Boycotting major petrol stations
20 July 2018 | 08:27 PM
#32
Shell, the robdogs, closed both our service stations. One was opposite Asda so had to keep close to Asda prices. The other had to be fairly close or people went to the Asda one. They closed the Asda one and tried higher prices at the town one. It went bust six months later. LOL Now owned by Apple, the Asda one by Jet.
20 July 2018 | 08:30 PM
#33
If I lay my lawn mower for two weeks with fuel in it, I can guarantee it will be a pig to start, same goes for the leaf blower and hedge cutter. In addition the leaf blower will get hot start problems and lose top end power at full throttle, the cutter will run ok but double stroke a lot. I tweek the carb which helps, but it isn't right and goes out of tune again from one use to the next.
Get some of this: https://www.google.co.uk/search?sour....0.Osj2Q8kvpKI
I put it in my mower tank, it's still usable next year!
20 July 2018 | 09:02 PM
#34
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20 July 2018 | 09:08 PM
#35
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I find branded fuel is no better anymore. They are all using increasingly poor quality base stocks in their blends. Super and 95RON.
The engines that notice first are garden equipment and 2 strokes (bikes and tools). As well as any old vehicle with a open vented fuel system (basically most pre1990s stuff).
If I lay my lawn mower for two weeks with fuel in it, I can guarantee it will be a pig to start, same goes for the leaf blower and hedge cutter. In addition the leaf blower will get hot start problems and lose top end power at full throttle, the cutter will run ok but double stroke a lot. I tweek the carb which helps, but it isn't right and goes out of tune again from one use to the next.
Emptying the fuel into a sealed container after each use mitigates this, and generally it will stay 'good' for about six months. Lawn mower will start first pull after priming and run smooth straight away (as opposed to the fourth or Fith pull with a cough a splutter if left for 2 weeks with fuel in). Not so practical on cars and bikes, to drain and run them dry, so just have to keep them as full as possible and pray what ever 'fuel stabiliser'/snake oil additive one may attempt to use in vain actually works (I'm saying it doesn't work, well inconclusive at least).
Now, here's the twist, I take the hedge cutter over to Spain, and don't have a problem with it and just need to setup the carb once and it's fine thereafter, using the very same bottle of premix oil, and just Spanish fuel being the difference...it smells different and is a slightly different colour. All I can guess is it's orientated to a hotter climate so it doesn't gas off as much.
Back at work we're seeing classic cars brought in every Summer for another tune up after being done 12 months ago...SUs don't go out of tune that quick, especially HIFs, same with Strom CDs, they used to be set and forget. I check the mileage and find that in every case less than a few hundred miles have been done, I sniff the tank, smells more like paraffin. All I do is pump it out, fill with fresh, go for a drive and usually its sorted.
The only exceptions is if the carbs have sucked up rust and rubber residue into the jets, caused by the Ethanol, now that's another headache I'd rather not endure. And the main reason for selling my Kawasaki H1...every time I came to use it the brass floats had started to react with the aluminium and block up the idle jets...cleaning three carbs every few months every time I tried to use the thing was just too much of an ****, keeping the tank full doesn't work as the floats are still open to the atmosphere, fuel evaporates, ethanol attracts water and I'm left with a soupy corrosive mess.
That was before I found out ESSO sell Ethanol free 98RON fuel, well, they used to until they decided to knock down my local branch.
The engines that notice first are garden equipment and 2 strokes (bikes and tools). As well as any old vehicle with a open vented fuel system (basically most pre1990s stuff).
If I lay my lawn mower for two weeks with fuel in it, I can guarantee it will be a pig to start, same goes for the leaf blower and hedge cutter. In addition the leaf blower will get hot start problems and lose top end power at full throttle, the cutter will run ok but double stroke a lot. I tweek the carb which helps, but it isn't right and goes out of tune again from one use to the next.
Emptying the fuel into a sealed container after each use mitigates this, and generally it will stay 'good' for about six months. Lawn mower will start first pull after priming and run smooth straight away (as opposed to the fourth or Fith pull with a cough a splutter if left for 2 weeks with fuel in). Not so practical on cars and bikes, to drain and run them dry, so just have to keep them as full as possible and pray what ever 'fuel stabiliser'/snake oil additive one may attempt to use in vain actually works (I'm saying it doesn't work, well inconclusive at least).
Now, here's the twist, I take the hedge cutter over to Spain, and don't have a problem with it and just need to setup the carb once and it's fine thereafter, using the very same bottle of premix oil, and just Spanish fuel being the difference...it smells different and is a slightly different colour. All I can guess is it's orientated to a hotter climate so it doesn't gas off as much.
Back at work we're seeing classic cars brought in every Summer for another tune up after being done 12 months ago...SUs don't go out of tune that quick, especially HIFs, same with Strom CDs, they used to be set and forget. I check the mileage and find that in every case less than a few hundred miles have been done, I sniff the tank, smells more like paraffin. All I do is pump it out, fill with fresh, go for a drive and usually its sorted.
The only exceptions is if the carbs have sucked up rust and rubber residue into the jets, caused by the Ethanol, now that's another headache I'd rather not endure. And the main reason for selling my Kawasaki H1...every time I came to use it the brass floats had started to react with the aluminium and block up the idle jets...cleaning three carbs every few months every time I tried to use the thing was just too much of an ****, keeping the tank full doesn't work as the floats are still open to the atmosphere, fuel evaporates, ethanol attracts water and I'm left with a soupy corrosive mess.
That was before I found out ESSO sell Ethanol free 98RON fuel, well, they used to until they decided to knock down my local branch.
Sure I used to put the 2 star in my Talbot Samba
21 July 2018 | 08:28 AM
#40
Get some of this: https://www.google.co.uk/search?sour....0.Osj2Q8kvpKI
I put it in my mower tank, it's still usable next year!
I put it in my mower tank, it's still usable next year!
21 July 2018 | 09:47 AM
#42
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From: The hell where youth and laughter go
Both my 2stroke tools are adjustable carbs and only a few years old...one uses a shrouded hex and the other is a tamper proof screws for the High jet and low/mid jet, and the idle is just a plain Philips (slot on the other). They both do have catalytic converters though.
Lawn mower...that's 22years old...now that's a fixed carb. No mixture adjustment, fixed orifice jet in the base of the float. And fixed speed goverened at 2800rpm.
Last edited by ALi-B; 21 July 2018 at 10:17 AM.
21 July 2018 | 09:56 AM
#44
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From: The hell where youth and laughter go
About to lop some branches off with the pruner/cutter so here's proof...
Low jet top left
High jet bottom left
Idle screw on right
Never had to adjust more than 1/4 turn. 1/8 turn usually enough to stop it double stroking. Different oil brands do make a difference to tune, used to use Sthil oil but now using Oregon, cutter runs nice on it, leaf blower not so good
Fuel mixed with a syringe into a accurate container...those premix bottle are terribly inaccurate, even the Stihl ones once they age (fuel pressure makes container balloon slightly so over time it distorts and the marking are no longer accurate).
Last edited by ALi-B; 21 July 2018 at 10:02 AM.
21 July 2018 | 10:13 AM
#45
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From: riding the crest of a wave ...
21 July 2018 | 10:36 AM
#46
21 July 2018 | 10:42 AM
#47
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From: Api 500+bhp MD321T @91dB Probably SN's longest owner of an Impreza Turbo
What other costs, I've bought the vehicle, these are daily run costs. I don't see anyone else bringing in oil changes filters etc. we are talking about daily fuel expense.
I don't care if it's not a roll Royce or Lamborghini. The Nissan has a perfectly pleasant interior, all the bells and whistles of Nav, adaptive cruise, Aircon, auto steer,
Bottom line EV are significantly cheaper to run/service. If driving experience is your only argument to knock the massive fuel savings you've already lost the argument.
If I want a different driving experience I just go out in my 6.2ltr V8 petrol truck or top of the range XC90 with luxury interior
Last edited by andy97; 21 July 2018 at 10:47 AM.
22 July 2018 | 02:15 PM
#48
Cheaper to run/service?
Come back and tell us what's what when you have to have new batteries?
Unless you are one of the rich elite who will change the car after three years so the poorer among us can have YOUR problems?
Come back and tell us what's what when you have to have new batteries?
Unless you are one of the rich elite who will change the car after three years so the poorer among us can have YOUR problems?
22 July 2018 | 03:53 PM
#49
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From: Api 500+bhp MD321T @91dB Probably SN's longest owner of an Impreza Turbo
Nissan give 8 year warranty on their battery packs. Also battery packs aren't swapped as a whole unit only faulty cells. Elite, very kind of you, I will be changing my 2018 Leaf for a 2019 Leaf.
22 July 2018 | 06:56 PM
#51
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It's called Nissan Tax in the trades.
Even the parts for my N13 Sunny was astronomical.
In fairness Nissan are concerned about reputation...when the D40 Navarras all started snapping their chassis in half, they began buying them back off owners when out of warranty , although at first they blamed owner neglect, however with the plethora of chassis failures with the impeding legal cases would have seen their name tarnished further, they had little choice.
Same 'may' happen with their EVs, or maybe not; They washed their hands of the CVT issues on the Qashqai/Juke as well as their leaky 1234yf air-con.
Even the parts for my N13 Sunny was astronomical.
In fairness Nissan are concerned about reputation...when the D40 Navarras all started snapping their chassis in half, they began buying them back off owners when out of warranty , although at first they blamed owner neglect, however with the plethora of chassis failures with the impeding legal cases would have seen their name tarnished further, they had little choice.
Same 'may' happen with their EVs, or maybe not; They washed their hands of the CVT issues on the Qashqai/Juke as well as their leaky 1234yf air-con.
Last edited by ALi-B; 22 July 2018 at 07:07 PM.
22 July 2018 | 07:30 PM
#52
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From: Api 500+bhp MD321T @91dB Probably SN's longest owner of an Impreza Turbo
EV will become the norm in very short order. Reason, pollution and most people are lazy *****.
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
22 July 2018 | 08:56 PM
#53
EV will become the norm in very short order. Reason, pollution and most people are lazy *****.
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
They need to drop the price drastically before they become the norm, even a used vehicle requires a big monthly payment to insure the battery packs.
22 July 2018 | 09:34 PM
#54
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EV will become the norm in very short order. Reason, pollution and most people are lazy *****.
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
Here is an example why electric will be here in mass very soon. London's air pollution dropped 89% on the day of the London Marathon (banned vehicles) You can't ignore the figures
23 July 2018 | 08:34 AM
#56
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From: Api 500+bhp MD321T @91dB Probably SN's longest owner of an Impreza Turbo
Just expanding upon this petrol usage cost.
Yearly cost of petrol £3100- based on above figures.
EV cost to do same distance £303
So in fuel savings alone you can pretty much cover most if not all the lease/finance costs. After yr 3, EV paid off, saving money, saving on pollution(see previous comment about London's dramatic reduction when cars are banned for the day)
I thought it was funny, that to get better than 30mpg, everyone is driving like Miss Daisy at max speed 50mph. I dont need to worry too much about watching my speed, just follow you with adaptive cruise on or sail by with a whisper quiet smug look
Yearly cost of petrol £3100- based on above figures.
EV cost to do same distance £303
So in fuel savings alone you can pretty much cover most if not all the lease/finance costs. After yr 3, EV paid off, saving money, saving on pollution(see previous comment about London's dramatic reduction when cars are banned for the day)
I thought it was funny, that to get better than 30mpg, everyone is driving like Miss Daisy at max speed 50mph. I dont need to worry too much about watching my speed, just follow you with adaptive cruise on or sail by with a whisper quiet smug look
23 July 2018 | 09:37 AM
#59
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From: Friedrichshafen Germany/Preston UK
Rolling out the charging points is great, but where is the electricity going to come from. There simply isn't the capacity for everyone to use EVs and there is no government plan to realistically increase that capacity any time soon!
23 July 2018 | 11:04 AM
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From: Api 500+bhp MD321T @91dB Probably SN's longest owner of an Impreza Turbo
Peak hour charging isn't that common, off peak where overall grid demand is low so an instant in EV isn't going to put an overload above peak demand during daytime use. Smart management of charging