I met a chap today using waterless radiator fluid in his V8. I can’t really see the advantage is; it runs much hotter than standard (over 100 deg C apparently) and needs a special thermostat; the fluid itself is quite expensive too. I was led to believe that if the engine runs at a higher...

My colleague has had his TD5 chipped and has had a vaiable vane turbo fitted. When he accelerates, thick black smoke pours out of the exhaust. Is that going to be a problem with the new MoT?

Got mine from Island-4x4. Standard springs all around after I removed the OME ones. It was interesting to note that my V8 sits slightly higher than my colleague’s TD5 and his were changed a week before I did mine.

Oh OK; I thought it may have gone in somewhere. I’m still puzzled as to why it came out in the first place.

Just got back from the shops and there was a black tube trailing underneath the car. I traced it back and it’s the front axle breather tube. I’ve pulled the tube back into the engine bay and zip-tied it securely but where is it meant to go? Does the open end of the tube go into anything?

Several shuffles through the auto gearbox and it’s started! Maybe it was the xyz switch - who knows!

Just pulled in to a garage to get some diesel; came to start it and it won’t turn over. It had a new starter motor and xyz switch in December; could the switch be causing the issue? Just waiting for the breakdown people so at least I can get home.

Changed my rear disks and pads today. It was sunshining when I started but soon began to rain...sigh!

Are both drop-links detached or just one side? I removed the ACE on mine because the ARB kept becoming asymmetrical and the droplink would disconnect and reconnect if I drove around a sharp bend. When I had ACE, I had to remove the rear ARB and its tubing, loosen off the arm so that it was...

My small blowtorch was probably not hot enough! I’ll have to wait for the new ones and a suitable weather window to turn up.

I took the caliper off with a view to replacing the brake pads and discovered that one of the sliders in the rear brake caliper hanger is totally seized. I tried heating it with a blowtorch and then trying to turn it in a vice but to no avail. I’ve ordered a new one today that comes with new...

I went for Terrafirma standard shocks this time. My previous Britpart Gaz shocks were more ornamental than functional; however, I was attempting to replace the rear brakes today (thwarted by seized sliders) and noticed that one of my new TF shocks is weeping oil! Sigh!

I’ve just replaced all the springs on my D2 V8 with standard ones. It was recommended to me to buy the same ones for the back (they are handed) but go for the handed front ones. The reason for the replacement was because I was taking the OME +2” springs off the car! The rear and drivers side...

I think that is for the full linkage with arms etc. Perhaps I’ll just buy the bushes themselves and get them pressed in.

Does anyone know the part number for a Genuine (not Britpart) watts linkage? I was hoping to buy the complete unit with the 3 bushes already fitted.

Thanks for that; makes it so much easier. I’ll have to get me Haynes back off my colleague.

It has stopped working! I’ve checked the fuse and it’s alright; is there anything else I can do to check its operation? I think I’ll end up taking the bumper off to check it.

I was thinking about making a shelf on the rear door of my D2 for putting a cooker on to brew up when I go camping/fishing; however, my D2 is a V8 and I was wondering whether it would be safe to fire up when in close proximity to 93 litres of petrol! Any thoughts?

My work colleague has just bought an ‘03 TD5. It had a 2” lift kit on it but I have just helped him change the suspension back to standard height. He bought Britpart standard springs and shocks. When I have bought shocks in the past, once pushed in, they slowly extend to their maximum length...

Genuine LR bushes are the ones to get. Quite expensive but as the saying goes “Buy cheap, buy twice!” As for rear shocks, I’ve heard that Terrafirma aren’t too bad; TF119 are standard length but will cope if you raise the back up on the airsprings. Lots of choice but you pays yer money…