Advice on Ali express

OK so been looking at intercoolers on ali express has anyone used them for anything if so what do you think

I've heard the horror stories, and had one of my banks point blank refuse to let me send money to that site, however, I've bought a couple of things through them, but paid via Paypal, as it offers an extra layer of protection, and the items did turn up, so I'd say go for it, but be savvy, use a credit card or Paypal so you have that extra layer of protection.

OK cool thanks for that, only works out about £30/40 cheaper thats big saving

Bubblefish said:

OK cool thanks for that, only works out about £30/40 cheaper thats big saving

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Nae bother, fancy posting a link so I can look at the item?

Bubblefish said:

OK cool thanks for that, only works out about £30/40 cheaper thats big saving

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Including import duty, vat and use of a third party deferment account ?

Can't work out how to load the link wrong generation sorry but if you just search Ali express then type it in should find it

Got to admit having second thought about it

Bubblefish said:

Can't work out how to load the link wrong generation sorry but if you just search Ali express then type it in should find it

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Go to the page on Ali Express, go to the address bar at the top of the window, click and on it drag to select all text, right click the highlighted address text, select copy, come back here, post reply, right click the text box here you type, select paste, finish like normal post. As all the best meerkats say, Simples!

Bubblefish said:

OK so been looking at intercoolers on ali express has anyone used them for anything if so what do you think

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Get one of ebay. They are under £100 delivered from the UK.
The issue with Ali-Express is you don't know the source of the components on there, and you could also get stung for import duty too, which reduces the price saving.

I've bought lots off there, but mostly electronics stuff, which is low value and and not vehicle reliability critical.

IIRC, there's no import duty on chinese stuff?

Jayridium said:

IIRC, there's no import duty on chinese stuff?

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Getting stuff from China is less strict than the USA.
From China there is VAT to pay on the value if the consignment is worth more than £39 and less than £135. If its worth more than £135, then import duty is payable, at an amount that depends on the contents.

Jayridium said:

IIRC, there's no import duty on chinese stuff?

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Looking like eday then, while I'm on how long in the real world is it likely to change glow plugs going to highlands for chrimbo and don't want to risk them failing don't know if they have very been done.

miktdish said:

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I cannae mind being stung for duty on anything that I've bought that has came from China via eBay or Ali Express? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Bubblefish said:

Looking like eday then, while I'm on how long in the real world is it likely to change glow plugs going to highlands for chrimbo and don't want to risk them failing don't know if they have very been done.

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Not a quick job.
To get to the glow plugs properly the inlet manifold needs removing, which means the fuel filter and it's carrier needs removing.
I'd not bother, unless you're removing the manifold to remove the swirl flaps, which is worth doing for piece of mind.

Ok stupid question time what are the swirl flaps?

What are the advantages of removing said flap and is it noticeable on every day driving?

[Wiki] A swirl flap is a small butterfly valve fitted to four-stroke internal combustion engines with at least two intake valves. It is installed inside or just before one of a cylinder's two intake ports, allowing to throttle its intake port's air flow, causing a swirl in the other intake port not fitted with a swirl flap. The swirl improves the air-fuel mixing process in direct injected engines, typically diesel engines, under low load conditions.

Some noteworthy benefits of removing the swirl flaps from your engine are: Increased fuel efficiency. No more ECU errors. Improved engine performance.

Bubblefish said:

Ok stupid question time what are the swirl flaps?

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Changes length of intake runners, google and bore yourself to tears.

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