After all these years you would think that the manufacturers could produce:

 

1) Water pumps that last the life of the engine - at least 200k miles

 

and

 

2) Wiper blades that do not freeze in a shape that means only part of the screen gets cleared until they relax into their normal profile (despite flexing them prior to using them)

 

Bill  :no:

After all these years you would think that the manufacturers could produce:

 

1) Water pumps that last the life of the engine - at least 200k miles

 

and

 

2) Wiper blades that do not freeze in a shape that means only part of the screen gets cleared until they relax into their normal profile (despite flexing them prior to using them)

 

Bill  :no:

'Spares Parts' have to make a living I guess ........everything is built to a competitive price also

I use the Bosch silicone blades and (touch wood) have not had any freezing problems.

This may be in part due to my geographic location and not allowing them to stick to the windscreen.

After all these years you would think that the manufacturers could produce:

 

1) Water pumps that last the life of the engine - at least 200k miles

 

and

 

2) Wiper blades that do not freeze in a shape that means only part of the screen gets cleared until they relax into their normal profile (despite flexing them prior to using them)

 

Bill  :no:

It's not just water pumps but other more costly items like EGR replacements.

It's not just water pumps but other more costly items like EGR replacements.

A crude stepping stone to SCR and which thankfully has been consigned to the dust bin.

Edited 31 December, 20169 yr by Ryeman

They recommend you change the water pump at timing belt service weather it needs on or not

I just did just that. With the belt off it's a no-brainer to replace an item with questionable lifespan which is just there, needing a couple of bolts extra to do.

For me the lifetime of the parts is not the main issue- its always a compromise between cost and lifetime , but the labour costs involved in replacing them which is usually higher the the parts costs.

When I worked with Rolls-Royce Motors It was amazing what was included in a service.

 

e.g. the thermostat (which most would believe to be a lifetime item) was replaced at a 3 yearly service. Cost of servicing would bring a tear to a glass eye (and not all R-R owners were super rich).

 

Bil :sun:  

For me the lifetime of the parts is not the main issue- its always a compromise between cost and lifetime , but the labour costs involved in replacing them which is usually higher the the parts costs.

The cost of labour (in hourly pay terms) has remained fairly consistent with inflation. However, the rate charged by franchise dealers has increased significantly proportionally because of the increased overheads in maintaining the franchise with additional equipment, back room staff etc. Parts that were previously repaired are now replaced as a matter of course, but many do have a far longer life (spark plugs for example). The sad thing is I believe new 'classic cars' will be rare, as they become unviable to keep on the road when something as simple as a failed ecu can be enough to see a 10 year old car uneconomical to repair.

When it comes to 'classic cars' I tend to think of pre-ecu ones with spark plugs you can actually see.

When it comes to 'classic cars' I tend to think of pre-ecu ones with spark plugs you can actually see.

 

Don't come much simpler than this :sun:

^^^^^^ those plugs are positively vulnerable)))

Don't come much simpler than this :sun:

 

Simply Clever !      ;)

That alternator doesn't look original to me!   :devil:

That alternator doesn't look original to me!   :devil:

I cannot make out anybody with a motor like that fit such non standard parts, you'd have thought generators would be 10 a penny.

Don't come much simpler than this :sun:

 

But even that has been "over-complicated" or modernised by the addition of an alternator!

Generators were great until the lights went dim, heater stopped blowing and wipers stopped wiping at tickover.

 

Used to be my first job upgrading early Land Rovers. :)

 

Lee

Agreed, but not on something like that!

 

My friend's Little Briton has a paraffin lamp at the back and he has fitted 2 small LEDs into the carbide lamps on the front. 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=briton+cars&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:%7Breferrer:source?%7D&rlz=1I7WQIB_enGB578&tbm=isch&imgil=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%253A%253BTfMjf-gPxvlBeM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.historywebsite.co.uk%25252FMuseum%25252FTransport%25252FCars%25252FBriton%25252FBriton.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%253A%252CTfMjf-gPxvlBeM%252C_&usg=__tfCXlh2TnRvFmirEo8GlRtDNMSU%3D&biw=1280&bih=670&ved=0ahUKEwjDsr629qPRAhVE2xoKHcU3A54QyjcIRQ&ei=toVqWMP_LMS2a8XvjPAJ#imgrc=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%3A

Agreed, but not on something like that!

 

My friend's Little Briton has a paraffin lamp at the back and he has fitted 2 small LEDs into the carbide lamps on the front. 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=briton+cars&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:%7Breferrer:source?%7D&rlz=1I7WQIB_enGB578&tbm=isch&imgil=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%253A%253BTfMjf-gPxvlBeM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.historywebsite.co.uk%25252FMuseum%25252FTransport%25252FCars%25252FBriton%25252FBriton.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%253A%252CTfMjf-gPxvlBeM%252C_&usg=__tfCXlh2TnRvFmirEo8GlRtDNMSU%3D&biw=1280&bih=670&ved=0ahUKEwjDsr629qPRAhVE2xoKHcU3A54QyjcIRQ&ei=toVqWMP_LMS2a8XvjPAJ#imgrc=DgjtoZw0DGdy-M%3A

Blimey Graham, do you have to walk in front of him waving a red flag?

The way Martin drives, you must be joking!! 

He part exchanged a Model T for the Little Briton, which is the actual one in my link.

It has quite a history and once belonged to the Wills (tobacco) family.

He also has a BMW convertible, an Austin Seven, an Austin A30 and a BSA Bantam.

Oh, and a very old petrol lawnmower.

 

The T he had:

That was at the top of Cwm Ystwyth, on the way to Elan Valley on Drive It Day last year.

This year I am organising the run on the 23rd April.

Edited 4 January, 20179 yr by Llanigraham