Dan's 1.6 repairs

[suffolkpete]

Sounds like the constant mesh gears, I've heard worse on new cars.  My philosophy with transmission noises is to worry only if they start to get worse.

[Grapes]

OK that sounds good to me 👍 😁

[Grapes]

Hi, I brought my car for the MOT and the garage told me that the brake booster or brake servo isn't working properly. Someone advised me to rebuild it rather than replace it. What do you guys advise?

[suffolkpete]

I haven't heard of anyone rebuilding one of these, or if the parts are available.  Before condemning the servo I would check that there is vacuum at the servo and that the non-return valve where the vacuum pipe connects to the servo is functioning.  It is easy to check a servo.  With the engine off pump the pedal several times until the vacuum is exhausted then, while holding the pedal down, start the engine.  With a good servo you should feel the pedal sink slightly.

[Grapes]

Ah ok and if they are right about the servo, are there replacements available?

[suffolkpete]

Simon-auto stock them for 199 euros exchange, but you may find that a unit from other contemporary models may fit.

[Grapes]

Alright that should work. I'll check the vacuum thing first 

[JV]

Please, reduce the format of your picture

[Grapes]

Please, reduce the format of your picture

My bad! Here is the small one. To me it really looks like the servo has started to leak. Also I guess that these indeed can be rebuilt seeing how Matra Magic and Simon Auto both offer them as exchange parts. So I guess I'll start by removing this one.

[suffolkpete]

There shouldn't be fluid inside the servo.  If that's brake fluid you can see then it's coming from the master cylinder and you should notice a fluid loss.  These can be rebuilt cheaply and you can find instructions on how to do it on Roy Gillard's website.

[Grapes]

Ah, maybe the garage just sprayed the joints in something 🤔

[Grapes]

Need to polish the lenses of the headlamps to get it MOT approved... Does anyone know if that toothpaste polishing technique that floats around the internet really works?

[Anders Dinsen]

It's usually the reflectors that give people problems. I would buy a headlamp polish kit, toothpaste may work, but why waste time on trying when there are polishes made for just this, e.g. https://www.holtsauto.com/holts/products/headlight-restoration-kit/

/Anders

[Grapes]

Headlamp polish kit acquired! Thanks for the quick advice! These must be popular, I had to visit 3 stores before I found one that wasn't sold out. Also had a hard time finding a vacuum hose for the connection between the brake booster and the plastic pipe. Apparently the 9mm inner diameter is uncommon? I've got a piece of hydraulics hose from a pneumatics company now that feels more or less equally tough. I'll just have to try it out and hope it's a match I guess.

[Anders Dinsen]

Great! I've never tried it, but the kit looked good. Is it too late to ask for pictures showing before/after?