Beaver

3 minutes ago, johnnyfive said:

The dipstick tube is airtight when stick inserted, stick doesn't go beyond tube, remove tube, oil assumes correct level in tube? Can't explain phenomenon that makes that happen initially, but something fucky with heat cycles and air expansion etc. Don't know if I've conveyed this properly

I agree with this man

Brakes. Pedal went too the floor but then kind of came back to life but feels very suspect. With car off, pedal will go stiff after a couple of pumps and stay stiff. If you keep pressure on the pedal and start car, pedal drops a but then keeps dropping slowly. It's a diesel and has vacuum pump on the alternator. Is making vacuum (30+ inch hg which is when my gauge bottoms out). No signs of fluid loss (internal or external). Car has been sitting with minimal use for last couple of years.

Any ideas before i start stripping the master cylinder and booster?

3 hours ago, Sc@ Chi said:

We have a Nissan X-Trail T31 diesel manual with 215k on the clock. I love it to bits, we've taken to Cape Reinga and Fiordland and everywhere in between, but it has a very subtle whine when cold and my mechanic says that a sign it's on the way out. I sometimes haul a trailer for holidays and MTB trips.

So I've got two options:

1. Buy a smallish second car, probably manual, low Ks, not visually hideous (i.e. no Nissan Dukes, Leafs etc), up to maybe $7k as a runabout to 'save' the X-Trail for trips and eek it out as long as I can.

2. Buy a replacement, preferably manual or very low Ks auto, and doesn't need to be an SUV, could be a wagon or decent sized hatchback but no sedans. Current contender is a Honda Accord wagon like this trade me listing. Up to maybe $16k.

We had four cars shit their automatic transmissions. A Renault Grand Scenic, a Merc wagon, a Volvo T5 wagon and a Subaru Exiga which had a weird transmission fault which couldn't be diagnosed. However, it typing this out I bet you've spotted that three of those were european cars. Hence, the only euro cars we'd consider are possibly VW Golfs.

Also a bit gun shy about towing with an auto.

Oh, and NO SUBARUS! The Exiga was the biggest heap of shit I've ever driven. Same basic engine format (2.5 litre turbo petrol) as the Volvo T5 (which was just awesome to drive. Hit a passing lane and it'd whip up to 140 like a big rubber band was pulling you to the horizon and just wanted to keep going) but the Exiga was all out of puff at 140 and not happy to go much faster, but also got shameful fuel consumption. Also permanent AWD was shit.

Top of my list of must haves:
- Reliable
- Not hideous
- If a replacement for the X-trail, able to tow a reasonable sized trailer long distance
- Obviously not CVTs
- Unlikely to go for a hybrid as also gun shy of second hand complexities

A decent Holden Commodore would suit my wife. We don't do much driving around town and don't commute so the fuel consumption isn't a big deal.

Hatchbacks: I'd like an Alfa 147 or similar, but would have to be manual, not sillyspeed etc.

Possibly an over reaction to a subtle whine when cold? Just send it.

From a fellow t31 owner 

FYI Mitch is a GC so someone should help him out.

Gives a good reach around as well so well worth it 

Will have to check the diary but should be a goer.

2 hours ago, WankBankA100 said:

The A100 is the minimum I reckon. Had to really ride tye shit out of my clitch to get up some of the hilly stuff. Fix that seat though if you care about your arse!

Jump in with me on the way down eh?

I've seen how much you abuse your clutch on the flat so not sure that's a fair measure haha

In my limited experience (three times) unexpected clacks/knocks from diesels have been injectors and/or pump related.

Your results may vary.

40 minutes ago, HighLUX said:

Note to self.

Pack big dog chainsaw for next year and a length of vacuum cleaner hose + ductape for a universal bike snorkel

To be fair it was going to take a hell of a lot more than a snorkel to get a bike through that river haha

Cam across this from the 1984 eastcape run.

/My phone got wet so this is what the camera sees

Packed and hit the road. Shit I'm frothing