.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the meantime I had a look in the boot for something
more long-lasting. That headphone wire wouldn't last long at all. I
found some rope in the boot that I had used for various things. I tied this
around the tailpipes and fed it through the hole in the battery box and
tied it to the hooks on the inside of the boot. Now that should hold it
for a while.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And it did. But still, I hadn't booked the
car into the garage to get it fixed and eventually the heat of the
exhaust melted/burnt through the rope and I had to tie it up again with
an even shorter bit of rope. Now I really did need to visit a garage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spoke to my local garage and asked if I could use their ramp and I would fix it myself, but they were having none of it. So I bit the bullet and called Mintech again. I said I just need to borrow your ramp for a bit to put some new exhaust clamps on. "C'mon over Craig." They either really love me, or are just resigned to me relying on them to help!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way over I pop in to Halfords, armed with my Trade Card, and pick up a couple of exhaust clamps for something ridiculously cheap, like £1.26 each. Super chuffed I headed to Mintech.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCf39yIhSMOiWsiY6_ovkU5S0niYpSfbypFHT_W8wkmcBwg0kNpLXFldGk8vEVTtcebB6Z3RkSoz8ErwCB3pHZUEQO6wJ-ClkAcHQS_vp5Jxq9ZZbYHR1PKgJPYrP-SKIYBbMP-FNQJb0/s1600/20180112_144027+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCf39yIhSMOiWsiY6_ovkU5S0niYpSfbypFHT_W8wkmcBwg0kNpLXFldGk8vEVTtcebB6Z3RkSoz8ErwCB3pHZUEQO6wJ-ClkAcHQS_vp5Jxq9ZZbYHR1PKgJPYrP-SKIYBbMP-FNQJb0/s640/20180112_144027+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We get the car up on the ramp and I wiggle the exhaust pipe and my diagnosis was correct thankfully. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElJy6ZXneyLEw9ytrJrcOhqhYMnJf7YBJ-lVxi0YtG_mN8dxR0A6VaGh7aWEIVIXq81H64VKSZLNsSgP73TnztpFCIvfIt3QzheMIytdTPLhSSbZcRQb-F08ukPM55hBVJwCDIFgsbAaG/s1600/20180112_144043+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElJy6ZXneyLEw9ytrJrcOhqhYMnJf7YBJ-lVxi0YtG_mN8dxR0A6VaGh7aWEIVIXq81H64VKSZLNsSgP73TnztpFCIvfIt3QzheMIytdTPLhSSbZcRQb-F08ukPM55hBVJwCDIFgsbAaG/s640/20180112_144043+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One look at the old exhaust clamps and Martin reaches for the grinder! My favourite tool!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRRPe4psAEsaNuX6p13xe8R3z_j5e1GLlx4QMwWp1FPwYZ3lou8XyXP6ojehUhSVLllDp8qEZKszNZisBeW5ZHneyl0f5hUbJWwFGIiXCdYU337K4WIDzgOkSxncd8sZGUSnUW1hkWHhw/s1600/20180112_144044+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRRPe4psAEsaNuX6p13xe8R3z_j5e1GLlx4QMwWp1FPwYZ3lou8XyXP6ojehUhSVLllDp8qEZKszNZisBeW5ZHneyl0f5hUbJWwFGIiXCdYU337K4WIDzgOkSxncd8sZGUSnUW1hkWHhw/s640/20180112_144044+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE1J0NHYjoixwKQUaQGXqg5ZoLUsc8aFm7DdbaecEwOcWDQBRNKYpDOFS0UpyjDS8o1RL2a4l9f1pvR-YnX-PGPO9bQANAZQAUvLFYRzadp687FqRyZJdY_9b-TCX3EcMnrvC09JMLMzo/s1600/20180112_144103+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrE1J0NHYjoixwKQUaQGXqg5ZoLUsc8aFm7DdbaecEwOcWDQBRNKYpDOFS0UpyjDS8o1RL2a4l9f1pvR-YnX-PGPO9bQANAZQAUvLFYRzadp687FqRyZJdY_9b-TCX3EcMnrvC09JMLMzo/s640/20180112_144103+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the old clamps in the bin I keep the tailpipes steady whilst Martin fits the new clamps, which need a little 'persuasion' to fit together - (yes they were the right size!).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVgoPCSSZf9ejCOfft26GKWrcvuZWGlERMEbMdy-56KJAnLjlUyxhLRUQuODi9OVXAEy4JxHA8kMLoZRlbNZRT9K8sBbvcUgLS872o2ugFQSugeQABpuX9TykUeh-UXCvNSKOGrGieDx3/s1600/20180112_144124+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVgoPCSSZf9ejCOfft26GKWrcvuZWGlERMEbMdy-56KJAnLjlUyxhLRUQuODi9OVXAEy4JxHA8kMLoZRlbNZRT9K8sBbvcUgLS872o2ugFQSugeQABpuX9TykUeh-UXCvNSKOGrGieDx3/s640/20180112_144124+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's my mend and make-do solution. The holes on the rear of the pipes are where the joining bracket used to hold the two pipes level. This has snapped off now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIiPY-mcTgCpQ_M5nKeesD8rfzcJ1xGpkd3mUW9gHLv8QfpThg0U0WyR-4SzL-enmGyxbXbXLYuqPC0gj-8d4yXSnNbqLjCt8-TgOjWipUsmzqc2xlk7vJnuKnCWP0M8m9m2yn_eHmctU/s1600/20180112_144135+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIiPY-mcTgCpQ_M5nKeesD8rfzcJ1xGpkd3mUW9gHLv8QfpThg0U0WyR-4SzL-enmGyxbXbXLYuqPC0gj-8d4yXSnNbqLjCt8-TgOjWipUsmzqc2xlk7vJnuKnCWP0M8m9m2yn_eHmctU/s1600/20180112_144135+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Swan neck pliers do the job and we eventually get the nuts on. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWH7d0tRjl1VgQmwoYiCqojmx3n1t9hGD49xRaZJenzKaQSQefn7WeKDom8tiLR0cVRZ_NLfwNvaPWPgMeVOQolb7pqTCGsjEkfET1NtzTDcHRAG_Xk_jvSFDbIjqy5GrkotHki35hhuc/s1600/20180112_144151+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWH7d0tRjl1VgQmwoYiCqojmx3n1t9hGD49xRaZJenzKaQSQefn7WeKDom8tiLR0cVRZ_NLfwNvaPWPgMeVOQolb7pqTCGsjEkfET1NtzTDcHRAG_Xk_jvSFDbIjqy5GrkotHki35hhuc/s640/20180112_144151+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's how rusty all the other exhaust clamps are.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CLsDrPaDWtAUS0ttuE-UNlcGXFpm3LW1kErT8FW7BPErxpeS8_bRaxSCGO9Ua9AiZX8RkeM84V8OFL46_v1G6JKSJljBdscAKFM-IsIbk2r0cvKDqoUkB-9enOQJNainABygbNMuMpPJ/s1600/20180112_144320+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CLsDrPaDWtAUS0ttuE-UNlcGXFpm3LW1kErT8FW7BPErxpeS8_bRaxSCGO9Ua9AiZX8RkeM84V8OFL46_v1G6JKSJljBdscAKFM-IsIbk2r0cvKDqoUkB-9enOQJNainABygbNMuMpPJ/s1600/20180112_144320+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Shiny, new and now tight! Those tailpipes aren't moving now!! Another job sorted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X3MEU6SyoEQ5FlJASi4W90vBNkpce_omaYh___1MyE1Zg6ew1oL_Tx-Q5p2QL7P62gG2hDUQ8S2F-QFYOKU1mTPop54iuotF6nex9_XuL9HthMaEsvXC70WXoKHyoxYZGknyaKDwpfJE/s1600/20180112_144324+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-X3MEU6SyoEQ5FlJASi4W90vBNkpce_omaYh___1MyE1Zg6ew1oL_Tx-Q5p2QL7P62gG2hDUQ8S2F-QFYOKU1mTPop54iuotF6nex9_XuL9HthMaEsvXC70WXoKHyoxYZGknyaKDwpfJE/s1600/20180112_144324+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-14774035666816253902018-02-21T11:45:00.000+00:002018-02-21T11:45:25.614+00:00Keeping it cool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL0GBcwX6hbbm8zJ3PinSPtU6eweXLvuwtF-QjmGz7dJqOLQYBkxoOXRaMFVOY0AFe3_XHKACDjWesjoqHiM2m8Z6URhhT8__MIDhxnesdihoPT7VlBc8HgnOukhCycrUtfuCRNz73ys5/s1600/20171214_123246+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL0GBcwX6hbbm8zJ3PinSPtU6eweXLvuwtF-QjmGz7dJqOLQYBkxoOXRaMFVOY0AFe3_XHKACDjWesjoqHiM2m8Z6URhhT8__MIDhxnesdihoPT7VlBc8HgnOukhCycrUtfuCRNz73ys5/s640/20171214_123246+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was last at Mintech a few weeks ago getting the alternator replaced, the lads noticed the radiator had a leak coming from it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With no time to replace it at the time, I was tasked with keeping it topped up and training a watchful eye on the temperature gauge until I could get booked back in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just before Christmas they Mintech lads found a slot for me and I duly hurried over for the next fix my MINI needed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgI6ILyEUzaHc-Qd6sflBUcWV2kZTslqbf3jGUzuXADUfOf8WCirWQvffbhbLm5X172l0UIPj19ZTwFOH-Iog_KlmGnLGI2erYpNNw9_xyriW0nhROrr5LO6-ORrl17wKx9hR1SHPyH7T/s1600/20171214_122450+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgI6ILyEUzaHc-Qd6sflBUcWV2kZTslqbf3jGUzuXADUfOf8WCirWQvffbhbLm5X172l0UIPj19ZTwFOH-Iog_KlmGnLGI2erYpNNw9_xyriW0nhROrr5LO6-ORrl17wKx9hR1SHPyH7T/s640/20171214_122450+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surprisingly Martin was smiling today... maybe because I was asking what his favourite beer was...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgIEMuz0qFfbOn9QfyoLKTbCVBk8X8WUl_ZU-GMm5up-CxJ09f2TBg3PB2fQUJ0q4Lo_ZB2emCz-jsVTutCaQlSG-L28n_WhuyxK8N5sdhuPk_axkYrpDqladhMkszPVvRWQnAJGiKq7/s1600/20171214_122958+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgIEMuz0qFfbOn9QfyoLKTbCVBk8X8WUl_ZU-GMm5up-CxJ09f2TBg3PB2fQUJ0q4Lo_ZB2emCz-jsVTutCaQlSG-L28n_WhuyxK8N5sdhuPk_axkYrpDqladhMkszPVvRWQnAJGiKq7/s640/20171214_122958+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The boys set to work and within no time at all the front was off and the radiator was coming off too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAzMqAA5MJmBGVN730meluQg0mxkywaiEhF3qt-ItY1qrdDKXlb_JDg6zRSqC6cvMqN4Q_e0mPLMibVgt6LJtv-qD-I35wHU2sPeRzZmujP6pgjy5im9Klwji6PS-sLXjhaH1pj2-iyoz/s1600/20171214_123219+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAzMqAA5MJmBGVN730meluQg0mxkywaiEhF3qt-ItY1qrdDKXlb_JDg6zRSqC6cvMqN4Q_e0mPLMibVgt6LJtv-qD-I35wHU2sPeRzZmujP6pgjy5im9Klwji6PS-sLXjhaH1pj2-iyoz/s640/20171214_123219+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tVjQ1M_yjFr9HxqsxaTF-3DU0EpG3e8mZxuDL9wdtCIksNfZwWe_L41hjQLxJIT2OrtJYOigWIqe0-xGtwWo1PKuOFqrrVwsO3vJnp8pVzmQgYXIoQo6LNdyKv9talJFciKgEthaOpoR/s1600/20171214_123246+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tVjQ1M_yjFr9HxqsxaTF-3DU0EpG3e8mZxuDL9wdtCIksNfZwWe_L41hjQLxJIT2OrtJYOigWIqe0-xGtwWo1PKuOFqrrVwsO3vJnp8pVzmQgYXIoQo6LNdyKv9talJFciKgEthaOpoR/s640/20171214_123246+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What ARE you doing? Hahaha</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c-5LdKP9vH5ghUBBjhOVX6bi_IHhd9O-1XgJiqbCYHZxxS5nLboNFWE81AaMzYQZR4QLZ6Zj1XDwdRmHW-5XTT3CQNiR-L3rnAtoFI0ElfM2RaQj_3oWKeev3URz0hyphenhyphen7ANhh07MffqRr/s1600/20171214_123357+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6c-5LdKP9vH5ghUBBjhOVX6bi_IHhd9O-1XgJiqbCYHZxxS5nLboNFWE81AaMzYQZR4QLZ6Zj1XDwdRmHW-5XTT3CQNiR-L3rnAtoFI0ElfM2RaQj_3oWKeev3URz0hyphenhyphen7ANhh07MffqRr/s640/20171214_123357+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The replacement radiator slots in nicely and all the pipes are reconnected.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujLxCnTW-FQkC0HZX8cw1WI3pPHLPHkZfZZqKlSReUbAdbH2bZl9mdAiif-5_NY2KjaBevMW6x5wlQME0dGtgOWhbPQ3LgYCYrp3zsIFtgd_0foTiTomG_sabbY1I_kOa1Z3zDOOYeA6P/s1600/20171214_124025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujLxCnTW-FQkC0HZX8cw1WI3pPHLPHkZfZZqKlSReUbAdbH2bZl9mdAiif-5_NY2KjaBevMW6x5wlQME0dGtgOWhbPQ3LgYCYrp3zsIFtgd_0foTiTomG_sabbY1I_kOa1Z3zDOOYeA6P/s640/20171214_124025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The MINI hadn't had a full oil change for over a year (just topped up to replace the leaked oil) and my inspection reminder kept popping up on my dash so I brought a big bottle of Liqui Moly's oil (our sponsor) over so they could do that too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07k5qY-rgIuDfR4URPz8QDk97fyw8L1J3wtUQDCqRCktGexWURcJcULEchL_xaXVAwhGt9zpnKYzU-S1pQ7KCXzuKvd6oUujsvK353DAN9nGFugvqgrqzoxhw2KxUfP4EqyjmID8bBfn7/s1600/20171214_125220+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07k5qY-rgIuDfR4URPz8QDk97fyw8L1J3wtUQDCqRCktGexWURcJcULEchL_xaXVAwhGt9zpnKYzU-S1pQ7KCXzuKvd6oUujsvK353DAN9nGFugvqgrqzoxhw2KxUfP4EqyjmID8bBfn7/s1600/20171214_125220+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Have you got a new filter?" Martin asks... Err, No. So he kindly grabs me one from the shelf!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECCmgRijVUjP4KsWaqcD7MSzcfwaBwTQYaapmV6C0DdT5rbRv8fxM4e_SxD1rywr9SIFC7tHkJcYWLSPDbQzN21v1y5JTcrnr68H9LTT0vpuxQ-0Lfb58JNb6Gp4mtHQZ-5nBduM8RbZf/s1600/20171214_125656+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECCmgRijVUjP4KsWaqcD7MSzcfwaBwTQYaapmV6C0DdT5rbRv8fxM4e_SxD1rywr9SIFC7tHkJcYWLSPDbQzN21v1y5JTcrnr68H9LTT0vpuxQ-0Lfb58JNb6Gp4mtHQZ-5nBduM8RbZf/s640/20171214_125656+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to the radiator and Martin still hadn't finished. He unscrewed a screw on a pipe at the front and after pouring a load of water in, he then started to, what seemed like, kiss my coolant reservoir. In actual fact he was carefully blowing, pushing the water around the system to prevent an airlock. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as we saw water come up from the screw he had undone, he did it up again and topped up the reservoir until it just came up to the top of the fins. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5wcB_BdGLeru0qxZp_J10pz_coLAjlG3svvAd5dqIoPH30kyhr4lBbda609ugQ6ttEgIYARTuOTe0oe4kxWQPjw43gNai4QclKyyvm_IlSg5NjNZZquZC3x-ZJyk3kHGy2BEmlq9gsc2/s1600/20171214_125702+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5wcB_BdGLeru0qxZp_J10pz_coLAjlG3svvAd5dqIoPH30kyhr4lBbda609ugQ6ttEgIYARTuOTe0oe4kxWQPjw43gNai4QclKyyvm_IlSg5NjNZZquZC3x-ZJyk3kHGy2BEmlq9gsc2/s1600/20171214_125702+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once that was all done, the MINI was ramped up and the main sump plug was undone to drain out all the black stuff.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqLFclLvoNSACZ9SAKr_-h922OaUs6_6szacRRrn7Iryvu5KQPOz39v4ayKWMEMAmi3zZIbmFjwTGKCO1NMnZgJKp6BxBHKA30EcqmTzys-B06aWQ6OdeUmUy3hR4KMhfQfFtatTfPNIK/s1600/20171214_125909+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqLFclLvoNSACZ9SAKr_-h922OaUs6_6szacRRrn7Iryvu5KQPOz39v4ayKWMEMAmi3zZIbmFjwTGKCO1NMnZgJKp6BxBHKA30EcqmTzys-B06aWQ6OdeUmUy3hR4KMhfQfFtatTfPNIK/s640/20171214_125909+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExlO17e-vGTIFpARcaWVrmzq3dMTO-6Hz07WAjg1jquIyt6FvYXGkvI9brXAdy8GrpHm_AcwvLh4i7uzlexuwaWccGjORj1_NOrLkq5u3SFaIO7SWEGRL5ZScyKVtOl47wt8iZGeZjsFm/s1600/20171214_125947+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExlO17e-vGTIFpARcaWVrmzq3dMTO-6Hz07WAjg1jquIyt6FvYXGkvI9brXAdy8GrpHm_AcwvLh4i7uzlexuwaWccGjORj1_NOrLkq5u3SFaIO7SWEGRL5ZScyKVtOl47wt8iZGeZjsFm/s1600/20171214_125947+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once it had all drained out, the filter was changed before the new Liqui Moly oil was used to fill it up. I'm sure he said it takes about 4 litres (but may be mistaken).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYThDycyJpOTiedlBX6-LpVWshE2R0HN-EMnKNDHWc8Qbdnwgkqw6_DZOsnis0a4_YzISTpConk7UOfNCmJCoJMK-pgk0E57Z8VONCEW3cZ94jrkV5xKo0Y2nbgyhvtjSIvQnSjQt8hTBS/s1600/20171214_131301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYThDycyJpOTiedlBX6-LpVWshE2R0HN-EMnKNDHWc8Qbdnwgkqw6_DZOsnis0a4_YzISTpConk7UOfNCmJCoJMK-pgk0E57Z8VONCEW3cZ94jrkV5xKo0Y2nbgyhvtjSIvQnSjQt8hTBS/s1600/20171214_131301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of blog posts ago, I talked about how my horn had stopped working after rain had got into my steering wheel when the window regulator was stuck down. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, it has been a good six months since the horn stopped working and with the MoT due in the next couple of months I did need to address it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a rare occurance, it didn't seem as busy in the Mintech garage as it usually is, and I asked Martin about the horn issue hoping for some wisdom on what might be the cause. I tell him about me trying new fuses that just keep blowing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He turns round to me like I'm an idiot and asks if I've tried putting another horn on it. Funnily enough the answer was no, because I don't have a load of spares hanging around. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Right next to him was a wrecked bumper which had been chucked in the skip. He grabbed it, and ripped off a horn with his bare hands and moved over to my MINI. Now I didn't realise there were/are two horns on the MINI. He has a fiddle around and in a couple of minutes he's hooked up the other horn to my MINI. "Go give that a try," he says.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Beeeeeeeeeeeep!!!" Well what do you know. I hate it when that happens. I've been driving around without a horn - getting frustrated at idiot drivers - and unable to make my frustration audiable, and Martin comes along and fixes it in no time at all. I should be grateful, and really, I am! I'm definitely going to have to get him some beer now!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img alt="www.mintechspares.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-23116116503703285752018-02-19T20:45:00.002+00:002018-02-19T20:45:53.620+00:00That's all folks!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6s-H0JgimLL-GGsybp0uzuUli3T8M8tNMXS3hzvS5RfxIAoE9Al3Jw4Q2JU8kZutYeCyxy9aMePXXKSiCL54bnYPKpSk58pof_Ra5fZ47NuZK5AdG1ULDs5Q1MJKPG_etINgI12O9Jgg/s1600/20171121_091144+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6s-H0JgimLL-GGsybp0uzuUli3T8M8tNMXS3hzvS5RfxIAoE9Al3Jw4Q2JU8kZutYeCyxy9aMePXXKSiCL54bnYPKpSk58pof_Ra5fZ47NuZK5AdG1ULDs5Q1MJKPG_etINgI12O9Jgg/s640/20171121_091144+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The lights of death</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I've got the new exhaust on it's sounding shit-hot. Love it! Everything has gone OK for a couple of months, but as the winter months start setting in again the gremlins come out of the wood work.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There must have been a problem with my exhaust hangar, because I noticed the left tailpipe had dropped lower than the right one. Upon further inspection I could see the whole rear end of the system was tilted to one side. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I left it for a few days - not thinking much of it - but experience should have served me well. I've had exhaust problems before... so when I felt the car become more sluggish and LOUD, I knew I had to get it looked at.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByg3A1NBbdaVI7oqrwipLbmlOQLbIOrzohRzCazVZVaSiGjCO_Tp2yHh0U4YDp9Nagjx9L2deDHDIcpvYhBM5bemxoYP3HyPqUJLIdmi85I6mOxpU6MNjpwNQNz9GcZdkafoERegEF79r/s1600/20171112_143617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByg3A1NBbdaVI7oqrwipLbmlOQLbIOrzohRzCazVZVaSiGjCO_Tp2yHh0U4YDp9Nagjx9L2deDHDIcpvYhBM5bemxoYP3HyPqUJLIdmi85I6mOxpU6MNjpwNQNz9GcZdkafoERegEF79r/s640/20171112_143617.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the local garage I was just hoping that a hangar had snapped and needed rewelding or something, but once they had it on the ramp they told me the Cat had snapped too (not again!). Unfortunately they were booked up that day and so I had to leave the car with them until the next day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE2fFb1lpw68M36wOzi6qXjxrU3NRR5GiNGDwKAfu1NiNdKqUboaQsGJDkaTT0fjs5QWU63qE84BR1DbniXmiFC2369DJhZcTCq8OTu9h7grwWr_B7TGmowgd8HbiTDa3O3TUMnyHqcEG/s1600/20171121_153642+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE2fFb1lpw68M36wOzi6qXjxrU3NRR5GiNGDwKAfu1NiNdKqUboaQsGJDkaTT0fjs5QWU63qE84BR1DbniXmiFC2369DJhZcTCq8OTu9h7grwWr_B7TGmowgd8HbiTDa3O3TUMnyHqcEG/s1600/20171121_153642+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some £45 lighter and the exhaust was secure once again and the Cat welded back together. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv827kICxtHIfdKeikrqsIrsXifD1GMEIIIH0eXplkK1ljc_HXcbj779fNHZw9dbaM0UkvNKirK7EtfNjXDx1bIqDuNrWigqn97AO77a4_dKFH0W2nfxsHlkK-r027Ht9newiLLfHPPuEN/s1600/20171121_153506+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv827kICxtHIfdKeikrqsIrsXifD1GMEIIIH0eXplkK1ljc_HXcbj779fNHZw9dbaM0UkvNKirK7EtfNjXDx1bIqDuNrWigqn97AO77a4_dKFH0W2nfxsHlkK-r027Ht9newiLLfHPPuEN/s640/20171121_153506+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So not long after (and completely unrelated) I'm driving home and suddenly the steering goes heavy as if the power steering pump has failed and all these lights come on the dashboard. I contemplate this for a moment, before remembering I had a new power steering pump fitted earlier in the year, surely it couldn't be the same fault. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unperturbed I get the car home and ring up Mintech for a scheduled visit the next day. "It sounds like the alternator," they say.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WUQLCagsZaiRUlreOLv6mxGqM9_C-dUUMCrDOM3LMCfJxFXC1HSlmeCnBQm5lzmW3TCrjGs8E-IWkHKdONkd1BDa3JTqWm3VftoY79lMqkDi17N9XRpMznMswBaLe8mWnjvKojplQMME/s1600/20171121_091151+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WUQLCagsZaiRUlreOLv6mxGqM9_C-dUUMCrDOM3LMCfJxFXC1HSlmeCnBQm5lzmW3TCrjGs8E-IWkHKdONkd1BDa3JTqWm3VftoY79lMqkDi17N9XRpMznMswBaLe8mWnjvKojplQMME/s640/20171121_091151+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'll drive over," I tell them. My Odyssey battery is awesome and I was confident it wouldn't fail me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMLDh0X3NenJRjl6Czz9QQ1O0wmKtwJ05ZwYEp_JC6l_cLWDtcn06FuWEID88U8TSi0sKk_MbD-BkadI11W19Ep8Lx93XgEgByGsdHlvgHo7EU-RGxGgZu1S0uD18lvSMjaDLJLwTsK4T/s1600/20171121_103345+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMLDh0X3NenJRjl6Czz9QQ1O0wmKtwJ05ZwYEp_JC6l_cLWDtcn06FuWEID88U8TSi0sKk_MbD-BkadI11W19Ep8Lx93XgEgByGsdHlvgHo7EU-RGxGgZu1S0uD18lvSMjaDLJLwTsK4T/s640/20171121_103345+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was wrong. I didn't even make it out of town after dropping the kids off at school. Fortunately the recovery service is based in the town I live, so it didn't take them long to pick me up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTsFl_vWLd7Jhp0mHHunL5t0NVC2NZX7o1GQOJpT3ngDFdGWq_FBtVkbAUtfgqtG3oQRrC3vjbN3tm3X1pWnMWTTMsmkitoFcG0ij91vLqO4yQwjf_8wKJgv6Z7_V6ScyE-xUcJLvpmzw/s1600/20171121_103431+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTsFl_vWLd7Jhp0mHHunL5t0NVC2NZX7o1GQOJpT3ngDFdGWq_FBtVkbAUtfgqtG3oQRrC3vjbN3tm3X1pWnMWTTMsmkitoFcG0ij91vLqO4yQwjf_8wKJgv6Z7_V6ScyE-xUcJLvpmzw/s640/20171121_103431+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqerTYtL8zIuv2aw15W3-ZO2i7KQjVeYHommvE2aNxVODp5lypO5qANyACqJdaqG0p4wvj-6Z4MnVqNm7mNB_g7JAAJdMlfam4-VNEVJg6gmFP3oPbIxGvCCMQ81xigz4ypV8rHlad4DK/s1600/20171121_103710+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjqerTYtL8zIuv2aw15W3-ZO2i7KQjVeYHommvE2aNxVODp5lypO5qANyACqJdaqG0p4wvj-6Z4MnVqNm7mNB_g7JAAJdMlfam4-VNEVJg6gmFP3oPbIxGvCCMQ81xigz4ypV8rHlad4DK/s1600/20171121_103710+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick diagnosis confirmed the alternator had died a death and so he loaded up the car for a 30min trip to Mintech in Bury.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSMw2CQZfR-STL0M6zszV_zdRA1B67TI9nTd-ghA2AM1JHkNMYgjq33CsZaM18QrLFdej4dBiR2exayBr-iTtDngNQFeDLubrZhJY_CWRLoxNeVb6UuXlI-jntn854tnkjXofmt4aZGR-/s1600/20171121_103719+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSMw2CQZfR-STL0M6zszV_zdRA1B67TI9nTd-ghA2AM1JHkNMYgjq33CsZaM18QrLFdej4dBiR2exayBr-iTtDngNQFeDLubrZhJY_CWRLoxNeVb6UuXlI-jntn854tnkjXofmt4aZGR-/s1600/20171121_103719+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq6jAl4XVpt65en43EMKleP_Zb0egUUab2QALwREBTsGV3yRLC0cbd7aOlVBPGuKqIIuEArSddYYvn_ocH1oVry9Euy5rLM3TLI1ZPuXZM9M11EU8u3Rr9gpKUqBoRNQQGuoNCuzUlh3k/s1600/20171121_114558+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAq6jAl4XVpt65en43EMKleP_Zb0egUUab2QALwREBTsGV3yRLC0cbd7aOlVBPGuKqIIuEArSddYYvn_ocH1oVry9Euy5rLM3TLI1ZPuXZM9M11EU8u3Rr9gpKUqBoRNQQGuoNCuzUlh3k/s640/20171121_114558+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ahhh, our second home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I waited for a ramp to become available I had a little nosey around and found this nice lump... with a huge hole in it!! Remember to oil your engine kids!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-z0wLv1xQ5sxvK3BR07mmxb-zK6yxamIfZr1f5qPXc-lDhD8_2w_fVrOUaAJea_n5nrtgZ6052VSFokzL7jrcsj896ba9ULX9vcEjZAqktco5gff61WhETVwkrDRSa8fWajXe98ezE6E/s1600/20171121_120536+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-z0wLv1xQ5sxvK3BR07mmxb-zK6yxamIfZr1f5qPXc-lDhD8_2w_fVrOUaAJea_n5nrtgZ6052VSFokzL7jrcsj896ba9ULX9vcEjZAqktco5gff61WhETVwkrDRSa8fWajXe98ezE6E/s1600/20171121_120536+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_rOpVC2-tTsqsQzWIgUpTFYHmgVpZMjfHhbCD4jgXjd60XhIilhJ3QTWXoBwuntRPRT9cPF3jxeHfi9Qks-qG-WHvR772efRm9z_zToHDeZXdG6TnFUDnTyzKRWV40Y1kvnpFEPnsbmR/s1600/20171121_120541+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_rOpVC2-tTsqsQzWIgUpTFYHmgVpZMjfHhbCD4jgXjd60XhIilhJ3QTWXoBwuntRPRT9cPF3jxeHfi9Qks-qG-WHvR772efRm9z_zToHDeZXdG6TnFUDnTyzKRWV40Y1kvnpFEPnsbmR/s1600/20171121_120541+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Conrod anyone?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzI8laFoW3yHlCYuFAEDO080KmpNnyu1flAPl0QhtgMXJHYr7LWp2cWxRU2ZsnkEKNlILzc3mTk4MZJNPnJ0NA1v7qoJkc0QpxXOyns6w4TdlIupuDmCdjRrWE3tv3TIHfQPP2KPNMiJT-/s1600/20171121_120549+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzI8laFoW3yHlCYuFAEDO080KmpNnyu1flAPl0QhtgMXJHYr7LWp2cWxRU2ZsnkEKNlILzc3mTk4MZJNPnJ0NA1v7qoJkc0QpxXOyns6w4TdlIupuDmCdjRrWE3tv3TIHfQPP2KPNMiJT-/s1600/20171121_120549+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More crack than your local drug dealer!</span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQlexU03CbXp06VPlG1WIu325mnX8GSal5s41cUAhYL2gKajDNaqLBdxNsLwFcXnsLIThhLdvrMwbXWYnB5JI7te8-T8Vbc_Jg4GipV41j1ZsBmK0CtgtfS_AipQU3J6pnPTa2ANENrVq/s1600/20171121_120634+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQlexU03CbXp06VPlG1WIu325mnX8GSal5s41cUAhYL2gKajDNaqLBdxNsLwFcXnsLIThhLdvrMwbXWYnB5JI7te8-T8Vbc_Jg4GipV41j1ZsBmK0CtgtfS_AipQU3J6pnPTa2ANENrVq/s1600/20171121_120634+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elsewhere, this MINI seems to have been rolling in the grass for fun...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxE2jSWGFF65zPSk4RhL1LjHNFjKTHov9h6nbd3HN2uywmN2IUAy6Sz2bhwRBR8eb5iSL5t68v2mAdAnponr6e3pj7lEjULMLYFGCtkSGScJRKJnKbbTDqQ3_bheVAiAnbUEewD3y64Nq/s1600/20171121_123709+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxE2jSWGFF65zPSk4RhL1LjHNFjKTHov9h6nbd3HN2uywmN2IUAy6Sz2bhwRBR8eb5iSL5t68v2mAdAnponr6e3pj7lEjULMLYFGCtkSGScJRKJnKbbTDqQ3_bheVAiAnbUEewD3y64Nq/s640/20171121_123709+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have a Red Bull fetish you may get your extra large wings from here - but that's one can of energy drink you definitely don't want your kids drinking!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XL7nRVh2uSjTLU01Gj1yRkwi_PVbAxvl-rQAYoHv4rq95agixsZsa_KfnldZ_36gGHUWKasJ6n0RbXuqJ7Qdj894qEBd8iVAYczjK32NEZ4sxdx3fIsRNLUX4phbAXxw-F_Te5da_kT2/s1600/20171121_132455+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XL7nRVh2uSjTLU01Gj1yRkwi_PVbAxvl-rQAYoHv4rq95agixsZsa_KfnldZ_36gGHUWKasJ6n0RbXuqJ7Qdj894qEBd8iVAYczjK32NEZ4sxdx3fIsRNLUX4phbAXxw-F_Te5da_kT2/s640/20171121_132455+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back to business and Nathan has been tasked with swapping the alternator over. Martin doesn't do holidays so he's probably working elsewhere - just listen out for the cursing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYMUGdWqVMsrVbRSeJlFY9dV5VsYmWHhuyhOHxbbftFKjNeB_LwrMbomgSDN212k_RhZqrZa0TMlpGLLiv6Ht1ZuNNAqaBu8lQsMaFqGlHALqnlMQWxHzV8brGwjaxtTr7Jb-KZ-se_j-/s1600/20171121_144144+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYMUGdWqVMsrVbRSeJlFY9dV5VsYmWHhuyhOHxbbftFKjNeB_LwrMbomgSDN212k_RhZqrZa0TMlpGLLiv6Ht1ZuNNAqaBu8lQsMaFqGlHALqnlMQWxHzV8brGwjaxtTr7Jb-KZ-se_j-/s640/20171121_144144+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So first task is to get the front bumper off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKEfdCG2nM19acqyLk5wgksnUPHKG9Em6qpLssFcKHGYh1ze-8RmUL72wdcjcjSiXvZSvpcBf7FLoTNiBiWTTIGWHRWtC2VFNiU3UuKVuagiZSnep3ic3kOcFjybISVB-WjukLoD79fYh/s1600/20171121_144857+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKEfdCG2nM19acqyLk5wgksnUPHKG9Em6qpLssFcKHGYh1ze-8RmUL72wdcjcjSiXvZSvpcBf7FLoTNiBiWTTIGWHRWtC2VFNiU3UuKVuagiZSnep3ic3kOcFjybISVB-WjukLoD79fYh/s640/20171121_144857+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then the big chassis bar which allows access in behind the radiators.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPhH2lDHYsTzZs_kVICfgdqFR1rtS4JDxKE0XzlHpMzMlonNi2GfUZo8PhKTyNiz9jMNP13VU48NuqdPQCuV14ETNdrqpeNM9OL9hK9quJ1sgOj0RWUi6EZR_VxqeitXPttM3TfhbtBna/s1600/20171121_145348+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPhH2lDHYsTzZs_kVICfgdqFR1rtS4JDxKE0XzlHpMzMlonNi2GfUZo8PhKTyNiz9jMNP13VU48NuqdPQCuV14ETNdrqpeNM9OL9hK9quJ1sgOj0RWUi6EZR_VxqeitXPttM3TfhbtBna/s640/20171121_145348+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then it's just a matter of a few bolts, remove the old item and replace it with a working one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbZnXe1EU9qQMujFXNtEZXXDMbji-k69XMpeqzrg4_0SwrmC4HYOrA2kwq1CeA06Sar6-Qm_885eY-01KdXidfneLGM01QQTzlLXZJZyEmYo-vuSiW7r9KoQjqDC4tUhZqlF7KM-dAulc/s1600/20171121_145546+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbZnXe1EU9qQMujFXNtEZXXDMbji-k69XMpeqzrg4_0SwrmC4HYOrA2kwq1CeA06Sar6-Qm_885eY-01KdXidfneLGM01QQTzlLXZJZyEmYo-vuSiW7r9KoQjqDC4tUhZqlF7KM-dAulc/s1600/20171121_145546+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old spindle still turned, so obviously an issue with the brushes inside then.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd63ehDZOLDXXj1tidtE0dbAJOLPytGgRd9l60zx1oNiKlN5RhFWY4R-o1af5rji3vesOxTDy7qW2nTZ1MtodGfeEsZ_i6OOVVV0fg3_h3h6DkbmoFFS2mtRhouYqNpJw5m8IVitVo43Y/s1600/20171121_145557+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYd63ehDZOLDXXj1tidtE0dbAJOLPytGgRd9l60zx1oNiKlN5RhFWY4R-o1af5rji3vesOxTDy7qW2nTZ1MtodGfeEsZ_i6OOVVV0fg3_h3h6DkbmoFFS2mtRhouYqNpJw5m8IVitVo43Y/s1600/20171121_145557+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While Nathan rebuilt the front end this was my first chance to have a look underneath the car since the exhaust had been welded up. As you can see below, where the left side of the exhaust dropped it has melted part of the rear bumper on the inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PAva0zUeOlDMgeUFB1XOe1EdWG-g9aqEXJGowsv9VWBJAoFKOleeepIU679UxF-KfNyUgCjvYcHmkRXWzFWc6WPJ0QmarAKjvEngK_ZL2vvN3io5JvEfLBXRxxmEG255pd54UNSH9o-_/s1600/20171121_153559+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PAva0zUeOlDMgeUFB1XOe1EdWG-g9aqEXJGowsv9VWBJAoFKOleeepIU679UxF-KfNyUgCjvYcHmkRXWzFWc6WPJ0QmarAKjvEngK_ZL2vvN3io5JvEfLBXRxxmEG255pd54UNSH9o-_/s640/20171121_153559+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And job done in time to get back to Colne and pick up the kids before school finishes. Result! Right, what's going to go wrong next... place you bets...NOW!!! (Banzai!)</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-21029327321423781512018-02-13T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-13T09:00:03.976+00:00Exhausting R53!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ5wLhz7PFjRCuAfsSNRaQNvdEcD2e8ekevp_uYXTpGQKpWDjGJ_TISN2dtEyJqH9ulYPeRrC-UD_pib1LDMby4P_jr3NG3nbbsqWvBHeKbvUeg5Y9zyJF5u9UtJAGvz9DtPMqrhru-og/s1600/20170717_143007+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ5wLhz7PFjRCuAfsSNRaQNvdEcD2e8ekevp_uYXTpGQKpWDjGJ_TISN2dtEyJqH9ulYPeRrC-UD_pib1LDMby4P_jr3NG3nbbsqWvBHeKbvUeg5Y9zyJF5u9UtJAGvz9DtPMqrhru-og/s640/20170717_143007+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you've read previous entries you will have seen that I noticed a hole in one of the backboxes a while ago. At first it was cool, the noise made it sound better than it was, but after a while I was losing power and the car became sluggish. It wouldn't have passed the MoT, so it would have needed replacing anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My best friends down at Mintech let me know they had a loud exhaust they were taking off the boss's wife's car as it was too loud for her - perfect for me then! So once they'd taken it off the other car I popped down to the yard to get it fitted.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49zxhwXYLhXj9w_35_C3yW2r6-hZPsqVIX1tpL_R0nqCd_UvqFUUjtlJSqMuuRlsaYM42tBR7QKcwpKeS9YxDQ1ijpyXH-CT3jPW126P5bVFv5bhew8SuYg8n0PDGyCJ3mVLADF09JNk7/s1600/20170717_143027+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49zxhwXYLhXj9w_35_C3yW2r6-hZPsqVIX1tpL_R0nqCd_UvqFUUjtlJSqMuuRlsaYM42tBR7QKcwpKeS9YxDQ1ijpyXH-CT3jPW126P5bVFv5bhew8SuYg8n0PDGyCJ3mVLADF09JNk7/s640/20170717_143027+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> It was a beautiful sunny day at Mintech.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img alt="www.mintechspares.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTLSyK3gDxq2_2HisdMb5C4lJSFVZtoTjUx58Qx9M2MVaj5kDF0GtEPFQsxa8ir5dnSALFIsK5FwLxgjaetZmhAnDQ0g6MBhdmm7VooHNzcuICsmXsRgqGcN5-KJbX9hAN9Xe2PqC2k_B/s1600/20170717_132714+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTLSyK3gDxq2_2HisdMb5C4lJSFVZtoTjUx58Qx9M2MVaj5kDF0GtEPFQsxa8ir5dnSALFIsK5FwLxgjaetZmhAnDQ0g6MBhdmm7VooHNzcuICsmXsRgqGcN5-KJbX9hAN9Xe2PqC2k_B/s1600/20170717_132714+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A standard exhaust for the boss's wife. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCFuG6HmWtKJQY95DgsHWJIz43OQp2xjt2iQsNFFKaJUEg6c3n1K1TJ4jMiwDyJJuMqeXCjHwi0zOg5MXi8n8_XVduyi1q3g-hZLbiwccZSShrFSTdLu9RmtvB90EDxE-hcfk_OgD4ZlJ/s1600/20170717_133855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCFuG6HmWtKJQY95DgsHWJIz43OQp2xjt2iQsNFFKaJUEg6c3n1K1TJ4jMiwDyJJuMqeXCjHwi0zOg5MXi8n8_XVduyi1q3g-hZLbiwccZSShrFSTdLu9RmtvB90EDxE-hcfk_OgD4ZlJ/s1600/20170717_133855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the loud exhaust that I am inheriting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_TbAbnk8ntK2xhVaeY48YjIBZFOMgsxAgF4LGf7d_MIKnPwuu8Rj2OJQg0g0iF0euKOtNu7uxABc9GGrn5yFGsTF56CP_hgDVKV01lYVgqKs4k4hrbWnh_aC3BgbSs3fqdU-XOejI_o7/s1600/20170717_133926+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_TbAbnk8ntK2xhVaeY48YjIBZFOMgsxAgF4LGf7d_MIKnPwuu8Rj2OJQg0g0iF0euKOtNu7uxABc9GGrn5yFGsTF56CP_hgDVKV01lYVgqKs4k4hrbWnh_aC3BgbSs3fqdU-XOejI_o7/s640/20170717_133926+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well it's all in one piece without any welding on it, so it is already better than my current exhaust. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUucQOG2dMkDs2QYQvLxzW1i-RR-qDD_i3ckVcCQ9CTmBr6YHLp8uUzOyWEStkJzp8l6LDf_T2xu-LvICo1sZF-nRpKaShfsmW4muzXJT2Aej8_qcGmGVj2iG5X4gaOjsplMCKhLQK9_GN/s1600/20170717_133941+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUucQOG2dMkDs2QYQvLxzW1i-RR-qDD_i3ckVcCQ9CTmBr6YHLp8uUzOyWEStkJzp8l6LDf_T2xu-LvICo1sZF-nRpKaShfsmW4muzXJT2Aej8_qcGmGVj2iG5X4gaOjsplMCKhLQK9_GN/s640/20170717_133941+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toyosports! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nVL7AUHALredq6wE2BTsz0P7dzM7d_xPixnloJYP_FeYsFRuKPBOHAuoLvgj8SD1xcnxtZvlRRcRx6YAmJsZOg6n3nZDQCDIS61z_mJxvZkIpdSqptTplF9-Zjif74ctpfTnLQnmdPk1/s1600/20170717_141602+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nVL7AUHALredq6wE2BTsz0P7dzM7d_xPixnloJYP_FeYsFRuKPBOHAuoLvgj8SD1xcnxtZvlRRcRx6YAmJsZOg6n3nZDQCDIS61z_mJxvZkIpdSqptTplF9-Zjif74ctpfTnLQnmdPk1/s640/20170717_141602+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let's look at the current hole in the exhaust. My, that has grown quite a lot over the past few months! Crikey!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24pBjSJaJO5Rbs1N6s9toovlmC-6u8JhyphenhyphenkwUcGwccfhnwCNmQTKVjXUfH8QaMqZL7tA2wMganM9V0bg-d-WUDnvf5O5h6YVlLuv9ZHXHYJI_uB9Zaj-gZ7p2grIRwet8CYN_n7josMNRB/s1600/20170717_142007+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24pBjSJaJO5Rbs1N6s9toovlmC-6u8JhyphenhyphenkwUcGwccfhnwCNmQTKVjXUfH8QaMqZL7tA2wMganM9V0bg-d-WUDnvf5O5h6YVlLuv9ZHXHYJI_uB9Zaj-gZ7p2grIRwet8CYN_n7josMNRB/s640/20170717_142007+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the old exhaust off, I thought I'd have a look inside the front part of it. Here you can see the sensor sticking out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojdzv6A5pN-GHuYImovoj7xg1yckczsL0tJWBOCPnuL_Cd_NNCyI5cjE50pffvxsWjWIm2BZMNBUo0mQjTaB4TGq4lOjXiReF6-f7Eg2B6DotfDsX3Ot1qXMwl9AoxwVZP21PG_pGthA4/s1600/20170717_142340+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojdzv6A5pN-GHuYImovoj7xg1yckczsL0tJWBOCPnuL_Cd_NNCyI5cjE50pffvxsWjWIm2BZMNBUo0mQjTaB4TGq4lOjXiReF6-f7Eg2B6DotfDsX3Ot1qXMwl9AoxwVZP21PG_pGthA4/s1600/20170717_142340+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever seen inside an exhaust backbox? Me neither, so I ripped it open with a screwdriver. Looks like a load of wigs have been stuffed in there! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOItCsXaYItLBw7QEvH9ZNm0IiYludLHYzCNJLv1tVi_Aky0R4OcltSHEp6WD1q93kEXkZaJ2a96k7lmPkP8fkwYKbGQkq_M35a_XGtjUcl8BPvtOEZ_l2tBVCmlZ_tjAY6zbsYq1ihvM/s1600/20170717_142417+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOItCsXaYItLBw7QEvH9ZNm0IiYludLHYzCNJLv1tVi_Aky0R4OcltSHEp6WD1q93kEXkZaJ2a96k7lmPkP8fkwYKbGQkq_M35a_XGtjUcl8BPvtOEZ_l2tBVCmlZ_tjAY6zbsYq1ihvM/s1600/20170717_142417+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Proper job (in a West Country accent!). Welded to within an inch of its life, ha! A threaded bolt welded on adds support to stop the old exhaust breaking everytime I ramp it over a hill or bridge! Oh and a load of gun gum. Well thankfully that's all in the bin now! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQXJsWV3W9JV8yb-Ypt_sHZLMlhbjef2MWA5TqXUkjoZOKbqavfXDiTBQma5vZKk84MTkQDj14dR08b6fgWLng3Yzo3jzUUjz5omHrKB8z9NRM3usOjg4f893nbPMNwk7pJ33VPE-4tFz/s1600/20170717_143015+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQXJsWV3W9JV8yb-Ypt_sHZLMlhbjef2MWA5TqXUkjoZOKbqavfXDiTBQma5vZKk84MTkQDj14dR08b6fgWLng3Yzo3jzUUjz5omHrKB8z9NRM3usOjg4f893nbPMNwk7pJ33VPE-4tFz/s1600/20170717_143015+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mop-top Martin whinges about one of my exhaust hangers being almost broken and the fact the tailpipes don't fit neatly into the rear bumper aperture. Just get your spanners on it and fix it Martin!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> So let's have a listen </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6mFMwo5ut60/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6mFMwo5ut60?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Standard MINI exhaust</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7iALp2a2MhE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7iALp2a2MhE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My old exhaust with a hole in the backbox</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3jlAjP_Hdn8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3jlAjP_Hdn8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Toyosports exhaust (pop pop!!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-7544965274613178792018-02-12T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-12T09:00:33.272+00:00Panda Power!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZAqCJP9H3TpmZraYdBBfsuoccwcQGFAKwknLU5n1Mx2y0RMAGDIIV2Kvcj81q4T4su6Qyo21apAuju2rj4rpHFZO7SXdoy8-Rr7nrtRevJJZ0zxz5189ueKQWfexQUmuTOQXKrdxGU8n/s1600/f7044a7b-a95e-4ffb-9026-b311c5087463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZAqCJP9H3TpmZraYdBBfsuoccwcQGFAKwknLU5n1Mx2y0RMAGDIIV2Kvcj81q4T4su6Qyo21apAuju2rj4rpHFZO7SXdoy8-Rr7nrtRevJJZ0zxz5189ueKQWfexQUmuTOQXKrdxGU8n/s640/f7044a7b-a95e-4ffb-9026-b311c5087463.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of years ago, when Hamish Brandon was storming the driver's standings in the MINI Challenge we approached him about getting some rather cool panda stickers he had on his race car. The legend that he is sent them to us and they have been hanging around the house ever since.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally we got them fitted when we attended the Brands Hatch Mini Festival last year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The man who actually made the stickers, and sponsors the MINI Challenge, Simon Rackham with his company Sign It (<a href="http://www.signitdesigns.co.uk/">http://www.signitdesigns.co.uk</a>), was there with his family... and so I had to politely drag him away to come and fit them to our MINI. What a top bloke.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wZp9K30m_Ilub6SdHJGRALuw8k0ADX1EohcVoSNm7qhn9b6f8oBWtZQgSLxWZNp_M6Nl8ptKcDGSXI3eEkruexmqxsO3A_icxWuI34V7NGoemh_qyzCc1ksWKyXjcWGU3zJs6fnSZr2U/s1600/20170709_132326+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wZp9K30m_Ilub6SdHJGRALuw8k0ADX1EohcVoSNm7qhn9b6f8oBWtZQgSLxWZNp_M6Nl8ptKcDGSXI3eEkruexmqxsO3A_icxWuI34V7NGoemh_qyzCc1ksWKyXjcWGU3zJs6fnSZr2U/s640/20170709_132326+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all I had to give the car a wash! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic28DO8IgVn9WA4iz7jkf1uSCSKSCBECbssey6dwzeVzTHkexUYlUWVakUkxBkychb_RS1fcYmZYfpVtPCvekvV6KFqy4Oat1G-Y2OeQCIDZDyeyjdDaxdcGabLSKHSEIRPftJneOLkz71/s1600/20170709_132338+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic28DO8IgVn9WA4iz7jkf1uSCSKSCBECbssey6dwzeVzTHkexUYlUWVakUkxBkychb_RS1fcYmZYfpVtPCvekvV6KFqy4Oat1G-Y2OeQCIDZDyeyjdDaxdcGabLSKHSEIRPftJneOLkz71/s640/20170709_132338+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 300 mile journey from Lancashire had covered the car in crap, and you certainly don't want that underneath the stickers eating away at the paintwork! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8na8YFefMrlx_jeDcH_ZKcZLop2DPc-zNU-OqaH3IrIi4Ff9whQsIeRJ8bOni4iHvuoGAl3UWJrXkcYO7IQ03XyAahjEeRb6p-j9TzXwXbDUdU2VeD3hFYO6G-L9T2MfT-Otw064vijtn/s1600/20170709_132342+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8na8YFefMrlx_jeDcH_ZKcZLop2DPc-zNU-OqaH3IrIi4Ff9whQsIeRJ8bOni4iHvuoGAl3UWJrXkcYO7IQ03XyAahjEeRb6p-j9TzXwXbDUdU2VeD3hFYO6G-L9T2MfT-Otw064vijtn/s1600/20170709_132342+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clean! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGQt7OJ5K9oAT8ICSPBSdxiURK-1DZdVIGXyD-F7XqAyVraDMFT8-njjgYXU4kRjVDfMOFhoFrxgT_0IzvybxnCxW5EH_uwf7LnoAZD3NsjgmefTj0jhPtS-eLlgrV1B2ILvH6JIyY0Vq/s1600/20170709_154025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGQt7OJ5K9oAT8ICSPBSdxiURK-1DZdVIGXyD-F7XqAyVraDMFT8-njjgYXU4kRjVDfMOFhoFrxgT_0IzvybxnCxW5EH_uwf7LnoAZD3NsjgmefTj0jhPtS-eLlgrV1B2ILvH6JIyY0Vq/s640/20170709_154025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon and his helper (or is it his supervisor?!) get to work. Lining up the sticker and the backing paper off, he carefully sticks the panda in place.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIof2EH0seKH-Ex02fCXyUDUrQpmSYQA4Yf6XIrLy9aG6bMcT7tSENkS3D5scVH_MochOkttkyNPIKhcbdCAMCksKe2hHv7gt8EGszzsWBTJsFP-QtrB4rZDTZCfM87b5q7rBj3JQrv6r/s1600/20170709_154108+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIof2EH0seKH-Ex02fCXyUDUrQpmSYQA4Yf6XIrLy9aG6bMcT7tSENkS3D5scVH_MochOkttkyNPIKhcbdCAMCksKe2hHv7gt8EGszzsWBTJsFP-QtrB4rZDTZCfM87b5q7rBj3JQrv6r/s640/20170709_154108+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a credit card or similar he flattens the sticker to ensure there are no bubbles of trapped air underneath.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hTh2T-6aMHyi8RQ0mkHTAA_IpRa0qzWSS2wBoRiKvdPv6pLkK1CnI7joXf84Jkyozan37qArekhSQKwt2Tn0DyJzd5_ImX5v_m4Zcy2wSKLn79WZ5af-AAlNeOa8r1KoK17PD_FNSKj/s1600/20170709_154127+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hTh2T-6aMHyi8RQ0mkHTAA_IpRa0qzWSS2wBoRiKvdPv6pLkK1CnI7joXf84Jkyozan37qArekhSQKwt2Tn0DyJzd5_ImX5v_m4Zcy2wSKLn79WZ5af-AAlNeOa8r1KoK17PD_FNSKj/s640/20170709_154127+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking good. The top sheet now comes off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ3O4kwlj0ZN5WXDHMzYT7DHOEeZ6xkLZZOkgVS2QomziD6CurEDSSWFAMCDMuAbwj5b76AWtT0DuTIFiUh1yi-_0XcUtcqajg1osSNs39oc05kdp78C0WIukK_9KPRavMgBaV4lIUcL1/s1600/20170709_154348+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQ3O4kwlj0ZN5WXDHMzYT7DHOEeZ6xkLZZOkgVS2QomziD6CurEDSSWFAMCDMuAbwj5b76AWtT0DuTIFiUh1yi-_0XcUtcqajg1osSNs39oc05kdp78C0WIukK_9KPRavMgBaV4lIUcL1/s640/20170709_154348+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, using a credit card or similar (wrapped to prevent damage), he carefully pushes any air bubbles out and flattens the edges.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCAcvLckPLv3DNWOwqAU0_7BX5OizjJC6ws79v0tvTfyy2HONeNThs5FMDAugBA-oLORwC21CFmwNWA7-mOheRa8030VJ4-TuE8A25unS70DBCZAAh-s6__lN2_Q3JkzmeMlrmPzegoK/s1600/20170709_154608+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjCAcvLckPLv3DNWOwqAU0_7BX5OizjJC6ws79v0tvTfyy2HONeNThs5FMDAugBA-oLORwC21CFmwNWA7-mOheRa8030VJ4-TuE8A25unS70DBCZAAh-s6__lN2_Q3JkzmeMlrmPzegoK/s640/20170709_154608+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KSVti62Fwwcr3xFpZChYT7ZMyItqkPpwldjl0p6ti_aipFJnp_F4kaPyVrxopcYAy-2Oe4LqQTrk0XZpUcgbdmg6-WMIhPrtEs28Pn7JyqRRHwQ7owOxNeP-DSnJfqM8Z4doxLKZDiiy/s1600/20170709_154611+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KSVti62Fwwcr3xFpZChYT7ZMyItqkPpwldjl0p6ti_aipFJnp_F4kaPyVrxopcYAy-2Oe4LqQTrk0XZpUcgbdmg6-WMIhPrtEs28Pn7JyqRRHwQ7owOxNeP-DSnJfqM8Z4doxLKZDiiy/s640/20170709_154611+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a scalpel (yes!) he carefully pops any tiny air bubbles left on the sticker before flattening them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfWvnLNmhaHtS02z7Y4TJy_9XHOMJvhlvFWbzWCQ_MOY5o1ghuGoz_N_7VJtHd2Ks0ZovceRfiuLMJKGLFtJjJcLT6N5UlofqkaNpuWYx65rEjJkNM9kF-HjNjE5-shjaTxrctcsTLO6/s1600/20170709_154635+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pfWvnLNmhaHtS02z7Y4TJy_9XHOMJvhlvFWbzWCQ_MOY5o1ghuGoz_N_7VJtHd2Ks0ZovceRfiuLMJKGLFtJjJcLT6N5UlofqkaNpuWYx65rEjJkNM9kF-HjNjE5-shjaTxrctcsTLO6/s640/20170709_154635+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we're done. Looking ace and very happy owner!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cracking job by Simon, and highly recommended.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find him at:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.signitdesigns.co.uk/">http://www.signitdesigns.co.uk/</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Signitdesigns/">https://www.facebook.com/Signitdesigns/</a></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-523225021726376242018-02-09T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-09T09:00:08.801+00:00Accessorise... eyes and flag.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJc6cytv6tLEPf8r6YQF9X67NPpfJys56A46fW0La1SXM1huPq9J-5poWH6jpw1JxRlAf3oQvYcPS1M6fj1LD3mbIDy9TbvqGonT0czhFSkj3LUq-5jwRtxMGVQPShal9bXX5MS-bz51q/s1600/20170512_182244+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJc6cytv6tLEPf8r6YQF9X67NPpfJys56A46fW0La1SXM1huPq9J-5poWH6jpw1JxRlAf3oQvYcPS1M6fj1LD3mbIDy9TbvqGonT0czhFSkj3LUq-5jwRtxMGVQPShal9bXX5MS-bz51q/s640/20170512_182244+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time around I'm just adding a few bits to the MINI to personalise it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initially I had used some electrical tape to create some headlight eyes, but these shrank, so I asked a friend Emz Dilligaf to knock some up for me which she kindly did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elsewhere I had a CB radio aerial in the shed which I'd dug out and decided to stick on the car roof to make it look like a remote controlled car... zoom zoom. But it looked a bit plain and bare on its own, so I bought some cheap pirate flags from eBay and sewed them on to the aerial.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIAJf5mrb6bvSJzaxZqeyzrQ6YES_zHsT19rxN3qDXXLsR3Z1-e3w1Keyc76bmaaIOM46RyyYWwrtPKkUUgxvHZBO1rOudg1tgH0EWdmEdvvFHLzmonjDaQL7-IlfGfMwF5gLAvuBMM38/s1600/20170512_182217+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIAJf5mrb6bvSJzaxZqeyzrQ6YES_zHsT19rxN3qDXXLsR3Z1-e3w1Keyc76bmaaIOM46RyyYWwrtPKkUUgxvHZBO1rOudg1tgH0EWdmEdvvFHLzmonjDaQL7-IlfGfMwF5gLAvuBMM38/s640/20170512_182217+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some black vinyl on the headlights give the car the 'eyelid' look.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0YTkwPqNVX5upYCyx2R5QuANPS7S06eXFKzyjzHj7fg2qHY0f2S6rVQQRDeGkMVKgD7GMWnSc5n6WyxE9lDSyAKHl1i6SjwhgjsHAzuu0NgXd3K0-YzBGlRrEUYlwTSl_TJknVciafBh/s1600/20170512_182244+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0YTkwPqNVX5upYCyx2R5QuANPS7S06eXFKzyjzHj7fg2qHY0f2S6rVQQRDeGkMVKgD7GMWnSc5n6WyxE9lDSyAKHl1i6SjwhgjsHAzuu0NgXd3K0-YzBGlRrEUYlwTSl_TJknVciafBh/s640/20170512_182244+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Underneath the bonnet Emz Dilligaf also knocked up some eyes for me. Look good don't they!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDdGxc87fXGooWAuKQSHfHCPQsuADowTfwHv2fzGMsd66r16WT784ac5Arc25ZpgUSgauFXNVle9clb__pKT64T2IGtPJSzPQyR8YP-jVdgWLSqbrRi2hSODALdVnWAHP9hSSk9u4NWMi/s1600/20170621_165935+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDdGxc87fXGooWAuKQSHfHCPQsuADowTfwHv2fzGMsd66r16WT784ac5Arc25ZpgUSgauFXNVle9clb__pKT64T2IGtPJSzPQyR8YP-jVdgWLSqbrRi2hSODALdVnWAHP9hSSk9u4NWMi/s640/20170621_165935+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the flags arrived for the CB aerial they weren't a tight fit, so I pulled out the sewing kit and made it secure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MfNaOUtBZCZOPN4DNwJeT22mziFfHHdg8dt09q4oEWpuvJrQabdWMotG-7FmK1g6T98OYTuW9JhQ7c-HfrK0ypj7z6iDIVQJGUnPiUZQBbUpqZZehsQcguFk9mEC6OvZgeQqtsEB9UfE/s1600/20170621_165954+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MfNaOUtBZCZOPN4DNwJeT22mziFfHHdg8dt09q4oEWpuvJrQabdWMotG-7FmK1g6T98OYTuW9JhQ7c-HfrK0ypj7z6iDIVQJGUnPiUZQBbUpqZZehsQcguFk9mEC6OvZgeQqtsEB9UfE/s640/20170621_165954+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qQLWf6e8PUWK75EuQpCE8irvZih6mNtAb2KtGbFzUBM9kGQwDlYitqabjpoMoD8irsFAPcRx8XW9VDRL_tk1irO0nxkqdEJuGvdpFsgeix9WvoEuPpBjSBgDr-CjPezk2a1Xw33JeKdS/s1600/20170621_170346+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qQLWf6e8PUWK75EuQpCE8irvZih6mNtAb2KtGbFzUBM9kGQwDlYitqabjpoMoD8irsFAPcRx8XW9VDRL_tk1irO0nxkqdEJuGvdpFsgeix9WvoEuPpBjSBgDr-CjPezk2a1Xw33JeKdS/s1600/20170621_170346+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's the end result. It certainly gets attention!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFCqe9NEiQSzeJp0pf4BhoIiIO24L_pkbxH99mduWUK0HwmBR746Em5SG0fCO4Y_QJwMQdMvLLemw0yyoYKJ2GDADDUGQI2_1qqr5dHxTLr30kCBsCwwflcS59FDRQSRtHul18ovwh33x/s1600/20046271_10155552412711103_6849073435607217696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieFCqe9NEiQSzeJp0pf4BhoIiIO24L_pkbxH99mduWUK0HwmBR746Em5SG0fCO4Y_QJwMQdMvLLemw0yyoYKJ2GDADDUGQI2_1qqr5dHxTLr30kCBsCwwflcS59FDRQSRtHul18ovwh33x/s1600/20046271_10155552412711103_6849073435607217696_n.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-45032841816918311022018-02-08T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-08T09:00:35.474+00:00Tyre writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMC3rqISZ_eYKdzVnepSxp0LZRLi-vKWoBhz8kFOKh5NbK4Bd2eHlKynvlSgxt0A8N1BUIS1Q6EBk0L6Xa9r5dx6l_pC2Yt-amtO89_Z7xRYcEqVmiZpzOdDd-aLQ2WNflVaLN9L2BYOw/s1600/20170501_175305+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMC3rqISZ_eYKdzVnepSxp0LZRLi-vKWoBhz8kFOKh5NbK4Bd2eHlKynvlSgxt0A8N1BUIS1Q6EBk0L6Xa9r5dx6l_pC2Yt-amtO89_Z7xRYcEqVmiZpzOdDd-aLQ2WNflVaLN9L2BYOw/s640/20170501_175305+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You've probably all seen some cool drag racer cars or something with big tyres and the white lettering standing out on the sidewalls. Some love it, some loathe it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well there's plenty of choice out there on the market for stickers or pens to enable you to do the same on your road car. And it's pretty easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our friends at Frost (<a href="https://www.frost.co.uk/">https://www.frost.co.uk</a>) have sent us their tyre pen, priced a £5.50 (<a href="https://www.frost.co.uk/tyre-pen.html">https://www.frost.co.uk/tyre-pen.html</a>) so we have tried that out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxykWkncTiwBXsFJNMGB8tKJCz-Weoi7XEdcg7WO9IMBLbXau3x_Kvusl0R9G32irgbbkh_GB2qJvJ6ZXuOQ6bgisZmm-6eZvg6o1bMGRhElja-hiOqoO0MO3RLuFcYySlsddykDNdKdh/s1600/20170501_162414+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxykWkncTiwBXsFJNMGB8tKJCz-Weoi7XEdcg7WO9IMBLbXau3x_Kvusl0R9G32irgbbkh_GB2qJvJ6ZXuOQ6bgisZmm-6eZvg6o1bMGRhElja-hiOqoO0MO3RLuFcYySlsddykDNdKdh/s1600/20170501_162414+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is. Pretty simple. Open up the packet and give the pen a good shake before use.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKeG8-XIaLT7H3aPCw38jGdU9RIhF5IugbN_C-Si-SRQ5du85r52BTO7X5uhaztNuEcxC0AYcjgyQdXm5I_kpfL46o1lKpsbCkd9A1F5ELlpbnClbNVEpei-pMDlG5DGkuncxqfqvp4FS/s1600/20170501_162829+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKeG8-XIaLT7H3aPCw38jGdU9RIhF5IugbN_C-Si-SRQ5du85r52BTO7X5uhaztNuEcxC0AYcjgyQdXm5I_kpfL46o1lKpsbCkd9A1F5ELlpbnClbNVEpei-pMDlG5DGkuncxqfqvp4FS/s1600/20170501_162829+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all you need to decide what part of the tyres you are going to paint. We decided to do just the brand lettering for this example. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uRfeRINx3AhCdBSRR5VzJ76QC06GjYd0bT-afj6j8X_2bkeX9McvIm4rcnAT-Q2A_idIPpc3ufN8WurrmxV-OnkdgCGJZZtf_bG_gx0q0s2riEUvznJrOQr8JjD9ryYR7Da8q1oA15RF/s1600/20170501_162834+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uRfeRINx3AhCdBSRR5VzJ76QC06GjYd0bT-afj6j8X_2bkeX9McvIm4rcnAT-Q2A_idIPpc3ufN8WurrmxV-OnkdgCGJZZtf_bG_gx0q0s2riEUvznJrOQr8JjD9ryYR7Da8q1oA15RF/s1600/20170501_162834+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the messy part. You need to push down on the pen to get the
ink flowing to the nib. Sometimes the ink comes out quickly, so just
spread it around evenly into the tyre lettering. Don't worry about going outside the lines, you can clean that up afterwards.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja72CjV0IbJL9aiyX-f3B7BsEHXHcYej54tygRfieQ2lGYHSzy5XJMhyphenhyphenqQRB2bDuTLWyWLufXubsvKzeaY1Mzn5lEdhP6f0df6rdt1NhuLOg4UOKpt7LHlS0j7EN9HRM76SFfaGhMgYmWY/s1600/20170501_170323+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja72CjV0IbJL9aiyX-f3B7BsEHXHcYej54tygRfieQ2lGYHSzy5XJMhyphenhyphenqQRB2bDuTLWyWLufXubsvKzeaY1Mzn5lEdhP6f0df6rdt1NhuLOg4UOKpt7LHlS0j7EN9HRM76SFfaGhMgYmWY/s1600/20170501_170323+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the moment, just get all the lettering coloured in fully.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncokC6r_NKs-xt6WrlPR1NzEVJ-LtKnqUPM_4OwiX7zvmsU4lAvc7RIasNdRtvPiky0ZZEhgykCZ0L6Rzf_cMcbGXRyOjgNNXGKQ1cUGyI5f4ccpC8RUbwr0NeDT25orMIjdYAuTpu09d/s1600/20170501_170448+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncokC6r_NKs-xt6WrlPR1NzEVJ-LtKnqUPM_4OwiX7zvmsU4lAvc7RIasNdRtvPiky0ZZEhgykCZ0L6Rzf_cMcbGXRyOjgNNXGKQ1cUGyI5f4ccpC8RUbwr0NeDT25orMIjdYAuTpu09d/s1600/20170501_170448+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find an emery board or piece of sandpaper. Use this to tidy up around the edges of the lettering. We found the emery board to be good because it lays flat on the raised rubber, making it easier to remove the overpaint.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTjLynIEnBy-C4yJ-Fj_CRw0pF6qC03aqU0rDWlOW3AdXVDgwaET2eiLjA9dLStqMtrC0LwPPuLVwxp7hgSATi962dZixE0YVqtjRWacZRkSwq_1uMQaBdAYSa8ATl9GY91Y212tGJGlv/s1600/20170501_175305+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTjLynIEnBy-C4yJ-Fj_CRw0pF6qC03aqU0rDWlOW3AdXVDgwaET2eiLjA9dLStqMtrC0LwPPuLVwxp7hgSATi962dZixE0YVqtjRWacZRkSwq_1uMQaBdAYSa8ATl9GY91Y212tGJGlv/s640/20170501_175305+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once done, it looks 100 times better. From here you can do the other tyres or find more bits to colour in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-RL3N5Fb0fJ0QMrROK8-3ee0Xw_KDGYslofCsyDA8MgiZGiUrOI91470-pMXGliiPFVMG_-fCVlKXmtMOfopuGCVDnooJR4NBvfy1jbTzNl0YqtwQnAu6eLCNHiGO1N1Bxpxdjm36pqm/s1600/20170501_175313+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-RL3N5Fb0fJ0QMrROK8-3ee0Xw_KDGYslofCsyDA8MgiZGiUrOI91470-pMXGliiPFVMG_-fCVlKXmtMOfopuGCVDnooJR4NBvfy1jbTzNl0YqtwQnAu6eLCNHiGO1N1Bxpxdjm36pqm/s1600/20170501_175313+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJobIfyvnMu3nfgzQapFxEiFGixhF35fL5nzvSDUuQ93XdyIfSjyyvx5FwwQz9h6xSFz-dkBARr-GfKDTPeoO6426bZRTBpTDdvU5JyKOKRCePnes57xNJHdyfVBnHr6uJIccyzee3okXO/s1600/20170509_122851+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJobIfyvnMu3nfgzQapFxEiFGixhF35fL5nzvSDUuQ93XdyIfSjyyvx5FwwQz9h6xSFz-dkBARr-GfKDTPeoO6426bZRTBpTDdvU5JyKOKRCePnes57xNJHdyfVBnHr6uJIccyzee3okXO/s640/20170509_122851+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here's what it looks like from a distance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for durability... well this particular tyre pen lasted a few months before it needed to be reapplied. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.frost.co.uk/tyre-pen.html">https://www.frost.co.uk/tyre-pen.html</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITgg9E4h25mIwN3xnhyphenhyphenNqyZzJF3nbeZ3tzAxjvAFMr7lpDEJqUpv_rSIRK24q68poUUoUceyQfbnZ4SdmfBWCvYUTDwU25nLIEghD4ttqo6h58k6rMpodA3dfbs6uiUy0Bpp17FD42jjY/s1600/frost-thumb-brands.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="796" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITgg9E4h25mIwN3xnhyphenhyphenNqyZzJF3nbeZ3tzAxjvAFMr7lpDEJqUpv_rSIRK24q68poUUoUceyQfbnZ4SdmfBWCvYUTDwU25nLIEghD4ttqo6h58k6rMpodA3dfbs6uiUy0Bpp17FD42jjY/s320/frost-thumb-brands.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-60030746205839210392018-02-07T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-07T09:00:00.492+00:00Boost my acceleration!<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9SlHocfLIYX1KNovstD8VAa1xNcwMEQq5yiXH7fQJ3uTtjqpIdqjNHUbHDOxFmhSvmbsIVHc9Xe1NVyarV3FjP8BX12_xfx_WP_Kqoy63B4bzhaegIyJ2DAZ8ufjMvJk8htA59bkDoV9/s1600/20170526_131518+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9SlHocfLIYX1KNovstD8VAa1xNcwMEQq5yiXH7fQJ3uTtjqpIdqjNHUbHDOxFmhSvmbsIVHc9Xe1NVyarV3FjP8BX12_xfx_WP_Kqoy63B4bzhaegIyJ2DAZ8ufjMvJk8htA59bkDoV9/s640/20170526_131518+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFNWyuGVJ3-Vss13y3Huhpti9xeQZG1-blzT8X5bMwMof6CxFLNSmjhdVqNrHAhc3pumiJ0Is_1ByHIzLuFPhQJ6LtXMoeVfRbhiEMUFWQcUXL7fF0YwbEtJIZcSQicKEZT6E6KRM80to/s1600/facebook-default.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="800" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFNWyuGVJ3-Vss13y3Huhpti9xeQZG1-blzT8X5bMwMof6CxFLNSmjhdVqNrHAhc3pumiJ0Is_1ByHIzLuFPhQJ6LtXMoeVfRbhiEMUFWQcUXL7fF0YwbEtJIZcSQicKEZT6E6KRM80to/s320/facebook-default.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is your MINI feeling a bit sluggish? Wanting quicker acceleration from standing and on hill starts? Well Sprint Booster could be the answer for you!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This handy plug & play device fits straight to your accelerator pedal and offers an instant performance improvement to your car.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our friends at Wheel and Tyre Outlet - <b><a href="http://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" target="_blank">http://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/</a> </b>have supplied us with a device to test and share with you. </span></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have also negotiated a whopping 20% discount from the shop for most items, including the Sprint Booster. <a href="http://www.love-mini.co.uk/shop" target="_blank">See our SHOP for more info on this.</a></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5eHk0agelh-mh9u5UmWaJphH-814ewM9vBfJmCMrIF4ZjUyRkJHQyuSIW0pxISSXWIZvEYEovyOjuYeJd_V1NjcP23nL0Sq6vM7o5gzxl6k6134XGGeRLYJ0Z0Neq25Ae1yYWISqujO-/s400/logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the record we have this installed on our MINI and it does work! Even garages have said that it shifts quicker than most other MINIs of its type. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other people will say that for the money, you might as well get the car tuned and remapped. Of course this is an option too. In fact, you could remap the car and then add this device for even sharper acceleration.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You know all the new MINIs have the Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. Well this device kinda does the same thing (well, partially). With this you have Normal acceleration (standard car settings), Medium acceleration, and Full acceleration, and you can switch between them with a push of a button.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The device works by attaching to the module behind the accelerator pedal and sending increased acceleration signals to the ECU. This means you will accelerate faster for the same amount of pedal travel. From what I understand, it also means you will reach maximum acceleration before the pedal reaches the floor too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Here's how to install it.</u></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPw0bWFW2syx7dee5t8-_fl8qt8WvNaNhV5-xDpsYMupdo3RyFao8g8908z0k62uQmUeKpDKnfK-OG7Bca9G_hs_FR8BQFIlLiFhc3AadYZGCmNVwqoRE_ddTL0XZvP11GCE33yhbOSf3/s1600/20170501_150418+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here is the box with the device inside. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGptgd1XKnn903N3JMbSL3CWMH1p0JeHIq70T7NkYE1Cf0z_45zHHWQYCMmXoh_00URJ39aR5ytJWg4QbqWQuDchx3NjNOl_mF6j-S4g_2lwRmdqHGVLV2NG5LRzRWUZobteGF2sHHYe8/s1600/20170501_150456+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is what you get. Instructions; sticker; sprint booster device; control cable.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKjjjFMTIiWEGiz64F3CFHmPYTyMXch8jmBEYLSYxHHB8mGAFiHj5aEFEZokDqs5NLuSlgWXubf23GXevO5-BVza6jGV9GvWn9Y76Rggb1NeeWu5Y_ht0-b3sWrCCqIpECHegY-hzl2Qr/s1600/20170501_152333+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly, you need to get access to the back of the accelerator pedal.
Using a flat-headed screwdriver, insert it into the hole (shown above) on
the accelerator bracket. This unlocks the pedal from its bracket.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzLT3A3VKykMaBbto5Bi4f2QPUTPSCflkJRFGlIrnztwx2FD-kvYgmUpnks3yRo9tfDmw-ReILnXyr9NZBLrTJAkSqzz8IPSPlPfmytD3DwMphpiGMCFEPyCNM75mHo9g84VCsP2LiROLB/s1600/20170501_152350+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the catch has been released, slide the pedal sideways to remove it from its bracket.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6Epicka8PnzOmXujVESzP0nUGRUTHNmztQDOb9wpv5N-BgUFCNCGcuyvDsJ4lBgIaTo5HSWdqVbd1Hx9kzyAg057Vb6x-guahNaN35G9sWoi5pq0DiqJcVIvEtTkM6ZI1pChDPhWmVAE/s1600/20170501_152422+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the pedal comes out like this.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZrzKuUrqIFGseP-gB5qtIDxfDuG7zXE_BeHOy7Mx0jjB6FziegVLX3i4mTw4y_tXefMZz0RkQUjktEQ6gvWkhIhGWzMkeV6v2akw4H7X3ITX1TrtaKGslSinQvitHeFs5j4thF44HMpn/s1600/20170501_152429+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDw6VmUm1NuvFsoFVVi0tUl421d_nV5bkwXEVWgDLjSK7BSKtY37GgxT3e9q9Vq0U4sQ7HxSVR54PelqsNafPoOZChzD3z1i_hF6nmIJMriBHviFzUGQvM5tId5mCJQcvhum2CIf7QnWp/s1600/20170501_152441+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we see me holding the Sprint Booster module and showing you where it will connect to on the side of the accelerator pedal.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg0VhAUrBuAoFbNjVCqLVsWiANwWH48oWbJIiBu6-KACwAmtDMmhiw5JIkWM1u5zfvFG0LOoBS4UmZIDV-xzaJMM6yT6nkE0TzXVqGnEL9tTgElwwuEhGCpf4vzFzhYjRp09Q-L7q6PaQ/s1600/20170501_152633+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disconnect the original module on the accelerator pedal by pinching the sides (as shown) and pulling.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMxdIOGhyqMmzD4ItNwzzX9_SpmvFuyig2FkqNE0EvTbqgxwhyxcRcVfbcDUk_Q2wGPA0huQOYAUWTmOR2gVlZy2I0M75aN6t0UViv40_UBUrjRv1Ny0dyjjexNdWNdtMGexfSs2VJI-P/s1600/20170501_152723+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here it is disconnected. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wO_ZiGXZhR2OS1zuqcqeaWUL-IxUmbaMwjpO0KCCpLFIiEyQxYlMp6fhNTT3R-ugozbsbptdzkZ-28yofJy6FsW04raBp5TXaQ3l2IL2MG6L_p45YgECV1eZMC8eneLvjxmrATqbetyA/s640/20170501_152751+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Find the end of the Sprint Booster module that fits into the original module wiring.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2a9m6RqLJWt0UXTqC8oq5yJdE7Bgx_lCWP8eCqTel0ZGcM1ocrTesh-jVLh51vfdAKyB_FFucEmGU2au1kfDAKa_xfZl7I71AfQrOxaxkXYVwsD8pWl6bw8I2D9Z61f6zZYZ535xmbaB/s640/20170501_152809+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect the Sprint Booster module by pushing the connector in firmly.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAeL4NXt4455KeUEe1NEb7RxbGdzmeqSWKJhllADxsnjmfDep-_7q_fFJZL0RKQdWRrPHYWmKNPdHQzA7QeKwf67ePRELpMWcS-AryitOiZAaN28IDEra3YYAx5YMUuny14UE6ES4Xuq7/s640/20170501_152850+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect the other end of the Sprint Booster module to the pedal.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnUwnRDxfV7iBo81SC38ZvRde3xXs3uoN4pDQr-_OqhN65VqkVA2JZfXIaRxfEaW-p4aaYmwwYl2-tGbJZBFjAqrRscT_N1YS_iUSSQaTdGA8ErR-RBa41pNOAgD_xdQq6bAXiot4kh5E/s640/20170501_153005+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Get the control cable.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAA2izomGMm-pguNhSSDyHkyaDkDSKm94oudpsOsHqrC_gTVJWllqWv0TjLugf4aSC-M3YumMeATtnckVrrPRlUzIXPiRv5yox-e5rQ9Hb1FneM3jE6cWKa_u_Kn_neTV7GeCNJRHiybi/s640/20170501_153033+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Connect this into the Sprint Booster module as shown.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtkELCoiforHfcqA5XymY7GAa2oQ-JzNGUqg1d_4TFxs76cAnnHm241edOdnhyWv2yv-QhY7d-6YBjEi41cy1qnClcXsU6zT24RxmDEpAqtQIKWqqHgvSRIEyyKCgeBhHEEBWyp4s3ftV/s1600/20170501_153747+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Refit the pedal by sliding it back on to its bracket until it clicks and feels secure.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S8KELkQYlMkfu8FyVK8RJ-TCdLASfd_evt-mI3y-gFZe0bBXUHJPbJXsW6PimnEK5Bvj7v7ucwyC9Kdx0LgRjFd_PRy8TQ49WdmClyUimVOrtcp8mC7KCOzH9MT6QrmTDODq5YXLRYGt/s640/20170501_153758+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="360" /> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Run the control cable tidily up to your dashboard, peel of the backing paper and stick it in your place of preference. Alternatively, you can set the accelerator at any of the settings and then remove the control cable. The Sprint Booster will save the last setting you chose and apply that until you change it again with the control cable.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the light on the button is not lit, standard factory acceleration is chosen. One push of the button changes it to yellow, which is the Medium acceleration option. A second push of the button changes the light to red, which is Maximum acceleration.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>REMEMBER:</b> You can buy the Sprint Booster with a 20% discount from our friends at <a href="https://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" target="_blank">Wheel & Tyre Outlet</a>. <a href="http://www.love-mini.co.uk/shop" target="_blank">Just visit the SHOP to get your 20% off code!</a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://wheelandtyreoutlet.com/" border="0" data-original-height="80" data-original-width="300" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSz7NmgYBAv2ZJBOR2d0S4koctOq6RK1O88st-vlrm_HkvZ6vL3eGAdV27WLxvmuYT6AQOtzG1qjcf8v1VLYSwT2AbrRxj2PQVXGfVZgoZbWYTwZVcxV2-6PueqQq8fsHYw3MrZ67N7tR/s400/logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-66108265036143813362018-02-05T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-05T09:00:15.363+00:00Bulging biceps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFCENG8-VwdoCUE1r4BMpWDpIg2vj3jIMwnSFrj5WrnWVnY4TofgYlmjhJe_XU9TZfDWCvO6s9Fh6jAOw8p6R3aVBf3PexKSvaYlegAbFGawLSoyHHh5tFKaWo24W9S4WH-ujRQYCOO39/s1600/20170425_115341+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFCENG8-VwdoCUE1r4BMpWDpIg2vj3jIMwnSFrj5WrnWVnY4TofgYlmjhJe_XU9TZfDWCvO6s9Fh6jAOw8p6R3aVBf3PexKSvaYlegAbFGawLSoyHHh5tFKaWo24W9S4WH-ujRQYCOO39/s640/20170425_115341+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ask a MINI owner what the car's common faults are, and quite close to the top of the list will be steering pump failure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MINI famously had to recall a load of cars in the USA over the fault and it gave them a load of bad PR. So with 150k miles on the clock and no service history, who knows what was going to fail next on my MINI.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So everything had been running smoothly for a couple of months on from my last entry, but then one day I started the car up and the steering was particularly heavy. I turned the car off, and on again, and this seemed to resolve it - temporarily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later in the day the heavy steering came back, this time whilst I was driving. A corner was approaching and I had already cottoned on to the fact the power steering wasn't working so I stuck my elbows out and gave it a big heave to turn it. It's certainly not light!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having read the stories about power steering failure I can see why a lot of drivers worried. Having driven classic Minis - without power steering - I was sceptical about how badly driving would be affected, but now having driven without it, it's not something you'd want to do regularly. However, for a couple of days or so, it wouldn't be so bad and we all had a bit of fun when it came to driving and parking - low speeds were particularly tricky, but by the time it got fixed I could feel my biceps bulging out of my skin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doing a bit a research I found that sometimes the power steering pump's connectors can get dirty and this too can prevent it from working properly. Anyway, who do you call when in need of MINI help? You know the drill... it's Mintech of course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With bookings up to their eyeballs, it looked like I might have to wait for a while to get it seen, but in the end they told me to come over and they would fit me in somehow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the yard the place was choc-a-bloc with MINIs everywhere and all the ramps full and Martin whinging about engine swaps and clutch jobs he has to do. Haha, it's a hard life!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway I had to hang around for a bit whilst they worked on other jobs. The ramps were still full and time was ticking on and I had to get back home to pick the kids up from school. We had a chat and agreed to stick my MINI up on the autodrain using the forklift truck (how they move scrap MINIs around the yard). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once up we could have a good look underneath and access the steering pump. Changing it over was quite a quick and simple job and before long it was all done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglv9I383U-nm6vPYaS-H1hAQ0r4dSdyDNVqPtP9SrdyIoGxa2u_rR5AiVlhfDdwWfRHFBZpWce20t-UNlg-Ypw_45Mbc72_tIS6rLR4AucQEh9YQUdG5IGt1sfxvy8Vanrz-iQrbalumqZ/s1600/20170425_115606+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglv9I383U-nm6vPYaS-H1hAQ0r4dSdyDNVqPtP9SrdyIoGxa2u_rR5AiVlhfDdwWfRHFBZpWce20t-UNlg-Ypw_45Mbc72_tIS6rLR4AucQEh9YQUdG5IGt1sfxvy8Vanrz-iQrbalumqZ/s1600/20170425_115606+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having discovered a hole in one of the exhaust backboxes last time it was up on a ramp, I thought I'd better inspect it again. And... meh... it had got a little bigger, but not too much. And it still sounded awesome so just added that to the list of future jobs to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhAshd0tPDtqukoipklzvg4XiBvlngAvKMwhMDZ_vQINioNn_g_tJZKTZhyphenhyphen1564aMDl9uahi18wDNDAyuHYS_4NI05TMXFxwcICuCnH_DYA5jPyGfyyeC46PgHqIpsySF2Z3b8ZoSESpw/s1600/20170425_115332+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhAshd0tPDtqukoipklzvg4XiBvlngAvKMwhMDZ_vQINioNn_g_tJZKTZhyphenhyphen1564aMDl9uahi18wDNDAyuHYS_4NI05TMXFxwcICuCnH_DYA5jPyGfyyeC46PgHqIpsySF2Z3b8ZoSESpw/s640/20170425_115332+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-45736953812022445252018-02-02T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-02T09:00:40.632+00:00Horn blowing and sticker fit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGJMfFIi83cBW2oB8dAKmlz7DlkycHNq_Z9-IieE7p6bV49cLlHqMDGNgc4OvRj-1d96d1ASogTnvf7f7LwwKC9McGKjwCBVs4-oQopjd4zyKOcLowr-Y5-aSzPITxrM1GNnbqXLR6LK/s1600/20170422_182453+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGJMfFIi83cBW2oB8dAKmlz7DlkycHNq_Z9-IieE7p6bV49cLlHqMDGNgc4OvRj-1d96d1ASogTnvf7f7LwwKC9McGKjwCBVs4-oQopjd4zyKOcLowr-Y5-aSzPITxrM1GNnbqXLR6LK/s640/20170422_182453+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I mentioned in the previous entry, the broken window regulator has allowed the rain to get through the window and on to the steering wheel. A few days later the horn stopped working. Whether this was related or just a coincidence, who's to say?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9KIT-r0Qyh_UjXoU4VDx2fVvrF1SD9z_CxH3Cv9aR-2m_PwLYaEPr7AP2ZiH3JVX9xoIjT8bruphUdApwQDmOD4kdWf0I55FTcUn6k19VC-KCV-KMklJd0pyNPA4SXwurFOMS72vAeSG/s1600/20170422_172006+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9KIT-r0Qyh_UjXoU4VDx2fVvrF1SD9z_CxH3Cv9aR-2m_PwLYaEPr7AP2ZiH3JVX9xoIjT8bruphUdApwQDmOD4kdWf0I55FTcUn6k19VC-KCV-KMklJd0pyNPA4SXwurFOMS72vAeSG/s1600/20170422_172006+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I thought the simple option would be to replace the fuse, so I tried that (after locating the fusebox). Silly me didn't realise there were two fuseboxes - one in the engine bay and one in the passenger footwell. Once I'd identified the fuse - quite easy because it had blown - I swapped it out for a replacement one of the same resistance. I tried the horn, and it worked... for a moment. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I kept pushing it it started to make a funny noise and then died again. I pulled out the new fuse and it had blown. So I tried again, with the same result. I was stumped. On the upside, lots of roadusers would now not be beeped at by me... something I struggled with in the following months!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea66TfnkU1qSPJihg6D5SBjgIxACOXiABmIQVEEGftzCzDODPLawhonLBShGAoRtHu_Ss81fDl1m1a1fBiNa9eY4jW456Ko1mh2KokWwFWP4fFHAGQLbab-hfv2lAxVqAHI__-aKpnEOb/s1600/20170422_182434+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea66TfnkU1qSPJihg6D5SBjgIxACOXiABmIQVEEGftzCzDODPLawhonLBShGAoRtHu_Ss81fDl1m1a1fBiNa9eY4jW456Ko1mh2KokWwFWP4fFHAGQLbab-hfv2lAxVqAHI__-aKpnEOb/s640/20170422_182434+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another quick job was to put some new stickers on the MINI. I had not long met up with the people from North West Minis and bought a sticker from them which I hadn't applied yet. Also, with the engine upgraded to a JCW unit I wanted the JCW badge on the rear so picked one of those up from Mintech.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img alt="www.mintechspares.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always get a bit nervous before doing stickers as they have to be perfect. I cleaned the car and lined everything up. Fortunately it all went well and they were fitted straight!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGJMfFIi83cBW2oB8dAKmlz7DlkycHNq_Z9-IieE7p6bV49cLlHqMDGNgc4OvRj-1d96d1ASogTnvf7f7LwwKC9McGKjwCBVs4-oQopjd4zyKOcLowr-Y5-aSzPITxrM1GNnbqXLR6LK/s1600/20170422_182453+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauGJMfFIi83cBW2oB8dAKmlz7DlkycHNq_Z9-IieE7p6bV49cLlHqMDGNgc4OvRj-1d96d1ASogTnvf7f7LwwKC9McGKjwCBVs4-oQopjd4zyKOcLowr-Y5-aSzPITxrM1GNnbqXLR6LK/s640/20170422_182453+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-52454105308289773872018-02-01T09:00:00.000+00:002018-02-01T09:00:27.298+00:00Broken window regulator... and more.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84Le69S-rr2_l1_-_VXun7hV1o_Wd1aKtx-DA0U9P605iDa_uJ-UfKQGqgSq_bLC3-cFHOylJN8qOySpgs9R1O-Z80l3qb2-NGGWpUq4CAKBcHpARU3P5gVJ1Zl87Ax-NFoXpiIQD59V3/s1600/20170304_111841+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84Le69S-rr2_l1_-_VXun7hV1o_Wd1aKtx-DA0U9P605iDa_uJ-UfKQGqgSq_bLC3-cFHOylJN8qOySpgs9R1O-Z80l3qb2-NGGWpUq4CAKBcHpARU3P5gVJ1Zl87Ax-NFoXpiIQD59V3/s640/20170304_111841+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As usual it didn't take long for something else to go wrong and stop working. This time it was the driver's side window regulator. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I think I had this problem once before, and the general consensus was that a swift hand to the bottom corner of the driver's door would usually get the motor working again. While this may have worked in the past, this time something more sinister was afoot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The noise of the motor didn't sound right and there was a crackling sound coming from near the window. Further advice was to try and open and close it a few times to get it working properly. After the first lowering attempt and inability to close the window again, I decided this was a bad idea - considering I would have to leave the car alone at some point. And with the weather still wintery, it's clear that I didn't want the windows left open. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with a little bit of persuasion I managed to get the window 3/4 closed and decided not to open it again! Calling up my pals at Mintech, in Bury, they were booked up for the week, so I'd have to make do somehow. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/" target="_blank"><img alt="www.mintechspares.co.uk/" border="0" data-original-height="130" data-original-width="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwuTqQnCT8OGjRQ9DnrGWXyrFLzVvsMgggt7JlePsfcqTy6kUpXLiHEzBke6VkZRsKJ96MMc69lKKsuEJ4-Ma4HboXcGQ4ZKPh4cuMpVuoI_dJO38UkH4PRZRzv_3ytcCoAQ5d97z9PTk/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the next few days I tried to get the window closed, but it wouldn't go up, only down, and so each night I had to wrap the steering wheel and cover the door as much as possible to prevent it getting wet. What a ballache. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a few days of this I noticed the horn had stopped working. Great, something else to fix, but no point doing it now with the window still open.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually the day came to visit Mintech, and my old friend Martin wasn't about to help. I suppose he's got to have some time off! So Nathan was tasked with fitting a new window regulator for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgDLhMyX_zCkZCH1GHC2AL70B3XFw5r4hjUQJ1SrNYB2wlbnP0sOq1m_aIMbAbHHubXhhMY5M_GDm331i0Deb2CU06wGhZl0D7Iqh5fbmsACmeO-zye1NNQHdN8Q8wlj7vggU12BxMSIX/s1600/20170304_113721+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgDLhMyX_zCkZCH1GHC2AL70B3XFw5r4hjUQJ1SrNYB2wlbnP0sOq1m_aIMbAbHHubXhhMY5M_GDm331i0Deb2CU06wGhZl0D7Iqh5fbmsACmeO-zye1NNQHdN8Q8wlj7vggU12BxMSIX/s640/20170304_113721+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After popping off the door interior I helped hold the window whilst he tried to untangle the wiring that had chewed itself up. Ahhh the source of the problem. After lots of fiddling around we managed to pull the window clear (in one piece), and pick out a load of crap from the bottom of the door before fitting the new regulator.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XOfQFq2j83lPMJpfdRhuVPDiPjYX7Nci4NcT0lDuPjua1euA8NiLk8uktDv-UfMvG5uOh4X6Ht8ZosbwRkb0_ZQft3WpcQLopCwLALhJwpaObsdF1RGpP8x_faxGuUisPAQgdwjWGpN8/s1600/20170304_121427+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XOfQFq2j83lPMJpfdRhuVPDiPjYX7Nci4NcT0lDuPjua1euA8NiLk8uktDv-UfMvG5uOh4X6Ht8ZosbwRkb0_ZQft3WpcQLopCwLALhJwpaObsdF1RGpP8x_faxGuUisPAQgdwjWGpN8/s640/20170304_121427+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once done, I asked about some arch fasteners as some of mine had broken, so he pulled that off and fixed that too. My list of things to fix was still quite lengthy and whilst I was there I had a look around the yard for anything useful. I found an aerial unit. Mine had been broken since I bought the car and I just hadn't got round to replacing it. Over the winter I had also noticed the boot getting wet, and with a big hole in the roof I guess this is where it is coming from. So I picked up one from here for a job to do at home. I also mentioned I was after some spacers or wider wheels, and the lads said they had a set of spacers going, so I took them too with the extended wheel nuts. That'll look good.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u-hAe4bfdPxIGkegxwof-SDx2URGf6cI8Jq0doTcNjm77u6tlAJTFOZXVUFPxHGKLsviycYQaNp7hPF7Y-JJv-Q57cHpGSoUQAj1Ooy9YpGxEpa7dAt8CHTRv9RZnqQWGI6uXu-GYcDm/s1600/20170304_145818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u-hAe4bfdPxIGkegxwof-SDx2URGf6cI8Jq0doTcNjm77u6tlAJTFOZXVUFPxHGKLsviycYQaNp7hPF7Y-JJv-Q57cHpGSoUQAj1Ooy9YpGxEpa7dAt8CHTRv9RZnqQWGI6uXu-GYcDm/s640/20170304_145818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spacers, long wheel nuts and an aerial base.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back at home I thought I'd give the aerial unit a crack and finally be able to listen to the radio for the first time in the MINI. It was quite an easy job really. Just fold down the headlining from the boot and there is a big nut holding it all in. Undo that, disconnect the wires and put the new unit in and reconnect the wires and do up the big nut. Simples. Hopefully this will stop the wet boot too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaSs3rNIzeMhgyPBT5UBRtExdyHW3rxV4MzluyCU4Qk0F4JrgYkR4zdypKIau8aa1sZ1tt-WchbuWQlPdbVAI_RJdOZV2PwUYsZNlUW9a21PBH1RmPKxqN2ad4_V48dn-e_MtL3JxIjn9/s1600/20170320_172313+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaSs3rNIzeMhgyPBT5UBRtExdyHW3rxV4MzluyCU4Qk0F4JrgYkR4zdypKIau8aa1sZ1tt-WchbuWQlPdbVAI_RJdOZV2PwUYsZNlUW9a21PBH1RmPKxqN2ad4_V48dn-e_MtL3JxIjn9/s640/20170320_172313+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The last thing to do was to get the spacers fitted. So down to my local place - Tyre Bay in Nelson - where they let me use their tools to do jobs myself, but they were happy to take over and do it for me, so I let them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk0wv2zAoW3Ksg57qjA1LVkfQrprYqLw_tboG00E0fR047iEgpnK_nfFJ5fRkjJRt28_36LFRCfZPzP8bhHSUNociDDhemXSBKm_xb5nH3eOtnNYtZGpYnMb4Zckg2Y4D7kbTem8Zq34g/s1600/20170320_174219+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbk0wv2zAoW3Ksg57qjA1LVkfQrprYqLw_tboG00E0fR047iEgpnK_nfFJ5fRkjJRt28_36LFRCfZPzP8bhHSUNociDDhemXSBKm_xb5nH3eOtnNYtZGpYnMb4Zckg2Y4D7kbTem8Zq34g/s640/20170320_174219+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After having a chat with the boys I mentioned something about the exhaust sounding louder, so we put it on the ramp to find a nice hole brewing in one of the backboxes. Still, it sounds good, so we'll leave it for now!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY8xyNPVLIBNfuZjFE-58U89x8ReK_EkI12_uWbHChKwnKDyt7sdM3KkmO3Qh-GrWq_s_OH0UlVJZUbSXduJ2xdmiclM34vPAiRao_3-q4FtCG8szNd8WItvczpeML21QGtJtCzy_BR2T/s1600/20170320_182400+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY8xyNPVLIBNfuZjFE-58U89x8ReK_EkI12_uWbHChKwnKDyt7sdM3KkmO3Qh-GrWq_s_OH0UlVJZUbSXduJ2xdmiclM34vPAiRao_3-q4FtCG8szNd8WItvczpeML21QGtJtCzy_BR2T/s1600/20170320_182400+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MINTECH: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a class="fl r-iORoWJLcGXgc" data-number="+441617611615" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="iORoWJLcGXgc" data-ved="0ahUKEwjFuq6s0P_YAhUFK8AKHUW8Af8QkAgIrgEoADAT" href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mintech&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&dcr=0&ei=5lxwWo_cDqbP8AeH0o7gAw#" title="Call via Hangouts">0161 761 1615</a></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><cite class="_Rm">www.mintechspares.co.uk/</cite> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-38715684845093577062018-01-31T09:00:00.000+00:002018-01-31T09:00:22.793+00:00Crashed!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj198yqgeFJXItxmiEmQavELXTnjX5DOfdcX5jhIBns4dSSoTDf2qFd41sphA_-8JsQAPMs_XMfHlb-eQk0rzgz3T9-G41VvnrAD_LUZcDtJaS3nMUO3cK0T6b9Tsltzd7F_rSSquPwdsof/s1600/20170207_151950+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj198yqgeFJXItxmiEmQavELXTnjX5DOfdcX5jhIBns4dSSoTDf2qFd41sphA_-8JsQAPMs_XMfHlb-eQk0rzgz3T9-G41VvnrAD_LUZcDtJaS3nMUO3cK0T6b9Tsltzd7F_rSSquPwdsof/s640/20170207_151950+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last time around I'd got my MINI a fresh MOT certificate following a few repairs. I had to get the tracking redone after a new track rod end and everything was going fine.<br /><br />Whilst waiting to pick my children up from school one day, I was sat in the MINI, parked, and suddenly I see a car coming around the corner and as it gets closer I'm thinking, "they're going to hit me." And sure enough they do. The MINI jolts forward and stops before bumping into the parked car in front of me. Good handbrake!<br /><br />I check to make sure my passenger is ok, before jumping out and giving the old lady a piece of my mind. Worst thing of all, she was driving a Mobility MINI Countryman! After I'd calmed down, I took her details and gave her mine and took some photos of the damage. <br /><br />When you look at the damage compared to the actual impact, I was surprised by how little damage there was - barely a scuff, but the car moved almost 12 inches forward!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVIfsRbhvc5O5ykjMb96P22dqC1NSqxU32TE7h_JCSKRNPExtpN9kyaGkv8-WerCBxWKgLmFJxzvkmZhBREduwqlyrzi3-gWdH0Zo0gY5DfXmPwjjQ48X_gF-CizU8LXkeOAsv5cFz2RN/s1600/20170207_152637+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVIfsRbhvc5O5ykjMb96P22dqC1NSqxU32TE7h_JCSKRNPExtpN9kyaGkv8-WerCBxWKgLmFJxzvkmZhBREduwqlyrzi3-gWdH0Zo0gY5DfXmPwjjQ48X_gF-CizU8LXkeOAsv5cFz2RN/s1600/20170207_152637+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hardly a scratch despite being hit quite hard and jolted forward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day I received a phonecall from her insurance accepting full liability and offering to cover the cost of any repairs - I had to get three quotes. Fair enough I thought. With hardly any damage I could claim for a new bumper and treat the MINI to something else. <br /><br />Then they started asking how injured I was in the crash and how much it hurt out of 10. I wasn't injured, so I said about a 2 out of 10, and then they offered me some injury compensation too which was more than the cost of the bumper! Wow, I thought. You can see now why people fake crashes for cash!!<br /><br />Following that, I set about getting some bumper prices. I visited a few local garages for quotes before heading to my local MINI dealership in Colne. A guy came out of the bodyshop and had a look a the scuff and gave me a figure. When I asked them for a written quote to show the insurance company they wanted to charge me £45. Yes, £45 just for a quote... Stunned wasn't the word. So I went home and phoned up the MINI parts department and got a bumper price from them instead - a healthy £698.08 inc vat! <br /><br />Elsewhere, I had received a quote from a local garage to repair the current bumper for £362, or replace and respray a new one for £595. Still £100 cheaper than buying a new bumper from MINI.<br /><br />After the money came through I got the bumper repaired, although I did consider buying a complete Aero kit, but I'm teetering on the opinion that I don't like them, but at the same time there isn't much better out there. I like the side skirts and the rear is ok, but I'm just not sure about the front bumper, especially without the inserts. It looks weird. So I stuck with what I had. (I did treat the kids to a holiday though!).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFGQCPoWp2YvUgmOUGRfLK3wKQHqr-Mc_9dKVuBE66pShDv2V1wTZCcGPUxF-ClJhG93U-0Jw2fFFC5tdIDBzrSUrgJd8NSl6uMgH314Yu16r2VIFUYQa0_E0KkVfOivB3SZ4clVul7A1/s1600/17757459_10155194106181103_1395081376110768323_n+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFGQCPoWp2YvUgmOUGRfLK3wKQHqr-Mc_9dKVuBE66pShDv2V1wTZCcGPUxF-ClJhG93U-0Jw2fFFC5tdIDBzrSUrgJd8NSl6uMgH314Yu16r2VIFUYQa0_E0KkVfOivB3SZ4clVul7A1/s640/17757459_10155194106181103_1395081376110768323_n+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-24491654982654601552018-01-30T10:45:00.000+00:002018-01-30T10:45:03.966+00:00Removing Tar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX24to2FAFEH3sHx91tTf02RVxXRpAFuTkaOWqJYGmkFg9flkU5uZ_AJ6YF7-h9W2BoHeDmbi2CPC1nQs-xOp5AiFPgozW55ekalf0DlZQQg6ec9VzSKhyphenhyphentmeprPFIYdLaUsQ5jguyafn/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="900" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFX24to2FAFEH3sHx91tTf02RVxXRpAFuTkaOWqJYGmkFg9flkU5uZ_AJ6YF7-h9W2BoHeDmbi2CPC1nQs-xOp5AiFPgozW55ekalf0DlZQQg6ec9VzSKhyphenhyphentmeprPFIYdLaUsQ5jguyafn/s640/header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around my part of the country over the summer they resurfaced the main motorway, and this, combined with the hot weather led to the MINI getting covered in horrible sticky tar that is nigh on impossible to remove unless you have the right solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust me when I say I have tried various ways to remove the tar, from the cheapo WD40 method, to trying to pick it off with my fingernails, none of these are great unless you want to spend multiple hours getting the car spotless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, and this is not a sponsored post, I have found one product that cuts right through the tar and dissolves it before your eyes - Autoglym's Tar Remover. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will swear by this product to safely remove all the black sticky stuff. What little modification I did, was to put a spray lid on top so I could squirt the product in all those hard to reach places. Take a look to see how it fared.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AxtEHEfFAqmPlxAuSaF_zdDSoOm9sn-3d77ZcbCEujI93OOeLj8BOezvVTAIhRQQ0ti1mIlyMlIpvVakqGj4CiHEPbN1xhCtrKK1ipfHZr1mNpTi-Zbmdy6qSdHscLiFE8f0bIILFggA/s1600/20170422_165924+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AxtEHEfFAqmPlxAuSaF_zdDSoOm9sn-3d77ZcbCEujI93OOeLj8BOezvVTAIhRQQ0ti1mIlyMlIpvVakqGj4CiHEPbN1xhCtrKK1ipfHZr1mNpTi-Zbmdy6qSdHscLiFE8f0bIILFggA/s1600/20170422_165924+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here's what I'm working on, although on my MINI the tar is pretty much everywhere - and you don't even want to look under the bonnet. Don't ask me how tar got INSIDE the door... I have no idea and no, I wasn't driving with the door open!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo7_d4xJpZQfaPtRIx_h0BCfN2ziL5Ui0lYsIFn4IdZwsHNiWFHPGUIm1A-HIiz0D32zJnrJe_NclF8qF9lLuN0_12-E7AnELv2R3lZtktOjBGqL8f8F6YSMd4vUHEreXx5QOrKilV7Kd/s1600/20170422_170002+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmo7_d4xJpZQfaPtRIx_h0BCfN2ziL5Ui0lYsIFn4IdZwsHNiWFHPGUIm1A-HIiz0D32zJnrJe_NclF8qF9lLuN0_12-E7AnELv2R3lZtktOjBGqL8f8F6YSMd4vUHEreXx5QOrKilV7Kd/s1600/20170422_170002+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is my weapon of choice. Autoglym Tar Remover, with a spray head added to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikppJTvgpNGrdzKzxdLVM2p8omRu3HRz1cgb88q12aE5JXMpEzZW8CKsWMKFEzTvwFi4Se7r935tn-hy4P_tRZFp-5Ec3A9LyETpqn0MjcHfdCS2qpK4bJrIJM_AkFqDGY23WnWZaxYZQj/s1600/20170422_170008+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikppJTvgpNGrdzKzxdLVM2p8omRu3HRz1cgb88q12aE5JXMpEzZW8CKsWMKFEzTvwFi4Se7r935tn-hy4P_tRZFp-5Ec3A9LyETpqn0MjcHfdCS2qpK4bJrIJM_AkFqDGY23WnWZaxYZQj/s1600/20170422_170008+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So give it a good spray.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgltI34f70JsUk3N2EAv9xSXCXzajQPNw2mQArQgWK9YiFgr9-OoT6RwQKLakjjfjFbm-bKL_Q3xZOYUPq8GG_w4aT3IqjtxwuMHgB866Ikgv39GMFGVdZFhEZ-Y4xKJv8LRtZEajed8o/s1600/20170422_170025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgltI34f70JsUk3N2EAv9xSXCXzajQPNw2mQArQgWK9YiFgr9-OoT6RwQKLakjjfjFbm-bKL_Q3xZOYUPq8GG_w4aT3IqjtxwuMHgB866Ikgv39GMFGVdZFhEZ-Y4xKJv8LRtZEajed8o/s1600/20170422_170025+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And watch as you see the tar dissolve and start to run down the panels. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1EPP-jAUxB5rsfGV-KGm3bJl6fRvsO16oUHKpqKJdVoHk9HQ495DAO3mnczs66vHAL77XyitDUB3892wD6MnJAg3pGRrELKaodA8TrBDsjjjGXOB7icMtJB_R6pp20jxGEmCH6tUMwZ1/s1600/20170422_170355+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1EPP-jAUxB5rsfGV-KGm3bJl6fRvsO16oUHKpqKJdVoHk9HQ495DAO3mnczs66vHAL77XyitDUB3892wD6MnJAg3pGRrELKaodA8TrBDsjjjGXOB7icMtJB_R6pp20jxGEmCH6tUMwZ1/s1600/20170422_170355+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give it a good wipe and hey presto it's gone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjRt0r1QFc6mXPHJxdwMgX6cZvR07Xvgx8cv6IPcz0Aa9pmbFhjW8a0sHuPgOR-D4CajP8jltpuP03aC-lDeNfbe60WUnWcieR5FhlfOrAd9ijaEkUXCAqsA_nekeKkU9jQvntW9c4WBn/s1600/20170422_170501+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjRt0r1QFc6mXPHJxdwMgX6cZvR07Xvgx8cv6IPcz0Aa9pmbFhjW8a0sHuPgOR-D4CajP8jltpuP03aC-lDeNfbe60WUnWcieR5FhlfOrAd9ijaEkUXCAqsA_nekeKkU9jQvntW9c4WBn/s1600/20170422_170501+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's have a go on the other side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0PbeaJEXfWlkfLbBtxbguk04qNLj8BHNeAKXNtAlDWkmr5gTeUOeAycfBzolo0bIFq1GuEqEjH7zh6uBsytK541VdEVpZ5Qpdlj7vqBi2p_ojhEbcaLL3BSOPCMavpZs74uxSIjpVAXS/s1600/20170422_171855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0PbeaJEXfWlkfLbBtxbguk04qNLj8BHNeAKXNtAlDWkmr5gTeUOeAycfBzolo0bIFq1GuEqEjH7zh6uBsytK541VdEVpZ5Qpdlj7vqBi2p_ojhEbcaLL3BSOPCMavpZs74uxSIjpVAXS/s1600/20170422_171855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at that clean door, and it took no more than a few minutes.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c-l14_0hyphenhyphenIhjYoUts5_eQo7VxbR1kvDd7JdgBopPVkHw_d8agM1VDBt7fZD1F7qz4hkNk09P2OyN2PJ1WUFqxp61ULhwkF1jod2tuDCLqp3GKYFrpI3SPbgKnaXTvAnXz7G8N3RXwjdW/s1600/20170422_171931+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c-l14_0hyphenhyphenIhjYoUts5_eQo7VxbR1kvDd7JdgBopPVkHw_d8agM1VDBt7fZD1F7qz4hkNk09P2OyN2PJ1WUFqxp61ULhwkF1jod2tuDCLqp3GKYFrpI3SPbgKnaXTvAnXz7G8N3RXwjdW/s1600/20170422_171931+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLto2PsepIg-OBnuyAP47dV4dh6aSXPKFhr3Z8reSF3AM9380yU8fQjxykLbWHdAVX84otRYTlhSc_rM3lJD83s2lUWmccF8xxdCJ_EJsy1JpD4YDV9JTY73uzRGXuq4JraUBliEugwOdP/s1600/20170422_171933+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLto2PsepIg-OBnuyAP47dV4dh6aSXPKFhr3Z8reSF3AM9380yU8fQjxykLbWHdAVX84otRYTlhSc_rM3lJD83s2lUWmccF8xxdCJ_EJsy1JpD4YDV9JTY73uzRGXuq4JraUBliEugwOdP/s1600/20170422_171933+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-23146150370131417682018-01-27T18:00:00.000+00:002018-01-30T10:50:13.359+00:00LED light overhaul - Map lights, interior light, puddle lights, footwell lights, sidelights.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all love customising our Minis, and one of the easiest ways is to fit some coloured LEDs lights. In this instance I'm replacing the interior map lights and main interior light, plus the puddle and footwell lights and sidelights. All simple jobs.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>FRONT MAP LIGHTS </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e7DsJqh1k44oGAkNzI7Jyuc09YEXvrbxwJWuQ0GZmHtoJADr96WB8qMDC2N3bAOVOXGLw-jy71y838x3mEMlMuTU5h0QyStKfwiz5yKImBCKWkWBj90ux8CHzo2ifJuscF6um9zOm9a-/s1600/20170409_154233+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e7DsJqh1k44oGAkNzI7Jyuc09YEXvrbxwJWuQ0GZmHtoJADr96WB8qMDC2N3bAOVOXGLw-jy71y838x3mEMlMuTU5h0QyStKfwiz5yKImBCKWkWBj90ux8CHzo2ifJuscF6um9zOm9a-/s640/20170409_154233+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e7DsJqh1k44oGAkNzI7Jyuc09YEXvrbxwJWuQ0GZmHtoJADr96WB8qMDC2N3bAOVOXGLw-jy71y838x3mEMlMuTU5h0QyStKfwiz5yKImBCKWkWBj90ux8CHzo2ifJuscF6um9zOm9a-/s1600/20170409_154233+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The front map lights are accessed by getting your fingers inbetween the housing and the headlining and pushing forwards (towards windscreen) and pulling down gently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl91awsQk45zFcv_DJwbFleExN8lnDWQO6beGuI-0-Xl9AXIBva23xd2lSHlJl8NRiwBawRYJwqeI31Ok2QkYDUi1kC4ZT7UxPK3MoM8q73NSuvrPTN5NWp8DMLEenEV9TFmdVz2EtlXm9/s1600/20170409_154238+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl91awsQk45zFcv_DJwbFleExN8lnDWQO6beGuI-0-Xl9AXIBva23xd2lSHlJl8NRiwBawRYJwqeI31Ok2QkYDUi1kC4ZT7UxPK3MoM8q73NSuvrPTN5NWp8DMLEenEV9TFmdVz2EtlXm9/s640/20170409_154238+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FMvdKbvOjQNDSp-66LThzu4NMkiXGs-EUCPD7tefHdwvi3Ee3PwxwB-2jQTU2Uhvto9lDLxcW_m6LaCOYn3ofrii-_8J83UQ1ghl0cn8H8SFWNdvVXUlmK_9v9xRitwaVxrTqeBewqcC/s1600/20170409_154257+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FMvdKbvOjQNDSp-66LThzu4NMkiXGs-EUCPD7tefHdwvi3Ee3PwxwB-2jQTU2Uhvto9lDLxcW_m6LaCOYn3ofrii-_8J83UQ1ghl0cn8H8SFWNdvVXUlmK_9v9xRitwaVxrTqeBewqcC/s1600/20170409_154257+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This reveals the circuit board. There are two knobs which house the lightbulbs. Turn these anti-clockwise to extract the bulbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtIpUc03jicS38e2ZFg7jhctfFHIFLTg_18ac9Z7_8IWic-uqTb9Z8R2YkQqcSox6x-EDWd_8bt-WzwhukRS94Z8aBsFCgUBUOYfAxOr6P56XE6Oebj-3aLaOWN7V1shBASZoTorrnvUh/s1600/20170409_154326+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtIpUc03jicS38e2ZFg7jhctfFHIFLTg_18ac9Z7_8IWic-uqTb9Z8R2YkQqcSox6x-EDWd_8bt-WzwhukRS94Z8aBsFCgUBUOYfAxOr6P56XE6Oebj-3aLaOWN7V1shBASZoTorrnvUh/s640/20170409_154326+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iLtq3DQUazM4B2hxFSxWdmJwg3Dv1KLUY_OryAOO_L1DAtb_LFen1rIVWhEKGRAi96tw5zp9mlfadpLSO3v7fAl-oH2ZA-A4X8R97OuFwWcKGye2elO-2PvHsDI9m9Aev6nS8Mf3b4MP/s1600/20170409_154345+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iLtq3DQUazM4B2hxFSxWdmJwg3Dv1KLUY_OryAOO_L1DAtb_LFen1rIVWhEKGRAi96tw5zp9mlfadpLSO3v7fAl-oH2ZA-A4X8R97OuFwWcKGye2elO-2PvHsDI9m9Aev6nS8Mf3b4MP/s640/20170409_154345+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the two bulbs, the new LED one on the left. Pull out the old bulb and push in the new one. Refit in reverse order.<b> **Note Some LED bulbs only work one way around</b>. If you find your LED bulb is not working after fitting, try fitting it in the other way round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FOOTWELL LIGHTS</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaBcRi399HO9IgocRtqFCWe7N5YseHCtWq470TMUFR7JaL_hjPuMMe00TbMYVeor5hDPrik-yc0sZEYlXMFIuqGV8UxkKUz7_sSVqhcwcAi_N4anPnB5rMkiPmQR6OfJUF3fWD2Q8rhWD/s1600/20170409_155139+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaBcRi399HO9IgocRtqFCWe7N5YseHCtWq470TMUFR7JaL_hjPuMMe00TbMYVeor5hDPrik-yc0sZEYlXMFIuqGV8UxkKUz7_sSVqhcwcAi_N4anPnB5rMkiPmQR6OfJUF3fWD2Q8rhWD/s640/20170409_155139+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /> </a>Locate the light underneath the dashboard in the footwell</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKavE6YB0sk-otGdlWZ39GK3g8ARFWOlr9zRzcJPUIOz7-r1r8bNC9VY6nHcnyOXWhWo66K_oX645vBQB6JGOuuv3QGnBHitkNj5ntICjNg3Gq8maFUJPxCk3ogJ6wJLbHw_tPPF-9Xst/s640/20170409_155219+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Use your fingernails to pry the plastic cover out of its housing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpzXO6BruxWdygcP5pdhGSNZwWSt_nmufnukAifXCoOSs59lgMPLvMj2BM0yLSUozRpqDbwAI6gPgonyd5ePcvNPsmu3VYlKMoKiuyVddZcqhdb6ZqsIDmVTvOHeUX9ze0ACMuYmHRaoc/s1600/20170409_154912+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpzXO6BruxWdygcP5pdhGSNZwWSt_nmufnukAifXCoOSs59lgMPLvMj2BM0yLSUozRpqDbwAI6gPgonyd5ePcvNPsmu3VYlKMoKiuyVddZcqhdb6ZqsIDmVTvOHeUX9ze0ACMuYmHRaoc/s640/20170409_154912+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then carefully detach the wiring by pulling the connector out.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwnvz9RsYDRHo0Wf6r4xdOj1EpJMYIftC_9TfLozXz8Pi2y1N84wA5nOHepBj68_OYEgwKYzpkhcbVNZiVXslPPaMhloDmxnznTQ6VtsAZDJZJI4U9xvBtX8DCJLK70NtIxu4HACbq3i9/s1600/20170409_154938+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwnvz9RsYDRHo0Wf6r4xdOj1EpJMYIftC_9TfLozXz8Pi2y1N84wA5nOHepBj68_OYEgwKYzpkhcbVNZiVXslPPaMhloDmxnznTQ6VtsAZDJZJI4U9xvBtX8DCJLK70NtIxu4HACbq3i9/s640/20170409_154938+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Swap the bulbs over and refit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahv-kLHwaOQWrcbJggEE5kmiO5JDfXQiL1Za8Nl6XcAF7oEYCwmTuPHhQ1POmbKtGr3HoeXVO45TEnxD4mUGTaUR918rsY0pMUuH_PYIE4QUkeomtcqGguJ40BEfDdNFKGb05snNboZQ4/s1600/20170409_155016+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahv-kLHwaOQWrcbJggEE5kmiO5JDfXQiL1Za8Nl6XcAF7oEYCwmTuPHhQ1POmbKtGr3HoeXVO45TEnxD4mUGTaUR918rsY0pMUuH_PYIE4QUkeomtcqGguJ40BEfDdNFKGb05snNboZQ4/s640/20170409_155016+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">REAR MAP LIGHTS </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Firstly you need to take the light cover off. Use your fingers or a
small flat headed screwdriver to take it off by squeesing from both
sides.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rDdaN1XvgKn-VrcQhTL8iNsmpQOQPgJMia7hhCPoQNx3GE8LGlZWyXiCv_oOcZ9tHJeaooJC8KitCcbcRzgacOdcexX7PTOxrgBxRME4szCMq3WBZx-bCR7NdtLLdijbICN3QJtTvBiQ/s1600/20170409_160241+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rDdaN1XvgKn-VrcQhTL8iNsmpQOQPgJMia7hhCPoQNx3GE8LGlZWyXiCv_oOcZ9tHJeaooJC8KitCcbcRzgacOdcexX7PTOxrgBxRME4szCMq3WBZx-bCR7NdtLLdijbICN3QJtTvBiQ/s1600/20170409_160241+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Use a screwdriver to remove the retaining screws.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NAkfH1VtwnZdildwCA2Xu3GiQwOt0sP_Qj_WygjvU6hwMq891P6xbo1UEZplZf_P6snAkvg6B5vzTDtk6yjwXO6__lpFOGR80tPMnc_-LpdlETKCYyUOKH0sflcTgjUzdspFAwx2_zUB/s1600/20170409_160301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NAkfH1VtwnZdildwCA2Xu3GiQwOt0sP_Qj_WygjvU6hwMq891P6xbo1UEZplZf_P6snAkvg6B5vzTDtk6yjwXO6__lpFOGR80tPMnc_-LpdlETKCYyUOKH0sflcTgjUzdspFAwx2_zUB/s640/20170409_160301+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This allows access to the rear of the light and the circuitboard. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-25l0xZThwgoa4Iz0DzZT1ZKyzzpXxID12Qqbz-6Wu5NIoE3lFZ-jLsKeNhCGSysThNhAKytt4JF9T2kMBj9EmvVbnNJt2oLkbv-w-YVPMU9Foxg4h8nhiSWE0YlLvcJcyujuO0CNDC6/s1600/20170409_160316+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-25l0xZThwgoa4Iz0DzZT1ZKyzzpXxID12Qqbz-6Wu5NIoE3lFZ-jLsKeNhCGSysThNhAKytt4JF9T2kMBj9EmvVbnNJt2oLkbv-w-YVPMU9Foxg4h8nhiSWE0YlLvcJcyujuO0CNDC6/s640/20170409_160316+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again, rotate the black knobs anti-clockwise to extract the bulbs. Replace the bulbs in the housing and refit.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">PUDDLE LIGHTS</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d8GnPz2coVryPCm-pJyG7gYSfu5b-ngDbqLElWMzaJsVbGRVueDOOQq2B2mvAUYBrXFUkHkglXt9K-Rr_eOznC5-q9yV3V-p81oBOLsWC0edhZXHzH5KCW8z3LpTeLp92nxAf4HAUsMH/s1600/20170409_162357+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7d8GnPz2coVryPCm-pJyG7gYSfu5b-ngDbqLElWMzaJsVbGRVueDOOQq2B2mvAUYBrXFUkHkglXt9K-Rr_eOznC5-q9yV3V-p81oBOLsWC0edhZXHzH5KCW8z3LpTeLp92nxAf4HAUsMH/s640/20170409_162357+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are one-piece units that fit as a straight replacement for the OEM items.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xNGm5rUv-38CO9Ze8uRxujqNazV0EHIetVlPbuemNN5_wWkv0HfInooqsfJ88rxlonHDxwjnMgT0APBcH-N_wFb_7-uYAxWgt7zZpgmdh8adh8Ypj8xVR0RVsDpxcJm5fZs5LofwEzlF/s1600/20170409_162426+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xNGm5rUv-38CO9Ze8uRxujqNazV0EHIetVlPbuemNN5_wWkv0HfInooqsfJ88rxlonHDxwjnMgT0APBcH-N_wFb_7-uYAxWgt7zZpgmdh8adh8Ypj8xVR0RVsDpxcJm5fZs5LofwEzlF/s640/20170409_162426+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Locate your puddle light under the door.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhxMBK60O-HataVr7apfWViXJqJwn7PpqwJ5qDn2yqPBpa-0S6xjKbM45qXGqbmdPdHBh6D-V8Z49uvS_sIF1mcMKKJbmEIZhGuiMAC7_klXFcRvaHREBtSziF7V5UCGncgbp9mivPS7r/s1600/20170409_162432+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOhxMBK60O-HataVr7apfWViXJqJwn7PpqwJ5qDn2yqPBpa-0S6xjKbM45qXGqbmdPdHBh6D-V8Z49uvS_sIF1mcMKKJbmEIZhGuiMAC7_klXFcRvaHREBtSziF7V5UCGncgbp9mivPS7r/s640/20170409_162432+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pry it off using fingernails or small flat screwdriver. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFgcPJ3lMyA6qW0S9lvTrqNGEIhCY1PreTo9me4yHrxGa-Z05FLsDZYsPZRwTMYLDW_RC_7swd6IdSBYklqV3HXZIOrJKgVZp4QGQgcydGSquF5B3piL6c3c5nWAMoLMP7VQnqDd0Jqn/s1600/20170409_162444+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFgcPJ3lMyA6qW0S9lvTrqNGEIhCY1PreTo9me4yHrxGa-Z05FLsDZYsPZRwTMYLDW_RC_7swd6IdSBYklqV3HXZIOrJKgVZp4QGQgcydGSquF5B3piL6c3c5nWAMoLMP7VQnqDd0Jqn/s640/20170409_162444+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jzTMH1R7Hb2NWoA9S61GfIFKtWyBMwGgvMYlP4kPxmn48BqSjgepdNIH38kBag0EogGQkyZE-hCOLOxhb4sNxQgNQtRUrhqccqx1xp4yLKdaRjoMnH0fpfeUR4wtu3u42OSdt6rdMCgD/s1600/20170409_162509+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jzTMH1R7Hb2NWoA9S61GfIFKtWyBMwGgvMYlP4kPxmn48BqSjgepdNIH38kBag0EogGQkyZE-hCOLOxhb4sNxQgNQtRUrhqccqx1xp4yLKdaRjoMnH0fpfeUR4wtu3u42OSdt6rdMCgD/s640/20170409_162509+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Detach the wiring connector and remove the bulb and holder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM93g1mXebybpEU4ML0KrCxqfE2N8GM2Zs9xKQGLwaYIpazw9aTkmE64MSfswfyZMW8B_kT7GqZPN5jenid_ygzAQ-jaNN-hsHlDCC89wg8xQkDYItMuyaxcQ0OR8EItvQEmnbtoqH9YS/s1600/20170409_162606+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM93g1mXebybpEU4ML0KrCxqfE2N8GM2Zs9xKQGLwaYIpazw9aTkmE64MSfswfyZMW8B_kT7GqZPN5jenid_ygzAQ-jaNN-hsHlDCC89wg8xQkDYItMuyaxcQ0OR8EItvQEmnbtoqH9YS/s640/20170409_162606+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new light fits as a one-piece. Fit the connector into the unit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfvGYL85UDiQGLjRTTb2gGAcchU0AKcqKKg_e601GYyc_BVJfRJtb_zueVqusDcZrEIlHw93_YSrCG58DLLka62x-0T0AVehTK4l051Nuj9zkk-PcPiaDNnQXrQTr8eAkClHh8bWO07Ah/s1600/20170409_162612+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfvGYL85UDiQGLjRTTb2gGAcchU0AKcqKKg_e601GYyc_BVJfRJtb_zueVqusDcZrEIlHw93_YSrCG58DLLka62x-0T0AVehTK4l051Nuj9zkk-PcPiaDNnQXrQTr8eAkClHh8bWO07Ah/s640/20170409_162612+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKUwN34-B0j3jxQv9F1DQPi_coKuKMNDD0hft0TMfLPgOLZz-nkHAHUjusV0TJ7_wPGBuxqmE3d3VsWWUAHrLrHoDV4zrOQLi8vAagknESrgiLKzg12yj9KlaVBu3-Zn-6KaaxaDqyU1S/s1600/20170409_162617+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKUwN34-B0j3jxQv9F1DQPi_coKuKMNDD0hft0TMfLPgOLZz-nkHAHUjusV0TJ7_wPGBuxqmE3d3VsWWUAHrLrHoDV4zrOQLi8vAagknESrgiLKzg12yj9KlaVBu3-Zn-6KaaxaDqyU1S/s640/20170409_162617+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Slot it back in to place. All done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">INTERIOR LIGHT</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The interior light LED replacement is super easy. Take off the cover (pinch) and remove the main bulb and replace with the LED item. Replace the cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn_fGbxZWeiSAqS2k1pMxD6BoyJx7NxSZYBueyEKvxXO6-EhzjiQe1s7I5wvJ_6tQGaoU50a6EWlEdUuJMnu89P1E8g-1uo5bxWKsyAgi4-KOqKjD9gv_FT-LXG0IIpen_0-fzpXYTCOh/s1600/20170422_172039+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn_fGbxZWeiSAqS2k1pMxD6BoyJx7NxSZYBueyEKvxXO6-EhzjiQe1s7I5wvJ_6tQGaoU50a6EWlEdUuJMnu89P1E8g-1uo5bxWKsyAgi4-KOqKjD9gv_FT-LXG0IIpen_0-fzpXYTCOh/s640/20170422_172039+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaUT1SRdeM_65tuT5HJvLgYAGjzM7jjk2Xg2FpQQInfg0-i5m7HEQVZAl5H0qML4Q9swPs9HxM5tPYjCpi2OqmNUQKhy8gqkbXtXEWSiGBV_h3Q5IABBYjPXhE-J90wvjJCQkxX0iZCJL/s1600/20170422_172059+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaUT1SRdeM_65tuT5HJvLgYAGjzM7jjk2Xg2FpQQInfg0-i5m7HEQVZAl5H0qML4Q9swPs9HxM5tPYjCpi2OqmNUQKhy8gqkbXtXEWSiGBV_h3Q5IABBYjPXhE-J90wvjJCQkxX0iZCJL/s640/20170422_172059+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FRONT SIDELIGHTS </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Replacing the front sidelights is again pretty easy. Word of warning though, if you are buying LEDs as replacements then make sure they fit! We ordered some LEDs that were just too long to fit in the light housing, so had to order some shorter ones!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbuNN7l9NvjqMjM5NPdqnqO_k3o9SqoTIRXVR58krUCqcQEdgA6IO3kyeDlBZRs7zCLXZF_cAPnxwmjqQMyydPDo8yaXnotCXpOUFuhoasEIYw2BXkjmbxDDHzjgdm4_WieeujOOE_h1M/s1600/20170422_150931+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbuNN7l9NvjqMjM5NPdqnqO_k3o9SqoTIRXVR58krUCqcQEdgA6IO3kyeDlBZRs7zCLXZF_cAPnxwmjqQMyydPDo8yaXnotCXpOUFuhoasEIYw2BXkjmbxDDHzjgdm4_WieeujOOE_h1M/s400/20170422_150931+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are too long!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvUkYDxCDfO-MewI7N9_4UoZnRGJEayxcTJG3BpzOxKSynGRQcVekex5SJkbqawg1b4PaJPZFJxIqwOYmZBqABVgpA1Bin3tDBZJIBP-OlbUcn0MNTJqm-KnT6jxzrtE5gpGVcH0CqU-z/s1600/20170422_150943+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvUkYDxCDfO-MewI7N9_4UoZnRGJEayxcTJG3BpzOxKSynGRQcVekex5SJkbqawg1b4PaJPZFJxIqwOYmZBqABVgpA1Bin3tDBZJIBP-OlbUcn0MNTJqm-KnT6jxzrtE5gpGVcH0CqU-z/s1600/20170422_150943+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvIobNhFpEUtrJoHKYxjhPxjOuvuzbhcKgMNYKlBu4oCQD_Mo47a7dZ99-8-mvxVgW50B91LNIh3WYZuMb7xuCA1M9UeIL6VHF-HzOPjelvcgyIBKooTUUlt4ZThJtR8-BRbN0Vls7Uw_/s1600/20170422_150959+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvIobNhFpEUtrJoHKYxjhPxjOuvuzbhcKgMNYKlBu4oCQD_Mo47a7dZ99-8-mvxVgW50B91LNIh3WYZuMb7xuCA1M9UeIL6VHF-HzOPjelvcgyIBKooTUUlt4ZThJtR8-BRbN0Vls7Uw_/s1600/20170422_150959+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The original bulb</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWarQCyvNZRcsINYhxAAx5j2Um03SxWlEG2CFWK9G03-Y-2oO0K5p4WUr5lSkYxqpfH_sMiIePZnQfZI9w_0DKp9vkQzpL-LW_s7FyJpCdjyg9di1claR7QIOvasYtNhLPdAjf9P0YPXPk/s1600/20170422_151018+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWarQCyvNZRcsINYhxAAx5j2Um03SxWlEG2CFWK9G03-Y-2oO0K5p4WUr5lSkYxqpfH_sMiIePZnQfZI9w_0DKp9vkQzpL-LW_s7FyJpCdjyg9di1claR7QIOvasYtNhLPdAjf9P0YPXPk/s1600/20170422_151018+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sidelight bulb is housed inside the bumper next to the indicator (the big connector). Access the bulb by twisting its (smaller) connector anti-clockwise and pulling out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpXhmwi8O7IsLL3Qbr2Gi4EmyCxcYPoeSkyNXJl-nma3DhQiD8V8hAt4gcm0C-GpC8Fcz1BrfjGK-1tcO3PUtLEWMhTxK7V7IFUAYlLTnA5-cXKwdszehjPjF_mGLbCOGKDeminc3kFGB/s1600/20170422_151046+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpXhmwi8O7IsLL3Qbr2Gi4EmyCxcYPoeSkyNXJl-nma3DhQiD8V8hAt4gcm0C-GpC8Fcz1BrfjGK-1tcO3PUtLEWMhTxK7V7IFUAYlLTnA5-cXKwdszehjPjF_mGLbCOGKDeminc3kFGB/s640/20170422_151046+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sidelight connector is the small black one shown on the left and the indicator connector is the big white one (covered in tar).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw1GA_84_RAwXmO3_C5i1r3ORHXCmir58xJ1fsdEBChRjsbJ0QDF0io54OFKqRDAte6BwT_xQ7xWHVp_dx5SrSuTQav75KIzsRp7YlhWCZjch-xu8KNcB7RJ_q8YLgIfanxuKuIY9ClAo/s1600/20170422_151103+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw1GA_84_RAwXmO3_C5i1r3ORHXCmir58xJ1fsdEBChRjsbJ0QDF0io54OFKqRDAte6BwT_xQ7xWHVp_dx5SrSuTQav75KIzsRp7YlhWCZjch-xu8KNcB7RJ_q8YLgIfanxuKuIY9ClAo/s1600/20170422_151103+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old bulb extracted.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxsVEfXE2t1CZRaTjGTj52bgRxHBDu1W0f2McfVpsT9cNhrtFJithR6WSSjyTOmb-PYCrHXXDw4YTvfhq8Ru_c-kAaZHtqm3tG9zaKmQX2a2nIX2QCHMloublALy0MTZQGeBL_372FVJM/s1600/20170613_164708+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxsVEfXE2t1CZRaTjGTj52bgRxHBDu1W0f2McfVpsT9cNhrtFJithR6WSSjyTOmb-PYCrHXXDw4YTvfhq8Ru_c-kAaZHtqm3tG9zaKmQX2a2nIX2QCHMloublALy0MTZQGeBL_372FVJM/s640/20170613_164708+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remove the old bulb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf543xEwwg-nB4qvDVF876_96-HQoMSNNxNP5AjqgZAV4zDBP3RpVkYuK9Byvd-2xS-JUO7Yn2a-MGtk_FsCxpUtB7jRoLcYabkKPrg7Ob9bLltSSG5mpMtSmVm9GWJTzJJsaQJRRi3TTO/s1600/20170613_164820+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf543xEwwg-nB4qvDVF876_96-HQoMSNNxNP5AjqgZAV4zDBP3RpVkYuK9Byvd-2xS-JUO7Yn2a-MGtk_FsCxpUtB7jRoLcYabkKPrg7Ob9bLltSSG5mpMtSmVm9GWJTzJJsaQJRRi3TTO/s640/20170613_164820+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Replace with the new LED bulb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzfMFG4HmKa5CPliSlvSYyFk3QHWzno8KdEKGHcFF7kgZSibk5mdRf0VqejIKxtogqERUCm6Dx8qiWtafeDfkEx97MUy_iM47U3QSEBr3lZGGPI-ShsLpiZvNL42IappApx79SteDrrYO/s1600/20170613_165147+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzfMFG4HmKa5CPliSlvSYyFk3QHWzno8KdEKGHcFF7kgZSibk5mdRf0VqejIKxtogqERUCm6Dx8qiWtafeDfkEx97MUy_iM47U3QSEBr3lZGGPI-ShsLpiZvNL42IappApx79SteDrrYO/s640/20170613_165147+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check to make sure the bulb works before refitting into the housing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdlwISPOOI5xxZOyfFRrKvo12tTdQ5bYRNixI5XOZfz51MsQZWkhZuncUQr80JGddqkKX-APIk6KvhtdeiAcguS8sQ9pCN6Oe5cwDl3MMiml3IpuNbpU_7dvhIBdeNCx20aLexsesOTei/s1600/20170613_164855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdlwISPOOI5xxZOyfFRrKvo12tTdQ5bYRNixI5XOZfz51MsQZWkhZuncUQr80JGddqkKX-APIk6KvhtdeiAcguS8sQ9pCN6Oe5cwDl3MMiml3IpuNbpU_7dvhIBdeNCx20aLexsesOTei/s640/20170613_164855+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Refit into housing. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouSANbeItH6xUjrGDo3zEaH-8ek9jjInAtECd8g7JZbDHz0VIwA3vl0sn0_7re79bezPPAGSTFFYmZMKY9oJdBSwcwUMbXOt-vHu-ZYrA3Su_lTvdOXuadoDBB9rE5t3tniydMXKsrmvI/s1600/20170613_165258+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouSANbeItH6xUjrGDo3zEaH-8ek9jjInAtECd8g7JZbDHz0VIwA3vl0sn0_7re79bezPPAGSTFFYmZMKY9oJdBSwcwUMbXOt-vHu-ZYrA3Su_lTvdOXuadoDBB9rE5t3tniydMXKsrmvI/s640/20170613_165258+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turn it on and...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXBRaJbOle4GDWoFyMTW1kZfkq4G4gk3ODC6JRVyIJT4LoBmFczgI7zc9-o04I36KyUv0Z4yL0a00MXHmR1dzx9q9hLF2u5BNQ3tUngpsaI1uLwK_BOKaaECkviNRWNQdfsUkCKm2HG_B/s1600/20170613_165308+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXBRaJbOle4GDWoFyMTW1kZfkq4G4gk3ODC6JRVyIJT4LoBmFczgI7zc9-o04I36KyUv0Z4yL0a00MXHmR1dzx9q9hLF2u5BNQ3tUngpsaI1uLwK_BOKaaECkviNRWNQdfsUkCKm2HG_B/s640/20170613_165308+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey presto... LED sidelights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgEqQYm2KN3VIh5CYFpcxcn-J4t7RKkf7072SMuIxt7uhI1PV-P9k2RIgd-w6gAKPas6qIS8aFOHiEOD27ZGON2h8dK_9Qry8HDr3cC82YArq9jbgwOjq7oH_PdfRHUeq2QagZ-nNaVUS/s1600/20170421_193509+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgEqQYm2KN3VIh5CYFpcxcn-J4t7RKkf7072SMuIxt7uhI1PV-P9k2RIgd-w6gAKPas6qIS8aFOHiEOD27ZGON2h8dK_9Qry8HDr3cC82YArq9jbgwOjq7oH_PdfRHUeq2QagZ-nNaVUS/s640/20170421_193509+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmyVaBoykWA77wBU9JoF5Q0zu35O2Ffd8FdSpSKGnCtgix8C32Q7pusCuDmkWakr7uW9E5ZquJxjkRhmY6ZYw5tV6u6Jmk7gSRVjV0lheha15-t3FHE9BLZJrl1OhO-H81dgbwwN-m1G6/s1600/20170421_193516+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmyVaBoykWA77wBU9JoF5Q0zu35O2Ffd8FdSpSKGnCtgix8C32Q7pusCuDmkWakr7uW9E5ZquJxjkRhmY6ZYw5tV6u6Jmk7gSRVjV0lheha15-t3FHE9BLZJrl1OhO-H81dgbwwN-m1G6/s640/20170421_193516+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU4Cnf5YSHgOLan6xRyW_trmbVhOToJ0LWfjVPryZUy_Gu7GhkFpltPmjiwl14Mj-eh9ohpT8gSoNXjpimM_LBBkwpoEVpXisCNpuwwdK5DzjSxLtWR9HGggky1788b0GarjmhcPfBx8U/s1600/20170513_221146+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU4Cnf5YSHgOLan6xRyW_trmbVhOToJ0LWfjVPryZUy_Gu7GhkFpltPmjiwl14Mj-eh9ohpT8gSoNXjpimM_LBBkwpoEVpXisCNpuwwdK5DzjSxLtWR9HGggky1788b0GarjmhcPfBx8U/s640/20170513_221146+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-42404926141464455332017-12-11T16:45:00.000+00:002017-12-11T16:45:30.461+00:00Winter MOT time... what's the damage?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fDxaLuYIpaZD_FeUcFeChKOQ0InVTVNCx9VIJZrP0akjz4ItVh3apDaP_blqgACk4XZt1S00W3PHtd3_yJjIPQAnXBOk4VRAON46tgzMNmNYziH2iYTHsbj866iL41jKDmAPtdK7nHZI/s1600/20170127_140311+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fDxaLuYIpaZD_FeUcFeChKOQ0InVTVNCx9VIJZrP0akjz4ItVh3apDaP_blqgACk4XZt1S00W3PHtd3_yJjIPQAnXBOk4VRAON46tgzMNmNYziH2iYTHsbj866iL41jKDmAPtdK7nHZI/s640/20170127_140311+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the wintery weather has come, causing a number of the MINI gremlins to venture out, Christmas has emptied our wallets and the dreaded MOT is upon us at possibly the worst time of year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNlz5hSBP-4d8bgmp3Pb6sb0tZNHUks4L9yLiFimavgLEBlqbVGHXwRV7kN3fsZsXfiAiG0LRoPmVV_k7fH3dBgYI0qKWDKCrOBoN4UwIjtiE1yH7j5uJoDTdjL6A7cwq6igXZ_XpV6ON/s1600/20170209_155953+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNlz5hSBP-4d8bgmp3Pb6sb0tZNHUks4L9yLiFimavgLEBlqbVGHXwRV7kN3fsZsXfiAiG0LRoPmVV_k7fH3dBgYI0qKWDKCrOBoN4UwIjtiE1yH7j5uJoDTdjL6A7cwq6igXZ_XpV6ON/s640/20170209_155953+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I knew of a couple of faults, I thought I'd put it through the test anyway and see what fixes I needed to do. While the MINI was up on the ramp I had a little look over it - as you do - and saw one of the undersides has ripped, possibly been caught on my rugged driveway, so that looks a mess. Back to the test, and as it happens, there was nothing too drastic to worry about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf2Dod5a7gM8GOMSnCJI1_zUIzaWg16TD5NwetJeMqu3G7-UznRjr4qG0CENxuK7WT_pBRsEqjWaPIdT8j5hDdFbedFSXSUgY7wused-er1AFZqGYdoVI04ISJi1f8VW27B253VkQEWmp/s1600/20170127_144350+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqf2Dod5a7gM8GOMSnCJI1_zUIzaWg16TD5NwetJeMqu3G7-UznRjr4qG0CENxuK7WT_pBRsEqjWaPIdT8j5hDdFbedFSXSUgY7wused-er1AFZqGYdoVI04ISJi1f8VW27B253VkQEWmp/s640/20170127_144350+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of rear tyres and some bulbs out, which I knew about, but then also a track rod end and headlight re-alignment was required too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I already had some tyres ready and a quick trip to the local autofactors saw me pick up the bulbs too. Once home a gave Mintech Spares, in Bury, a call to book in the track rod end change before cracking out the ratchet and spanners to change some bulbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0e7qzosfrKlhavrsOwu1kszyw879dBxUrNdFmmjIldAD1iInwnMDsfh2yWo4ZaKfjCG_LJfWA0o7Bn6WDhK3RvWDl5QXoph5bAqYqaSydBqB9cUlp5qwsYwdEaHDTnc1m5Z6Mo6C2A71/s1600/20170127_112552+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0e7qzosfrKlhavrsOwu1kszyw879dBxUrNdFmmjIldAD1iInwnMDsfh2yWo4ZaKfjCG_LJfWA0o7Bn6WDhK3RvWDl5QXoph5bAqYqaSydBqB9cUlp5qwsYwdEaHDTnc1m5Z6Mo6C2A71/s640/20170127_112552+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The front bulb is easy enough, just reaching behind the bumper and unclicking the housing by rotating it anticlockwise. The bulb just slides out of its holder for an easy replacement. And yes I know the car looks a mess with all that tar on it - it does get cleaner later!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohfTpw-dX1OACRpGNxlW8Gq6hs-TXK-b_6I81d7oyrVIuY0wOIUQVxqXKgxI2muyYJxIR0Lo9kWLgA6mnB1PmOghw1wewyDiET7xrtnDkZVKOmAtnoAhLyps5lLls6L2AxO8LkkS-Eliz/s1600/20170129_155302+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohfTpw-dX1OACRpGNxlW8Gq6hs-TXK-b_6I81d7oyrVIuY0wOIUQVxqXKgxI2muyYJxIR0Lo9kWLgA6mnB1PmOghw1wewyDiET7xrtnDkZVKOmAtnoAhLyps5lLls6L2AxO8LkkS-Eliz/s640/20170129_155302+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Replacing the rear bulb is easy enough too. This is not the first time I've had to do this either, despite buying some Heavy Duty bulbs - supposedly a thicker wire prevents them being damaged so easily. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To access the rear light cluster, open the boot and remove the relevant side panel. There should be a big bolt thread sticking out with a nut on it. Undo this, preferably with a ratchet spanner (else it can take a while), and then push the bolt thread out whilst holding the light cluster which should come free.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remove the wiring connector by pressing the tab and pulling. You can then open the light cluster by pressing the two tabs and unclick the relevant bulb and replace it. Job done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcJvV-7mgF6bGaehJR6q6J_7HloGi0Xn8fePL4__mcKGmkZ0CRXERtbXnS_8HZVQiNo8cKY8cBXU3Qf1vt8tCN_OWHU6UppXQWSGGva9mdvqAh_JnxDls_QUjFIO7hrbzzkfrZ0BK2pEN/s1600/20170209_115350+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcJvV-7mgF6bGaehJR6q6J_7HloGi0Xn8fePL4__mcKGmkZ0CRXERtbXnS_8HZVQiNo8cKY8cBXU3Qf1vt8tCN_OWHU6UppXQWSGGva9mdvqAh_JnxDls_QUjFIO7hrbzzkfrZ0BK2pEN/s640/20170209_115350+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="522" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later, I headed to Mintech Spares in Bury, where Dan, Neil and Martin had arranged to replace the dodgy track rod end. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd recently discovered they've got themselves a tyre changing machine too, so chucked my new tyres in the back with some new Mintex pads to try and kill a few birds with one stone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a friendly chat and brew, I went out to check on how our grumpy northern mechanic, Martin, was doing on the job. I jest. It's all in good fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI_jyChTB7flO-9BobUCzk2LsjGlq6cvvYY8stxEpOHBAUfVWdIWaYTJvKxr398U1e7vx8IBvY5VkBf6CSKXuDlgipbq-CBZsiecSnyTftUUQFULvkVloG5Ipgq6TjscH8678STeks67q/s1600/20170209_120414+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI_jyChTB7flO-9BobUCzk2LsjGlq6cvvYY8stxEpOHBAUfVWdIWaYTJvKxr398U1e7vx8IBvY5VkBf6CSKXuDlgipbq-CBZsiecSnyTftUUQFULvkVloG5Ipgq6TjscH8678STeks67q/s640/20170209_120414+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finding a decent replacement part from their massive array of stock wasn't hard and before long Martin had whipped the old part off and fitted a better one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LOT6i2BM6QnGIztAlhiGu98DQ4OOL3qNG-xiKtxhOcjyxUWlD5A7PMFTweLk3gRBbqzs4sKBf8rwjqNpC0IcNVTPZ5x6vLdu3Sye9e7Sl8tKcwXXZYx6OTMg2aKJeSMzuJniGpQfPlNb/s1600/20170209_121125+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LOT6i2BM6QnGIztAlhiGu98DQ4OOL3qNG-xiKtxhOcjyxUWlD5A7PMFTweLk3gRBbqzs4sKBf8rwjqNpC0IcNVTPZ5x6vLdu3Sye9e7Sl8tKcwXXZYx6OTMg2aKJeSMzuJniGpQfPlNb/s1600/20170209_121125+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One job down, just the small task of changing the brake pads, a couple of tyres and swapping the wheels from front to back (best tyres at the front!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4JQ19bFps2VMIY3p70-5aR-tHdi0gtKpT08366WsJxeJe_25y6NiYSkGSwZCOk_hPGp6KMEwFJy1EiGcSPxEJK0h5SQbQnBaGWmAqb-IdPDKXhaPOLZ5SI_0fr1kICMZ5wHlEdr-YASd/s1600/20170209_125156+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4JQ19bFps2VMIY3p70-5aR-tHdi0gtKpT08366WsJxeJe_25y6NiYSkGSwZCOk_hPGp6KMEwFJy1EiGcSPxEJK0h5SQbQnBaGWmAqb-IdPDKXhaPOLZ5SI_0fr1kICMZ5wHlEdr-YASd/s400/20170209_125156+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbRW8Lb-SyRoIBQk0xHWatmTKa55sO34iNp0LYE-nYv6Fo9oUMAjsHofeoRLpaD1LQJ44_y7AMyiwQiC8W17sQlvNWr_UoOgU0FkH-67brdKl9kJv3afmvRaf3sPX4R4cWxy3Bq2jZVCZ/s1600/20170209_125311+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbRW8Lb-SyRoIBQk0xHWatmTKa55sO34iNp0LYE-nYv6Fo9oUMAjsHofeoRLpaD1LQJ44_y7AMyiwQiC8W17sQlvNWr_UoOgU0FkH-67brdKl9kJv3afmvRaf3sPX4R4cWxy3Bq2jZVCZ/s400/20170209_125311+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The awesome guys at Mintex brakes have sent me some brand new pads to try out. I've pretty much always used Mintex brakes on my classic Mini, but as my MINI had new pads when I bought it a couple of years ago I haven't needed to change them yet. However, the brake pad light has come on and with the colder weather I have noticed more brake fade in recent weeks and just less confidence in the brakes - which is always a good sign to get them changed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwxvgdQmBzLKkDW91uDPbulMwpcv-gzvFDoOADZ8UOUECt4LZ8KVhepeIW_9-cU7ze3DGf-Gk4KWNeO4Uux59NfsmTzqsiuOYW7tSWj0d8zohnUSVf5bRKGubMem7gMuubbL1KA2h8rh/s1600/20170209_122420+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhwxvgdQmBzLKkDW91uDPbulMwpcv-gzvFDoOADZ8UOUECt4LZ8KVhepeIW_9-cU7ze3DGf-Gk4KWNeO4Uux59NfsmTzqsiuOYW7tSWj0d8zohnUSVf5bRKGubMem7gMuubbL1KA2h8rh/s1600/20170209_122420+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking at the remains of the pads, it seems there wasn't much life left in them anyway - so I'd say I got my money's worth out of them. You could say the same for the tyres.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CngqdZQx4gcoajo5NLgshmPzV-vQZ3yqDwtRPVgsDgzDmQYlobynDzvabaDBbX6rZPQD7sjIIm3VC_gZXWbWgcG2n6EAKdJzr77AZtUNf-DSZwoG44M4OPKOrmGKT2cd-B-qZ0d2Qm9i/s1600/20170209_123912+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CngqdZQx4gcoajo5NLgshmPzV-vQZ3yqDwtRPVgsDgzDmQYlobynDzvabaDBbX6rZPQD7sjIIm3VC_gZXWbWgcG2n6EAKdJzr77AZtUNf-DSZwoG44M4OPKOrmGKT2cd-B-qZ0d2Qm9i/s1600/20170209_123912+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These Hankooks were on test and I must say they didn't last as long as I was hoping, pushing around 16 months. Their replacements come from Dunlop - the Sport Maxx RT 2. They have straight tyre treads too which help their efficiency rating, but it made me question their potential traction in the wet and cold and longevity... only time will tell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvlgIKiFzlpi9lH3FnfFbLeBeVicWTE37nEDx02i1aIvmadgawrDpUqZKa63wA1nXaiM-b0NiRPqkdXuBD8irpTFUsyBXYxAgxnUo6u6pSLTLcM5acvCCi7apgMiqPZEalxJN602gdDXg/s1600/20170209_130752+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvlgIKiFzlpi9lH3FnfFbLeBeVicWTE37nEDx02i1aIvmadgawrDpUqZKa63wA1nXaiM-b0NiRPqkdXuBD8irpTFUsyBXYxAgxnUo6u6pSLTLcM5acvCCi7apgMiqPZEalxJN602gdDXg/s640/20170209_130752+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New rubber on and the wheels swapped, I remembered I had bought a wheel sensor that had been chewed up months ago. I pulled it out of the glovebox and handed it to Martin to plug it in. Another minor job fixed and hopefully ready to pass the MOT retest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTF597J7LVX0Yy-LO7HH0H79iUNL0piC4dY8lHezVc03IFTVKI9oApqQ9fOEIm8qX02svQQKoah59XTc9mPQGVG4jyF82pSFv4qyvVn8gXv07rPhnaqIfueJoqOTMRtu74s0te2DRDR1a/s1600/20170209_124808+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTF597J7LVX0Yy-LO7HH0H79iUNL0piC4dY8lHezVc03IFTVKI9oApqQ9fOEIm8qX02svQQKoah59XTc9mPQGVG4jyF82pSFv4qyvVn8gXv07rPhnaqIfueJoqOTMRtu74s0te2DRDR1a/s400/20170209_124808+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaaZvcOmZpwS7qShyPBFhpP26w4RXN91V3cPayYu5f_qOxiUq3s6T1I4Ti8C5Jt0B5qIyrNIkcxCGoBD-K9bSx15XFKZAQIiy74rpcmgbMDkEVmSsIi9QPRpkYXDHYatAWrZYsuSWvOb7/s1600/20170209_124818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaaZvcOmZpwS7qShyPBFhpP26w4RXN91V3cPayYu5f_qOxiUq3s6T1I4Ti8C5Jt0B5qIyrNIkcxCGoBD-K9bSx15XFKZAQIiy74rpcmgbMDkEVmSsIi9QPRpkYXDHYatAWrZYsuSWvOb7/s400/20170209_124818+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQqXNW9i4zedKoVrQ7sift_UPnY_mCmzpw9ZpkjAKMZ0foEK6a9k3lgIuX35sYa9nx0EeKzOs1Eb8zbnP5n4eN2rkokUGz5GNhSEM05aOpQclOevz9CX4rsYm-aBCGIvYyGD1E2OSW8fk/s1600/20170209_124954+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQqXNW9i4zedKoVrQ7sift_UPnY_mCmzpw9ZpkjAKMZ0foEK6a9k3lgIuX35sYa9nx0EeKzOs1Eb8zbnP5n4eN2rkokUGz5GNhSEM05aOpQclOevz9CX4rsYm-aBCGIvYyGD1E2OSW8fk/s640/20170209_124954+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the new Track Rod End and new tyres, I needed to get the tracking done again and wheels rebalanced. This also got done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the test centre, all went to plan - well almost. We spent a good 20 minutes trying to figure out how to realign the MINI's headlights (as I thought they were self-leveling - which they are, but that doesn't affect alignment). After some googling and a phonecall we found the headlight adjusters behind the front cluster and finally managed to sort my headlights so I'm not blinding other drivers. Lucky them!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb4YixUruo21wePwWYtBa9e0IU2v1Qay7FYGrQgcoJC6AeMerpnLQioRPNGWowRhI1gvF3fohNQcoCHzDgAwM1V7MR7pmeVE-j6LMA7goqNq7F8Rj5SGj1oB29STI3rIqQTmPkqJcK8PK/s1600/20170209_162718+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyb4YixUruo21wePwWYtBa9e0IU2v1Qay7FYGrQgcoJC6AeMerpnLQioRPNGWowRhI1gvF3fohNQcoCHzDgAwM1V7MR7pmeVE-j6LMA7goqNq7F8Rj5SGj1oB29STI3rIqQTmPkqJcK8PK/s640/20170209_162718+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And.... we have a PASS. Great. All set for another year... hold on, what's this..? Why is my window not working? </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many thanks to </span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">TYRE BAY, NELSON</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/tyrebaynelson/">https://www.facebook.com/tyrebaynelson/</a></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MINTECH SPARES, BURY<cite class="_Rm"> </cite></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/"><cite class="_Rm">www.mintechspares.co.uk/</cite></a></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MINTEX BRAKE PADS<br /><a href="https://mintex.com/"><cite class="_Rm">https://mintex.com</cite></a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><cite class="_Rm"> </cite></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DUNLOP TYRES</span></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.dunlop.eu/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><cite class="_Rm">https://www.dunlop.eu</cite></span></a></b>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-55362190629967959252017-08-02T13:00:00.000+01:002017-08-02T13:00:03.688+01:00Back on the flatbed!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54C_YSRghjp-LFNF2wsS3Oy9f7q3zDf_7Nld-kkt95i0atPES2uhyphenhyphenV3G9F6WOzms35dVL6PPVOFYY5Q_ehX8e6a7zxXE_5lgweGumRSr4M8MuZujJY007IvHGsT4Z99bsCL6Kei5JPeP_/s1600/16763697_10155028083381103_1859996346_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54C_YSRghjp-LFNF2wsS3Oy9f7q3zDf_7Nld-kkt95i0atPES2uhyphenhyphenV3G9F6WOzms35dVL6PPVOFYY5Q_ehX8e6a7zxXE_5lgweGumRSr4M8MuZujJY007IvHGsT4Z99bsCL6Kei5JPeP_/s640/16763697_10155028083381103_1859996346_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Deja vu.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You'd think with everything that's gone wrong and been replace on my MINI that there couldn't be much more to fail on me. Sadly, you're wrong. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst having a leisurely drive through town (read stuck in rush hour traffic) on a regular local run with the car full of family, the clutch pedal suddenly went... no back pressure, so it was stuck to the floor. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Panic set in. This wasn't good, and highly embarrassing. I tried to lift it back up with my foot and see what I could do to get it going with a hope and a prayer. Traffic in front of me was moving forward and I was still stationary. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I restarted the engine, and still no pressure. Uh oh. So I put the hazard lights on and jumped out to try and push it to the kerb. With a queue of traffic behind me, the guy in the car behind me quickly realized the situation and also jumped out to help me move the Mini. <br /><br />With the car to one side, I sat back in the car and contemplated my next move. I was about a mile from home, mostly downhill. At this time (5pm) garages will be shut or shutting, and my repairers of choice - Mintech - would be closed too. As is always the case when I breakdown... it was a Friday. And you know what that means. Nothing is open for the weekend either. This <i>always</i> seems to happen!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFS0UDOMbev0LREh8sbSckK7bnZ18mUpBzCJuBJzJOL64yr7dA-Ff7ZvG4VRKAZ-hs6W9V00J_kv6jtz67TxiYHncx8S5-l6oj6BRcxapfNGHAbGASFC8ukgzi9_kIgvJDvHk74M9W7zI/s1600/16731495_10155028083256103_1641650698_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFS0UDOMbev0LREh8sbSckK7bnZ18mUpBzCJuBJzJOL64yr7dA-Ff7ZvG4VRKAZ-hs6W9V00J_kv6jtz67TxiYHncx8S5-l6oj6BRcxapfNGHAbGASFC8ukgzi9_kIgvJDvHk74M9W7zI/s640/16731495_10155028083256103_1641650698_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I gave my pals at Mintech a call and they agreed to come and collect it on Sunday for me and lend me their Minivan so I would have a car to get the kids to school and stuff. Now that's what I call customer service!!! Absolute legends...again!! I called StartRescue, my recovery service, and arranged collection.<br /><br />Ok, so now I start planning. I'm thinking, if I'm going to be without a car all weekend I'm going to have to stock up on stuff. I figured I could walk to the shops and pick up some supplies and a McDs for the kids while I waited for the recovery truck. I also had to get my girlfriend's kids from the next town, so decided to ask the recovery driver to take us there, and I left the car outside a friendly garage until Mintech came in a couple of days. <br /><br />After getting all the kids we got a taxi home and had a quiet one until the heroes turned up to fix my crisis and lend me their little motor. The kids certainly liked it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGS2NGO_ZxILG26EY7cpO9huIZxmfCb9LigoY29SoTzsn6gquxdcKmzQK2R5zzF35QCPXsQWiwASrkqTYwdKC2HnXxdaSjFzUyjQaz6UVU7oArrLJV9eKzlGbaCUavU-Zjl2rtEVnP44_/s1600/16763616_10155028083506103_1990772884_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGS2NGO_ZxILG26EY7cpO9huIZxmfCb9LigoY29SoTzsn6gquxdcKmzQK2R5zzF35QCPXsQWiwASrkqTYwdKC2HnXxdaSjFzUyjQaz6UVU7oArrLJV9eKzlGbaCUavU-Zjl2rtEVnP44_/s640/16763616_10155028083506103_1990772884_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The next day I gave Mintech a call and if you've not already guessed, it was the clutch master cylinder seals that had gone. So I had to have that replaced too. Crikey! <br /><br />By Tuesday my Mini was ready to pick up - and they wanted their van back. Martin said the clutch might feel a bit spongy for a couple of days but it would return to normal. Sure enough it was quite tricky getting it into gear for the return journey back home, but by the next day it was pretty much back to normal. And I gave it some extra pumping too for good measure. <br /><br />Next up around the corner is the MoT. Dun dun duuuuh!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mintech Spares</b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No.1 in the UK for BMW MINI Spares</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="_xdb"></span><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a class="fl r-iqRZOey7G_Nw" data-number="+441617611615" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="iqRZOey7G_Nw" data-ved="0ahUKEwippcWstpXVAhUDAsAKHX22CAUQkAgIpwEoADAR" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Call via Hangouts">0161 761 1615</a></span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/"><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv">www.mintechspares.co.uk</span></a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-Xv-tlbzannVdknD5UouWZThWQ7O2YUSDRZKZ4sIDq906ON0bk-nlQ-Kpx3rCtJIWvF6nJH36UrN6w8PpJEOdAaajMjNFffvFYXiAJ3R2U83gaNhI3pItURZ1-I99sPHhzAj8uR34cCc/s1600/16804798_10155028082986103_1823743837_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-Xv-tlbzannVdknD5UouWZThWQ7O2YUSDRZKZ4sIDq906ON0bk-nlQ-Kpx3rCtJIWvF6nJH36UrN6w8PpJEOdAaajMjNFffvFYXiAJ3R2U83gaNhI3pItURZ1-I99sPHhzAj8uR34cCc/s640/16804798_10155028082986103_1823743837_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rule 1.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-66173247121612348912017-07-30T13:00:00.000+01:002017-07-30T13:00:25.325+01:00No more premature deaths<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbIHjrFaJdoPdP-u7Nihp6EpTKXTyD6ddozNVrlRRQYV2NBb9t1v7A4z3dOHvM-muDuzy-3vtt8UKEkZUMhelNHUe5Aii2-WYQ95XkhuwTaEFDp3c_tbEZXzT3eV_FEMGAFWoZKUbiacE/s1600/14264020_10154527738406103_7664343768919400813_n+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbIHjrFaJdoPdP-u7Nihp6EpTKXTyD6ddozNVrlRRQYV2NBb9t1v7A4z3dOHvM-muDuzy-3vtt8UKEkZUMhelNHUe5Aii2-WYQ95XkhuwTaEFDp3c_tbEZXzT3eV_FEMGAFWoZKUbiacE/s640/14264020_10154527738406103_7664343768919400813_n+%2528Custom%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Right, so enough is enough. With the Mini dying on me and more fuel cutouts than I care to remember I decided to address the issue once and for all. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvphk-LMmURNIaPKCAeQgTLydHDKAIo4QXsh6xdXQlQPYT24siaH0ZkYBVC4xoedKPQPzIvVkGyqIgW1jiQ9bPSkCK5Z-6Ej0aWRTKmyiQyJjq8gqSSWBZckSDAR-KIle7zl622RwZxA1n/s1600/photo%25285%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1446" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvphk-LMmURNIaPKCAeQgTLydHDKAIo4QXsh6xdXQlQPYT24siaH0ZkYBVC4xoedKPQPzIvVkGyqIgW1jiQ9bPSkCK5Z-6Ej0aWRTKmyiQyJjq8gqSSWBZckSDAR-KIle7zl622RwZxA1n/s640/photo%25285%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Firstly, I had got some STP Complete Fuel Cleaner in an effort to clean out the fuel system and hopefully unblock/unclog whatever it was I thought was preventing the engine getting power in the low-revs. We had a day out planned to Blackpool Sandcastles Water Park so stuck a bottle of this in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sadly, it didn't seem to have any effect, but like a lot of problems, finding the solution or the actual cause is a case of trial and error.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLXgqvuiBE2fXEZUxOFvOscD15qzeG-nvyLCPQetsKKkoy0WkfJYDzk8_G1_uAxuPzG981og__06GbZhngC4MzzKQNZR_DloFvoTuPL5_JaX44a1yd0aJWCOWkr8Pp3qeY35Ix7lwaO4p/s1600/IMG_2340+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLXgqvuiBE2fXEZUxOFvOscD15qzeG-nvyLCPQetsKKkoy0WkfJYDzk8_G1_uAxuPzG981og__06GbZhngC4MzzKQNZR_DloFvoTuPL5_JaX44a1yd0aJWCOWkr8Pp3qeY35Ix7lwaO4p/s640/IMG_2340+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How cool is my MINI!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After this had failed to help in any way I paid a visit to my trusty friends at Mintech in Bury. They'd found time to book me in for a fuel filter and pump change. In many cases it's quicker, easier and cheaper for them to just replace suspected dodgy items rather than taking lots of time to accurately diagnose the problem. It works for me, as long as the problem gets fixed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apparently it's not a huge job and the expert hands of Mintech's Martin was able to knock out the two items in just a few minutes before pillaging a replacement from the stacks of MINIs they have piled high - some good advice when buying second-hand - try and get stuff from low mileage vehicles!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06DoN0bSZiInnJjwfB5TI92k16-lFixVGQWkPdhh-hw2ODESiwBFAtO8pk2dMaVCW46CKyS1NRZ0_xT9v9F-135iQvvyLeGEWQVKBTdhvAHjDjr4I4wQMMkgEYO_4VOy4GFNAn_-My19Q/s1600/IMG_2343+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06DoN0bSZiInnJjwfB5TI92k16-lFixVGQWkPdhh-hw2ODESiwBFAtO8pk2dMaVCW46CKyS1NRZ0_xT9v9F-135iQvvyLeGEWQVKBTdhvAHjDjr4I4wQMMkgEYO_4VOy4GFNAn_-My19Q/s640/IMG_2343+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Martin hooked out the back seat with a pull and lift, exposing two circular black panels. The one behind the driver is the fuel filter and the one behind the passenger seat is the fuel pump. <br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQx33lePklXKnYB3-UxE7B23Ig0jk_8Gleszq1Fz83-ApMSIASzVtJlcz8iu0_uzVc18bbcrzCnyOKOaMRQb_CwVk9jYM6AKHR6L6QLo6SiO_55OLKCVMNgmEM_hLYLk5QSwWmCvh7AFp/s1600/IMG_2344+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQx33lePklXKnYB3-UxE7B23Ig0jk_8Gleszq1Fz83-ApMSIASzVtJlcz8iu0_uzVc18bbcrzCnyOKOaMRQb_CwVk9jYM6AKHR6L6QLo6SiO_55OLKCVMNgmEM_hLYLk5QSwWmCvh7AFp/s640/IMG_2344+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">See all the crap the kids have stuffed down the seats!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeP_YGE2JRAB91DpQp4njPqsgPL5QX-O3-1OFkFYnKV-JF6FxWZOJ44SPYJc8pbbbMHkmUGlikzgNLGEgvVSxx_N-Jm5S_547xLNVYTPEuShTdOvVU5uMKGdN79bdJU8VUUvZ8JwQcaHf/s1600/IMG_2358+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeP_YGE2JRAB91DpQp4njPqsgPL5QX-O3-1OFkFYnKV-JF6FxWZOJ44SPYJc8pbbbMHkmUGlikzgNLGEgvVSxx_N-Jm5S_547xLNVYTPEuShTdOvVU5uMKGdN79bdJU8VUUvZ8JwQcaHf/s640/IMG_2358+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After removing the nuts holding the panels down, Martin prises them off to reveal heavily dust-coated components. Using a big screwdriver or chisel and hammer he rotates the filter anti-clockwise to release it. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2LAjIMcpB9b9m7IhIws_NVhkT_YmLuNHzAST310vdUFA1YmrjPiJ9iAs1kEWnzv4TzHPn0ycp1uURch-tRZat1slA_cBDjF41IPvzgocXq5SdB8HSwEGh7RUvIKi8xnwMJtKNFqZnnoU/s1600/IMG_2360+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2LAjIMcpB9b9m7IhIws_NVhkT_YmLuNHzAST310vdUFA1YmrjPiJ9iAs1kEWnzv4TzHPn0ycp1uURch-tRZat1slA_cBDjF41IPvzgocXq5SdB8HSwEGh7RUvIKi8xnwMJtKNFqZnnoU/s640/IMG_2360+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTZpwspZ1QzGFteNrIuhopoRx234mUeZKAUXCRc2alDFu_1LkhwuawibmR_ShAOwUbk0q1WRp5_LMRYPNDELg5Dga1KXDj7dODrZBnJ3-o5FwcUh5GL5ZaT2htTflQN4hcCPOFTGASLwC/s1600/IMG_2363+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTZpwspZ1QzGFteNrIuhopoRx234mUeZKAUXCRc2alDFu_1LkhwuawibmR_ShAOwUbk0q1WRp5_LMRYPNDELg5Dga1KXDj7dODrZBnJ3-o5FwcUh5GL5ZaT2htTflQN4hcCPOFTGASLwC/s640/IMG_2363+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Remove the connector before trying to lift the filter out. There is a fair bit of piping attached that needs to be carefully lifted out too. Expect some fuel spillage and have something handy to wipe it up with.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7NSaikIVaUS0M_qlFTV-7zL2yHCBTmpmy6DyeOqoGeFO47pq17zN47sIyxknittTWBjO5gYy8FX_BBV1MCvWae5b887F82xBFkeEcPEbMEfYURfwzN9NE_tX88dxNC281jQGbGWb7EZs/s1600/IMG_2368+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7NSaikIVaUS0M_qlFTV-7zL2yHCBTmpmy6DyeOqoGeFO47pq17zN47sIyxknittTWBjO5gYy8FX_BBV1MCvWae5b887F82xBFkeEcPEbMEfYURfwzN9NE_tX88dxNC281jQGbGWb7EZs/s640/IMG_2368+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZBEijFPjGWaphsJBR60OA2jDP2iF4ZvAb-8aIAT0Txc68Gt-38mn0QVn1f8_M0ig-TdE-1v0MAIfnFL7fIJBH_JEhuiMB1kpceCRi0ANUlw9TLsISjrvELu-tVcYBryFrD7V-BGkVgXT/s1600/IMG_2370+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZBEijFPjGWaphsJBR60OA2jDP2iF4ZvAb-8aIAT0Txc68Gt-38mn0QVn1f8_M0ig-TdE-1v0MAIfnFL7fIJBH_JEhuiMB1kpceCRi0ANUlw9TLsISjrvELu-tVcYBryFrD7V-BGkVgXT/s640/IMG_2370+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggueqZHiyZNoOEAGis0p5sudKohWpsw6E-rgqL6zVv2FrY_Y5vLfwpXF0LUAjynG3m8_R01pC6j-WyDeixBkCRKg97Y4HgUdqLL8Uck_-z0EkhFvWpkXeLr72dwRLeY7cNkX-ZUbRketvl/s1600/IMG_2373+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggueqZHiyZNoOEAGis0p5sudKohWpsw6E-rgqL6zVv2FrY_Y5vLfwpXF0LUAjynG3m8_R01pC6j-WyDeixBkCRKg97Y4HgUdqLL8Uck_-z0EkhFvWpkXeLr72dwRLeY7cNkX-ZUbRketvl/s640/IMG_2373+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CzetSn_Q-6dnwBAPXUXaDjRKEiqKvYXSfoYyrpZQFFo4T6pPh7VeX1efBRRGBmjFjPqp5HRHuPl_wIPHY-asR6u58C3gZ48E93u9nxAPrKCfP2oMi7Y3QK1dXIwyA87fLjY7lOuWlAS8/s1600/IMG_2376+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CzetSn_Q-6dnwBAPXUXaDjRKEiqKvYXSfoYyrpZQFFo4T6pPh7VeX1efBRRGBmjFjPqp5HRHuPl_wIPHY-asR6u58C3gZ48E93u9nxAPrKCfP2oMi7Y3QK1dXIwyA87fLjY7lOuWlAS8/s640/IMG_2376+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsUvTu77x_3AuSF0EmWJ6rNm-gOkySiYwuOtGUSKFFX93oiA3SDyTX8pST7JwWdat-Gbnb2ei6vK_17haJxWDn7b0Cr9l_o-QEfPl9r1Da78NNQdD1sSmsrRDLQMbVRDuUgGWCmiOxwZ4/s1600/IMG_2377+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsUvTu77x_3AuSF0EmWJ6rNm-gOkySiYwuOtGUSKFFX93oiA3SDyTX8pST7JwWdat-Gbnb2ei6vK_17haJxWDn7b0Cr9l_o-QEfPl9r1Da78NNQdD1sSmsrRDLQMbVRDuUgGWCmiOxwZ4/s640/IMG_2377+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIEaLNRqM4AHTIR-nmfgViL12L3z6KzeORRyAcMUmRQmBdGuUJ1z_LrXg5zYQ_3KAyq2qH8C46TUTQMC-wiAOnpgcuSoPPz1upb-enQtmov-GRYqRjYtXKWwSUVpdzQU10aOzOzdKx2hk/s1600/IMG_2379+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIEaLNRqM4AHTIR-nmfgViL12L3z6KzeORRyAcMUmRQmBdGuUJ1z_LrXg5zYQ_3KAyq2qH8C46TUTQMC-wiAOnpgcuSoPPz1upb-enQtmov-GRYqRjYtXKWwSUVpdzQU10aOzOzdKx2hk/s640/IMG_2379+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />The fuel pump was also being replaced, and is removed in much the same way. There is a connector on the top that needs to be taken off and again some piping which will need to be disconnected by feel. Expect a lot of fuel spillage!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whilst both units were out, we had a look inside the tank, which I had deliberately run low prior to the visit. It looked remarkably clean, with no crap or anything floating around or even visible. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BiLQjVLFhyphenhyphen2hRpxIxxr2tN6LJ6g5r9BlG0ykXyq0m9zQvgFPfg1W8JRJOpcPTLwBtx09C0uyworyORVdpoMJd5pm2j8bD0uyVjKszBYbzoLwUVLeHMP5ob1CwMGD1j4ArCikhSgWzXNR/s1600/IMG_2381+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BiLQjVLFhyphenhyphen2hRpxIxxr2tN6LJ6g5r9BlG0ykXyq0m9zQvgFPfg1W8JRJOpcPTLwBtx09C0uyworyORVdpoMJd5pm2j8bD0uyVjKszBYbzoLwUVLeHMP5ob1CwMGD1j4ArCikhSgWzXNR/s640/IMG_2381+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahR6yo_liLuAzS91MS1XIQfXhfeuh7maEnvYK37hw9dp_OxkZIffxmoDhgmb4D88Y17WXo-6Ypn4_ADVyP1fmu9ScKHyDJc25Wd4RJl2WudGzUvdkyz7yOW2Au5zAu7NQ2hbnqTx6oNcw/s1600/IMG_2383+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahR6yo_liLuAzS91MS1XIQfXhfeuh7maEnvYK37hw9dp_OxkZIffxmoDhgmb4D88Y17WXo-6Ypn4_ADVyP1fmu9ScKHyDJc25Wd4RJl2WudGzUvdkyz7yOW2Au5zAu7NQ2hbnqTx6oNcw/s640/IMG_2383+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare the colour difference between the one removed from my car (far) and the low mileage item (near).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After sourcing another pump, Martin put the two side by side and said something like he's never seen one the colour of mine before. And it's true, it was noticeably darker. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V0bAbqLnD-iYgNmDrTuBu8gaTS-yo53UIuEnUv6MxwO-ZvV2DgFdujk0c06sItbLOL0G1XsWkMJFdvzF5wn34AQkUj-EDEWJlfheQWYmsXo4HC8qm97SQwaVog2vv7krWYzwtxPXme50/s1600/IMG_2387+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0V0bAbqLnD-iYgNmDrTuBu8gaTS-yo53UIuEnUv6MxwO-ZvV2DgFdujk0c06sItbLOL0G1XsWkMJFdvzF5wn34AQkUj-EDEWJlfheQWYmsXo4HC8qm97SQwaVog2vv7krWYzwtxPXme50/s640/IMG_2387+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOpR4nuSDrlPaoontk5xKl2Aw2XfEiKidxMuY8Eo00hmZVO59PigBZpUVPdkQWV7gtD5qLvGMuSJF14GpCXXrxBEV01SDf4oY3N2OEi6-_8A3wMqcWwYwqWUiGWBbTCcBhiaASwz4NbYD/s1600/IMG_2388+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOpR4nuSDrlPaoontk5xKl2Aw2XfEiKidxMuY8Eo00hmZVO59PigBZpUVPdkQWV7gtD5qLvGMuSJF14GpCXXrxBEV01SDf4oY3N2OEi6-_8A3wMqcWwYwqWUiGWBbTCcBhiaASwz4NbYD/s640/IMG_2388+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />I decided to take the old pump and filter home to crack them open and have a look inside. Funnily enough BMW claim the fuel filters are 'lifetime' items on MINIs. In reality, 'lifetime' to BMW is 100k miles. The filters ARE serviceable if you want to do that. There are guides for opening up the filter housing itself on YouTube etc. and you can find replacement filters on eBay.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei4auw1IaBl_w32yWPTGkBtlD_JFgLCavKAGSl6RqO1q2_KR63ilc8nEYcfOYpJUkPEqr_DzdOKOS1sLaV3QNyf7JCaQn1Y9yb85zxyrS7sYhhE1bGrewG78oPOatfrIeow-HyKXyPXDs/s1600/IMG_2392+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei4auw1IaBl_w32yWPTGkBtlD_JFgLCavKAGSl6RqO1q2_KR63ilc8nEYcfOYpJUkPEqr_DzdOKOS1sLaV3QNyf7JCaQn1Y9yb85zxyrS7sYhhE1bGrewG78oPOatfrIeow-HyKXyPXDs/s640/IMG_2392+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfmmHxwPu_HEh1bhMNjekSc_SbYgYtrLemDCFLrdFMqnM0jXO99JNhjVGsdR58iCY2d6qgun2eHufryvyOqHdAmsExYqxG8TLK8AUTix0CjZKwG73bTKZ5uJVBeLD8gP83QJ3aFXN1Wzl/s1600/IMG_2393+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfmmHxwPu_HEh1bhMNjekSc_SbYgYtrLemDCFLrdFMqnM0jXO99JNhjVGsdR58iCY2d6qgun2eHufryvyOqHdAmsExYqxG8TLK8AUTix0CjZKwG73bTKZ5uJVBeLD8gP83QJ3aFXN1Wzl/s640/IMG_2393+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Charcoal filter.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWjYyOYCMH7Dt3AWe6DeaaI0wgszVRzaiW2G7X2RO110P6X3lkOczutzGL9XJmRIgoHAwAekUexfs-9Rh85cOg2XZALakRV02ZpjGNdkmlu48SOGjrjo6DXqaug02Vne-JjX1kcxmY9n1/s1600/IMG_2395+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWjYyOYCMH7Dt3AWe6DeaaI0wgszVRzaiW2G7X2RO110P6X3lkOczutzGL9XJmRIgoHAwAekUexfs-9Rh85cOg2XZALakRV02ZpjGNdkmlu48SOGjrjo6DXqaug02Vne-JjX1kcxmY9n1/s640/IMG_2395+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Found in here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDU6CHNllvS7-C7VEcBXLEIPRmaZpJXrnGzVWIx3OHXWl41FFUzeWFDmIqgQ1iF1Z7bTh6fT8cCyLvad43oowWd9qMYPcz2XYLHRo7aL2MrC5FE_w0Jag7PsZdLH48_C8AL8_GjF0bP10/s1600/IMG_2396+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDU6CHNllvS7-C7VEcBXLEIPRmaZpJXrnGzVWIx3OHXWl41FFUzeWFDmIqgQ1iF1Z7bTh6fT8cCyLvad43oowWd9qMYPcz2XYLHRo7aL2MrC5FE_w0Jag7PsZdLH48_C8AL8_GjF0bP10/s640/IMG_2396+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Whilst I was there, Martin gave the car a checkover - probably to pre-empt the next problem! - and decided to replace this charcoal filter thing I had no idea about. It's stored underneath the rear driver's wheelarch. Apparently this is to help vent the fuel vapours and burn them off within a closed system within the car. The charcoal filter only lasts so long, and with mine being an older car with plenty of mileage, I guess he thought 'not much else has been maintained, I bet that needs changing too...' so popped one on. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzSwchTbyKm7kdyOmxyXztzddUEY6XgMFEIo7v-SYazUVNBn4_6Rff619MmMO4aqEh9cKhYhIxV9xVW-_pggQk0S9asQ_bnGND6aIHMgWVdXF2OdDEi2qy2HVJrRvYGGQ3rRa1LexkI3R/s1600/IMG_2403+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzSwchTbyKm7kdyOmxyXztzddUEY6XgMFEIo7v-SYazUVNBn4_6Rff619MmMO4aqEh9cKhYhIxV9xVW-_pggQk0S9asQ_bnGND6aIHMgWVdXF2OdDEi2qy2HVJrRvYGGQ3rRa1LexkI3R/s640/IMG_2403+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj2hNhjs6RoJllj28si44V63SpCt5PMuIjQnIWOvEmfOaq6hWQdiXyLMZ-eWUIYbCVLu9Z3I2c3XfRpTdbL5PAyG2_9aCo9xQuqYO_ijwu1lP6kaGPksdFeM2RZMmRm_y_q4nZl1aL-_C/s1600/16735584_10155028083596103_1212455573_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj2hNhjs6RoJllj28si44V63SpCt5PMuIjQnIWOvEmfOaq6hWQdiXyLMZ-eWUIYbCVLu9Z3I2c3XfRpTdbL5PAyG2_9aCo9xQuqYO_ijwu1lP6kaGPksdFeM2RZMmRm_y_q4nZl1aL-_C/s640/16735584_10155028083596103_1212455573_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When in doubt... swap it out!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Underneath the bonnet he had a look at the fusebox because I had another recurring problem with the engine light coming on and throwing up a Lamba sensor error codes all the time. After replacing the sensors a couple of times the past six months, Martin noticed the fusebox lid was deformed, so offered to switch it out for another one to see if that was the issue and not the sensors themselves. It seems to have worked. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">That's two big issues fixed for me. No more engine light - obviously a dodgy fusebox the cause of that - and even better the car hasn't cut out on me since (dodgy pump and/or filter) - fantastic!! Once again, Mintech save the day for me! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mintech - No.1 for BMW MINI Spares</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a class="fl r-iqRZOey7G_Nw" data-number="+441617611615" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="iqRZOey7G_Nw" data-ved="0ahUKEwippcWstpXVAhUDAsAKHX22CAUQkAgIpwEoADAR" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Call via Hangouts">0161 761 1615</a></span> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><cite class="_Rm">www.mintechspares.co.uk</cite></span></b>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-69302635156495938022017-07-26T13:00:00.000+01:002017-07-26T13:00:22.159+01:00Joining the MOGgers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMjVfusUCQUKVK-s9A4vJM7DTiB0eZfmRgummVFvbss-NicTNA0xv7kse3vI-xB9Nt4bgntxB2-Gt1FneOzdsHiCvpQaxBksGGSwE1XvIhXObWfBFBEg6HJ2dc6_JT5ZzeRX-MtupZelG/s1600/13+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMjVfusUCQUKVK-s9A4vJM7DTiB0eZfmRgummVFvbss-NicTNA0xv7kse3vI-xB9Nt4bgntxB2-Gt1FneOzdsHiCvpQaxBksGGSwE1XvIhXObWfBFBEg6HJ2dc6_JT5ZzeRX-MtupZelG/s640/13+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've had my MINI, Charlie, for a little while now and haven't really styled it in anyway. Having hung around on the forums and groups for a while on social media, I like the look of the stickers from the MINI Owners' Group (MOG), and have seen a fair few on cars at shows. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you register - for free - you can pick your own number (if available) and buy a variety of stickers with your unique id.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />They are made and sent out in batches so can take a couple of weeks to be received, but they are good quality and look the business. So on a day off I thought I'd go and stick it on. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHxmp5zX-FPHhXtTkUo0GkX4zlAZlCpgbOl8IyvOyBY8Uqa5SXvGhkyWmAEcJddgoEWk-DnUGCVRcdiF6y8BFugIxxknGmDfhe7rBXTYFIQkKIrofrFXvX_aaSX61wNC86SnTQZyUR5JR/s1600/1+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHxmp5zX-FPHhXtTkUo0GkX4zlAZlCpgbOl8IyvOyBY8Uqa5SXvGhkyWmAEcJddgoEWk-DnUGCVRcdiF6y8BFugIxxknGmDfhe7rBXTYFIQkKIrofrFXvX_aaSX61wNC86SnTQZyUR5JR/s640/1+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've chosen the A-pillar to contrast with the white lettering. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrgEX4GnlwWmEM_d8cYziJaFGa-ApNWK-MxaYMWaqNsCMVepurRKNC2Bx2HL0ECPeHzgDkEm9hzhIgZhz_bUSavtE50KJXVMbjuxyGfrftgBGkwlimjnKWb3XYvrXkgjbxwa78jYQZ_3m/s1600/2+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrgEX4GnlwWmEM_d8cYziJaFGa-ApNWK-MxaYMWaqNsCMVepurRKNC2Bx2HL0ECPeHzgDkEm9hzhIgZhz_bUSavtE50KJXVMbjuxyGfrftgBGkwlimjnKWb3XYvrXkgjbxwa78jYQZ_3m/s640/2+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="478" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TgMtNg9B1emr8BP0biBCmeFpijwaSBXYYoi45i9rAEqIBVlWV3lT2hl4P7SJJNFqfdPpU6_wOmhFYQw6UXJqHzXSYi7a-a3hV5QNuCH0IF1exkgc286KKDq78QMP4tLvFS502db37xeC/s1600/3+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="598" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TgMtNg9B1emr8BP0biBCmeFpijwaSBXYYoi45i9rAEqIBVlWV3lT2hl4P7SJJNFqfdPpU6_wOmhFYQw6UXJqHzXSYi7a-a3hV5QNuCH0IF1exkgc286KKDq78QMP4tLvFS502db37xeC/s640/3+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="478" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's pretty simple, give the area a clean. Then dry it. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVa24ps_SPeav5e5ifgdb8ITwuJrsdrxUzwdBLegTlbjtDCu5vVi7dYppDGUcUOjrngzr_D7Ys3NGS1xo_jfGon_eyf9RvtRATu0QfFaQ9TXMyMSo70-4_as3SUbGxkeQW3M_P1kOYTZN/s1600/4+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVa24ps_SPeav5e5ifgdb8ITwuJrsdrxUzwdBLegTlbjtDCu5vVi7dYppDGUcUOjrngzr_D7Ys3NGS1xo_jfGon_eyf9RvtRATu0QfFaQ9TXMyMSo70-4_as3SUbGxkeQW3M_P1kOYTZN/s640/4+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flatten out your sticker using a credit card or something similar. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3I5epeRAysNE0HGdlFDTWG9vKei9k_qyjqAHpv-BhcuKUwgwihwRkRS3Yup7Z2U5fGVteIEuR95pO3QdedNCvURZIaUrnBslV3TmA5Ay-etdp4iKkL1-J23puqUSLWvOY6I3KQQ4rPfv/s1600/5+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3I5epeRAysNE0HGdlFDTWG9vKei9k_qyjqAHpv-BhcuKUwgwihwRkRS3Yup7Z2U5fGVteIEuR95pO3QdedNCvURZIaUrnBslV3TmA5Ay-etdp4iKkL1-J23puqUSLWvOY6I3KQQ4rPfv/s640/5+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Trial fit it into position to see exactly where you want it. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfJ0_e4xIub25VuNTIEPex-WhUgV79DB4nLTndaTtf4RKKMjTq64GV3KsQPYkGQXiDlu3F_4L6MRWExss3inFuM86mF-DhetNCFkwUA1mk8kmwEiVDa6je7KcBeZ0j8syxVm5fr-_YZWA/s1600/6+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfJ0_e4xIub25VuNTIEPex-WhUgV79DB4nLTndaTtf4RKKMjTq64GV3KsQPYkGQXiDlu3F_4L6MRWExss3inFuM86mF-DhetNCFkwUA1mk8kmwEiVDa6je7KcBeZ0j8syxVm5fr-_YZWA/s640/6+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL1ebvMRfSH953tWR3zK1A4JJRj6HHF-rBpcCFfL1M695wsNinAZlrZLS21JwDAXSns41pGSPs-aRqv3bqCrtaZdOSzG-CND1aP8SVln-LdtHNQtYdR5lyoTdhjWlqfKrWVcMTpLAVzg1/s1600/7+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL1ebvMRfSH953tWR3zK1A4JJRj6HHF-rBpcCFfL1M695wsNinAZlrZLS21JwDAXSns41pGSPs-aRqv3bqCrtaZdOSzG-CND1aP8SVln-LdtHNQtYdR5lyoTdhjWlqfKrWVcMTpLAVzg1/s640/7+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Peel off the backing paper slowly, ensuring none of the lettering comes off with it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the important part. Hover the sticker over the position you want it. Then slowly place one part of the sticker into position. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtjI_s7Ne9hFMpOw0ASpFk7yjVyWZw24XfBMbPRFuy2EFsnDctHnPQSoDaGokRTDMGYeLRlCJprkhZITNajN_AuzRWw3Vl1NvU1zUVpM2MM-z2Hy3vug_HllmBCEeEUsyuK7oAnfsmFEx/s1600/8+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtjI_s7Ne9hFMpOw0ASpFk7yjVyWZw24XfBMbPRFuy2EFsnDctHnPQSoDaGokRTDMGYeLRlCJprkhZITNajN_AuzRWw3Vl1NvU1zUVpM2MM-z2Hy3vug_HllmBCEeEUsyuK7oAnfsmFEx/s640/8+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once you are sure it is lined up correctly and there are no air bubbles caught underneath the piece you have placed, then you can slowly start flatten out the rest of the sticker. Try to do this smoothly, and you can use the credit card again to help eliminate bubbles.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa7nVC7V-Fv7F23V7UzjXKEWTYO2NlvBnDDDhwg3qc0re8E0Gi1N0gy35am-wQYQ2W33tNiUYihvu5_b-vws5jAuZoDwSrun5iAzUaLwHL9oL9R2yD2utOCv5Ujs53-6LQrNJfqazSJG4/s1600/9+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTa7nVC7V-Fv7F23V7UzjXKEWTYO2NlvBnDDDhwg3qc0re8E0Gi1N0gy35am-wQYQ2W33tNiUYihvu5_b-vws5jAuZoDwSrun5iAzUaLwHL9oL9R2yD2utOCv5Ujs53-6LQrNJfqazSJG4/s640/9+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97LhZzi7kcIZ4YHGDNHkQEmmn8KFlLn6Oou0DpbA5yxlulGSo6JIBHyb0PCjMDtIbXtlqRNYkSbT2axX-CbJkWC7rzne4j1z3h-PbErKvAKFHwTwoYewPYoihW838NqzBkPSsupbRMr5W/s1600/10+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97LhZzi7kcIZ4YHGDNHkQEmmn8KFlLn6Oou0DpbA5yxlulGSo6JIBHyb0PCjMDtIbXtlqRNYkSbT2axX-CbJkWC7rzne4j1z3h-PbErKvAKFHwTwoYewPYoihW838NqzBkPSsupbRMr5W/s640/10+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Once it is all flattened down it is fixed in place. You can't change it now. Slowly peel off the front paper and take a deep breath. Now is the moment of truth. Is it lined up? For me, the answer was... not quite. But not that noticeable. Make sure you do a better job!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6NaekgnfhU5EEvmbkBNzuBrc_TTQaxwkVW7vt4RIU7lPjKlQ0knVAfpAXGHByO9RCPMEgiyKzZ27Q9aw_2BnHSEn5DVGcf1gB_lWOEzP5zI6Wi2DFL-uVkOLvyDDv1D2js9s7_fNMAvx/s1600/11+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6NaekgnfhU5EEvmbkBNzuBrc_TTQaxwkVW7vt4RIU7lPjKlQ0knVAfpAXGHByO9RCPMEgiyKzZ27Q9aw_2BnHSEn5DVGcf1gB_lWOEzP5zI6Wi2DFL-uVkOLvyDDv1D2js9s7_fNMAvx/s640/11+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j-lD932eKwDWZNTDLVn3jZzpu9DlDyQZ1uLJgZhkyrQ7_I831Xq5buJ4j_A39QkavEaHz1_dzVjYDHclnJukee__zfBid12AVjPxN8GHo475g0uo6XHXIqkSoO1p_h5i7s_i9G0EcStv/s1600/12+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j-lD932eKwDWZNTDLVn3jZzpu9DlDyQZ1uLJgZhkyrQ7_I831Xq5buJ4j_A39QkavEaHz1_dzVjYDHclnJukee__zfBid12AVjPxN8GHo475g0uo6XHXIqkSoO1p_h5i7s_i9G0EcStv/s640/12+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMjVfusUCQUKVK-s9A4vJM7DTiB0eZfmRgummVFvbss-NicTNA0xv7kse3vI-xB9Nt4bgntxB2-Gt1FneOzdsHiCvpQaxBksGGSwE1XvIhXObWfBFBEg6HJ2dc6_JT5ZzeRX-MtupZelG/s1600/13+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMjVfusUCQUKVK-s9A4vJM7DTiB0eZfmRgummVFvbss-NicTNA0xv7kse3vI-xB9Nt4bgntxB2-Gt1FneOzdsHiCvpQaxBksGGSwE1XvIhXObWfBFBEg6HJ2dc6_JT5ZzeRX-MtupZelG/s640/13+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I did a little experiment on the headlights too. Using some electrical tape I created some eyelids. However, despite initially looking ok, electrical tape shrinks, so after a while it looked a bit crap.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm0KgHc20fEvnnWXzjw7yr-QpGoHiEMVpuXmBC7QSctgH87k3BzgSTeaJbnFwff9ZJBJf2pJ7MGxkFdJLxMSNzotvlBjGwf9zLq2S96vAkbAEt5wFTmyE5SQR1Q9EU-rBDOggNqa27LbT/s1600/17022512_10155099035851103_1442387592619758542_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm0KgHc20fEvnnWXzjw7yr-QpGoHiEMVpuXmBC7QSctgH87k3BzgSTeaJbnFwff9ZJBJf2pJ7MGxkFdJLxMSNzotvlBjGwf9zLq2S96vAkbAEt5wFTmyE5SQR1Q9EU-rBDOggNqa27LbT/s640/17022512_10155099035851103_1442387592619758542_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MINI Owners' Group:</span></b><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/miniownersgroup/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/miniownersgroup/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Orders MOG Stickers:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://shop.miniownersgroup.co.uk/">https://shop.miniownersgroup.co.uk/</a></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-13698806063022425492017-07-23T13:05:00.000+01:002017-07-23T13:05:03.995+01:00Clunk, clunk, boom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlG2_BBN3CBvj2ulzimr17HT874FvLYgoOE_79qReHxLkFAxJtA6HacoF45SpZ5rBNuBMp7MAm365xZbVH1umDE5eLxZS0zsGummeHQ15aqqUHPSDV6xk8t9b2MWn-Hy6eHBE9iDU2qWu/s1600/10364102_10153620715056103_4979223850151867610_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="960" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlG2_BBN3CBvj2ulzimr17HT874FvLYgoOE_79qReHxLkFAxJtA6HacoF45SpZ5rBNuBMp7MAm365xZbVH1umDE5eLxZS0zsGummeHQ15aqqUHPSDV6xk8t9b2MWn-Hy6eHBE9iDU2qWu/s640/10364102_10153620715056103_4979223850151867610_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a good job I know Minis enough to keep my breakdown cover updated. With the classic Mini it's pretty obvious why it's required (although you cold argue I could fix the classic myself nine times out of ten), but you'd think with a 'modern' car it would be more reliable. But I suppose with any second-hand car that has done over 120k miles you can expect some problems - unless you've already replaced everything! And having already suffered an engine failure and host of other problems since buying it 18 months ago, it should have been no surprise that something else was coming.<br /><br />So, for a fair while I've had this issue with the car cutting out on me despite fuel etc..., and I had hoped the replacement engine I needed would have remedied this too, but it seems not. When I first got the replacement engine it was great and seemed to fly, almost literally sometimes, but more recently the power doesn't come on and it chuggs a bit and I am having to rev it more to keep it going sometimes. It's not right. <br /><br />Well eventually this came to a climax when I was on my way to my cousin's daughter's party with my kids when suddenly there was a horrible knocking sound whilst I was on the motorway - and the car sounded like it was in real pain. I was bricking it. I managed to get it up a sliproad and limp it on to a roundabout layby and turned off the engine. I turned it over again but I didn't like the sound enough to keep trying. It sounded bad. Really bad. <br /><br />As a began with, I'm wise to the way of Minis, so I was prepared. I had my breakdown recovery service on speeddial. FYI it's StartRescue. Cheap as chips and been as good as gold.<br /><br />I'm surprised they don't recognise my number when I call, and I'm well versed in the script. It'll take upto an hour and they'll text me when approaching. Fortunately I know the local recovery company is only a few miles away, so it probably won't be long. So with the kids all dressed up, we were about a mile away from the party venue, so we walked down and I leave them with my mother while I head back to sort the car out. <br /><br />When I returned to the Mini with the recovery operator, I explained my concerns about starting it, but I decided to try it again anyway. Brrrruuuum! Bloody typical isn't it... it started up fine. But I was still cautious though. Stuff like that sounds that bad doesn't just go away. I chat with the recovery guy and tell him my thoughts and he says he can escort me home to see if it is ok. So I agree. <br /><br />We set off for the 10 mile journey, and before I'm even off the sliproad onto the motorway I can hear the clunking coming back. Yeah, this definitely isn't good. So I pull over on to the hard shoulder and the recovery truck does too. <br /><br />He takes me home and the next day I give Mintech in Bury a call. These guys have been awesome since the day I met them and they have really looked after me. They sent out a recovery truck and took the MINI back. Within two days they'd replaced the engine again and it was all back and working. An amazing turnaround for a man in a desperate situation. I can't thank them enough.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After they'd had time to look at the other engine, they tell me I had somehow "knocked the crank out" somehow, either through poor maintenance, low oil or over revving... hmmm. I'm not so sure, but anyway it's sorted now. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes - this is my second engine in a few months, but obviously there was something up with the previous one so I'm not counting it ok!! </span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mintech - No.1 in the UK for BMW MINI Spares - </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a class="fl r-iJ_oezv8005I" data-number="+441617611615" data-pstn-out-call-url="" data-rtid="iJ_oezv8005I" data-ved="0ahUKEwjryIP5ppXVAhVNFMAKHTKRBlQQkAgIpwEoADAR" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Call via Hangouts">0161 761 1615</a></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span class="_Xbe _ZWk kno-fv"><a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/"><cite class="_Rm">www.mintechspares.co.uk/</cite></a> </span></b> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HQIJU1hLYP8WT36-inRrXQmV-NzPpC0aaVsPP9NgJrXflkFyl4mfbScrifcWQr1rFW2J_yezdEEADSiowJjaso_BSqbk8HUDnOuMBCERYQA3YD712RQd9-40sR89plvOHjY3twou21cK/s1600/IMG_5129+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1446" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HQIJU1hLYP8WT36-inRrXQmV-NzPpC0aaVsPP9NgJrXflkFyl4mfbScrifcWQr1rFW2J_yezdEEADSiowJjaso_BSqbk8HUDnOuMBCERYQA3YD712RQd9-40sR89plvOHjY3twou21cK/s640/IMG_5129+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-55406259333463951392017-07-19T12:28:00.000+01:002017-07-19T12:28:00.977+01:00Mini valet and tar removal @Red Rose Detailing & Valeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xx2iD77xX9HIDXAY9eoYwA-j9LTXf4SayJgqCF4KdLET4rE0acrZomq2VwwAnJzV2Sb3fy2PEOaUk5FxLbS-QCtqgJ961DqffSX5pGzSetppZY380LX-0yEJZ__z50U2Q2Y-6gL-pIct/s1600/IMG_1340+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xx2iD77xX9HIDXAY9eoYwA-j9LTXf4SayJgqCF4KdLET4rE0acrZomq2VwwAnJzV2Sb3fy2PEOaUk5FxLbS-QCtqgJ961DqffSX5pGzSetppZY380LX-0yEJZ__z50U2Q2Y-6gL-pIct/s640/IMG_1340+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sun is here and the Mini show season is well underway. Now is the time that we all set about getting our Minis all shiny for the adventures we have planned for the rest of the year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The winter weather has no doubt taken its toll on your beloved Mini, and for us, we've had some motorway resurfacing locally which has led to a serious tar splattering all over the bodywork. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We called in the experts at Autoglym who told us to visit one of their approved valeters who would show us how to use their products to get our Mini all clean again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a sunny day in East Lancashire we headed over to Red Rose Valeting & Detailing in Burnley, and met Michael who showed us what to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've got a set of products from Autoglym which should be all we need to get a top quality shine from our MINIs paintwork.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHLIki8VdPSt4BNRBUsgjdEJR9fZPTxzWWGVqI6LB8I5u3SRW7z4cmP5GWs3kui7EDt4XuBDZgAhWObgfHl5DsBVnXl5P_6mgf5T_2OZoT8Cf-v509IIQTxP1b-OoXlvsDj-uhWwbsifG/s1600/IMG_1354+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHLIki8VdPSt4BNRBUsgjdEJR9fZPTxzWWGVqI6LB8I5u3SRW7z4cmP5GWs3kui7EDt4XuBDZgAhWObgfHl5DsBVnXl5P_6mgf5T_2OZoT8Cf-v509IIQTxP1b-OoXlvsDj-uhWwbsifG/s200/IMG_1354+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrSuYrMWjgr77W6TCgrfPWNltQQ9VQ0i8LPlVrbEQCFVjVu6pzZg4UYAQoM3tUQYZWSUp2LEAoZcuXg5JboMuI1Rrmp2i8Jm5geAsXckmWZm9Sp-5-ZG7L8dYKHW4KxTpaOzcnB6OiLUe/s1600/IMG_1353+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrSuYrMWjgr77W6TCgrfPWNltQQ9VQ0i8LPlVrbEQCFVjVu6pzZg4UYAQoM3tUQYZWSUp2LEAoZcuXg5JboMuI1Rrmp2i8Jm5geAsXckmWZm9Sp-5-ZG7L8dYKHW4KxTpaOzcnB6OiLUe/s200/IMG_1353+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0j_hhXt52wiQiO8JGhIjRIsvkHE0YVfsTHzxlVtnPe6hug7TCpnpqyWK0CZFNEfP-v30kiQejQbAcGYp_ehXzjV3crynD_MShdrVDj9TdYiLUSzUUI55L7k3gZBcMMhAUHR7JTv5PaLn/s1600/IMG_1351+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0j_hhXt52wiQiO8JGhIjRIsvkHE0YVfsTHzxlVtnPe6hug7TCpnpqyWK0CZFNEfP-v30kiQejQbAcGYp_ehXzjV3crynD_MShdrVDj9TdYiLUSzUUI55L7k3gZBcMMhAUHR7JTv5PaLn/s200/IMG_1351+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaKfsY7pgnPzCemfQJS4CYLfENV6wl76FCKkIwOAoy0S0yJnur-R-9fXEcReqS2PDF6oeDkgxswsfBI2EPuZ0F0fHcHEnDqA8TRYuH1fEB_r6Q1JgA5aSBNoHyV-lT5GkULzWuOw7ro1G/s1600/IMG_1356+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaKfsY7pgnPzCemfQJS4CYLfENV6wl76FCKkIwOAoy0S0yJnur-R-9fXEcReqS2PDF6oeDkgxswsfBI2EPuZ0F0fHcHEnDqA8TRYuH1fEB_r6Q1JgA5aSBNoHyV-lT5GkULzWuOw7ro1G/s200/IMG_1356+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPSaepl8PuG67i4wmguXBLyyHVmeOIz4OMxkVBOTQ8wJUmgZlk0zWY2A-gAjTGabc7IKPqi1OI4zeMCzf96vXwu6TeI3mNMUXd9DQmRsfilUS9uT0R8g1QVs06rwu7A4OHY6KTNQ4QcIg/s1600/IMG_1357+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPSaepl8PuG67i4wmguXBLyyHVmeOIz4OMxkVBOTQ8wJUmgZlk0zWY2A-gAjTGabc7IKPqi1OI4zeMCzf96vXwu6TeI3mNMUXd9DQmRsfilUS9uT0R8g1QVs06rwu7A4OHY6KTNQ4QcIg/s320/IMG_1357+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are a number of quality products available from Autoglym to suit whatever your needs. Our MINI had a heavy coating of tar and some minor scratches that needed attention. For this we used just a few products, as shown.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL4LML1x-tLIRDEWP1vhXD5iqM1iYoTYkinOgC218Oo5hMGP5iDxTW43uYweMvmgpnwAmrC8cfJV_NyOESm6QJh6GLlQgwDD5p-SN1FcPokTBJYpJfSb6wTg4lL6OKnn5ZmFBs_JRHWkg/s1600/IMG_1369+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwL4LML1x-tLIRDEWP1vhXD5iqM1iYoTYkinOgC218Oo5hMGP5iDxTW43uYweMvmgpnwAmrC8cfJV_NyOESm6QJh6GLlQgwDD5p-SN1FcPokTBJYpJfSb6wTg4lL6OKnn5ZmFBs_JRHWkg/s200/IMG_1369+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbshIM5L7hmt_gbiv9d_DKCVXSi9mDkIaj-IcTaOIM5O3SxHPt4OfXRNOwlhB__T6dBEr8NMoqkQIOb8I6Vxc0hjKrvTGVMMQDs56BHwyNVN8YbpB7fYbIOTAMjdFOO_-UgltfIwr_28q/s1600/IMG_1374+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbshIM5L7hmt_gbiv9d_DKCVXSi9mDkIaj-IcTaOIM5O3SxHPt4OfXRNOwlhB__T6dBEr8NMoqkQIOb8I6Vxc0hjKrvTGVMMQDs56BHwyNVN8YbpB7fYbIOTAMjdFOO_-UgltfIwr_28q/s200/IMG_1374+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqc0V8LGz4DbrnqlaNeBK1x6vsJoQcuI7t-YW3HJqiXO9CU4py-YQfcAhaVKLIsA1Psmv29XROJoPKHcIsfadNMuGKk8oQQHolN2XpDdAqauaG6lHezjbunhNmfR9OqrUSxaGdy67mvPBn/s1600/IMG_1383+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqc0V8LGz4DbrnqlaNeBK1x6vsJoQcuI7t-YW3HJqiXO9CU4py-YQfcAhaVKLIsA1Psmv29XROJoPKHcIsfadNMuGKk8oQQHolN2XpDdAqauaG6lHezjbunhNmfR9OqrUSxaGdy67mvPBn/s640/IMG_1383+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scrubbing the wheels before rinsing the whole car.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oi1U27FeTPB4NYtT976sqrg_a-3XFxWLzAq5hBCOcVGHlVhV8HTYo6V0FOh23uvHUr4mMbhImkVotZ-CNPrK2tSrBWujN5_Fo2pGguNXjX8a_lkNg74aGBaUU5ltRXcY1GkJM-CfJzFO/s1600/IMG_1395+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oi1U27FeTPB4NYtT976sqrg_a-3XFxWLzAq5hBCOcVGHlVhV8HTYo6V0FOh23uvHUr4mMbhImkVotZ-CNPrK2tSrBWujN5_Fo2pGguNXjX8a_lkNg74aGBaUU5ltRXcY1GkJM-CfJzFO/s640/IMG_1395+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First of all Michael needed to give the car a good wash. Using a pressure washer he removed all the loose dirt and grime with a quick blast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then it is back to basics, washing the car manually. Fill two buckets. Fill the first one with some water and some Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner, following the instructions on the bottle; and fill the other bucket with just some clean water. The purpose of this is to ensure you do not contaminate the soapy water with dirt picked up on the mitt. Alternatively you can use a snow foam lance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4euAd_DuNBx6xbcnOoluZdK4XXqy-HBR811TD5f8_o_jMqhRf4AutBBYqItm-XanVSCYzbwSoTWf9t26EGCd-DmA2aG2Tl_3UNx_5pHSsu770hPrTLtbz_E6GIZCrbKY8JnJpXsZWgKn/s1600/animated.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="500" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4euAd_DuNBx6xbcnOoluZdK4XXqy-HBR811TD5f8_o_jMqhRf4AutBBYqItm-XanVSCYzbwSoTWf9t26EGCd-DmA2aG2Tl_3UNx_5pHSsu770hPrTLtbz_E6GIZCrbKY8JnJpXsZWgKn/s640/animated.gif" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is recommended to use a lambswool cloth or mitt to apply the soapy suds to the car. Start from the roof and wash the dirt downwards off the car. Rinse the mitt often - the last thing you want is to scratch the car with some grit caught in the mitt - and rinse it in the 'water only' bucket, ensuring it is clean. Then you can get some more shampoo from the first bucket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCXM_YHoTIxTs4c9iJ0QkSn-ZxWA5yvd8kPDF3PcO_b21vHA6XJrLTslB3ytonqor62SfwRflmJxQ92AxH9B0FWWzkwjhWl4qkkKtX-zx9t7_pOqj2bi8M2mDtNvbs6nwWp0JsJDoIB6e/s1600/IMG_1462+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCXM_YHoTIxTs4c9iJ0QkSn-ZxWA5yvd8kPDF3PcO_b21vHA6XJrLTslB3ytonqor62SfwRflmJxQ92AxH9B0FWWzkwjhWl4qkkKtX-zx9t7_pOqj2bi8M2mDtNvbs6nwWp0JsJDoIB6e/s640/IMG_1462+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A good technique is to wash the top half of the car first, down to the bodyline or halfway down the doors all around, before washing the lower section. The reasoning behind this is is that the lower part of the car will be a lot dirtier, and if you wash that area at the same time as the top half, you could pick up more dirt that will scratch or damage your paintwork. Once you have washed the car, givie it a rinse with clean water.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo6zOhew1hsDX7OuJfgzdm-r8Sg9nbtsehgqG3buew-zZETfoNuRefnFh6YNSUQvvLLqGItCNF0Y8x-p7wrKDlqACob96F8A4UeBeEMB4VuQZ2XuVL123j1fI4B_Qi2-gnVCQDuGBBztw/s1600/IMG_1456+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo6zOhew1hsDX7OuJfgzdm-r8Sg9nbtsehgqG3buew-zZETfoNuRefnFh6YNSUQvvLLqGItCNF0Y8x-p7wrKDlqACob96F8A4UeBeEMB4VuQZ2XuVL123j1fI4B_Qi2-gnVCQDuGBBztw/s640/IMG_1456+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPmpz9XifcU0XMTr6mPsQCW6eR80SSRKbO8bIeOsSysDK1dJFcFgwZTL9dFPwhtG4gsTo3_05hCYVGJrafutT1DVZYzBZiyU6lLOS0iRp91B2B0G0Wwa-1-Q1PYX6pf6DiT0eM12mO50O/s1600/IMG_1465+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPmpz9XifcU0XMTr6mPsQCW6eR80SSRKbO8bIeOsSysDK1dJFcFgwZTL9dFPwhtG4gsTo3_05hCYVGJrafutT1DVZYzBZiyU6lLOS0iRp91B2B0G0Wwa-1-Q1PYX6pf6DiT0eM12mO50O/s640/IMG_1465+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Michael then dried the car using a towel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3agvoXwBAsVOPmg_XW7Js8RDdKGJDBmcEbJpGAchQaZHpyBV8fT9tzL7-CB0QqhFJ9Zc2v8PmUIFJU7aObPuAARXFsuA1JSBOS77AJRJbHIf343FHrRTKAZULC04_DpD4bRr-IpDW3He/s1600/IMG_1516+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3agvoXwBAsVOPmg_XW7Js8RDdKGJDBmcEbJpGAchQaZHpyBV8fT9tzL7-CB0QqhFJ9Zc2v8PmUIFJU7aObPuAARXFsuA1JSBOS77AJRJbHIf343FHrRTKAZULC04_DpD4bRr-IpDW3He/s640/IMG_1516+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="425" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">From here we worked a little bit on the details, but the amount of time you could spend doing this is endless. Using the clay bar, Michael pulled off a small amount. You can use this clay anywhere on the car, from the wheels and bodywork to the glass. In this case, our wheels probably weren't the best place to start, but this is just to show you how it can be done. Using alongside some Autoglym Rapid Detailer, the clay picks up microscopic dirt and contaminants which can cause imperfections. When you can see it getting dirty, just fold it up again like play-doh until you get a clean bit and carry on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aHkJI4oE_ggz4lK8460mLw08WCdXfXk9OciSBSiuKaFvGLvBa5SzSL2xNz8W-7AjZWvebZVNcVU3uI90nxeHuqi0A54ZZCI0kLB_gia4-9avotC2orkzoKSlto5RugfRg7NP3t7NNcTy/s1600/IMG_1519+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aHkJI4oE_ggz4lK8460mLw08WCdXfXk9OciSBSiuKaFvGLvBa5SzSL2xNz8W-7AjZWvebZVNcVU3uI90nxeHuqi0A54ZZCI0kLB_gia4-9avotC2orkzoKSlto5RugfRg7NP3t7NNcTy/s640/IMG_1519+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is enough clay to start with.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZi7zC1Po1NEd7OHeORtTe6clqPVdllz0wJ5Ja6O3Hp-5Ulau15M7MZ-1OukyL2nxUQRBVeutKAWW7sJA4-qVfXyuY4Wv9mUHh9Xst_MkCJuK_UFrBOHgEJqduUMVIP8bSSme6julBFLp/s1600/IMG_1524+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZi7zC1Po1NEd7OHeORtTe6clqPVdllz0wJ5Ja6O3Hp-5Ulau15M7MZ-1OukyL2nxUQRBVeutKAWW7sJA4-qVfXyuY4Wv9mUHh9Xst_MkCJuK_UFrBOHgEJqduUMVIP8bSSme6julBFLp/s640/IMG_1524+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="425" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With time not on our side, we didn't have all day to clay the whole car, but we were keen on seeing how well the Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover worked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g7axML7fQwvAJaDs2WormGiEHZU5ErNKsRMionT8RlkwYCPp9aCkGX7Px_ikPVsvdaT02BLyS0n07_W6ESCXoPcAZb-jTJvtKTzDb1f0dYb-tNJPrg5-mywZPC8yGS7qIl-TZ_Zx7JgZ/s1600/IMG_1528+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g7axML7fQwvAJaDs2WormGiEHZU5ErNKsRMionT8RlkwYCPp9aCkGX7Px_ikPVsvdaT02BLyS0n07_W6ESCXoPcAZb-jTJvtKTzDb1f0dYb-tNJPrg5-mywZPC8yGS7qIl-TZ_Zx7JgZ/s640/IMG_1528+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR46q9mz8e47C2dsCgG0iQyFRfGQSBNEyj3akWBsKqqTBSi63wfJ98vZzQ3CAwN0_H23zhva9aFAXkJr4-4uWyNtK-mxXs0zPPxHqEPvXQlrcpA7stNkM8Z-aHJNcTjDYeKirCUnFPlBnp/s1600/IMG_1538+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR46q9mz8e47C2dsCgG0iQyFRfGQSBNEyj3akWBsKqqTBSi63wfJ98vZzQ3CAwN0_H23zhva9aFAXkJr4-4uWyNtK-mxXs0zPPxHqEPvXQlrcpA7stNkM8Z-aHJNcTjDYeKirCUnFPlBnp/s640/IMG_1538+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yak. Nasty stuff and difficult to remove without the right product.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptSfWfU_m0TiaR-QiKNhkijN2oC9BWT-b9UDmPr1OvBJS7x4FNd69Zi9L5P56k7rweMez84sZw9jR_a12HlyMIQzIaz2FOLllSG95OAZVpoVazesPA4DffbrrvP4rjD4jFdor0javOo5C/s1600/IMG_1546+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptSfWfU_m0TiaR-QiKNhkijN2oC9BWT-b9UDmPr1OvBJS7x4FNd69Zi9L5P56k7rweMez84sZw9jR_a12HlyMIQzIaz2FOLllSG95OAZVpoVazesPA4DffbrrvP4rjD4jFdor0javOo5C/s640/IMG_1546+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoPdUji0j3fJY8B3RlWSXgVCwdb3OhypihkqYxRIs1jDO9XcbhnA0zGFEe66U-aKp5zQqGhFwxxo-ufLQxzzMeuJpUmrSIN5PGM8dHgC5cNPlHrFoSHA4QvqKR5pPlxXB6QKkSRLbTJP_/s1600/IMG_1550+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoPdUji0j3fJY8B3RlWSXgVCwdb3OhypihkqYxRIs1jDO9XcbhnA0zGFEe66U-aKp5zQqGhFwxxo-ufLQxzzMeuJpUmrSIN5PGM8dHgC5cNPlHrFoSHA4QvqKR5pPlxXB6QKkSRLbTJP_/s640/IMG_1550+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wow. On the left a couple of swipes with Autoglym Tar Remover and on the right the untreated area.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's clear to see on most of the pictures that the car had been heavily assaulted by soft tarmac, and in many hard-to-reach places. Could this product be the saviour? In short - a big fat YES! After a little application of the Tar Remover you could literally see the tar dissolve and start to run down the bodywork. After a few minues, a quick wipe removed most of the splattering. We've previously tried some other products to remove the tar, but nothing has come close to cutting through it so quickly and easily as the Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover - it really is that good!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU5AW3j9JN2aZxoF6GGWwaEW5DALsUlsLxGUDxNsoC4wN-aC81gb8A8bcTayjOejkegVRh8GfCBT2xd6-6Fe-SiPJYDLqsyWwdZRfkgQ53Lk7L6HnZkUsVb47PM2i2QFJijv5Put1WHf3/s1600/IMG_1553+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlU5AW3j9JN2aZxoF6GGWwaEW5DALsUlsLxGUDxNsoC4wN-aC81gb8A8bcTayjOejkegVRh8GfCBT2xd6-6Fe-SiPJYDLqsyWwdZRfkgQ53Lk7L6HnZkUsVb47PM2i2QFJijv5Put1WHf3/s640/IMG_1553+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tar literally dissolves with the Tar Remover.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now our MINI has never had the best paintwork, and when looking at it closely you can see there are a number of swirl marks and light scratches. To try and remedy this, or at least improve its appearance, we used Autoglym's Paint Renovator - this is simply worked into the paintwork like a polish - and the results are outstanding! Look at the front and rear of the door to compare the results of before and after of the Autoglym Paint Renovator. This is really a starting product to see if we need something a bit more abrassive to remove the scratches. If that is the case, Autoglym have just released the Autoglym Scratch Removal Kit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1c9k64uI3kTwpCUunRscWUzyT16AvHIAp0mLqy7vsYosFeSm2DTApmEP2zDJ86SOvCKiEn80uddnPj-griQxADKzTCAcmkwxn9uuIQ-PQFJo7OgsPtze03TWDOvi2oUZzsw2O17VtiP8/s1600/IMG_1563+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1c9k64uI3kTwpCUunRscWUzyT16AvHIAp0mLqy7vsYosFeSm2DTApmEP2zDJ86SOvCKiEn80uddnPj-griQxADKzTCAcmkwxn9uuIQ-PQFJo7OgsPtze03TWDOvi2oUZzsw2O17VtiP8/s400/IMG_1563+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="265" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu1Jdg0qNNY9GIPkARQuRCpqOV_Ao-yGEEDavZkvaMxsfWIj_kXEiKnRcESpGeMCJWKZNso4D3vlv6GLYCKazSWM9rChKwh7imDgM2pEqeXiPFFkUpc0Slt8DLVLUZ6iRptlgqp31Pmfn/s1600/IMG_1570+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu1Jdg0qNNY9GIPkARQuRCpqOV_Ao-yGEEDavZkvaMxsfWIj_kXEiKnRcESpGeMCJWKZNso4D3vlv6GLYCKazSWM9rChKwh7imDgM2pEqeXiPFFkUpc0Slt8DLVLUZ6iRptlgqp31Pmfn/s400/IMG_1570+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwP-6MvH82YazYvOTTNL-XPaSqI7NdhLmTdpYxHJmpDbsb2a-ZgTLVhk1vZyf7jfJgCwqiAcpV0ummlT5zA7NaeeNwMYynp4DFsNoGSbJvmYHLNoJQqG5lkqC3kRLWjfk49zJhgknyyTS/s1600/IMG_1579+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwP-6MvH82YazYvOTTNL-XPaSqI7NdhLmTdpYxHJmpDbsb2a-ZgTLVhk1vZyf7jfJgCwqiAcpV0ummlT5zA7NaeeNwMYynp4DFsNoGSbJvmYHLNoJQqG5lkqC3kRLWjfk49zJhgknyyTS/s640/IMG_1579+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using a small amount of product Michael dabs it onto the affected areas
and applies it as you would do with normal polish, in a circular motion
until all the product is worked in. Repeat if necessary on all affected
areas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8JG_lDhbYzeGsYpo0ZnFQdE8Ic7t8GHn8Oz5itIP7LS_xVXHXn0UiYVcOcqS6rAl-XFHoAVpE43Xd7JlyEsSxrAfCKvLBVq2Byr_LnH-vxVmNdFwolNbecbo0XLJohIL12yvog-L90Jn/s1600/IMG_1589+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8JG_lDhbYzeGsYpo0ZnFQdE8Ic7t8GHn8Oz5itIP7LS_xVXHXn0UiYVcOcqS6rAl-XFHoAVpE43Xd7JlyEsSxrAfCKvLBVq2Byr_LnH-vxVmNdFwolNbecbo0XLJohIL12yvog-L90Jn/s640/IMG_1589+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lots of scratches</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY2J9OW65FTUGuwdQ27U-WpIwT0DTha1ueaxeUsQIjWcsNM8XvadK5FS5kA6PZJL4azxnoCAH6M_FGwBtpgEVpd6KtrSN_6o0YlMOTjib5KQ0JdLW3rzL90nPwUZ4YCzv9UY3dOGZM5fE/s1600/IMG_1598+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY2J9OW65FTUGuwdQ27U-WpIwT0DTha1ueaxeUsQIjWcsNM8XvadK5FS5kA6PZJL4azxnoCAH6M_FGwBtpgEVpd6KtrSN_6o0YlMOTjib5KQ0JdLW3rzL90nPwUZ4YCzv9UY3dOGZM5fE/s640/IMG_1598+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare the untreated side (left) to the shiny treated side (right).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We took a photo of the door he was working on. Michael was working on the rear part toward the handle and we left the front part for comparison. As you can see it's like night and day. The scratches on the front portion of the door stand out like a sore thumb but the rest is pretty good in comparison. Some more work on the scratches and maybe a good polish and they could hopefully be gone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9rvmmUV2HH6mam41RM4319XZ52Y4lqgeHkz28OEvfCXuxi1fYxg01_7HWwI37tBwW4AeYs1gE-YieI5CXHbEoyMiG3NGw71QeojQjCmrDD01FWwP8WdpeqcC3iAFNwYN_Q4wYcpf8j2l/s1600/IMG_1614+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9rvmmUV2HH6mam41RM4319XZ52Y4lqgeHkz28OEvfCXuxi1fYxg01_7HWwI37tBwW4AeYs1gE-YieI5CXHbEoyMiG3NGw71QeojQjCmrDD01FWwP8WdpeqcC3iAFNwYN_Q4wYcpf8j2l/s640/IMG_1614+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When polishing out in the sun like we are, it's best to work on one area at a time to ensure the polish doesn't dry. Using small amounts as before, dab some around the area you are going to polish and work the product into the paint using a circular motion. Use another clean microfibre cloth to buff out the polish again using the same technique.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3OrxFvtLjNJl093ehbUI9vBw1gC0SD6IVeuDTCLr0jdoslQGy5rJ2fTuQySwY1xljrpUJGYGebHIEFdSbZ-_eDdHpzkUmvZpQBuW-MKNVTh4PYyyt6gdRBMo-0LAME4VwWoGxvKOI_dS/s1600/IMG_1622+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3OrxFvtLjNJl093ehbUI9vBw1gC0SD6IVeuDTCLr0jdoslQGy5rJ2fTuQySwY1xljrpUJGYGebHIEFdSbZ-_eDdHpzkUmvZpQBuW-MKNVTh4PYyyt6gdRBMo-0LAME4VwWoGxvKOI_dS/s640/IMG_1622+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the bonnet we had some fairly visible marks from where the stripes decals have been removed. Using the Autoglym Super Resin Polish made a big difference in helping to fade and blend the paint colour to match the rest of the bonnet. It wasn't perfect, but a lot better!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8PZLNQ6JwLXjhrfYMQBdhSthQCXrCTVfQ-YDUQrYGg4MlveKFFMoLoRDt_uw0j2JaW7vu_W7iee-CBzcS2jMwtQjr23zmkV7JT-oyBaymW0_pLMaAHeMBWruYO8jASw5Ps6j259feNf1/s1600/IMG_1640+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8PZLNQ6JwLXjhrfYMQBdhSthQCXrCTVfQ-YDUQrYGg4MlveKFFMoLoRDt_uw0j2JaW7vu_W7iee-CBzcS2jMwtQjr23zmkV7JT-oyBaymW0_pLMaAHeMBWruYO8jASw5Ps6j259feNf1/s640/IMG_1640+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Finally Michael applied some Autoglym Instant Tyre Dressing to give the tyres a nice wet-look shine. The rims on our MINI don't do it justice, but he's a professional... so it had to go on. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyJCxFNNSYB7WwyjLrkJWSCLXjmI6SlH-ULwejg-ws2dlfMlr6FIpKSO4_oBKXqMLoeZIo5TtpTUhjzx8D7ycXVuu-LRNrBly3Dv-xV4jagvr2h5229aHQyA3ad-0LWf3NYin0Dyt_nsr/s1600/IMG_1666+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyJCxFNNSYB7WwyjLrkJWSCLXjmI6SlH-ULwejg-ws2dlfMlr6FIpKSO4_oBKXqMLoeZIo5TtpTUhjzx8D7ycXVuu-LRNrBly3Dv-xV4jagvr2h5229aHQyA3ad-0LWf3NYin0Dyt_nsr/s640/IMG_1666+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8huqasyK4QhDXV7TQDUKfc2zcjyAV7SIy5tNnKFkSjm0z4wgkuYTxNS5yNjWDWffOs3-TG4Sa2Pm7JQh_a4g5piaIg7-iDVLbaI-SLgiUqNtJNKtkfffGWYHxdXDx2-VyM0c6liLKqOC/s1600/IMG_1658+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8huqasyK4QhDXV7TQDUKfc2zcjyAV7SIy5tNnKFkSjm0z4wgkuYTxNS5yNjWDWffOs3-TG4Sa2Pm7JQh_a4g5piaIg7-iDVLbaI-SLgiUqNtJNKtkfffGWYHxdXDx2-VyM0c6liLKqOC/s640/IMG_1658+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where's the scratches?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8cWiqn_0dIJyXbSiTJe03uJwbvqC5ZycoVpaYfgxmSkvJywQxJBYtaeAekBKLqqPtTgNgy0EI2HjTqnj8dWLkXkv1BF54UKyKcFPWazXbvEhnij1ZfARnGKaUTiNrSHpseZ52e4PTo8k/s1600/IMG_1653+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8cWiqn_0dIJyXbSiTJe03uJwbvqC5ZycoVpaYfgxmSkvJywQxJBYtaeAekBKLqqPtTgNgy0EI2HjTqnj8dWLkXkv1BF54UKyKcFPWazXbvEhnij1ZfARnGKaUTiNrSHpseZ52e4PTo8k/s640/IMG_1653+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tar-free.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKtk5DVUq-znE-1ubNURBoSiB0p4ndl-qGh_UKFdXlftd6bE9UY4ImNb6mDGV8Ui2-R1J7HWmXrMqDOW4cEgZHZfJmXeztTDwVVDCxNozDM03cBR37WsUZhDD3LMoTXnQ9OMOvrjwhXEw/s1600/IMG_1668+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKtk5DVUq-znE-1ubNURBoSiB0p4ndl-qGh_UKFdXlftd6bE9UY4ImNb6mDGV8Ui2-R1J7HWmXrMqDOW4cEgZHZfJmXeztTDwVVDCxNozDM03cBR37WsUZhDD3LMoTXnQ9OMOvrjwhXEw/s640/IMG_1668+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrOnbAMispD-_8VNT1bwD0Mai1q5t22PRoRDp0XjIVqEl8XzIBMZaTEyvI0nSt02Y3RQ0Ve4Ib_2PkNtc4bI-1kL62OGtqJEAoljzLVX5GxxEu3msoetWdxP5GSJHCeU5uF0K8Nf0e7PV/s1600/IMG_1672+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrOnbAMispD-_8VNT1bwD0Mai1q5t22PRoRDp0XjIVqEl8XzIBMZaTEyvI0nSt02Y3RQ0Ve4Ib_2PkNtc4bI-1kL62OGtqJEAoljzLVX5GxxEu3msoetWdxP5GSJHCeU5uF0K8Nf0e7PV/s640/IMG_1672+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VzMAegT-cvg3oGFSShAsDg4C2LF2kIW-0zu3TMzeucVpv5j9jO3SQRNUmtSZmMN3ZcHIRT7Sq4e29n1yz-fAuDML6H1ApbWt0G4RduDYHj9uTuhSdnTiaSJlaKS3TZs7WT-k80T6Gt4N/s1600/IMG_1674+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VzMAegT-cvg3oGFSShAsDg4C2LF2kIW-0zu3TMzeucVpv5j9jO3SQRNUmtSZmMN3ZcHIRT7Sq4e29n1yz-fAuDML6H1ApbWt0G4RduDYHj9uTuhSdnTiaSJlaKS3TZs7WT-k80T6Gt4N/s640/IMG_1674+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stripes residue less noticeable.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkucW63vudq5201A6kbxTF8YacTereBpolauITz81cU9QNo4UOWz-ikJT23e7iCCo5HHCSJ_Ukr5SSait-uNF8MvovXArXrK5xFvNXnr0UNHqzj8SpDUHbCFezK-Y0K1QnuE1G6fOaWH1c/s1600/IMG_1680+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkucW63vudq5201A6kbxTF8YacTereBpolauITz81cU9QNo4UOWz-ikJT23e7iCCo5HHCSJ_Ukr5SSait-uNF8MvovXArXrK5xFvNXnr0UNHqzj8SpDUHbCFezK-Y0K1QnuE1G6fOaWH1c/s640/IMG_1680+%2528Custom%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean ass.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And tada... the beautifully shiny MINI with a rejuvinated bodywork thanks to Red Rose Valeting (Burnley) and Autoglym. What a transformation Michael at has done in a couple of hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We're delighted with the tar removal, the stuff they use is very impressive, and even how well a quick couple of passes reduced the visibility of the scratches.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find your nearest Autoglym approved valeter or order products from <a href="http://www.autoglym.com/">www.autoglym.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Red Rose Valeting in Burnley</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unit 1 Smallshaw Industrial Estate, Phoenix Way<br />Burnley, Lancashire<br />07713 888784 </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pg/redrosevaleting">www.facebook.com/pg/redrosevaleting</a></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-34790149421977582512017-04-11T16:37:00.000+01:002017-04-11T16:37:00.535+01:00Belts and batteries<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-ZoaphpbuqAdwYHzOC4nKl58NQF4cjdulUvSkkPBjeiQKpBJm2-v7RvjvygiwbPfHirWwccW1c_uObghZp4CAhxUoG19AYHmaDIUW0u6bFbWfJ9vDCxwJtf-EY9iLJnPT8LmKZ0IBwTc/s1600/IMG_5171+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-ZoaphpbuqAdwYHzOC4nKl58NQF4cjdulUvSkkPBjeiQKpBJm2-v7RvjvygiwbPfHirWwccW1c_uObghZp4CAhxUoG19AYHmaDIUW0u6bFbWfJ9vDCxwJtf-EY9iLJnPT8LmKZ0IBwTc/s640/IMG_5171+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a>A month or so later after getting the new engine in and the rockers replaced, as well as the exhaust welded up, I took it back to Mintech (<a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/">http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/</a>) for a check up to make sure it was all settling down well enough. I've complained a little bit of low power issues and the car cutting out on long journeys, but nothing stood out as the main issue. As a matter of course, being a replacement engine for me, the lads decided to check and change the alternator/supercharger belt for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMdtuF3ncFlnEFapT8cEzkC0lwpqTsTrw9q5BdauIJ1t7Shr6OvPhRAYp-L2HcyRr8ngAVCTSOOCJV0hwHihiGBqVQ3EphJ4bsnL-XQG3BWa5EGUQ9op5K2wcKcZ5eUBulm2U0h8xUDa0/s1600/IMG_5173+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMdtuF3ncFlnEFapT8cEzkC0lwpqTsTrw9q5BdauIJ1t7Shr6OvPhRAYp-L2HcyRr8ngAVCTSOOCJV0hwHihiGBqVQ3EphJ4bsnL-XQG3BWa5EGUQ9op5K2wcKcZ5eUBulm2U0h8xUDa0/s640/IMG_5173+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcVwhMwxVGmze2w6gDmb_FxbEDU2uogJA6CSIbI6jwc8ZQ01P2K9s5TCbSECC2qnzN4zoSPTJ09EP9r1NtiAn2G7mALFLCP3vIj3JLkHbGEkPnxKnJNosEAxhlXFTRCidEZ13Hws-HaDx/s1600/IMG_5170+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcVwhMwxVGmze2w6gDmb_FxbEDU2uogJA6CSIbI6jwc8ZQ01P2K9s5TCbSECC2qnzN4zoSPTJ09EP9r1NtiAn2G7mALFLCP3vIj3JLkHbGEkPnxKnJNosEAxhlXFTRCidEZ13Hws-HaDx/s640/IMG_5170+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It didn't take long and they didn't even take off the wheel liner. Clever chaps.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVuu3xVlLcgEM4Yok_owafnRb9s8cIghGrP4_SAzJZ94XW_wyB_01sG227JINHZbwRvD2vUFOsMZ0kbvodK96_qbZ6a6vjCV3_5T6rHm5MaJDOJdnJYlMU0RUkenILoXeHDkxIv7fk9v/s1600/IMG_5175+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGVuu3xVlLcgEM4Yok_owafnRb9s8cIghGrP4_SAzJZ94XW_wyB_01sG227JINHZbwRvD2vUFOsMZ0kbvodK96_qbZ6a6vjCV3_5T6rHm5MaJDOJdnJYlMU0RUkenILoXeHDkxIv7fk9v/s640/IMG_5175+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="478" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the meantime I cheekily stuck a love:mini sticker on Tony Lynch's MINI Challenge race car that was in the garage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDwNBYOZ5TmTQ5pR1jeNYPLNQfgDdk7A0MA3JqsYVMjhu5imguZ8jlARMPS3m8Q1NHrGhAA3Y8vSiUg0Z-o9BxSmpSTdxq68WzRb09OM0sr4k7CYVNP0jQ4OJDH0JKfeJvs-ctLy2Kdif/s1600/IMG_5174+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDwNBYOZ5TmTQ5pR1jeNYPLNQfgDdk7A0MA3JqsYVMjhu5imguZ8jlARMPS3m8Q1NHrGhAA3Y8vSiUg0Z-o9BxSmpSTdxq68WzRb09OM0sr4k7CYVNP0jQ4OJDH0JKfeJvs-ctLy2Kdif/s640/IMG_5174+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mintech's main mechanic, Martin, loves to jest and tell me how rubbish my car is and that I should buy something proper. He's just fed up that I keep coming back to make him fix things! Haha.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u><b>Current analysis</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So with that in mind, he says to me the first thing I need to do is get a new battery, as the current one looks like the original one from 2004! A poor battery or poor electrical current could cause all sorts of issues, so it is important to have a strong current flowing.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20FcjN-x2v2AEFZvPhOyqVJgHPc9UW4jSzhxTpGFi872CxoqSaQ7InrBMWZASrNBWOB-6kV5bKLllQzLAXOo5Iz-cT18t3Nuw_Ws4yBpVIWtgn44pWYJeDrZ4UpBcclsvoRRJm2b5w_Yq/s1600/IMG_1298+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20FcjN-x2v2AEFZvPhOyqVJgHPc9UW4jSzhxTpGFi872CxoqSaQ7InrBMWZASrNBWOB-6kV5bKLllQzLAXOo5Iz-cT18t3Nuw_Ws4yBpVIWtgn44pWYJeDrZ4UpBcclsvoRRJm2b5w_Yq/s640/IMG_1298+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Having worked with Minis for a while, I recalled a great battery company I'd used before called Odyssey (<a href="http://www.odysseybattery.com/">http://www.odysseybattery.com/</a>). I did some research and found that they do have a battery suitable for my MINI's battery box - the PC1230 - and that they are much more reliable and enduring than standard batteries using more plates and no hazardous liquid - the are solid state batteries. They do cost a little extra, but they perform better and last longer... so it pays for itself in the long run. For battery it looks pretty cool too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I took the plunge and ordered one, safe in the knowledge that Martin wouldn't be able to blame this part of my MINI for anything. A few days later I hear a lorry coming up my rural street...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFRLHBQ5Why0oY7oXLZM1C9mUtR5pVvXESGu82tQi_t_JNK58sVLZx-JC0NPBPwYQ1jbsk_uCfFdknVsWiLe63Ds30msvVy0CfiGwHfrm1CvYe98z3w3c-cBymez5LC0A2QCcATzza-Tq/s1600/photo+1%25282%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFRLHBQ5Why0oY7oXLZM1C9mUtR5pVvXESGu82tQi_t_JNK58sVLZx-JC0NPBPwYQ1jbsk_uCfFdknVsWiLe63Ds30msvVy0CfiGwHfrm1CvYe98z3w3c-cBymez5LC0A2QCcATzza-Tq/s640/photo+1%25282%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It turns out it was JUST carrying my battery...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A9shCGYd2UDCYcldvtbi96-zDZaK9OKhT-lcXpSDejJfXz0YdXX8QjWp6RQF_brvjeD2Voq0T8nJOpfmFH-Rq85-BZgklFqnMGb1_6kR67b3zZ2ALQDPbwAqYgAzpXkodLDTQJ9yacCz/s1600/photo+2%25282%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4A9shCGYd2UDCYcldvtbi96-zDZaK9OKhT-lcXpSDejJfXz0YdXX8QjWp6RQF_brvjeD2Voq0T8nJOpfmFH-Rq85-BZgklFqnMGb1_6kR67b3zZ2ALQDPbwAqYgAzpXkodLDTQJ9yacCz/s640/photo+2%25282%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On this tiny pallet!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyfUYOloO5l9JCPRI-lFu-ujEivucmsjufoM_BVdl61PcoKV2vAuTy5woRuvqWl2qVs5n_wt5agu7O1VeF-BLKRFOft1GAF6q_3_QKzO57wHliyjyRdwvGZpPz2sFV6Un3_VAmlRjS4Ca/s1600/photo+3%25281%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyfUYOloO5l9JCPRI-lFu-ujEivucmsjufoM_BVdl61PcoKV2vAuTy5woRuvqWl2qVs5n_wt5agu7O1VeF-BLKRFOft1GAF6q_3_QKzO57wHliyjyRdwvGZpPz2sFV6Un3_VAmlRjS4Ca/s640/photo+3%25281%2529+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbIJhkP2TzGPH-RCDY1v9TB3yGKNUsE9jrV8p6stPSGy8XPQQn3KaSlAganO45H-W5GPNGUMA_i-fMWIQObXMGHrNRtP8CvX6lMBLr5aR_ZiJmREEhwKzLNTiDkBcx7bXpmcyeCyDy3Ch/s1600/IMG_1291+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbIJhkP2TzGPH-RCDY1v9TB3yGKNUsE9jrV8p6stPSGy8XPQQn3KaSlAganO45H-W5GPNGUMA_i-fMWIQObXMGHrNRtP8CvX6lMBLr5aR_ZiJmREEhwKzLNTiDkBcx7bXpmcyeCyDy3Ch/s640/IMG_1291+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">But look at it - it's RED and shiny. It fits well and looks the part, it's a shame it makes the rest of the rear look so grotty and in need of a clean up. However, we all know it's not how something looks... but I will get around to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So battery sorted, would this fix the power issues? Unlikely, but it's best to have a solid base and know the electrical current it strong and consistent. Then we can get a better read of the condition of other components as we track down the problems.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<u><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">LINKS:</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Mintech Spares </b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://www.mintechspares.co.uk/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Odyssey Battery</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.odysseybattery.com/">http://www.odysseybattery.com/</a></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-26930491428120224852017-02-15T18:15:00.000+00:002017-02-16T20:21:06.321+00:00Teething troubles and too much verve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfPc-v31kKASlyCA8J8VE1qui9Yuz4IOv0Yi7Vm6SqVrjFgL6mvUd_hGHtRkMMMarpX08X9-pldvvva-1_4AoeAPqp6O4-970Cqrsod5YDUgPTMzFqiGvN6frJK5h11B3aeUv1Xk5hY-2/s1600/IMG_5128+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfPc-v31kKASlyCA8J8VE1qui9Yuz4IOv0Yi7Vm6SqVrjFgL6mvUd_hGHtRkMMMarpX08X9-pldvvva-1_4AoeAPqp6O4-970Cqrsod5YDUgPTMzFqiGvN6frJK5h11B3aeUv1Xk5hY-2/s640/IMG_5128+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I've got a sexy new John Cooper Works tuning engine from Mintech in my MINI to replace the one that died - what a result from the chaps in Bury. Boy the difference was like night and day, and I was soon buzzing the R53 around corners and ramping off over humpback bridges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TLEb28p8HNMyLk79Ji5Inipbg-8PRBLl6EjH0JGRX3yOkWcITT5ipA9gAZiQFIDhHNKDA5JZU_kAnCKHuoHOna6CxtcnLXsINR4BoGu-QgNDTkp7zShIaXF5LCUhgGqCdLUcsD4evLdO/s1600/images-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TLEb28p8HNMyLk79Ji5Inipbg-8PRBLl6EjH0JGRX3yOkWcITT5ipA9gAZiQFIDhHNKDA5JZU_kAnCKHuoHOna6CxtcnLXsINR4BoGu-QgNDTkp7zShIaXF5LCUhgGqCdLUcsD4evLdO/s1600/images-logo.png" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well, actually perhaps that wasn't the best idea as not long later I heard a rather loud sound resonating from underneath the car - yes, you've guessed it - I'd snapped the exhaust.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyway, after having the new JCW engine in for a week or so I noticed a loud tapping noise coming from the engine bay. My past experience from classic Minis indicated to me a lack of oil or a tappet issue. So I checked the oil, but this was fine following the recent engine fit, so I gave Mintech a shout and they called me back in for a look.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqUlaqOwoQSpIqFCVbafUH-SDw-BhjMS4cqQmxsYiKbB78JRegLZuoOxjb7KiXoEnVNGfwPTjni-rG_7QUt9zjBHUoAu4jA1cUZkZPqWJiUaDVRWgYZPHveYQuhcVlUNZIB1Y5IW-lWfj/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqUlaqOwoQSpIqFCVbafUH-SDw-BhjMS4cqQmxsYiKbB78JRegLZuoOxjb7KiXoEnVNGfwPTjni-rG_7QUt9zjBHUoAu4jA1cUZkZPqWJiUaDVRWgYZPHveYQuhcVlUNZIB1Y5IW-lWfj/s320/IMG_0797.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My face around the workshop was becoming well known and Martin the mechanic has a proper dry British sense of humour where he likes to moan about everything. It's hilarious. Anyway, so I turn up and he's there cursing at me, asking what I've done to mess it up this time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After explaining, he brings it in and starts examining the top end and suspects a loose rocker. He quickly identifies the culprit and instead of replacing the one rocker, just installs a new set for me in no time at all. Well that was a pretty quick fix.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuFX9GY_mP5lk6djUNHGfK8kgwE3Wx2PZxGEOyDYuejVa4jpg1_lS5hSm3ijaXBPMFdjFlhfBDJOshwBqICbY0qjJWAewCZzAGTesA7LkmO4rH3N96BeEhVKWXbFti7KvgheyMA0XTI1X/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuFX9GY_mP5lk6djUNHGfK8kgwE3Wx2PZxGEOyDYuejVa4jpg1_lS5hSm3ijaXBPMFdjFlhfBDJOshwBqICbY0qjJWAewCZzAGTesA7LkmO4rH3N96BeEhVKWXbFti7KvgheyMA0XTI1X/s640/IMG_0802.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLiTG4zoE-sBn2236chL4DE5Zovr53hizhmKQF_g4NjBW-2xYaKlX2h7e_cx9tUJHQLhIqdUqvxQXqJtDh8Pr9m5Hgp3xzymHDS0qgsh_KaqT_IreJcM5vdD1OoY_xNg_YtWsz4RTApPs/s1600/IMG_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLiTG4zoE-sBn2236chL4DE5Zovr53hizhmKQF_g4NjBW-2xYaKlX2h7e_cx9tUJHQLhIqdUqvxQXqJtDh8Pr9m5Hgp3xzymHDS0qgsh_KaqT_IreJcM5vdD1OoY_xNg_YtWsz4RTApPs/s640/IMG_0810.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_iUKs_dNmkB9U0sdb1oOoBiXfuo9ROpclCCHuyF_ky01ofcHjNFPephGCCeTQ2jz0zq43zZmbuI7oTnO_Nmebk1xjtqbgM3nx0zJIqaxHbIZ0nL5M22aC8A9flpIY1JMmYuJCXzay6j3/s1600/IMG_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_iUKs_dNmkB9U0sdb1oOoBiXfuo9ROpclCCHuyF_ky01ofcHjNFPephGCCeTQ2jz0zq43zZmbuI7oTnO_Nmebk1xjtqbgM3nx0zJIqaxHbIZ0nL5M22aC8A9flpIY1JMmYuJCXzay6j3/s640/IMG_0818.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With one job done I thought I'd better go and get this exhaust looked at. Fearing the worst (as is usually the case with me), I took it too my local garage for them to examine it. Thankfully it wasn't that bad, with a clean break at the back of the silencer. One hour later and with a wallet some £20 lighter, the exhaust was welded back together and gun-gummed up.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfz6jopmE_XEODi5UHOu6_Xakrl4tIaN_TD-OETlWXhSWN_aVBlC2s0ZiY1Qk2iSweugRm3GRARYwwfNbBH4kNXsgG_VMItOFDxL3CqHlFSSywr_4B6jfKJPvEUM0DXMf-E0Stkr_yeYN/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgfz6jopmE_XEODi5UHOu6_Xakrl4tIaN_TD-OETlWXhSWN_aVBlC2s0ZiY1Qk2iSweugRm3GRARYwwfNbBH4kNXsgG_VMItOFDxL3CqHlFSSywr_4B6jfKJPvEUM0DXMf-E0Stkr_yeYN/s640/IMG_5137.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GTIFPFk1WZGPAj39fdX0h1IlmJd3DCLNp0nYYvlBhx1paekmbwTUskr_ovA13Qi5TzlqHMzNG2qmvXlKsTZPCuucx1STLOYu5RbFd9F07OCnchHqeK5EKgLwJdr1D8ckHsBS6YwxcQpz/s1600/IMG_5142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GTIFPFk1WZGPAj39fdX0h1IlmJd3DCLNp0nYYvlBhx1paekmbwTUskr_ovA13Qi5TzlqHMzNG2qmvXlKsTZPCuucx1STLOYu5RbFd9F07OCnchHqeK5EKgLwJdr1D8ckHsBS6YwxcQpz/s640/IMG_5142.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_dXjfl-RjL6ar3aUdNtK6CyY_c_UdNjXjJZgQVaCBWhu7yzR8nFe1WRJ9RKq17VWJ1F_Xn9dbJ3XdKGgR2kGAV7Uhd-YxY9GYYxHsldXfItdxIgxc2ESJ_ECvKbsFxTsS9NXdWZ5XBRD/s1600/IMG_5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_dXjfl-RjL6ar3aUdNtK6CyY_c_UdNjXjJZgQVaCBWhu7yzR8nFe1WRJ9RKq17VWJ1F_Xn9dbJ3XdKGgR2kGAV7Uhd-YxY9GYYxHsldXfItdxIgxc2ESJ_ECvKbsFxTsS9NXdWZ5XBRD/s640/IMG_5148.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whilst underneath Lohen had previously pointed out that the exhaust wasn't mated to the non OEM catalytic convertor properly and so there was a little leak with carbon deposits building up on the heatshield. A bit of gun-gum was stuffed in there as a temporary fix too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-14720393972578295652016-10-09T18:00:00.000+01:002016-10-09T18:00:14.909+01:00Hmmm, again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxJCnT7GhLQ_Wn4k1-F1BmpoVUuMqd3FJGeDdVJn8YYk_BqNNSCdAs-CWHpbgaJOXSd7S3-DEP905CNugijRn-yIkLUuDT6q2fprKCWZTkMG1VWgxdpdGPmKhxJ6xEmRaBJll8twk0i2/s1600/IMG_5115+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxJCnT7GhLQ_Wn4k1-F1BmpoVUuMqd3FJGeDdVJn8YYk_BqNNSCdAs-CWHpbgaJOXSd7S3-DEP905CNugijRn-yIkLUuDT6q2fprKCWZTkMG1VWgxdpdGPmKhxJ6xEmRaBJll8twk0i2/s640/IMG_5115+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the trip to Lohen had been an eye opener. Sadly not for any positive reasons. On the journey back the car felt fine until I hit the home straight and then suddenly I would lose power, no revs, and I'd have to coast to the hard shoulder. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because this has happened so often now I'm kind of used to it, almost expecting it on long journeys. I try and restart the car while it's crawling along, but this seems to make no difference, the battery and starter are fine. After the terminal diagnosis from Lohen earlier in the day it was evident that the engine was on its way out, it was just a matter of how long would it last.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eventually she restarts and I manage to get home and put some more fuel in, which always fixes the problem, despite having a fair amount of fuel already in the tank. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days later - literally - and the engine finally dies a death. With an impressive 130,000+ miles on the clock, I was on my way to the supermarket when all the power went and wouldn't restart. Some fellow drivers stopped to try and help me bumpstart it, but it was no use. So I bit the bullet and called my roadside recovery to come and help me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a small twist of fate the recovery operator was having a break in the supermarket car park I had broken down outside of. When he turned up he said he could take the car to a garage or back to my house. Unfortunately I had broken down on a Saturday, which meant most garages and the one I wanted - Mintech in Bury, were closed. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO0W13T4GQmPY6jV2QidbEZS0FdnUYLXsvEHngrHBs57IzXl2wqpQmR8vPdu12PykP1mLWrklSrE8Sqbd0jPlO5dTDY0hKABh83hC-QzJpjfSz3FJbDJTBq0RugWeBFFQhWwYgVDSmEz8/s1600/IMG_5111+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO0W13T4GQmPY6jV2QidbEZS0FdnUYLXsvEHngrHBs57IzXl2wqpQmR8vPdu12PykP1mLWrklSrE8Sqbd0jPlO5dTDY0hKABh83hC-QzJpjfSz3FJbDJTBq0RugWeBFFQhWwYgVDSmEz8/s320/IMG_5111+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clearly the car had to be moved, but I didn't want it to count as being 'recovered' because I needed to get it to a garage on Monday. Technically the options were limited and I was in a bit of a fix. If he helped it would be a 'recovery'. Hmmm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I asked whether he could just help me get the car onto the supermarket carpark for the weekend and I get it 'recovered' on Monday.... Hmmm, again. He said I'd have to speak to my recovery service and clear it with them. After a bit of sweet talking, they saw the difficult position I was in, and proximity of the supermarket car park and agreed. Confirming I would be able to recover it on Monday to a garage. Great stuff. As it happens a local friend saw us broken down and offered me a lift home too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast forward to Monday, and guess what, there's complications with the recovery service. Despite making it clear on the Saturday and getting it all agreed, I again had to go through it all and explain before they agreed to finally take the car to our friends at Mintech in Bury. I'd already called them up first thing on the Monday to explain and they kindly agreed to sort it for me asap. What legends, without a car, I would literally be up the creek without a paddle, especially in my rural location.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A friend had lent me his works car - a shoddy Micra that has been ragged to an inch of its life with doortrim falling off, holes in the floor and dials that come off in your hand! Ha! But hey, it was a car that worked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUct0L4BJpqiCCM-lVrWopJ-G0HMUpuoBwS_pQFZ6ZTsfprLVwGdgRFc7K5XiOaflc6DMHDYAnaS5m8mnlMLiNJuLAw0SfUVmMJiYJHAlvr99JWrimS-Ug4hrvITaFSHxg7xvz9eTRn6Sr/s1600/IMG_0744+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUct0L4BJpqiCCM-lVrWopJ-G0HMUpuoBwS_pQFZ6ZTsfprLVwGdgRFc7K5XiOaflc6DMHDYAnaS5m8mnlMLiNJuLAw0SfUVmMJiYJHAlvr99JWrimS-Ug4hrvITaFSHxg7xvz9eTRn6Sr/s640/IMG_0744+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A bit later on I get a call from Mintech. They're putting in a new engine, which seems like the easiest (and probably the cheapest) solution, given that an engine strip at some garages can cost over £1000 alone. But there was a question... do I want a standard Cooper S engine, or an engine out of a GP? Hmmm, again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What do you think?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h1e6Pkoyu6u8YeYbdrmNngYQYRgdZZphRm36t9fWeEZrmMQOPZJPHL6AARcOmMqeozwld9FYauYHps-TamSsXmVBY37f475x8HYKUhPCrP8pYQtNBa4JYD6smmHstnsMMzl4y8TlufRy/s1600/IMG_5128+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0h1e6Pkoyu6u8YeYbdrmNngYQYRgdZZphRm36t9fWeEZrmMQOPZJPHL6AARcOmMqeozwld9FYauYHps-TamSsXmVBY37f475x8HYKUhPCrP8pYQtNBa4JYD6smmHstnsMMzl4y8TlufRy/s640/IMG_5128+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh yes I did!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(and they even put the correct coolant reservoir on, a new archliner and Cold Air Intake (CAI).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NEXT TIME:</span></b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfxm7ni9Mq35IFi5wFwN3tH-9OtSUwPBmsnmWOg9RMd11jvu4WyEQC82TZdNn0q5gJfZFf8YiSrz_U5OmUjpTuTG_vxyT7IMOV0kv9KuMN8G_HcHij-o8rdAoK4bL_gNXxRp39GEVR3XO/s1600/IMG_5139+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfxm7ni9Mq35IFi5wFwN3tH-9OtSUwPBmsnmWOg9RMd11jvu4WyEQC82TZdNn0q5gJfZFf8YiSrz_U5OmUjpTuTG_vxyT7IMOV0kv9KuMN8G_HcHij-o8rdAoK4bL_gNXxRp39GEVR3XO/s320/IMG_5139+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back on the ramp.</span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6381395786988419894.post-32046477463687713722016-09-21T08:00:00.000+01:002016-09-27T18:45:58.570+01:00D-Day at Lohen... MINI inspection part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsNMztyNxegVd2tq9TYUEU77SW6QY78eaD-IyzricdBhl9ysDLWvGBNIa8FJ2L28iFt_GEbqhNArTJtEylIE8yOd_J0R7aqy-CRW2AnwMbHVMwDEZaDoQ4ZZmqsHLKJy8ojQHhaZV2Rpd/s1600/IMG_0599-%2528Large%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsNMztyNxegVd2tq9TYUEU77SW6QY78eaD-IyzricdBhl9ysDLWvGBNIa8FJ2L28iFt_GEbqhNArTJtEylIE8yOd_J0R7aqy-CRW2AnwMbHVMwDEZaDoQ4ZZmqsHLKJy8ojQHhaZV2Rpd/s640/IMG_0599-%2528Large%2529.gif" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we're at <a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lohen</a>, the leading MINI specialist in the UK. We've already settled in and had a look round in <a href="http://loveminiminis.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/got-problem-go-to-best-we-visit-lohen.html" target="_blank">part 1</a> - now we're going to get some proper diagnosis.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the MINI is up on the ramp I get my pad and pen out and
prepare to make lengthy notes. Some say ignorance is bliss, but you can
only be ignorant to your car's problems for so long before they come
back to bite you - in the wallet! I take a deep breath... here we go.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm5FSs9GjSi_l5_exYsBrlQm8mfKApNouTzz06FqFJgnwKj9gjSdxuADCTM_52a8vo54ILNpheBwKLJZgXmuzqWESfNnCgj8JsGlHllU1PNC9mdraCyvzZbr5diz6fCAs347Lg76unmwN/s1600/IMG_0581+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm5FSs9GjSi_l5_exYsBrlQm8mfKApNouTzz06FqFJgnwKj9gjSdxuADCTM_52a8vo54ILNpheBwKLJZgXmuzqWESfNnCgj8JsGlHllU1PNC9mdraCyvzZbr5diz6fCAs347Lg76unmwN/s640/IMG_0581+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's definitely a Mini - it leaks oil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Luke is our friendly technician and he will be casting his keen eye over the motor. First
of all he raises it right up and takes a good look underneath with a
torch. Here he points out the various places where oil is leaking from (for the record: rocker cover, gasket for oil filter housing mount, oil sump and timing chain cover).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
check of the bushes and mounts is also done; here he says the wishbone
bushes are on their way out and the lower engine mount needs replacing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PFzy3_AtHtP1Ox-HnUp25QO7BvsbTNOv7h9LLExufHPYIsyqRtSeio5LSOwL3lalyVZmYESNu2S6Z3AOfAMLy0j0qwbiMg7DHuUn38ht9qaPAouwEyYUJKQvq8QdE8_E8_dFMlezzE6F/s1600/IMG_0579+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PFzy3_AtHtP1Ox-HnUp25QO7BvsbTNOv7h9LLExufHPYIsyqRtSeio5LSOwL3lalyVZmYESNu2S6Z3AOfAMLy0j0qwbiMg7DHuUn38ht9qaPAouwEyYUJKQvq8QdE8_E8_dFMlezzE6F/s640/IMG_0579+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meyle HD bars rubbing the driveshaft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A surprising find is that the new Meyle Heavy Duty stabilizer bars I
got from my local autofactors were infact rubbing against the driveshaft
and had 'polished' them as you can clearly see! What the.... Needless to say, I wasn't best
pleased and soon returned them with a complaint.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY_fUoWnuyhjsEkV5cj3p8Ctnezj2PmkTRlkGESyL294rl5CRkiHlO9fJ0ofGoevwq70xy6DKuu1GEuYHJ13pCf5naCHH_dKSR9AzTZaahkfstSRPBBTXNDHWTFUISCATADow8wKhBuWD/s1600/IMG_0574+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWY_fUoWnuyhjsEkV5cj3p8Ctnezj2PmkTRlkGESyL294rl5CRkiHlO9fJ0ofGoevwq70xy6DKuu1GEuYHJ13pCf5naCHH_dKSR9AzTZaahkfstSRPBBTXNDHWTFUISCATADow8wKhBuWD/s640/IMG_0574+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carbon deposits indicate a blowing exhaust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Further
back, Luke tells me that the exhaust is blowing and points to a carbon
stain on the exhaust indicating the leak. This must have been when I had
the new catalytic convertor put on in January, and it wasn't mated up properly.
There was also a missing heatshield at the rear of the exhaust which had been absent since I bought it. I
pointed out the big blog of crud on one of the rear callipers, but given
my luck I thought twice about asking them to investigate it. They're on
my list of things to upgrade anyway, and they're still working at the
moment, so don't fiddle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq428Hr9eZEMa7b_Cm-9PSsMxIgIdXGtyej21gWmt3pTBLfZKDX7BX5tiqjgzQeh86Dc0QFquudA1F4Por70tyOEtk3kgkbetVdM35ITARNNDPJZkA4FAWo09hWwbQx7vBENJAqMsd6Cp/s1600/IMG_0611+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmq428Hr9eZEMa7b_Cm-9PSsMxIgIdXGtyej21gWmt3pTBLfZKDX7BX5tiqjgzQeh86Dc0QFquudA1F4Por70tyOEtk3kgkbetVdM35ITARNNDPJZkA4FAWo09hWwbQx7vBENJAqMsd6Cp/s320/IMG_0611+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engine mount rubber worn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr5v2HI_wiHwxJjrey3MtdsP9T6fuuYAx9wHxR80wehsRNgxoIma2MZ5fIzhvwSJki6zC_bmzHvWYDqqoSIw8EqIOmyEVMRwxh-HcVABT1mRgLxY1OmWgiZTicKe2OzvfeUtc7caY3vhJ/s1600/IMG_0613+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr5v2HI_wiHwxJjrey3MtdsP9T6fuuYAx9wHxR80wehsRNgxoIma2MZ5fIzhvwSJki6zC_bmzHvWYDqqoSIw8EqIOmyEVMRwxh-HcVABT1mRgLxY1OmWgiZTicKe2OzvfeUtc7caY3vhJ/s320/IMG_0613+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Cold Air Intake pipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bringing the car back to down
to ground level and Luke was able to check out the engine
topside - which is where my notes start getting longer and my ears prick up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Immediately from
just a visual inspection you can see a missing archliner (which has
covered the engine bay in tar), a comical VW coolant reservoir
instead of the MINI one. Oh, and the Cold Air Intake (CAI) pipe is missing,
so the engine is drawing in warm air from the engine bay, which obviously won't help
performance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyAL-oziy50DLSNlK_jlSjyOGdy6ZBpYxE_TAiwoqh3LL6knS_nr3a3OevLBT9frV5_JmV5Az6yX8aLwho3Dn-4BV49lFoaxw7iCprZ_gSyi0vRXfAJwut4hP_jUkd2HGBATUYWpmII9f/s1600/IMG_0614+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyAL-oziy50DLSNlK_jlSjyOGdy6ZBpYxE_TAiwoqh3LL6knS_nr3a3OevLBT9frV5_JmV5Az6yX8aLwho3Dn-4BV49lFoaxw7iCprZ_gSyi0vRXfAJwut4hP_jUkd2HGBATUYWpmII9f/s200/IMG_0614+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Further inspection finds the LH top
engine mount is worn and a filter which is meant to cover the brake fluid reservoir is
missing also. As far as those points are concerned, I can't complain.
Fairly simple fixes, but it's not the pipes and filters that are missing
that are my main worry - it's inside the engine!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ggf0tvfE4OuRiTYOX3dIk_Bn2efFKCYzH-JpAbY3DHgH4j19uNWWEbBaXpL8dqBk_N9R6BoYjxBuj0rrZRkZVanuPjvLFv1KHj84v4uxbp-IovZ82K3uBaMvDlzONIeyW-ooy2KI25nj/s1600/IMG_0592+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Ggf0tvfE4OuRiTYOX3dIk_Bn2efFKCYzH-JpAbY3DHgH4j19uNWWEbBaXpL8dqBk_N9R6BoYjxBuj0rrZRkZVanuPjvLFv1KHj84v4uxbp-IovZ82K3uBaMvDlzONIeyW-ooy2KI25nj/s640/IMG_0592+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown and black plugs... guess which ones are bad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it's here that the serious business starts. Taking out the spark plugs we inspect their colour and condition. As you can see the two on the right are black, rather than the nicer mild browning of the other two. This clearly indicates some fuelling issue inside the cylinders, so using the torch Luke takes a closer look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He calls me over to have a look myself and tells me that there is oil leaking into the cylinders. Asking what could cause this he says potentially the piston or piston rings, or valve stem seals - but the only way to know for sure would be to take it apart and have a look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The news was bad. Tragic. Terminal even. But I put on a brave face, cracked a few jokes and soldiered on. Looking on the bright side, the car was still working for now... but for how long?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq9AnAbLyM5Tvx9qYuHlPKef0WANdEHinfp0ShgZPelyoeFGIVfNg2SJ72JKxQWN_Y7oppdBi4More5iP7Z8uwKN17NCMn7kbD9PWjqIzz0qd91EI4fOp9N9DPSsJ6BEuUGe_VxwAqXVO/s1600/IMG_0595+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcq9AnAbLyM5Tvx9qYuHlPKef0WANdEHinfp0ShgZPelyoeFGIVfNg2SJ72JKxQWN_Y7oppdBi4More5iP7Z8uwKN17NCMn7kbD9PWjqIzz0qd91EI4fOp9N9DPSsJ6BEuUGe_VxwAqXVO/s640/IMG_0595+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Compression test on the cylinders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, the inspection wasn't finished. After checking the plugs Luke did a compression test, and unsurprisingly found two cylinders down on power, but one significantly more than the other. This along with the airleak that was recently fixed would explain the misfire I had had.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zFaHGMgC9GDILY7EzgihHDuWHe66xE8POkp8iZGzPjKVV_pkMKS3DcFbmx3HW_hcAMgTE51qolIGL6VyZE3jk8QtHyZcGBhIDNqkOkogwPP_kljPx1hf9TsonodJ9gUi7M1NKeuRTp-M/s1600/IMG_0606+%2528Large%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zFaHGMgC9GDILY7EzgihHDuWHe66xE8POkp8iZGzPjKVV_pkMKS3DcFbmx3HW_hcAMgTE51qolIGL6VyZE3jk8QtHyZcGBhIDNqkOkogwPP_kljPx1hf9TsonodJ9gUi7M1NKeuRTp-M/s640/IMG_0606+%2528Large%2529.JPG" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Combustion gas test</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally, they decided to do a combustion gas test. This gizmo would monitor the gasses in the coolant reservoir, and if the engine had a gas leak, it would leak into the coolant and be indicated by the fluid indicator changing from blue to yellow/orange. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG-gDkWswjQ" target="_blank">See a video here to watch how it works</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If there are any saving graces from the bad news discovered today, it was that the head gasket hadn't blown. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxHdTebpk5YDqKewnScUFvP-BGLsj9aLZuHZtrsWVw2TbCk_al7TEB3AqV_1MQOdhXcQdxjVIVvXi_oypc9jRj6XxXttgEIOsl8lZ4xmBynIEV1rT0ht0NMy4ON8hwJSUuVwa-cQcQc4I/s1600/IMG_0604-%2528Large%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxHdTebpk5YDqKewnScUFvP-BGLsj9aLZuHZtrsWVw2TbCk_al7TEB3AqV_1MQOdhXcQdxjVIVvXi_oypc9jRj6XxXttgEIOsl8lZ4xmBynIEV1rT0ht0NMy4ON8hwJSUuVwa-cQcQc4I/s640/IMG_0604-%2528Large%2529.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the size of this place!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For this
type of Gen 1 MINI health check with an oil, oil filter and pollen change it
will only cost you just £99 (<a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/inspection-1-service-road-detail" target="_blank">see it here</a>), and you can get the next
level of servicing for just £149 (<a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/inspection-2-service-1014-detail" target="_blank">saving £50</a>). </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's very competitive
when you look what MINI are charging - and oil service alone is £115,
with inspections starting at £185! Wow.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alternatively you can get a health check with 3x dyno runs for <a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/lohen-engine-health-check-detail" target="_blank">£90</a>. Amazing value! Mmmm dyno!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can I be honest
for a moment? Ask yourself, who would you really rather give your money to? MINI and its
overinflated prices and questionable knowledge - following computer instructions and not being
able to answer basic questions - or people like Lohen, who live and
breathe MINI, who are happy to give advice and share their knowledge and
recommendations. They are enthusiasts, just like you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you can see from my experience, they have done a good, thorough and comprehensive inspection of my MINI. Picking up numerous issues I wasn't aware of. And when these people see only MINIs, day in and day out, you can rest assured they know where all the common - and not so common - faults lie. It is this extra special knowledge and experience that sets Lohen apart from the rest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqjH_JcZg202Yk1TjVCFu0m2GqQVGEVI0IH0ABNssg9aeEkcQJ2DhvqVjJayRRZK-i_lzqBuHntSu4RJ4APTtcaWemGgMp6Yd09e9O-RcxN8wsmrTEdADepAwlecKERyzo1pvV9-kyTAc/s1600/IMG_0600-%2528Large%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqjH_JcZg202Yk1TjVCFu0m2GqQVGEVI0IH0ABNssg9aeEkcQJ2DhvqVjJayRRZK-i_lzqBuHntSu4RJ4APTtcaWemGgMp6Yd09e9O-RcxN8wsmrTEdADepAwlecKERyzo1pvV9-kyTAc/s640/IMG_0600-%2528Large%2529.gif" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Performance MINI owners trust Lohen.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>So here is the full list of issues identified.</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Worn tyres</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishbone bushes </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Link stabilisers rubbing driveshaft</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Archliner missing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cold Air Intake (CAI) pipe missing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coolant tank incorrect (from a VW)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Filter on brake fluid reservoir missing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LH engine mount rubber worn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oil leak from rocker cover </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oil leak from gasket for oil filter housing mount</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oil leak from oil sump</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oil leak from timing chain cover</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Heat shield on rear of exhaust missing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Exhaust blowing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lower engine mount needs replacing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Compression down in cylinders 3 & 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oil in cylinders 3 & 4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thinking about it? Do yourself a favour and just do it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Take a look for yourself...</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/an-oil-service-road-detail" target="_blank">Gen 1 Oil Service £69 (save £26)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/inspection-1-service-road-detail" target="_blank">Gen 1 Inspection 1 Service £99 (save £31) </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-1-mini/servicing-other/servicing/general-service-fitted-gen-1/inspection-2-service-1014-detail" target="_blank">Gen 1 Inspection 2 Service £149 (save £50)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/servicing-repair/fitted-servicing-gen-2/general-service-fitted-gen-2/road-oil-change-service-detail" target="_blank">Gen 2 Oil Service £69 (save £10)</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/gen-2-mini/servicing-repair/fitted-servicing-gen-2/general-service-fitted-gen-2/lohen-de-coking-service-detail" target="_blank">Gen 2 N14 De-Coking £199 (save £41)</a></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>NEXT TIME:</b></u><br />So lots for me to consider. Find out how I survive....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXivaxpdLWcJyI0Mcy3Bu62d1xAwP5W0wnEAbOPVbkBoi7DK92uzcWQKmxHmcYBKA6PoXvqfs0_KVE6wWfDXWAQ5HkrwsMYPs0z4RIlzFS8i6iYTAl6SK85sq-q-S91fgUydTjMgjskgUY/s1600/13174222_10154182511221103_5836400877871236318_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXivaxpdLWcJyI0Mcy3Bu62d1xAwP5W0wnEAbOPVbkBoi7DK92uzcWQKmxHmcYBKA6PoXvqfs0_KVE6wWfDXWAQ5HkrwsMYPs0z4RIlzFS8i6iYTAl6SK85sq-q-S91fgUydTjMgjskgUY/s320/13174222_10154182511221103_5836400877871236318_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>love:minihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05683131547926424903noreply@blogger.com0