Why is nothing ever easy?

So, I've had loads of bits done lately

Discs and pads
tie rod ends
track nuts
brake hoses
brake fluid
oil & filter

but I forgot to get anyone to change the air filter. No probs, I think. Just pick one up and swap it myself. Order one from the local motor factors, the day I'm due to pick it up, the rear caliper carrier shears (don't ask!) and I can't make it for a week and have to ponce lifts to work.

Never mind says I, car fixed, picked up the filter. Take it out there today. ALL 3 screws are worn and impossible to turn easily. The engine side one comes off, as does the outside one after a bit of WD40, but the front one aint budgin and I can't get to it with anything Only on closer inspection do I spot that this issue has happened before...the clip is snapped

Now I find out that I can't get the lid off without taking out the resonator and MAF and those ****** clips. So poked myself once and cut my hand and get it off...and the filter is....very different looking!

My new one looks nice and cheap, but the one in there is clogged with crap and has a metal mesh on the outside ok.... change them over and re-bolt everthing back up.

Everything went back together in it's crap way, pinch my finger in the pliers doing that stupid maf pinch clip

Start car, everything running smooth and nice good. BUT can I remember putting that rubber bit back on the top of the filter?..... no!
Can't find it anywhere so I assume it's in there...I ain't taking it apart again!

Thats why we love 'em!

Been there mate, the mrs and dog always hide when I get my tools out and start jacking her up! I always have a bit of a laugh to myself when I scream at the top of my voice "F****** Alfa f****** Romeo why are these cars so bloody difficult to work on" after clubbing my hands cutting them and generally hurting myself!

Oh well thats the joy of doing "The little jobs" yourself!

Chin up mate, you know there will be another little job that needs doing next week.

Just attempting to do my Air filter, it takes 5 minutes to remove and the next 2 hours attempting to fix the rubbish plastic case! Out of interest how did you manage to get the hose clips back together?

Originally Posted by CooK1E

Just attempting to do my Air filter, it takes 5 minutes to remove and the next 2 hours attempting to fix the rubbish plastic case! Out of interest how did you manage to get the hose clips back together?

you need hose clip pliers! Makes life a lot easier.

Originally Posted by CooK1E

Out of interest how did you manage to get the hose clips back together?

Use an adjustable plumbers wrench the little swines!

https://www.expeditionexchange.com/knipex/DSC03739.jpg

Replace them with Jublie clips and all you need is a phillips head

Agreed, them old clips were a bas"""**"*"*

I bought a new air filter for my car about 2 months ago...

"Easy job Love, back in 5 mins" I shouted to my wife on the way out to the car...

Opened the bonnet to find the rusted, chewed up screws holding the filter housing lid laughing at me...

Then it started to rain...

New filter is still sat in it's packaging waiting for me to be in the mood for wrestling with the screws and hosing etc

haven't done a filter yet, but noticed that the bolts are in good condition on the top of mine.

had an issue with the hinge pin on the drivers door, it kept dropping and didn't shut nicely.
bought the pin (£5) and prepared myself for a long drawn out job......

20 mons late it was all done!!!! and the door closes with a nice clunk tather than an out of alignment thud....

The clamshell made it so easy to do, lots of access and no swearing......


now the sunroof that's a different story

Hmm.. I'm only slightly sympathetic. It sounds like you wrestled with a heap of worn/rusted fasteners and then when you finished the job, you put them back on?

It's "why we love them" alright.. because it's mostly our fault.

If your fasteners are anywhere near knacked, put in new ones.


Ralf S.

Yes Ralf, thanks for that. Next time I go past a dealers I'll pick up 2 stupid sized bolts in a packet of 20 or whatever they do for £30....

Originally Posted by Alfa Vincent

you need hose clip pliers! Makes life a lot easier.

Went to see if EB spares had any (needed to go anyway) and they pointed me in the direction of halfords. £15 tool later and they go back in like a dream. Decided that it was cheaper to buy the tool then purchase jubilee clips.

Originally Posted by CooK1E

Went to see if EB spares had any (needed to go anyway) and they pointed me in the direction of halfords. £15 tool later and they go back in like a dream. Decided that it was cheaper to buy the tool then purchase jubilee clips.

Jubilee clips are crap and never make a perfect circle - hence the new style clips! Besides £15 to keep the skin on your knuckles seems a good deal to me

Originally Posted by Alfa Vincent

Jubilee clips are crap and never make a perfect circle - hence the new style clips! Besides £15 to keep the skin on your knuckles seems a good deal to me

That was the other incentive!

I've checked my air filter twice and replaced it once. Didn't have to undo clips. Replaced fasteners with stainless and copper greased them the first time anything was disturbed. P.S. couldn't find a 'smug git' smily.

where can you get a hinge pin from, mines done in too.

Rusted bits bring back some memories. Call me evil for rubbing salt in your wounds but I can't remember the last time I saw a rusted nut or screw on my cars. Oh wait, yes I do, the 164 I bought over with me from the UK many moons ago!!