Magnet

As suggested - just take it to Halfords and get the alternator output checked.

Good luck with that Andy.

Apologies Andrew - misinterpreted this to mean you couldn’t source a replacement! My mistake. Hopefully someone will be along to help you out. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Andrew, Where are you searching and struggling to find one? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello again Andy, Thank you for confirming you will respond to the forum with the outcome of your experiment, but I thought it worth repeating the question since, even at that stage, you were making it clear that you were dissatisfied with the forum responses. My response included a number of questions which I note you have neglected to answer, but still…. I’m not speaking for any other members on here, but your assumption that we are not like your Honda forum advisers who get their hands dirty. I can assure you Andy that that certainly doesn’t apply to me, and I could brag for hours about my restoration, and other engineering skills developed over more than 5 decades - none of which were associated with my profession - but I choose not to. I feel I must apologise for the resultant dissatisfaction experienced, even though I’m not really reading much into what may be termed honest opinion. It might be worth sitting down with a couple of glasses of wine and just looking forward to hopefully positive results from your experiment. If it works long term - great. If it doesn’t, it’s only money that has been thrown away, and no one has been hurt. Good luck and contentment Andy. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andy, I’ve distanced myself from this thread, but I’m sorry to hear that answers to date have not been of any help. I/we don’t know what your particular discipline is in in the sphere of Chartered Engineer, but to me, the logic seems to point that you went into purchasing this vehicle, in knowledge that it was burning oil, and it would be reasonable to expect that the seller would ‘under estimate’ the extent. I don’t like to assume anything, but we just hope that it was ‘bought cheap’. What I am unsure of, what was the extent of your knowledge on the issue before ( in caps) you bought it. If it was as you write now, then you entered into the purchase with your eyes wide open - unlike other poor unfortunates on this site - and if so, did you do so on the basis of placing your faith in sorting this out, via. the course of action you now intend to carryout? Would I be on the right line by now thinking that any contra opinion is seen as unhelpful, and what you were hoping for from here was ‘ Sounds a great idea Andy’. Now whether you are amenable to this suggestion, or not, but what would be great would be if you were to add to our knowledge bank, and actually try your procedure - and most important to others on here - report back on the subsequent figures regarding the reduction in the vehicle’s oil consumption. Would you be prepared to do that for us Andy? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mark, I guess there are lessons to have been learned from this:- If you are not competent to assess a vehicle’s condition, then always arrange an independent assessment before ( in caps) committing to purchase. Do not depend on MOT’s to represent the overall (in caps) condition of the vehicle. I hope your trust in allowing them to repair it is justified, and they are not going to use cheapest-available parts to repair it. Please let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

What is trying to be said here Charlie is that it seems (in caps) that the alternator is at fault, but I would get an independent check on this before taking action. I fully agree with what Cliff is trying to reinforce - don’t assume the battery isn’t sub standard as well - until that has also been tested. If it were mine, I would investigate the route to getting your alternator repaired if found to be faulty. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Charlie, Alway difficult to diagnose noises without access to the vehicle, but sounds typical of pinking, where the engine labours under acceleration. Try adding a few gallons of ‘Super’ grade (non- supermarket) fuel and let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Wondered if you have a budget limit on this Monika?

Any decision Peter?

Welcome Jim, It’s usually behind the plastic wheel arch liner on the side where you see the filler. Kind regards, Gareth.

What are your current thoughts Monika?

Welcome Monika, I think you first need to have it confirmed in writing that if you do this it will be acceptable to the ULEZ system monitoring. Perhaps you have already done this -? What will be the economics of doing this, and have you worked out the cost of buying (an unknown condition) engine and the labour charge involved - if as you say you can ( in caps) find someone who is prepared to do it? i.e. how many ULEZ free days is this going to cost you to get to a cost-neutral position? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Sean, Let’s hope someone can help you on here. All I know is that the all important first document is a NOVA document which confirms all import duties have been paid. Then an MOT ( based on the VIN). It might be worth sending Fraser a PM, since he hasn’t returned to the forum for few years. Please let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.