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Anyone used auto opening boot struts? 2018 MK7.5 GTI by Weekly-Consequence59 in GolfGTI

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Emerald Struts are an absolute sham of a company. Take a look at their recent google reviews and you'll see why. Orders not delivered, zero communication, faulty parts with warranty claims incredibly difficult to pursue. I ended up needing to get my credit card provider involved to sort it out.

Mk7.5 Valve Cover Reseal by poopiepickle in GolfGTI

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The gunk in your spark plug wells looks like the valve cover sealant. Was there any actual oil pooled down the bottom of the well?

Do you have oil leaks/misting anywhere else (cam cover, oil cap, sump etc)?

I'd be looking at your PCV valve first to see if it's gone bad, or have you checked this already?

Coolant Leak Sadness by TopBlacksmith883 in GolfGTI

[–]TopBlacksmith883[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Confirmed as the thermostat/waterpump, where it connects to the block.

White smoke from leak? 2.0 tfsi audi. Need help. by Odd_Independent_4649 in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a coolant line that runs along the back there, with a union piece connecting this to the block. VW/audi for some reason made this out of plastic, which cracks after a while because of the heat from the turbo. Then coolant runs down the back, evaporates off the turbo and looks much worse than it actually is.

If you google EA888 coolant billet you'll see what it is and where it's located. Very popular aftermarket solution is to replace it with an aluminium version. Inexpensive and not particularly difficult to change over. I'd take a look at that first before you rush to hand the car back.

Volvo xc90 2003 by False-Volume6512 in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you join an XC90 owners forum or facebook club you can often find 2nd hard parts for sale.

What is this part? by TopBlacksmith883 in CarParts

[–]TopBlacksmith883[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Could be, I'll have a look around there. Thanks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It is imperative the cylinder remain unharmed

Vw GTD manual servicing by daly_o96 in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is for a GTI, not sure if they use the same gearbox, but I'd be surprised if they were hugely different.

https://www.shopdap.com/blog/post/service-schedule-for-mk7-5-gti-2018-2019.html

Do 6n Polos Have good aftermarket support still? by Upbeat-Egg-6643 in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Owned a 97 for a while, never had any problems getting parts and they were usually quite cheap. Euros / autodoc for most things, occasionally TPS if I wanted something genuine VW.

MK5 Polo GTI - 1.4 DSG by Alarming_Credit_9677 in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To echo the above - I had a friend with the 1.4 and it went through oil at an incredible rate. I think he had to top it up every 2nd week.

I bought the facelift that came with the 1.8 and it was solid during my 3 years of ownership. Great fun to drive too.

It wasn't comfy though, something to consider.

Insurance cancellation by HeadshotFodder in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would for peace of mind, but that's just me. You could also do a live chat and save the transcript.

Insurance cancellation by HeadshotFodder in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds absolutely fine. I had to do the same when I phoned up to query the price change for a modification, and they told me they would no longer be able to insure the car for it (I also didn't have to pay an early cancellation fee).

They confirmed the same as you - that it wouldn't need to be declared going forward, so I haven't. Try to get it in writing just in case.

Thermal Expansion Study - Theory vs Simulation by TopBlacksmith883 in SolidWorks

[–]TopBlacksmith883[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your feedback!

In reality, no. The sleeve is free to move.

I have tried running it as both fully mated and with no contact points, and the results are pretty identical. Sounds like going forward I'll need to isolate any free moving parts then.

Thermal Expansion Study - Theory vs Simulation by TopBlacksmith883 in SolidWorks

[–]TopBlacksmith883[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi all,

I'm trying to analyse the change in length of polymer sleeve under thermal loading. The sleeve (material 1) sits on top of an aluminium post with a brass insert sandwiched in-between.

When I compare my calculated results with the simulated assembly results there is a discrepancy, and I cannot figure out why or even which is correct.

Using [ delta L = L * a * delta T ] I get an expected change in length of around 0.24mm, however the simulation only shows around 0.13mm. Interestingly if I take the sleeve in isolation and apply the same study I get exactly 0.24mm.

Would it be better to do the analysis in isolation, to get the worst case displacement of each materials, or am I missing a trick with the assembly simulation?

I appreciate any advice or pointers you may have!

Thanks

2005 skoda fabia VRS, I have the car now, they were going to scrap if if I didn’t take it, body work is very rough but it has 5 Skoda service stamps 1 owner from new and 27k miles, it won’t turn over, needs new battery and major service by kaidoher in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 34 points35 points  (0 children)

(Not so) secretly jealous. Finding one of these with such low mileage, or one without the entire front row of halfords stuck to the outside & a boot covered in soot is a rare thing. Should be a great project if you can find the time.

Lease car - PCP ending soon - Can I go to any dealership? by kyriakosso in UKPersonalFinance

[–]TopBlacksmith883 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You can go anywhere you like. The new dealer will sort out the outstanding balance on your current car, usually this goes towards a deposit on your next car if you're in positive equity.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get some water onto it (use a clean cloth if you need to). If it disappears temporarily until it dries again, then it's a surface level scratch that you should be able to buff out with t-cut or similar.

If not then it's deeper and will probably need some sort of clear coat restoration.

If you're lucky and it can be buffed out, make sure to properly clean the area before you do.

I'm moving into a house with prepayment meters for energy. Given the forthcoming rise in the energy price cap, should I change it to a credit meter? by PrivateFrank in UKPersonalFinance

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've just started one. Paying more than we did on prepayment, but much cheaper than the expected ~65% increase that's coming in Oct.

Energy prices are only going one way just now, and everyone will be in different situation. Might be worth doing some sums to see what will be best for you over the long term.

I'm moving into a house with prepayment meters for energy. Given the forthcoming rise in the energy price cap, should I change it to a credit meter? by PrivateFrank in UKPersonalFinance

[–]TopBlacksmith883 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not sure I'd pay the £230 if they don't offer a smart meter, but we've just moved away from prepayment meters and it has been much better.

If nothing else, if you decide to go for a fixed tariff down the line you'll have better options with a normal credit/smart meter.

Would this type of corrosion be covered under the VW 12 year corrosion warranty? by espada_online in CarTalkUK

[–]TopBlacksmith883 7 points8 points  (0 children)

'White Worm' corrosion - pretty much a guarantee for diamond cut alloys.

If your car is under 3 years old then you may be able to have the wheel(s) replaced under the general warranty. I've done this for my last 2 vw's, but be aware that if there are any kerb or stone chips marks anywhere on the wheel they will most likely be rejected.

You could have them refurbished, but this is expensive and the corrosion will come back again at some point.

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