Take a 2019 Tea Break with Delta

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Just another quick thought on this Baub. Now, I would never suggest that you sir could have done something silly like leaving the lights on but, just check that the boot light (if your model has such a thing) is going out when the door is closed. (I'm assuming you have a Corsa hatchback, so this is easy to check either by tilting the rear seat backs forward or removing the rear parcel shelf so you can see into the luggage compartment when the hatch is closed. If your car has a real boot you will have to find yourself a trusting soul who is prepared to climb into the boot and let you then close it to see if it goes dark!). Another possibility could be a light in the glovebox not going out, but this is more difficult to check. Either of these staying on overnight would be enough to flatten your battery.

This rings true with problems on our car previously.
Had some bodywork done, and the rear hatch (estate car) was left open overnight after the paint was baked. The battery was in good health before the work, but the draining of the battery completely killed it. Only fixed by a new battery being installed.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Worked on a lot of Imps in my time Mike and I never saw one with a cable, they all hydraulic Mind you my memory isn't what it was

As you say, memories aren't what they used to be!

Prior to the Imp, I was the proud owner of a Renault Dauphine, and it must have been that car that was the problem.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Tim Falce

We often get HGV drivers in our place that can't drive a manual truck, I wonder how they'd ever get on if given something with a Fuller Roadranger box or similar.

I wonder how they would get on with an Alvis Stalwart - 6 wheel drive and no differential!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvis_Stalwart

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

This rings true with problems on our car previously.
Had some bodywork done, and the rear hatch (estate car) was left open overnight after the paint was baked. The battery was in good health before the work, but the draining of the battery completely killed it. Only fixed by a new battery being installed.

Since taking the lead out of batteries they have become far less resilient. Quite often a 'dead' battery can be brought back to life using a special charger which will run it through a cycle of charging/discharging, it's almost as if they need to be taught how to hold their charge again!

[Mike Bell]

Bob, if (and that’s not confirmed) you have a dead cell you can charge as much as you like, but the battery still won’t start the car. Soon as it gets a heavy / starter load the plates will warp and it will lose continuity.......

[grantp]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Since taking the lead out of batteries they have become far less resilient. Quite often a 'dead' battery can be brought back to life using a special charger which will run it through a cycle of charging/discharging, it's almost as if they need to be taught how to hold their charge again!

I have heard of this before and there are numerous videos on YouTube that claim to be able to "recover" dead batteries by some sort of regeneration process based on eliminating (by reversing) the deposit build up on the plates that causes the eventual degradation.

Nominally all of the plates will be affected equally but of course there always has to be one cell that will fail first and the loss of a single cell is enough to reduce the available power. No matter how the cell connections are designed the chances are that if the battery installed is well matched (i.e. not over specified) for the demands of the engine start procedure the loss of a cell is more than enough to prevent the car starting and rapidly drain whatever charge is available by repeated attempts. Still usually enough power to show some lights (especially if LED) but not much else.

I have never tried regeneration suggestions on the basis that the batteries I have changed were all about 6 or 7 years old and the cars were rarely taking long runs so battery charging cycles were not ideal. I decided that 6 or 7 years was probably a reasonable return on the price and replacement avoided the chance of further repeats of the inconvenient failures.

Matching the battery specification to the power demands for starting the vehicle is important especially for longevity of the battery at its rated performance level.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Since taking the lead out of batteries they have become far less resilient. Quite often a 'dead' battery can be brought back to life using a special charger which will run it through a cycle of charging/discharging, it's almost as if they need to be taught how to hold their charge again!

I’ve done that with my ‘intelligent’ charger. Fitted new battery to the truck generator, left the old one on the charger in recovery mode and it’s now seemingly perfect again. Lucky it wasn’t an expensive battery!

[Mike Bell]

My favourite time waster- the local Classic auction website.... https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/clas...h-august-2019/

Something for everyone on there- a Viva for Viv, Panda Sisley for Gary, 3.0CS for JT, and even a Fregate ‘Transfluide’ or C6 for Gerard!

My choice would be the Pug 505GTi though, but shame it’s not a manual......

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

My favourite time waster- the local Classic auction website.... https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/clas...h-august-2019/

Something for everyone on there- a Viva for Viv, Panda Sisley for Gary, 3.0CS for JT, and even a Fregate ‘Transfluide’ or C6 for Gerard!

My choice would be the Pug 505GTi though, but shame it’s not a manual......

That Panda looks quite tidy. I like the Fulvia as well, very nice.

[Peter Mallett]

Nice looking BMW 1602 as well.

Even with the dings the E Type looks a good buy.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Nice looking BMW 1602 as well.

Even with the dings the E Type looks a good buy.

I’d probably lose the splitter off the Beemer, though! That E is good value if it goes for the estimate......

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

My favourite time waster- the local Classic auction website.... https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/clas...h-august-2019/

Something for everyone on there- a Viva for Viv, Panda Sisley for Gary, 3.0CS for JT, and even a Fregate ‘Transfluide’ or C6 for Gerard!

My choice would be the Pug 505GTi though, but shame it’s not a manual......

Some interesting 'tin' there Mike, but was an entertaining launch time browse. I'm strangely attracted towards one of the automatic BMC cars, Mini or 1300...

[Peter Mallett]

Looking at previous auctions the selling price has been pretty close to the estimates.

[andy97]

How much for a Morris Marina?!!!!
Quite like the Alfa GTV and the BMW 840 myself. And “no reserve” on a Renault GTA V6 turbo is also interesting.

[bauble]

Up-date;

Battery charged, car started, ran it round to Danny, who put a meter across it, idling and under load, and al is well. Saving me a minimum of £40 for a replacement (normal price £65.00)

Apparently Corsa's have problem with the instrument panel that was subject of a recall some years ago, a small plug at the rear can become loose or fall out leading to problems. Replacement about £400, and second hand ones are no good as they have to be programmed to the car. From his own experience with his daughters Corsa he found a similar problem to mine. The blue warning light when on full beam had not gone out and drained the battery overnight. Dropping the panel and pushing the plug in cured it. I will need to keep an eye on any warning light when leaving the car for long periods.

Perhaps I have had a warning; I drove too Silverstone for the Bentley Drivers club meeting, and quickly realised the instrument panel was not working. Speedo, rev counter, oil, petrol gauges all dead. I assumed a fuse had blown, but when I drove home all was back to normal. I will arrange to have the panel plug checked.

Thanks again for your advises, it is good to have friends.

Kind regards,


Uncle bauble.

[Mike Bell]

Glad you're sorted, Bob, and it wasn't as costly as could have been!

interesting about the wiring plug. Modern cars!

[John Elwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

My favourite time waster- the local Classic auction website.... https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/clas...h-august-2019/

Something for everyone on there- a Viva for Viv, Panda Sisley for Gary, 3.0CS for JT, and even a Fregate ‘Transfluide’ or C6 for Gerard!

My choice would be the Pug 505GTi though, but shame it’s not a manual......

A friend had already told me about the Renault Fregate but I had not looked at the rest until now. Since the two Elans are out of my price range I would be more than happy with the Alfa 159. I'm currently contemplating a GT Coupe.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Some interesting 'tin' there Mike, but was an entertaining lunch time browse. I'm strangely attracted towards one of the automatic BMC cars, Mini or 1300...

The auto Mini Traveller probably a safe investment, but I rather like the 2dr Austin 1300. Easy to forget how well the model sold in period, and how few there are now!

How about the V6 Alfa 159 Q4? Think that means 4wd..... Would that still have the 'Busso' engine, or a newer generation lump?

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

How about the V6 Alfa 159 Q4? Think that means 4wd..... Would that still have the 'Busso' engine, or a newer generation lump?

Definitely 4wd. Without looking at the details again, i suspect its a 3.2 litre V6 very strongly related to the Vauxhall engine. One for Bauble - Italian style, GM horses.

And interestingly (or not) Audi paid Alfa good money for the right to exclusive use of the Q designation about 5 years ago(ish).

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by andy97

Definitely 4wd. Without looking at the details again, i suspect its a 3.2 litre V6 very strongly related to the Vauxhall engine. One for Bauble - Italian style, GM horses.

And interestingly (or not) Audi paid Alfa good money for the right to exclusive use of the Q designation about 5 years ago(ish).

Mmm, if it’s not. proper Alfa engine, then no.... Related to a GM engine? What were they thinking!

The Saab Carlsson is a rare beast.....

[andy97]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Mmm, if it’s not. proper Alfa engine, then no.... Related to a GM engine? What were they thinking!
....

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_JTS_engine

GM Australia apparently.

[bauble]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Mmm, if it’s not. proper Alfa engine, then no.... Related to a GM engine? What were they thinking!

The Saab Carlsson is a rare beast.....

I hope they don't have a problem with the dash.

[andy97]

Originally Posted by bauble

I hope they don't have a problem with the dash.

Alfa electrics are a mystery that defy physics.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by bauble

Up-date;

Battery charged, car started, ran it round to Danny, who put a meter across it, idling and under load, and al is well. Saving me a minimum of £40 for a replacement (normal price £65.00)

Apparently Corsa's have problem with the instrument panel that was subject of a recall some years ago, a small plug at the rear can become loose or fall out leading to problems. Replacement about £400, and second hand ones are no good as they have to be programmed to the car. From his own experience with his daughters Corsa he found a similar problem to mine. The blue warning light when on full beam had not gone out and drained the battery overnight. Dropping the panel and pushing the plug in cured it. I will need to keep an eye on any warning light when leaving the car for long periods.

Perhaps I have had a warning; I drove too Silverstone for the Bentley Drivers club meeting, and quickly realised the instrument panel was not working. Speedo, rev counter, oil, petrol gauges all dead. I assumed a fuse had blown, but when I drove home all was back to normal. I will arrange to have the panel plug checked.

Thanks again for your advises, it is good to have friends.

Kind regards,


Uncle bauble.

Glad to hear you're all sorted now baub.
So, we can now return to the more usual hostile service I presume?

[Mike Bell]

When I look through the cars on that particular auction site, those with local (Norfolk, Norwich or Gt Yarmouth) registrations are always of particular interest. This time, there’s at least 4, including the A35, TR3A, VX 4/90 and Viva. Luckily I can’t afford to bid for any of them