Workshopissue10

THE OUR KEV: DROWNED BUT NOT OUT – THE SIERRA THAT REFUSED TO DIE

ISSUE 10 | JULY 2016

£2.50 | WORKSHOPMAGAZINE.CO.UK

From strength to strength

First Automechanika Birmingham is hailed as a huge success

HOT ROD HEAVEN American (and British) icons are a labour of love for Jimmy and co.

INVESTIGATION RATED & RANKED Safety goggles and penetration fluid are in the spotlight this month

PLUS: Our experts’ verdicts on protective seat covers

PASS OR FAIL?

The towns where cars are most likely to miss out on their MoT certificates

MY PROJECT CAR Spray it again: The Mk 1 Golf rescued from the boy racers

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EDITORIAL

BLACKBALL MEDIA HASLAR MARINE TECHNOLOGY PARK, HASLAR ROAD, GOSPORT, PO12 2AG T: (023) 9252 2434 PRODUCTION EDITOR DAVE BROWN

dave@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @CarDealerDave

FEATURES EDITOR SOPHIE WILLIAMSON-STOTHERT sophie@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @1Sophie_W

CONTENTS. 18

Into the Valley: The cars are definitely the stars at a workshop with a difference

SENIOR STAFF WRITER ANDREW EVANS

Investigation: Do drivers care for their cars or not? And do they trust their local garages?

andrew@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @snavEwerdnA

STAFF WRITER JACK EVANS

46

jack@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @jackrober

JUNIOR STAFF WRITER LAURA THOMSON

laura@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @lauramayrafiki

Our Kev: A confused divorcee, an old Sierra that refused to die... and a hell of a lot of oil

HEAD OF DESIGN GRAEME WINDELL

graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @graemewindell

PHOTOGRAPHER JONATHAN FLEETWOOD

SUITS

ADVERTISING

jd@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @jfleetwoodphoto

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE CLIFF CULVER

cliff@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @CarDealerCliff

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION

04

25 Workshop Power: Have your say on the suppliers of your products and services – whether they’re good or bad!

42

My Project Car: Meet two young helpers assisting with the restoration of a Mk1 Golf

finance@blackballmedia.co.uk

36

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JAMES BAGGOTT james@thebaize.com Twitter: @CarDealerEd

Our expert tester Andrew delivers his verdict on safety goggles and penetration fluid

MANAGING DIRECTOR ANDY ENTWISTLE andy@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @CarDealerAndy

CONTRIBUTORS Kim Adams, Alex Wells, Jon Reay, John Bowman SUBSCRIPTIONS If you know someone who would like a FREE copy of Workshop Magazine, email the details to subs@workshopmagazine.co.uk and we’ll do the rest.

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Welcome

OUR sister magazine Car Dealer has just celebrated its 100th edition – quite a landmark – and we have reached a little milestone of our own this month. We’re in double figures! This issue of Workshop Magazine is number 10 and, as ever, there is plenty for you to get your teeth into.

We like to get out and about to bring you news from all over the UK each month, but we’ve learnt over the last year and a half that there are many, many fascinating workshops not too far away from our headquarters on the South Coast.

On a Monday afternoon in June, photographer Jonny Fleetwood and I travelled to Andover, to chat to Jimmy Hibberd and his team at Valley Gas Speed Shop.

What a fantastic place that is! As we say on the cover of this magazine, it’s a veritable hot rod heaven – and Hibberd tells us all about his business, and the changes he’s noticed in his customer base, on pages 18-21.

Another assignment in June saw us bouncing around the waters of the Solent as we covered a regatta. Not

perhaps a typical day out for the Workshop team but enjoyable nonetheless. It was the second annual Automotive Challenge Cup and we caught up with some of the teams who took part to see how they fared.

The aftermarket sector was certainly well represented and a lot of money was raised for a very worthy cause.

Find out more on page 17.

Elsewhere, our expert product tester Andrew puts penetration fluid and safety goggles to the test, and Jack Healy tries to reconcile two seemingly conflicting reports about the state of the car parc in the UK. With another contribution from Our Kev, the latest from our fleet and news of a great new Workshop Club offer, there’s a lot going on in this issue.

We hope you enjoy it.

Dave Brown, Production Editor WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 03

NEWS.

DO MOTORISTS CARE OR NOT? LET’S LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE...

INVESTIGATION Two recent reports paint seemingly contradictory pictures of the state of the UK’s car parc. So are British drivers diligent or negligent when it comes to looking after their vehicles? JACK HEALY reports.

D

o drivers in the UK really care about properly maintaining the cars they drive? It’s difficult to tell.

Two reports issued recently seem to contradict each other – with one saying that British vehicles are among the best-maintained in the world, and another pointing out that MoT failure rates in some parts of the UK are in excess of 50 per cent – not good.

A survey commissioned recently by the SMMT revealed that UK consumers spend an average of £695.39 on car maintenance every year – significantly higher than the average global spend per car of £621.62.

And it also states that compared with other markets, there are fewer cars in disrepair, generating excess pollution or needing new brakes on British roads.

That’s all well and good, but if that’s the case, what are we to make of a second survey came from either Greater London or Essex. published recently, showing that MoT failure Director of Automyze, Lucy Burnford, said: rates are alarmingly high in some parts of the UK? ‘There could be a number of reasons why MoT After analysing more than a million MoT failure rates are higher in Dundee, from the records of AA-registered vehicles, Automyze, the length of time people own their cars to the types organisation’s car management website, of vehicle they own. found that Dundee had the highest ‘However, some basic checks could failure rate of 53.5 per cent. In fact, bring failure rates down and save it was one of four Scottish cities in both time and money. There are the top ten, the other three being multiple reasons why vehicles Aberdeen, Perth and Falkirk. fail their MoTs but the most A further three Scottish towns common are tyres, headlights were in the top 20. and indicators, which can be Five of the worst rated locations easily fixed before the statutory were in the West Country, with roadworthiness test.’ vehicles from places such as Truro, The most recent figures from Plymouth and Exeter showing the Driver & Vehicle Standards failure rates of around 50 per cent.

Agency show that 38.3 per cent Other parts of the country The most common of vehicles fail their MoTs, with fared better, notably the Isle of lighting and signalling defects reasons for MoT failures Man, with a pass rate of 71.8 per accounting for 30 per cent of are tyres, headlights cent, and the wealthy south-east all defects. and indicators. of England.

Suspension issues accounted After the Isle of Man came the LUCY BURNFORD for 18.7 per cent of failures, while London borough of Bromley, and the brake faults were the third most remaining eight places of the top ten common at 17.2 per cent. Tyre condition

”

04 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

and the driver’s view of the road rounded out the top five, accounting for 10 and 8.5 per cent respectively.

Burnford advised drivers: ‘Ahead of your vehicle’s MoT, it’s always worth doing some simple checks yourself to ensure anything straightforward like filling up the screen wash can be fixed in advance of your test. Also, make sure you have addressed any previous advisories.’

A spokesman for the Dundee-based Harbour Auto Centre told us: ‘Historically, Dundee has had a poor success rate due to the close proximity to the sea, with salt water affecting cars significantly.

‘Dundee also isn’t as prosperous an area as other parts of the country, meaning that the quality of cars is also not as good as the rest of the UK.’ Whilst the mainland UK requires cars to be tested every year after the vehicle is three years old, the Isle of Man doesn’t require such stringent testing. Private vehicles don’t need to be tested every year on the island, a factor that could account for the high success rate, and with only goods vehicles and public vehicles needing certified annual testing.

The Institute of the Motor Industry’s CEO,

Steve Nash, found the figures in the Automyze service and repair locations of all types, the survey worrying but unsurprising. He said: UK aftermarket is, of course, a huge, diverse ‘These high MoT failure rates are consistent with and highly competitive industry. With a strong our research about drivers’ attitudes to regular franchised dealer network and the largest share servicing and maintenance. Many drivers admit of work carried out by independently owned to never having their car serviced between MoTs, businesses in Europe at 64 per cent, it offers preferring instead to fix what turns out to be consumers a wide choice of where and how they broken in the test. This is not a sensible have their cars serviced – and how much approach. Many costly repairs can be they spend. Parts and labour costs at avoided if a professional technician independent outlets can be up to regularly looks after a vehicle.

65 per cent and 45 per cent lower ‘We know that some of respectively. The report also the reluctance of drivers to reveals the significant economic undertake regular servicing is contribution made by the down to a lack of trust in local UK automotive aftermarket, garages. That’s why IMI publishes which delivers an annual the Professional Register online to £12.2 billion direct to the UK help consumers find qualified and economy and supports more than trustworthy technicians.’

345,000 British jobs.

Despite drivers not seeming to As the number and age of These high MoT failure prepare their cars properly for vehicles on UK roads increases, their MoTs, the SMMT survey thanks to a healthy new car rates are consistent reported that British cars are market, ever-improving quality with our research about among the best maintained in and ever-more advanced drivers’ attitudes. the world, with UK motorists servicing techniques, by 2022 STEVE NASH spending a collective £21.1 billion a the UK aftermarket is projected to year on servicing and repairs. be worth some £28 billion with an With more than 42,500 vehicle employee base of around 400,000.

”

Top 10 MoT failure reasons 1. Lighting and signalling

30%

2. Suspension

18.7%

3. Brakes

17.2%

4. Tyres

10%

5. View of the road

8.5%

6. Fuel and exhaust

5.8%

7. Steering

3.4%

8. Seat belts

2.6% 2%

9. Body and structure 10. Registration plates and VIN

0.9%

Figures: DVSA, December 2015 WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 05

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NEWS.

NEWS ROUND-UP

| SOLID AUTO |

Warsaw showcase opens new markets

What’s been making the headlines at workshops around the United Kingdom?

DALKEITH:

The Kwik Fit Centre in Croft Street has been officially reopened after a refurbishment from the garage floor up. It was chosen for the major investment from Kwik Fit’s UK network of more than 600 centres because of the commitment the staff have made in serving the local community.

The reception area has been completely redesigned and the centre now has specialist laser wheel alignment equipment.

SOUTH SHIELDS:

A loyal member of staff at Jennings Ford Direct has been promoted to a new role within the dealership’s workshop. Ian McDonald, 34, from Jarrow, was senior motor vehicle technician and is now workshop foreman at the Newcastle Road dealership in South Shields. Working alongside Sean O’Sullivan, McDonald will be jointly responsible for overseeing a team of eight technicians.

SPECIALIST supplier of Japanese and Korean parts, Solid Auto, showcased its product range at the annual Temot spring conference in Warsaw.

Attended by more than 60 member companies from four continents, with collective purchases of around €9bn, it provided an ideal opportunity for Solid Auto to open up a number of new overseas markets.

With plans to develop the range further this year and next, the West Midlands-based company is expecting to expand its market presence.

General manager Mark Price said: ‘We were delighted with the level of interest shown in what we can offer.’

| EURO CAR PARTS |

New Bilstein shocks range now in stock SHROPSHIRE:

EURO Car Parts has introduced a new range of shock absorbers by sports suspension manufacturer Bilstein.

It includes B4 Airmatic types for Land Rover and Jaguar, where Bilstein is the original equipment supplier (OES), and B4 Gas types for the VW Golf 7, Vauxhall Mokka and Adam, again where Bilstein is OES. Bilstein aftermarket manager Aaron Quilter said: ‘The new B4 range at Euro Car Parts represents a cost-effective way for owners and technicians to source shock absorbers identical to those fitted at the factory.’

Global automotive parts and services supplier Magna International is to open a new manufacturing facility in Telford. The site, for casting aluminium to supply Jaguar Land Rover, is expected to be in the region of 225,000 square feet and will create around 300 jobs. Production of advanced lightweight aluminium castings for JLR is set to begin in 2018.

BARRY:

| DAYCO |

A fire destroyed a garage as well as damaging five cars and a van at a cost of more than £200,000. Thick black smoke was sent high into the sky by the blaze at DATSC in Woodham Road, Barry Dock, prompting 999 calls from more than a mile away.

A total of 35 firefighters attended the scene.

Nobody was injured in the incident. The cause was believed to be accidental, and the building will have to be demolished.

Supplier receives award for plant

WEST SUSSEX:

An ambitious mechanic has opened his own business – and is offering apprenticeships to youngsters who don’t want to go to university. Ty Shad, a former Central Sussex College student, has been a car mechanic for nearly 20 years. The 34-year-old opened his business in West Green last month and is starting his apprenticeship scheme to give something back to the local community.

SUFFOLK:

A vehicle maintenance workshop has been opened at a jail to help inmates learn employable skills. The workshop, at HMP Highpoint in Stradishall near Newmarket, was opened at an event that saw employers find out about training at the prison. It was created after surveys of the prisoners revealed that vehicle maintenance was a training programme they would like to see provided.

ENGINE products and drive systems supplier Dayco has received a Best Plant Award from the PSA Group.

The award, presented during PSA’s 12th annual Best Supplier Awards, recognises the Dayco belt manufacturing plant in Manoppello, Italy, for its performance in manufacturing excellence according to the PSA Group’s quality standards.

The Dayco plant produces timing belts and Dayco’s first-to-market timing belt-in-oil system for PSA’s main diesel and petrol engine platforms. Opened in 1975 and acquired by Dayco in 1993, the Manoppello plant is also home to one of Dayco’s newest products, the Electric Power Steering Belt.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 07

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FAULT FINDER.

CHRIS ROUTLEDGE OF AUTOLOGIC DISCUSSES DIAGNOSTICS

Warning light on? It may well be an engine balance shaft fault

Petrol engine balance shaft fault, for various Mercedes models equipped with M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines

Perplexed by a loss of power in a Mercedes? We can help you sort things quickly

A

loss of power in a Mercedes, with no other symptom than the engine warning light showing, can be frustrating, but it’s a relatively common issue that can strike across the brand.

Affecting cars fitted with the M272 V6 petrol and related M273 V8 petrol, the light might well have come on because of an engine balance shaft fault.

This problem can occur in C, E and S-Class saloon cars, SLK, CLK and SL sports models and even the ML-Class and R-Class SUVs, covering a range of years from 2004 up to 2015.

The vehicle may present with no obvious symptoms other than the loss of power and the illuminated light. A Quick Test will initially be needed for an analysis of stored fault codes.

However, sometimes vehicles don’t show fault codes, and the complexity of vehicle electrics and the number of modules that communicate with each other means misdiagnosis is common.

The vehicle may present fault codes P0017 and P0016, indicating constant adjustment of the intake and exhaust camshafts of the right cylinder bank. Fault codes may be current/ stored. Once cleared, the codes tend to return immediately upon starting the engine. It’s worth noting, however, that we have seen fault codes cleared and not come back for up to two weeks.

Basic functional checks are required to narrow down the possible causes, so with the aid of our master technicians, we will run through the checks you need to do to diagnose the fault.

It is possible to check the timing without major stripping of the engine. This can be done by removing the camshaft position sensors, which are located at the front of the engine timing cover.

Time the engine to mark 305 degrees on the bottom crank pulley – remember that because the sprocket can wear unevenly, a manual timing check using timing marks on the engine can lead you to incorrectly dismiss the balance shaft from your diagnosis.

Once timed, inspect the markings that are revealed by removing the cam sensors. Circular numbers should be present in the centre of the hole left by the removed cam sensors.

Remove the right hand bank cam (with oil filter cap on) to allow inspection. Using an endoscope, carry out a check of the worn sprocket on the balance shaft in the centre of the V of the engine block. Be careful not to mistake the rubber at the front of the shaft as the sprocket, as this will lead you to an incorrect diagnosis.

Once you have confirmed that the balance shaft is the cause of the fault, proceed as follows.

Replace the balance shaft by first removing the engine from the car. Replace the chain tensioner, though note that this is a labour-intensive job and will take approximately 25 hours.

The balance shaft sits at the centre of the V and pulls out from the front in 272 engines. On 273 engines, only the timing chain guide wheel (sprocket) needs to be removed.

At this point you should carry out an engine oil and filter change then conduct a road test at high load and rpm for at least 20km. Carry out another oil and filter change – it is essential to change the oil twice to give the engine the best chance of draining away any swarf from the worn balance shaft sprocket – then replace the cam adjustment solenoids.

Now you can carry out the teach in process on the AssistPlus. Follow the on-screen instructions under the Drive menu to complete the teach in

Symptoms

n Lack of power n Engine warning light on

Fault codes

n 1200 (P0017) – Constant adjustment of exhaust camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction ‘retarded’. n 1208 (P0016) – Constant adjustment of intake camshaft of right cylinder bank in direction ‘retarded’.

Cause

n Slack in the timing chain caused by wear in the balance shaft sprocket on the V6, or wear in the timing chain guide wheel for the V8. process for one of the new camshaft adjustment solenoids. Finally you can now clear the fault memory and conduct another road test to confirm the fault has been eliminated completely.

This road test should be at least 20km at constant engine speeds and loads to aid with teaching the new camshaft adjusters and also to confirm the fault has been rectified.

Mercedes Benz SLK

WHO IS CHRIS ROUTLEDGE?

‚ Chris is Master Technician at Autologic Diagnostics Ltd. He ll be discussing the most common vehicle faults – plus how to diagnose and fix them, fast – in Workshop Magazine every month.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 09

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NEWS.

Mike’s now back at work, and loving every minute Health problems put service manager out of action – but new drug has helped

S

wansway Chester Citroën has service manager Mike Casson back in the driving seat, where he belongs.

Casson, right, was originally service manager at the group’s Peugeot Centre on Sealand Road in Chester, but was sadly forced to leave during a period of ill-health before undergoing a major operation linked to his Crohn’s disease.

He said: ‘After three months off work, I tried to go back but it was no good. I couldn’t perform at the level I was used to. I pride myself in doing a great job but I just wasn’t able to do that. For me, that meant I had to resign and focus on getting myself well.’

by SOPHIE WILLIAMSON-STOTHERT @1Sophie_W Rest and recuperation were in order for Casson, who was then offered a lifeline: a new drug which tricks Crohn’s patients into thinking they’re fine and stops the crippling inflammation of the gut associated with the illness. It certainly seemed to do the trick.

‘I didn’t realise how much better I was until I started helping my wife out in her job at a local lettings agency,’ said Casson.

‘It dawned on me that maybe I was well enough to tackle the job I loved.

‘One phone call later, I was sat talking to Andrew Wakelin, the Swansway Chester

operations director and my old boss, and now here I am, at our fabulous new Swansway Citroën site and I can honestly say I’m loving it.’

Though Casson originally worked with the Peugeot brand, he’d helped out at Swansway Citroën Fiat, so was familiar with the brand, the only difference now being the impressive new home Citroën has in Chester.

Wakelin said: ‘Mike is one of the good guys.

He’s a great service manager. I’m delighted to have him back, doing what he does best.’

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| 11

NEWS.

Automechanika: ‘We’ve exceeded expectations’ Next year, the event will go from strength to strength, say delighted organisers

A

utomechanika Birmingham welcomed

by ANDREW EVANS more than 12,000 trade visitors, @snavEwerdnA establishing itself as one of the leading annual events for the automotive aftermarket and supply chain. possible without the overwhelming support of Over three days, the attendance of visitors the exhibitors, visitors and trade partners. Next at the exhibition constantly climbed, with year, the event will go from strength to strength.’ many crowding the feature areas including Mike Hawes added: ‘The UK automotive supply ‘Workshop of the Future’ and ‘The Great British chain and aftermarket are among the world’s Manufacturing Stand’, as well as the full seminar most competitive and productive. programme in the keynote, aftermarket and ‘Automechanika Birmingham has provided a technical theatres. platform to highlight the growing strength With 550 exhibitors, the show at the NEC was and importance of two sectors contributing officially opened by Detlef Braun, member of the £16.5 billion to the UK economy and supporting executive board of Messe Frankfurt; Mike Hawes, 423,000 British jobs.

CEO of the SMMT; and Simon Albert, event ‘The huge number of visitors to the NEC over director of Automechanika Birmingham. the three days of the event shows this Although Automechanika was the right event, at the right time Birmingham is a national show – and in the right place.’ with £21.1 billion spent on repair The show was also supported and maintenance on cars in the by high-profile celebrities We have something UK annually – the event received including current world unique here that the significant support from overseas endurance champion, Mark industry needed. exhibitors, demonstrating Webber, renowned F1 and SIMON ALBERT, the interest that international Superbike presenter, Suzi Perry EVENT DIRECTOR companies have in investing in the and Rachel Riley, car enthusiast UK automotive industry. and the mathematics expert seen Simon Albert said: ‘We are delighted with daily on Channel 4’s Countdown. the success of Automechanika Birmingham.

All had an active show presence on the first ‘We listened to what the exhibitors and day, holding interviews and demonstrations on visitors wanted and, with significant different exhibitors’ stands. investment in the marketing campaign, we Leading industry associations and exhibitors delivered an all-encompassing event that praised the success of Automechanika exceeded all expectations.

Birmingham. IAAF chief executive Wendy ‘We have something unique here that the Williamson commented: ‘The show has industry needed, and it wouldn’t have been been fantastic and we’ve met up with

”

12 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

lots of our existing members and hopefully future members as well.’

Simon Salloway, head of operations at A1 Motor Stores, said: ‘It’s been a long time since A1 Motor Stores has had the right platform to display the market-leading brand suppliers available through our group and also demonstrate the advantages of A1 to possible new members, both accessory retailers and motor factors.’

Manbat’s marketing manager, Myles Pemberton, said: ‘The best thing about exhibiting at Automechanika Birmingham is the opportunities we’ve received. Everyone is here and everyone’s open to talking business and creating new business relationships.

‘We’ve certainly seen a lot of people interested in our stand because we have so many great brands such as Numax, Lucas and US Batteries.

‘People are interested in our company because we’re also part of Ecobat, the world’s leading producer and recycler of lead. There are so many different connections and people to meet – it’s really exciting.’

Mike Hawes, Detlef Braun and

Simon Albert open the event

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| 13

NEWS. | EMISSIONS |

Mahle Powertrain testing approved ENGINE development and consultancy company Mahle Powertrain is the first independent engineering service provider to have its real driving emissions test process and routes approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency.

The two approved test routes both start and finish from Mahle Powertrain’s headquarters in Northampton. Each route is around 50 miles long and encompasses several different types of roads, including motorways and urban routes, to comply with the latest EU regulations.

Mahle Powertrain’s test process provides an accurate, true-to-life reflection of a vehicle’s emissions and fuel consumption.

| LOCAL SUPPLY |

Fuchs expands with East Anglia depot FUCHS Lubricants has extended its UK presence by launching a new depot in East Anglia. Fuchs took on the depot in Dereham as part of its acquisition of the Batoyle Freedom group to add to its UK head office in Stoke-on-Trent.

Fuchs, the largest independent lubricant manufacturer in the world, elected to keep the depot open to continue local supply to former Batoyle customers and Fuchs customers based in the region. The depot has been revamped over the last six months and now has a trade counter.

The depot also means that Fuchs can offer next-day delivery to customers in the East Anglia area.

| GLYN HOPKIN |

£1m milestone for online parts shop GLYN Hopkin, one of the largest car dealer groups in the UK, has recorded a £1 million turnover milestone for its online parts and accessories shop.

The dealer group’s online parts store was launched in 2012, and offers a range of original equipment parts, genuine accessories, car aftercare products and official merchandise for 12 of the franchised brands it represents.

Allan Perkins, online parts and accessories manager at Glyn Hopkin, designed the website from scratch.

14 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

Service teams play key role in keeping people happy Customers become ‘incredibly loyal’ if they are well looked after, according to the results of a recent J D Power survey

by ANDREW EVANS @snavEwerdnA

S

ervice departments are the main factor when it comes to determining customer satisfaction and loyalty, according to J D Power’s 2016 UK Customer Service Index Study.

Among highly satisfied customers with overall satisfaction scores of 900 or higher on a 1,000-point scale, 92 per cent of those quizzed said they would ‘definitely’ return to the same service facility for future warranty work, and 83 per cent said they would ‘definitely’ return for future paid service. Where satisfaction slipped just slightly (800-899), intended loyalty dropped to 74 per cent for warranty service and 58 per cent for paid service.

The study was based on 8,478 respondents who registered their new vehicle between February 2013 and April 2015. It was fielded from February to April this year.

Dr Axel Sprenger, senior director of European automotive operations at the global marketing information services firm, said: ‘When auto

p Service departments are key when it comes to satisfying customers dealerships manage to get the service department’s customer service equation right, they earn incredibly loyal customers. The service event is also instrumental in driving sales, as it is likely the most recent experience the customer has had at the dealer.’

Mercedes-Benz ranked highest among premium brands, with a score of 774 – an 18-point improvement from 2015 when it ranked fourth.

It was followed by Land Rover (773) and Audi (761).

Toyota ranked highest among volume brands, with a score of 776 – a notable 17-point improvement from 2015. Honda ranked second (775), followed by Kia (765), Mini (757) and Suzuki (753).

The study, now in its second year, measures UK customer satisfaction with their service experience at a franchised dealer facility for

maintenance and repair work. It explores customer satisfaction with their service dealer by examining five measures, listed in descending order of importance: service quality; service initiation; service advisor; vehicle pick-up, and service facility.

Also among the key findings of the study was how a service advisor can make or break satisfaction.

When the advisor greets customers as soon as they arrive, it can improve service satisfaction by as much as 48 points. However, 61 per cent of customers said they had to wait for a greeting.

When the adviser knows the customer’s vehicle history and the customer says the adviser is completely focused on what their needs are, service satisfaction can increase by as much as 46 and 56 points respectively.

| CAREER PATH |

Operations director moves to Australia with Schaeffler WARREN Barnett, operations director of Schaeffler UK’s Automotive Aftermarket Division, is moving to Australia to take on a new role with the company.

The 46-year-old is to head up the Australian aftermarket operation which means he and his family will be setting off for a new life in Sydney very shortly.

His new role will see him being responsible for Schaeffler’s original equipment LuK clutch, INA tensioner and FAG

wheel bearing brands, as well as the Ruville range of components.

Barnett said: ‘The opportunity to establish the four brands in the Australian aftermarket is one that I could not refuse. The biggest challenge will be how to get the product to market via the quickest and most competitive route and to retain and grow sales, but I am confident that it is one that can be achieved.

‘The Australian market is very different from the UK’s. For one thing, 85 per cent of

the car parc is automatic transmission.’

Warren has been employed in the UK automotive industry for nearly 30 years, starting out in the dealer network with Charles Clark Rover and Appleyards.

Schaeffler (UK) Ltd’s aftermarket division managing director, Nigel Morgan, said: ‘It is a great opportunity for Warren and his family to experience a new culture.

‘I would like to thank him for all his hard work here in the UK.’

| CUSTOMER CARE |

| INVESTMENT |

New signage will match firm’s image GSF Car Parts Stoke is the latest branch to benefit from the continuing investment that the national motor factor is channelling into its network, now boasting new and improved signage illuminated by LED technology.

Bringing the store in-line with the company’s corporate image, the project took four weeks from start to finish. GSF anticipates vastly reduced running costs thanks to much lower power consumption and the end of costly tube replacements.

Situated on Leek Road in Hanley, the Stoke branch’s vast range of stock includes everything from everyday service parts through to more technical equipment.

| NEW ROLE | The team who won a day of high-octane action at the Mercedes-Benz World complex in Surrey

Mercedes-Benz team awarded for going the extra mile STAFF at the Northern Ireland branch of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van won national recognition from the manufacturer for their determination to go the extra mile to keep customers’ vehicles on the road.

The team of Ian Burrows, Caolan Doyle, Gordon Stewart, Kenny Anderson, Mark Elliott, Paul Donaldson, Paul Rooney and Robert Milligan were nominated for the One Team award after pulling out all the stops to help a German driver who turned up at their Dungannon depot with damaged air suspension on his Actros tractor unit – and just four hours before a ferry he had booked was due to depart.

Despite the language barrier – the

driver spoke no English – the team swung straight into action and parts were promptly ordered from their headquarters in Newtownabbey, 45 miles away, arriving within the hour. A new airbag was fitted and the damaged pipework repaired, and with a handshake and a ‘Danke!’ the grateful driver was on his way in plenty of time to make his sailing.

The team was very pleased with their One Team winner’s prize – a day of high-octane action at the MercedesBenz World complex in Brooklands, Surrey, to include AMG track driving and 4x4 experiences, as well as a ‘Silver Arrows’ passenger ride.

The award was presented by Sam

Whittaker, director of customer services and operations for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, who said: ‘This team really pulled together across depots and helped a customer they’d never seen before. They gave equal care to him and ensured he was back on a ferry to Germany in time to make his delivery.

These guys are the epitome of what One Team is all about – putting the customer first.’

Mark Elliott, who was recently made Dungannon depot manager, said: ‘We’re always committed to getting vehicles fixed and back on the road earning money as quickly as possible.

It’s certainly very gratifying to have our efforts recognised.’

| APPOINTMENT |

Dewi is new digital parts executive DEWI Tapin from Bristol has been appointed digital parts executive for Wessex Garages. In her new position, she will maintain the car dealership’s Parts Online website as well as its eBay and Amazon sites.

The mother-of-two, left, originally from Jakarta, works at Wessex Garages’ head office in Pennywell Road, Bristol.

She said: ‘I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to work at such an innovative car company. Wessex is at the forefront of using technology to reach a wider audience

and is constantly looking at ways it can improve its customer service.

‘Wessex Garages’ online parts websites mean customers no longer have to pop into our dealerships when they are looking for a part for their vehicle. My primary function at Wessex Garages is to handle the internet sales.

‘I research the products we have for sale, list them on the appropriate websites as well as drive traffic to our listings. I also market the products, manage sales and invoicing and dispatch the items to our customers.’

Director will boost GKN’s capabilities GKN Driveline, the supplier of contemporary and electrified drivelines, has appointed Dr Markus Schermann as senior director of product technology in its eDrive business. Schermann boasts more than 25 years’ experience in automotive electrical engineering and joins GKN from Magna, where he was leading electric and hybrid vehicle innovation as director of product area electrification.

His appointment bolsters and broadens GKN’s electronics capabilities as it develops the next generation of electric drive technologies.

| AUCTION |

D&D Autos digs deep for boost BEN coffers AWARD-winning Bosch Car Service garage, D&D Autos, has made a significant donation to BEN following an auction at an event hosted by the automotive charity.

Matthew Pestridge of D&D Autos backed the charity by bidding on – and winning – a Suzuki motorcycle listed as a key lot at the evening’s auction.

Having now taken delivery of the GSX-R600 bike, the garage has finalised its donation to BEN, totalling a figure in the region of £11,000. Pestridge said: ‘I decided to get involved and support what is a very worthy cause.’

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 15

BORG & BECK THE PERFECT FIT

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www.borgandbeck.com/promotion Plus, remember that throughout April, May, June & July Borg & Beck are giving away a free T-Shirt with every Clutch Kit installed.* Terms and conditions apply, see www.borgandbeck.com/promotion for full details and to claim your T-Shirt.

Heritage Reborn *Promotion open to all repairers in UK and Ireland. Valid from 1st April – 31st July 2016. No cash alternative is available. Whilst stocks last. To claim a free T-Shirt, an invoice containing a Borg & Beck Clutch Kit purchased from an authorised, participating distributor will be required. For full T&C’s visit www.firstlineltdpromo.com/terms-and-conditions.

Images used are for illustrative purposes only and actual prizes may differ from those shown.

16 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

NEWS. | CARTAKEBACK |

Why 95 per cent of a scrapped car is recycled RECYCLING end-of-life vehicles properly is more important than ever, according to the scrap car recycling company CarTakeBack.

After all, scrapped cars can equate to more than seven million tonnes of waste every year, according to the European Commission.

CarTakeBack was established in 2005 and has since become the largest scrap car recycling company in the UK, with the company contracted to 27 leading brands around the country.

The company finds the best price for a car from local recycling centres and customers can either deliver the car themselves or CarTakeBack can pick

it up. They also take care of the legal paperwork to make the process as smooth as possible.

Senior manager for CarTakeBack, Ken Byng said: ‘By law, 95 per cent of a vehicle must be recycled, reused or have energy recovered from it.

‘If the customer comes to us, we only use government-approved authorised treatment facilities and CarTakeBack have invested in technologies that help ensure that the 95 per cent target is met.

‘We’ve developed our commercial offering with business and general public customers, and as we’re known for doing things properly, we have been very successful.’

| LOGISTICS |

New branded van joins GSF parts fleet GSF Car Parts has added a new Valeo branded Fiat Fiorino delivery van to their UK delivery fleet of over 400 vehicles. The van’s sides prominently feature Valeo’s latest ‘multi-specialist’ livery, designed to remind garages of the extensive range of components available to the aftermarket from the tier one parts manufacturer.

Pictured ranges include clutch, rotating electrics, engine cooling, braking, lighting and wiper blades.

u Action from

the Automotive Challenge Cup

Automotive sailing day in the Solent raises £20,000 for BEN Charity regatta triples in size in a single year, with plans to make it even bigger for 2017

T

eams from all corners of the

by DAVE BROWN automotive industry took to @CarDealerDave the waters of the Solent to compete for the Automotive Challenge Cup. them all to the Solent for some more The regatta saw 28 team boats sailing for such a great cause.’ sail a course of three races over Mike Bewsey, sales and marketing a day to raise money for the director at Cosan Lubricants, said: automotive industry charity BEN. ‘We used it as a team-building The FPS Distribution 2 crew emerged exercise for our senior managers. triumphant, followed by the Volvo None of them had sailed before so team, and, in third position, we threw the guys into a Hendy Group. Everyone position that they’re seemed to have enjoyed not used to being in. themselves, despite ‘They had to the late-afternoon work together We used the day to downpours that and receive entertain clients and made the final race a instructions from suppliers. Bit different rather soggy affair. the skipper… it was to a golf day, Michael Hlavaty, quite a challenge isn’t it? from event organisers for them and I’ve Sunsail, said the number told them not to give of teams taking part in the up their day jobs!

2016 event had more than tripled ‘It was a great event, for a very from 2015, when just nine teams worthwhile cause, and there was a had participated. He said: ‘The fantastic turnout. It was amazing, the Automotive Challenge Cup is our number of companies involved. fastest growing regatta, this year ‘We were pleased to be here and raising more than £20,000 for BEN. we really enjoyed it. And I think I’ll ‘We are aiming to double this be able to find some other mugs to again next year, with a target of 50 come along next year!’ teams – we can’t wait to welcome Oliver Stevenson, head of affinity

”

partnerships at Alphabet, BMW Group’s leasing company, said: ‘It was really good fun and something a bit different – it was certainly harder work than I was expecting.’

Dylan Haskell, sales director at GardX Protection, said: ‘We’re based in Emsworth so this event is taking on our doorstep. I could see everyone was excited at the start of the day and there was a lot of apprehension too. When everybody got on board, they suddenly realised that this wasn’t going to be an easy day… it was going to be a fun day but a hard day. I’m sure if the event is expanded to 50 boats next year, it will sell out.’

John Hendy, systems director at Hendy Group, said: ‘We have had a fantastic day. I didn’t take part last year but I have taken part in regattas before. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and we used the day to entertain clients and suppliers. Bit different to a golf day, isn’t it?’

Jools Tait, business development director at BEN, said: ‘We are thrilled at the growing success of the Automotive Challenge Cup. ‘Huge thanks to the Sunsail team and all those who made it such a fantastic event.’

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 17

FEATURES. HOW I MADE IT

„Jimmy Hibberd

18 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

PICTURES: JONNY FLEETWOOD

‘WE USED TO WORK FOR THE MAN IN THE STREET – BUT MOST OF THE GUYS NOW HAVE MADE THEIR MONEY’ Valley Gas Speed Shop has been established since 1999 and the team have built and worked on many different cars, tackling anything from British classics through to fully-built turnkey hot rods – not to mention the construction of concept cars. They can make a bracket, stainless header or exhaust system, or even supply a custom-made chassis. The workshop in Andover, Hampshire, has a fully equipped service bay for standard American cars. DAVE BROWN caught up with owner and well-known drag racer Jimmy Hibberd.

W

hen we started off, we were very much a hot rod shop. All we did was hot rods. As time’s gone on, we have become more of a bespoke car builder. For example, we have built a Jensen Interceptor with a Dodge Viper engine in it, and we have done some circuit-racing cars.

When I was a kid, we lived a few miles from a refuse tip, and we used to go up there and find bits and drag them back. I’d make my own pushbikes – I suppose I was always tinkering around. Then, my dad sold a Morris 1000 to a friend of his who started customising it, As my dad had sold it, and there was a connection there, we used to go round every other weekend and see how he was getting on.

I thought the whole thing was pretty cool.

Looking back, it was a horrible-looking car, but at the time, I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I have a good friend called Kenny Brooks who owned a business called Orchard Garage.

He always had old stuff there. I bought a Mk 1 Consul and chopped the roof off. I took it there to show them.

They seemed pretty impressed which made me realise I was pretty good at it and things just went on from there.

Some of our projects involve cars coming

in and leaving very quickly but some of our customers might not have all the money immediately to hand, so the work is spread out to spread the cost. Having said that, we can’t afford to store stuff!

Everyone encounters problems in their life, but they still want their toys.

What’s nice is that 60 per cent of the guys that we do stuff for, we have ended up good friends with. After all, it’s not like a VW garage, where you just drop the keys off and go back later; we see these guys over the course of a year or two

and that’s why we end up good friends.

Over the years, the clientele has changed.

Years ago when I was doing this, we were working more for the man in the street, whereas most of the guys we deal with now have made their money and they’re starting to have more free cash. We’re working on a Shelby Mustang, for instance, which wouldn’t have been the case years ago.

Some of the cars we have done have been real rough and ready hot rod style and then we’ve done some with more creature comforts.

And we’re doing work with corporate clients such as SU Carburettors these days. We’ve also built two cars for Lord March [of Goodwood Festival of Speed fame].

That’s what our clientele is now. It’s not just the guys that I used to bump into at hot rod shows, it’s now guys who have seen certain TV shows and they remember American Graffiti and they’re a bit older and they’d like something a bit different.

We get repeat work, too. We have a 32 Model B five-window coupe that we built 10 years ago and now it’s back to have a revamp. I built it for a guy in Yorkshire, he’s driven it for the last 10 years but has now sold it. The new owner has come to us and asked us to WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 19

FEATURES. HOW I MADE IT

Reporter Dave chats to Jimmy, far left, and left, Jimmy (second right) is pictured with colleagues.

From the left are Luke‘Papa Bear’ May, Ben‘Halfpint’ Smith, Gary‘Gazza’ Gilbert and Joe ‘Popeye’ Readings totally revamp the car. He wants it to look different.

We do loads of engines here, too.

I’m the only one who builds the engines.

My role here has changed a little bit. When I started, it was just me and then I took a couple of people on and ended up as an office jockey. I bloody hated it! The only thing I would say for definite is no-one is allowed to touch the engines!

It is hard to find suitable people to work here.

But we’ve got five guys who are into cars, and myself (and I’ve been doing this since the year dot) so we have got six heads thinking about the best way to do something.

A guy building a car in his garage might be a brilliant welder but he might not be as good at wiring. We have a specialist electrician here, who does all our wiring, for example. So the customer gets a top-quality product.

A lot of business won’t take younger guys on because they’re not experienced – but if they

20 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

take that attitude, how are youngsters ever people are going under the radar a bit going to get that experience? We do try really, whereas we are a legit, VATto take on young guys to help get registered business. their careers going. We see small, That’s always been my new businesses trying to get into idea, really – to operate as a The cars are just a part what we’re doing all the time. Six professional business, not of the whole thing months down the line, they have ‘underground’. I think that’s really. All the American disappeared. It’s a hard game. a stupid thing to do and gives memorabilia, it’s the Think about it. We charge £40 the perception to those outside whole deal for us. an hour, whereas Volkswagen next the industry that we are a bunch door charge more. We have got the of cowboys. same floorspace as Volkswagen, the same In the UK, it feels like we’re trying to overheads and bills, everybody’s got to be paid keep it as a little cottage industry but in America, (we try not to pay them anything if we can!) but it’s become a multi-million-pound business. we’ve still got the same overheads.

You’ve got big-name celebrities spending $100,000 I go to California all the time and people have on a car. We are starting to be more and more this perception that hot rod shops are massive professional in the UK. over there. But I’ve been told that ours is bigger People don’t mind paying a little bit more than a lot of those in the States. money to get a bit of a better product. With my There are guys on farms and so on over here business, I’ve tried to do the right thing. who clearly have more space but some of those There’s a lot of scaremongering about the cars

”

Jimmy Hibberd’s Hampshire workshop is filled with fascinating vehicles from a bygone age

we work on, too, because of the modifications they have been through.

It’s been an issue in Germany. All the time we act like a bunch of unprofessionals, they’re never going to take us seriously.

But, as I say, we have worked with Lord March – and if he has got a car, straight away that’s a great thing, because, if in Parliament, they say, let’s get these cars off the road, he could speak up on our behalf and tell them, ‘I’ve got one of these cars, there’s nothing wrong with it and it’s been built very professionally.’

The Jensen Interceptor with the Dodge Viper

engine I mentioned earlier has become a very famous car. It’s just been sold to a guy in Texas and even has its own website now. You can’t get better than that.

There needs to be some kind of organisation to which people can become affiliated. Then, if someone is looking to get hold of a hot rod, they can choose someone reputable to work with. In America, it’s called SEMA. Of course, the cars are just a part of the whole thing really. All the American memorabilia, it’s the whole deal for us.

In England, we’ve been doing hot rodding since the early 1950s. We looked at the American

mags and said: ‘We want to do that’. It was Sydney Allard in 1962 who thought to himself, there’s legs in this; this hot rod scene is massive in America. So what he did was invite all the Americans over and they toured English air force bases and the crowds were unbelievable.

It was new and exciting. So that’s what we do, we build bespoke cars for people at an affordable price. Building a car is building a car, really, isn’t it? We can build anything!

Why not tell us your story in How I Made It? Call the Workshop team on 023 9252 2434 WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 21

We’re looking for the best garages for our RAC Approved Garages Network. We don’t mind if you’re large or small – it’s quality that counts. Gaining approval gives you access to a whole range of RAC products and services including our new RAC MOT Check & Repair Plan and RAC Service Plan.

If you’d like to apply, contact us today and you could soon be harnessing the power of RAC Approved Garages Status.

Email: racapprovedgarages@rac.co.uk Visit: rac.co.uk/approvedgarages Quote: WSM02 22 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

DEAR RAC.

GARY WRIGHTSON-HEYWORTH FROM THE RAC ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Q: Are there any special considerations for diagnosing faults on diesel engines with Piezo injectors?

A:

Piezo injectors feature a layer of crystal in the centre. When electricity is applied to the crystal it rapidly expands – the ‘piezoelectric effect’ – therefore making it suitable as an actuator in a diesel fuel injector. This technology allows the fuel injectors to open and close at extremely high speeds and levels of precision to inject fuel into the engine.

If you’re working on a vehicle fitted with this type of injector, do NOT unplug any of the injectors while the engine is running to identify which cylinder or injector is misfiring.

Removing the connection with the engine running can cause the injector to stick open, and after only a few engine revolutions enough fuel will have entered the cylinder to cause hydraulic lock and serious engine damage. Furthermore, if this occurs you’ll never know if the injector was at fault or not.

Make sure you’re using the right diagnostic tools to carry out this diagnosis.

RAC consumer research:

Which of the following best describes your thoughts around getting your car MOT’d?

Q: Are customers required to pay for vehicle diagnostics if they then don’t have any remedial work carried out?

A:

We see a lot of customer complaints regarding diagnostic fees. A lot of garages won’t charge a customer for carrying out initial diagnostic work to determine the vehicle fault because they think they will be carrying out the repair work, but if the customer decides not to get the work carried out, some garages try to recoup some of their time by charging a diagnostic fee even though this hasn’t been agreed with the customer beforehand.

Every garage needs to tell a customer at the outset

65%

Always maintain it and it usually flies through

17%

if they will charge a diagnostic fee and how much it will be before commencing any work on the vehicle. If the customer hasn’t agreed to these charges before the work is carried out, the customer is within their rights to decline to pay this charge.

Be honest and upfront with the customer about any charges at the outset. Consumers have access to more information than ever before and are aware of their consumer rights so you need to know the Consumer Rights Act and what is expected from you as a garage.

Always maintain it, but usually still have to pay for something to get it to pass

5%

Don’t maintain car but it usually flies through

* 87 per cent response rate

GARY WRIGHTSON-HEYWORTH is RAC Networks Manager If you have any questions you’d like to ask the RAC, contact us at dearrac@workshopmagazine.co.uk WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 23

THE BEST ALWAYS SPECIFY THE BEST As the UK’s leading brake brand, Pagid has been the preferred OE partner for automotive brands for over 50 years. With in-house research and development, European manufacturing and proven braking performance; Pagid remains the original choice, now and for the future.

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@PagidUK Pagid is a trademark of TMD Friction

24 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

NEWS.

THIS IS THE SURVEY THAT PUTS REAL POWER IN YOUR HANDS We’re on a mission to shine a spotlight on the best suppliers – and winkle out the worst offenders – with the Workshop Power Awards. Here’s how you can help us do just that...

A

re your suppliers the bee’s knees? Are they your unsung heroes? Well, now’s your chance to give them prestigious recognition, courtesy of our new Workshop Power Awards.

Yes, we’re giving YOU the opportunity to have your say and tell us what you think about them.

And not just the good ones, either. We also want to hear about the suppliers that have fallen somewhat short of expectations.

Following in the footsteps of the annual Car Dealer Power Awards, which are now in their seventh successful year, our aim is to make the Workshop Power Awards the largest, most comprehensive and most talked-about awards of their type in the industry.

Over the next two pages, you’ll see lots of questions about suppliers. All we ask is that you give us your honest views.

We want to know which suppliers are the best and how good they are at helping you out (even when the going gets tough), which parts you use, whom you go to for advice, and who enhances your presence on the internet.

It’s quick and easy to do – and it’s all anonymous. Once we’ve got all your answers, we’ll feed them into our Workshop supercomputer (the brains behind the magazine), which will then spit out all the data we need to make sense of everyone’s views. By the end of the process we’ll have an accurate idea about the suppliers that are at the top of their game, those that are simply average and those that are, well, pretty awful.

We’ll be sharing our findings, so it’s highly likely that suppliers will make changes to the way they work with you based on the feedback we give them.

Can I say what I really think?

So, how do I take part?

Absolutely. The whole reason behind the Workshop Power Awards is to allow the industry to be entirely forthright, whether that’s praising suppliers to the skies or hanging them out to dry.

And as mentioned earlier, the survey is absolutely anonymous. So, we’ll be telling the suppliers and agencies what we found, but not who told us.

The Workshop Magazine team will only assess the answers, not the envelopes, forms or IP addresses of those who enter online; and once we’ve gathered all the information we need, we’ll know who are the best of the best.

What’s more, we’ll hold a glitzy award night to celebrate their achievements, which will take place on September 1, 2016 at the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Hampshire.

Very easily. You can either fill in the form on the following pages and post it to us using our address on page 3 or – if you don’t want to rip up your copy of this fab mag – you can go to bit.ly/workshop-power to fill in the questionnaire online.

So, please spare a little time to complete the form. It won’t take longer than 15 minutes – and the opinions you express could genuinely benefit everyone in the industry.

We look forward to finding out what you think!

TURN OVER THE PAGE TO COMPLETE OUR POWER AWARDS 2016 SURVEY WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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3. Hand Tools Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

Please give a mark out of 10

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Please give a mark out of 10 where shown. And remember... this is completely confidential, so don’t be shy about telling us your views!

We want to know about the suppliers with whom you work.

The winners will not be decided solely by being the most popular but by how good they are at providing you with a product or service. We’ll be naming a winner and two highly commended places for each category, and these will be announced at the Workshop Power Awards ceremony on September 1, 2016. For each category, first tell us your supplier, then give them a mark out of 10, and finally add any comments you have.

1. Large Motor Factor of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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7. Best Customer Care Who provides it? .......................................................................................

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4. Power Tools Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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8. Trade Insurance Provider of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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5. Diagnostics Systems Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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9. Recruitment Agency of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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2. Small Motor Factor of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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6. Lubricants Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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10. Tyre Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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You can also fill in the Workshop Power Awards survey online 26 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

11. Best Garage Software Provider of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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15. Suspension Products Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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12. Best Product Innovation of the Year We think it is .............................................................................................

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16. Best Tech Product of the Year We think it is .............................................................................................

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10 Comments:................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................

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13. Extra Mile Award Who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for you this year? ...................................................................................................................

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17. Best Filter Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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10

10

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14. Batteries Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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18. Garage Cleaning Product Supplier of the Year We use ......................................................................................................

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Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower – the venue for our awards ceremony on September 1, 2016

by going to bit.ly/workshop-power WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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FEATURES.

GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Correctly set-up steering and suspension is vital for a vehicle to run safely. ALEX WELLS finds out how to get it right and make money as well

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t’s probably easier to point out the parts of a motor vehicle that aren’t safety-critical in some way – the radio perhaps, or cup-holders?

But some are more critical than others. Take steering and suspension. You could have the best brakes or sensors in the world, but a worn bushing or an imbalance between the control arms can have severe consequences for a vehicle and its occupants.

Both the chassis and steering elements are regularly exposed to extreme stress and it’s vital that these systems are checked and repaired using high-quality parts where necessary. That’s where the garage comes in.

Good idea A steering and suspension quick check is an opportunity to make a little extra profit and help customers at the same time by replacing parts at the first sign of wear, rather than wait until they fail or performance drops off.

When changing any steering or suspension components on a vehicle, a full four-wheel alignment check should be performed to make sure the alignment is correct. This will increase road holding and safety as well as reduce uneven tyre wear, plus with power steering, it’s important to consider sensors, too.

Handling characteristics Jon Roughley, global marketing director at First Line, observes: ‘If steering and suspension components aren’t set up correctly then this can not only put extra load on the other components on the vehicle, which can cause premature wear leading to failure, but also affect the handling characteristics, as well as being a potential safety issue.’

Safety-critical Roughley believes that performing a check is always worthwhile. ‘As steering and suspension is a safetycritical part of the car, a quick check should always be carried out, although a thorough check would be preferred. It is always useful to highlight the fact that the steering and suspension system is a major checkpoint during the MOT test, and as such, it’s better to check and maintain the main components in the system rather than wait for the MOT test and get an unexpected bill.

‘To properly check steering and suspension components, a garage needs to have access to a wide variety of professional tools, including lifts, as well as steering and suspension alignment tools.’

He adds: ‘It’s worth noting that in most cases specialist equipment is required for the removal

28 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

The steering and suspension system is a major checkpoint during the MOT test and fitment of many steering and suspension parts, including wishbone bushes. These procedures should always be followed up with a full wheelalignment check.’

Shock and awe The impact on safety-critical systems can be dramatic. ‘Just one worn shock absorber can affect braking distance by up to two metres. That’s the difference between stopping safely and hitting a hazard,’ says Andy Marpole, general manager UK and Eire at KYB. ‘If a new shock absorber is only fitted to one side of the vehicle with a worn one remaining on the other side, this can also lead to issues.

‘Even with new brakes and tyres, if the shock absorbers aren’t working properly, they won’t push the tyre down to maintain contact with the road,

TIPS FROM MEYLE Meyle points out a number of tell-tale signs that could indicate steering and suspension irregularities.

Irregular tyre wear Irregular tyre wear is caused by incorrect axle geometry adjustment.

Consequences may include less safe driving and braking, less driving comfort and unusual noises.

You need to perform an axle alignment and make the necessary adjustments to the axle geometries whenever wheel control components are installed.

Play and noise in wheel suspension Wheel suspension play and noise emissions are frequently caused by worn components such as ball joints or rubber bushings.

Unresponsive steering, increased tyre wear and a reduced braking capability are the likely outcome.

Meyle recommends that the Meyle joint play tester be used to localise and inspect worn parts such as ball joints. You can find a video tutorial on how to use the Meyle joint play tester on the company’s YouTube channel: MeyleTV: https://youtu.be/ RChUhzaotxQ Leaking hydro mounts Hydro mounts are likely to spring a leak and lose their damping capacity if they are subjected to excessive power levels.

Variations in the part’s stiffness characteristics have a detrimental effect on steering precision.

Apart from the impact on steering and driving comfort, drivers may also experience brake judder.

TIPS FROM DELPHI

reducing the vehicle’s ability to stop effectively.’

Warning signs Marpole continues: ‘Garages should check every vehicle that comes into the workshop.

‘Many will have broken coil springs that the driver had no idea about. If the vehicle has done more than 50,000 miles and still has the original shock absorbers, it’s unlikely they will be performing the way the vehicle manufacturer intended. Just because there isn’t a stream of oil leaking out doesn’t mean they aren’t worn.

‘Is the vehicle cornering and handling as it should? Is it dipping when braking or accelerating?

‘These are all warning signs that it’s time to replace them.’

He adds: ‘Actually, the best way to check the suspension is a visual inspection, where the technician looks for leakage, damage to the body or mountings, followed by a quick drive of the car, checking for the symptoms already discussed.’

Spring for a pair Steering and suspension is all about balance – and that means taking the initiative if one part of the system fails.

Per Lindahl, technical manager at Lesjöfors UK, observes: ‘Suspension springs are a central and dynamic component of a vehicle’s suspension system, constantly working to absorb shocks and deal with uneven road surfaces. After many millions of cycles, even the best-made springs may break or become tired and begin to sag, causing the vehicle ride height to become uneven.

‘When this happens, garages too often replace just the defective spring rather than an axle pair.

‘Failure to replace in pairs can have multiple negative consequences, conceivably costing significantly more than just the price of an extra spring.’ Lindahl says that replacing in pairs is in the customer’s best interests. ‘It is important for workshops to encourage customers to replace springs in axle pairs, just as they would with

• Never use a prybar to locate vertical bushes, as damage to the bush during fitting will reduce the service life of the bush.

• Always tighten mounting bolts for horizontal bushes with the weight on the suspension, as tightening with the suspension unloaded will lead to excessive load on the rubber when the suspension is loaded.

• Always refit any heat shields that are used to protect the ball joint gaiter.

TIPS FROM FEBI BILSTEIN Garages should ensure they double-check all steering and suspension components, as wear on one component could be a symptom of further damage elsewhere.

• Worn or faulty stabiliser links, which improve vehicle stability and overall control when working efficiently, can lead to worn rubber bushings or broken ball joints.

• Faulty or poor-quality control arms can cause parts to bend or break when driving over large potholes or speed bumps.

• Anti-roll bars can cause poor handling when incorrectly aligned or when worn.

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FEATURES. brake pads or discs. By replacing in pairs, the customer actually makes a cost saving, as the labour to replace two springs during the same job will be cheaper than the labour for replacing individual springs twice within a short period – not to mention the inconvenience of repeatedly having the vehicle off the road!’

A Meyle joint play tester at work

Ride height and comfort If one spring has failed, its opposite number is going to fail as well.

‘Coil springs across an axle degrade at around the same rate during normal use, as they are exposed to the same conditions, meaning that when one sags or breaks, if both were fitted at the same time, the other will not be far behind,’ says Lindahl. He adds: ‘Replacing in pairs will return a vehicle to its original ride height and comfort.

‘However, when just one spring is replaced, an imbalance will most likely be created, resulting in an uneven ride.’

He concludes: ‘This can lead to more stress being exerted on the spring that has not been replaced, reducing its life expectancy.’

Wear and serviceability Richard Jones, technical support engineer at Delphi, says: ‘It is important to ensure that steering and suspension and tyre wear and pressures are all serviceable and set correctly, as failure to do so will impair vehicle handling and control.

‘Ultimately, it will lead to premature wear or failure of tyres and steering and suspension components. This could lead to an accident and result in expensive repair bills for the motorist.

‘Garages should ensure that their technicians are experienced and competent to safely check steering/suspension systems and tyres for wear and serviceability and can accurately report any repairs that may be required.’

Knowledge and understanding The solution is knowledge and equipment, says Jones. ‘Technicians need a good knowledge and understanding of steering and suspension systems and the relevant tools to check the vehicle, as well as an accurate and calibrated tyre tread-depth gauge and pressure gauge.

‘They will also require a calibrated wheelalignment system and the knowledge to use the equipment and set alignment accurately.’

A TRW power steering rack

Intensity of misalignment The effect of misaligned steering and suspension on a vehicle can vary greatly.

Andrew Tress, sales director at Meyle UK, says: ‘Depending on the intensity of misalignment, the influence on vehicle behaviour is between increased tyre wear, less comfortable drive, loud noises and dangerous reactions of the car during emergency manoeuvres. It is very important to have the right settings for toe and camber.’

But how will you be making your inspections?

‘A full check of the set-up is a complex

procedure. It is not usual to perform it as a quick check,’ says Tress.

‘However, indicators for misalignment can be checked, like uneven tyre wear or noises.

‘The check should be performed after replacing or disassembling suspension parts and setting the suspension to the right values.’

If garages are serious about it, then serious kit is needed. ‘Equipment for axle alignment varies in price and needs effort to perform the check.

Sophisticated systems are expensive but easy and quick to use and foolproof in operation,’ says Tress.

TIPS FROM LESJÖFORS – OVERALL HANDLING

TIPS FROM FIRST LINE

Failure to replace coil springs in pairs can cause imbalance and lead to a number of safety risks, including: Less responsive steering – Older springs cannot effectively transfer weight to other springs during cornering.

Less secure road holding – During cornering, a sagging spring will experience increased compression, but with less stored mechanical energy available to keep the vehicle balanced and transfer weight evenly.

Increased braking distance – During braking, more of the vehicle’s weight transfers from the rear tyres to the front tyres, causing the nose to dip forward (known as ‘dive’). Uneven balance across the front axle can occur under braking, potentially increasing stress on the spring that has not been replaced. This in turn will reduce the friction on the other tyres and increase the distance required to stop.

Increased tyre wear – Increased pressure is exerted upon the tyre where the spring hasn’t been replaced, leading to faster wear and eventually a bill for new tyres – potentially many times the cost of a coil spring.

Wishbone A wishbone should only have the fitting bolts tightened when the vehicle’s wheels and axles are in the normal ride height position –not, as some garages do, when the wheels are in an unloaded hanging position. Doing the latter will put a torque reaction on the wishbone bushes when the vehicle is taken off the service ramp, leading to premature failure of the wishbone.

Rubber bushes Always check for deterioration in the vehicle’s rubber

30 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

TRW – PUMP FOR INFORMATION TRW Aftermarket – the global developer, manufacturer and supplier of Corner Module braking, steering and suspension products and systems – discusses a real-world issue that garages are likely to encounter.

Question: I have to fit a new steering rack to a 10-yearold Vauxhall Astra.

Should I also change the pump?

Answer: At this age, the pump is nearing the end of its optimum life.

Steering gears are manufactured to strict tolerances – typically, a few microns of a millimetre – so an ageing pump could allow small particles to enter the system, causing leaks and failure. Similarly, debris from an ageing rack could be in the pump.

Whatever you decide to do, a complete flush and refill with new fluid is essential.

If you’re still in doubt, consider this: Do you want the vehicle to return in six months with a failed steering pump? Another bill for the unhappy customer? Replacing both at the same time wouldn’t significantly increase labour charges. Customers generally accept parts costs but complain about labour charges.

Look at this as a form of ‘up-selling’. The cost of the pump would be significant and so would your margin.

Parts from First Line

bushes/boots and replace parts accordingly. As these components are safety-critical items, never just change a damaged protective boot on any steering and suspension component. Any ingress of dirt or debris that has already taken place can result in the roadworthiness of the vehicle being compromised.

The larger picture Always check all associated parts in the steering and suspension system, as it is often the case that other components have undergone similar wear and tear or

damage to the initial failed component that is being replaced. Advise customers of the safety-critical nature of the components and how it isn’t always possible to tell just by looking that a suspension part may need replacing.

Experienced technicians can show and explain how wear in ball joints, as an example, can be checked.

Final checks Before the vehicle is returned to the customer, it is imperative to check and reset the wheel alignment after any work on the steering or suspension has been carried out.

Once decided, prepare well and observe a few basic tips: • Ensure utmost cleanliness, paying particular attention to hose connection areas.

• Dirt can be removed using TRW brake cleaner and a lint-free cloth.

• Before removing steering gear, move the steering wheel to the centre position and secure.

• Flush system before connecting any of the lines to the rack. Fill storage tank with new fluid and allow run-through into a drip pan. NEVER reuse old hydraulic fluid.

• Always adhere to VM’s instructions.

• Bleed the system. Fill storage tank to ‘MAX’ mark.

Start engine. The fluid level may drop quickly. After a few minutes, raise the front of the vehicle and slowly turn the wheels from left to right 10 to 15 times.

Always ensure the tank has sufficient fluid. If fluid is light brown or red or appears foamy or cloudy, there is still air in the system.

• In this case, turn the engine off and wait for 15 minutes. Then repeat the bleeding process.

• Once bleeding is complete check the fluid level and top up to the ‘MAX’ mark. Now road-test and check the entire system for leaks. If necessary, top up the fluid level again.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Repairs to motor vehicles should only be carried out by appropriately qualified motor mechanics. Specific makes and models of vehicles differ, and the advice given here may not be appropriate in all cases. TRW KFZ Ausrüstung GmbH will not accept any responsibility or liability for loss or damage howsoever caused as a result of reliance upon the advice given here, save to the extent that such liability may not, by law, be excluded.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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CLUB.

ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO JOIN: A BIG DISCOUNT ON BRAKE TRAINING Pagid Professional Academy is our latest Workshop Club partner – and we’re thrilled to have them on board. DAVE BROWN finds out what’s on offer from the respected training organisation.

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his month we are delighted to announce that Workshop Club is even better value than ever.

The reason? Pagid Professional Academy has joined our fantastic line-up of suppliers offering exclusive offers and discounts to members.

Pagid Professional Academy is a comprehensive brake training programme designed to equip workshop technicians with all the skills required for today’s brake service.

Delivered by accredited expert trainers, and approved by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), it is the only training programme of its kind backed by a manufacturer and distributor.

It allows participants to learn through hard-copy course materials or through a dedicated eLearning site at their own pace. On completion of the distance learning, students attend a two-day training master-class and practical

test, at locations around the country.

A series of modules cover all types of vehicle braking, beginning with module 1: The IMI QAA Award in Light Vehicle Brake Fitting.

Students gain background theory and practical, hands-on skills, covering brake discs, drums, hydraulics, servo, fluid and anti-lock systems.

In addition to receiving the IMI accreditation, those who pass will also gain ‘Pagid Professional’ status and receive branded merchandise, signage, technical and promotional support and resources.

A past participant of the course, John Convery, managing director at Paisley Autocare, had this to say: ‘So far we have sent six team members of various

levels of experience on the course, and we were all delighted with the course and the results.

‘We thought the whole thing was excellent. The on-site trainer was great with the team, and explained things for all abilities very well. The team ranged from a new apprentice, to guys with 10 and 20 years’ experience. Even the very experienced guys said they learnt a lot and were very impressed.’

Pagid is part of the TMD Friction Group – one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the original equipment market of the automotive and brake industry.

Their involvement with Workshop Club is just one great reason to join – check out the panels below for details of the other benefits of membership.

With more and more members coming on board every month, what are you waiting for? Join today!

Another great reason to

JOIN TODAY AND GET THESE SUPERB BENEFITS More than £400 off braking training

One free month of additional support

£100 off your motor trade insurance

The price for the course described in the main story above is normally £1,000 but Workshop Club members can book their place for £599. Take you or your team’s braking knowledge to the next level for this special Workshop Club price. Just quote ‘Brake Training 2016’ in the Promo Code box when registering your interest.

Find out more and register your interest here: pagidprofessional.co.uk/ training/braking/

Autologic produces a successful fully-integrated vehicle diagnostics support system. AssistPlus is a tablet containing diagnostics software, a PDF viewer, web browser and YouTube application to allow you to investigate vehicles, along with a full vehicle history on the device recorded against VIN. An on-board camera allows you to capture video and stills. Club members signing up to Autologic Assist will receive a month of additional support on top of their first year.

With 25 years of industry experience in the world of commercial vehicle insurance, Plan Insurance Brokers is the expert for the UK’s professional road users. Motor trade insurance is vital to keep your business moving, whether it’s your own vehicles or customers’ cars you’re moving about – even if a customer’s car is involved in a fire or theft while in your care.

Club members can receive an exclusive £100 discount on their motor trade insurance through Plan Insurance Brokers.

Discount on software and free health check app Dragon2000’s dealer management system is one of the most versatile and easy-to-use products on the market.

The software can help manage supplier and customer details, help you keep on top of your costs and ensure that your business is running as smoothly and as profitably as possible.

Workshop Club members are eligible for a 10 per cent discount on their first year of a Dragon2000 software subscription – and they get the free Vehicle Health Check app too.

Dragon2000

TO JOIN GO TO WORKSHOPCLUB.CO.UK OR CALL 023 9252 2434 AND 32 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

VORTEX GO-THROUGH SOCKET SET STOCK No. 40197

join Workshop Club – the involvement of Pagid Professional Academy

FOR JUST £39.99 10 per cent discount off all products Dickies is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of workwear. Specialising in industrial workwear, including overalls, hi-vis safety clothing, safety footwear, work boots and protective clothing, Dickies can help your business meet HSE requirements for personal protective equipment. You can even add your company logo and website link to your workwear.

Workshop Club members are eligible for a 10 per cent discount on any Dickies product.

Free legal advice plus discounted membership As part of your membership, you will have a free telephone consultation with Lawgistics worth £100. You will also be signed up to Lawgistics’ basic membership package worth £95, have 25 per cent discount off Lawgistics products, get access to guidance notes and document templates and enjoy a discount off membership upgrades – £100 off the Small Business pack and £250 off the Professional membership pack – to better suit your needs.

THE UNIQUE HOLLOW SOCKET TECHNOLOGY OF THE DRAPER EXPERT VORTEX SYSTEM IS DESIGNED FOR LONG FIXINGS THE SOCKETS ARE EDGE DRIVEN ALLOWING THE FIXING TO PASS STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEAD! 10 - 22MM SIZE METRIC VORTEX SOCKETS AND 5 ACCESSORIES

QUALITY SINCE 1919 VISIT: DRAPERTOOLS.COM

SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR TEAM

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AUTOMOTIVE SOFTWARE

 sales@dragon2000.co.uk  dragon2000.co.uk  01327 222 333

34 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

PRODUCTS. Stand and deliver

New from Laser Tools is a combination motorcycle stand for front or rear wheels. The stand converts from front to rear by changing the handle and support adaptors to the alternative supplied set. The 1.8mm tubular steel stand is adjustable by height and will adapt to fit most motorcycles, with an axle load capacity of 200kg. While mounting the bike to the stand is a twoperson job, it’s easy to accomplish and full assembly instructions are provided.

New for you Midnight oil

Under my wheels

The Schaeffler (UK) Ltd wheel bearings brand FAG has introduced 11 new kits to cover nearly 390,000 additional vehicles on the UK’s and Ireland’s roads.

The new bearing kits include front wheel bearings for the latest generation of Volkswagen Golf (both petrol and diesel models) and a rear kit for the Skoda Superb. Light commercials are well catered for too, with front and rear kits for the Nissan NV200 and an OE rear kit for the current Ford Transit 2.2 TDCi.

The latest Mobil 1 ESP x2 0W-20 fully synthetic engine oil is designed to support OEMs such as Volkswagen, Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover. The oil is the first of its kind to market, developed in direct response to the rigorous performance requirements of manufacturers. The lubrication standards set by these OEMs far exceed the requirements set for previous 0W-20 products, and were previously only achievable with higherviscosity products. With increased oil-flow rates at low temperatures, Mobil 1 ESP x2 0W-20 has been engineered to help maintain the efficiency of emission systems and offer advanced engine protection plus wear and sludge resistance.

Blowing in the wind

Mahle Aftermarket has introduced eight new-to-range additions to its fast-growing turbocharger programme, which includes several applications for Volkswagen Group vehicles. Covering VW Golf TSI petrol and TDI diesel, VW Scirocco diesel, Skoda Fabia and Audi A3 and A4 models, Mahle’s new ‘Mahle Original’ turbochargers are direct like-for-like replacements for original factory-fitted equipment. Also new to the range is a part for the Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTI.

Come on, feel the noise

This compact and lightweight Makita DMR200 Job Site Bluetooth speaker is powered by either the Makita LXT or CXT Li-Ion battery range or from an AC supply.

The 10 watt two-way speaker system features a 100mm diameter woofer and 36mm tweeter with a Bluetooth range of up to 10 metres, but it also features an auxin jack plus a USB port. It has an integral compartment for storing your portable device, so you can charge it while it’s stored within the speaker.

PRODUCT TESTS

PENETRATION FLUID: P36

PROTECTIVE GOGGLES: P38 OUR EXPERTS TEST SEAT COVERS: P40 WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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PRODUCTS. TEST11

Penetration fluid Should you spray or should you go with liquid when it comes to loosening things? ANDREW EVANS got to grips with some rusty nuts and bolts to find out what’s best to keep in a mechanic’s toolbox.

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his could well be the number one go-to piece of equipment in every mechanic’s toolbox, no matter what level of skill or size of business.

Penetrating fluid is such an important piece of kit that it’s even part of the old engineering joke: If it doesn’t move but should, you need it, but if it moves and shouldn’t, you need gaffer tape.

Getting into the bumps and cracks of heavily rusted fixings, penetrating fluids essentially force their way through to bolt threads by capillary action as well as by breaking down accumulated muck, so that there’s less resistance to your spanner or socket.

We’ve been testing some of the most popular brands to see how they help with rusted-on bolts, and which will end up living in our toolbox.

No Nonsense Penetrating Oil How much: £3.99 Where from: screwfix.co.uk The huge No Nonsense can provides really rather good value for money, but it’s a little cumbersome to wield round tight spaces. It came joint last in our torque test and revealed a slightly odd weak spot when it came to squirting it on after the application of a blowtorch – by way of a rather large gout of flame! The can has a basic nozzle, too, so despite the outright volume advantage, you might get through it quicker than you’d think.

HHHHH

Hycote Workshop Maintenance Spray How much: £3.43 Where from: andrewpage.com The Hycote spray did an excellent job all round, coming in just behind the WD40 in the torque test. It seems to have a slightly higher flashpoint than the WD40, too, so it’d be a good one to use if you need to get a little heat on a particularly stubborn nut first. Ultimately outperformed by the most famous product here, the Hycote is a great alternative and good value for money.

HHHHH

36 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

Double TT How much: £6.50 Where from: tetrosyl.com Squint and you might mistake the Double TT spray for WD40, and it’s certainly a decent substitute here. It’s not quite as good when it comes to the torque testing and it seems to dry out a little quickly, so leaving it to soak in might not yield the results you’d look for and the price may count against it.

HHHHH

HOW WE TESTED THEM The number one use of penetrating fluids is getting rusted fixings free, so we carefully rusted up a few dozen nuts and bolts then measured the approximate average torque required to unfasten them, with and without application of our test products.

Carlube Handy Oil How much: £2.99 Where from: tetrosyl.com This product comes in an old-school bottle with a nozzle, and while this makes it a little easier to precisely apply than the spray cans – especially as it’s inevitable that you’ll lose the straw for the cans very quickly – it’s difficult to apply very small amounts. It doesn’t perform as well in the release torque test but it does a fair job, and the viscosity means that it would be a good one for soaking and lubricating older parts to treat before refitting.

HHHHH

3-In-One Penetrant Spray How much: £5.99 Where from: halfords.co.uk If there’s a brand that’s as famous as WD40, it’s 3-InOne, and its penetrant spray does almost as good a job. The average release torque was higher than the WD40, but the range of release torques of the two has some overlap. It seems a slightly thinner product, so if you’re looking for a product to leave on an awkward part to soak in, you’ll be better looking at the Hycote or WD40.

HHHHH

WD40 How much: £4.99 Where from: screwfix.co.uk There’s a good reason why WD40 is the byword for penetrating fluids everywhere: it’s the best. The WD consistently proved to have the lowest removal torque bar the odd exception, and the now-traditional aerosol-and-straw can set-up means easy, accurate and sparing application.

HHHHH

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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PRODUCTS. TEST 12

Protective goggles

Our expert tester ANDREW EVANS introduces the second of this month’s product reviews...

A

s with the safety spectacles from last month’s Workshop Magazine, eye protection is probably the most important but most overlooked piece of safety equipment there is.

Many of us will do a quick job without putting any eye protection on, but more than 100,000 people a year receive eye injuries and the nature of many workshops means that these injuries could result in a loss of sight.

Goggles do a more thorough job than spectacles when it comes to protecting your eyes from serious damage, cocooning the entire area rather than just shielding the front. This makes them more of a hassle to get on and off, but a far better option for all round protection.

We’ve been trying out some of the goggles on offer from major safety wear manufacturers to see how they stack up.

HOW WE TESTED THEM Although slightly more subjective, how comfortable the goggles are to wear is an important factor – people are more prone not to bother with safety kit if it’s a hassle. We also tested scratch and impact resistance.

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uvex ultravision How much: £5.65 Where from: arco.co.uk Of the three uvex goggles here, these are our least favourite. The large ‘glass’ area lets in plenty of light and gives a good field of view, but they don’t quite fit as they should. Though they aren’t uncomfortable either, the gaps around the cheek area are a bit of a let-down as it means, like our safety specs last month, that debris could get through. The screen stands up very well against damage and fogging though.

HHHHH

Draper 51130 How much: £7.66 Where from: drapertools.com These are rather basic goggles all round. Fitment is not terrific, particularly around the nose, where they do seem to pinch a bit, though the breathers fitted all round do a fair job at preventing fogging. The shield area is quite easily damaged both by impact and scratching – the easiest to damage of any set here – but is at least easy to swap out if it becomes an issue.

HHHHH

uvex u-sonic How much: £12.35 Where from: arco.co.uk By some distance the best set of goggles we had on test. Fitment and comfort is unrivalled here and the screen does an excellent job of resisting all kinds of damage. The slightly more pronounced curve gives a wider field of view than the uvex ultrasonic and they come with a neat shaded screen that attaches magnetically, which provides an extra layer of protection – this would be useful if someone else in your workshop is welding.

HHHHH

Laser 6225 How much: £13.13 Where from: lasertools.co.uk Resembling ski goggles with a high-visibility green frame, the Laser goggles need a little work when it comes to fitment, sitting awkwardly on the bridge of the nose, particularly. The curved screen with angled outer edges provides a nice barrier that preserves a good field of view, so it doesn’t feel restrictive, but it’s easier to mark than some of the better-rated products here.

HHHHH

Sealey SSP2

uvex ultrasonic

How much: £4.48 Where from: sealey.co.uk

How much: £10.60 Where from: arco.co.uk

A far better option than its Sealey stablemate, the SSP2 is comfortable to wear, particularly with the very wide elastic strap. This is a pair that fits well and the slightly curved screen means that peripheral vision is better preserved and protected.

Impact and scratch protection is at least equal to the other Sealey goggles, but overall they are far superior.

A fine set of goggles that’s only marginally let down by a less ideal fit than both our top-rated goggles and the Sealey SSP2 pair. The screen itself resists scratch damage well and is amongst the better ones here for impact damage. The curve is a little flat, so you don’t have as much peripheral vision, but vertical field of view is good, with the screen flush to the edges of the frame. They’re a good alternative to our top two.

HHHHH

Sealey SSP1 v2

HHHHH

How much: £2.48 Where from: sealey.co.uk We weren’t impressed at all by these goggles, which proved a little painful to wear for any length of time. The elastic strap would come loose with little provocation so it proved difficult to assess the ‘direct’ venting’s effect on steaming up. Actual protection was fair, with marginally better scratch and impact resistance than you might expect given the rating and general quality of the kit.

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PRODUCTS. TEST DRIVE

Garage test: Protective seat covers Our expert testers Andy, James and Craig tell Workshop readers their thoughts about protective coverings for inside vehicles

Sealey CSC6 2PC Heavy-Duty Front Seat Protector Set Price: £12.13 From: sealey.co.uk

Craig It’s more like something you’d put on your own car seats to keep them clean in the garage and take them off at the weekend, rather than something for workshop use. It’s just too much fuss to get it on and off.

James This was okay, but it didn’t fit wide enough across the rear of the seat and that’s on a Seat Leon, so it wouldn’t be any good for stuff like a Volkswagen Golf or anything larger either.

Andy I thought this one was good, but it’s more of a permanent thing. It comes with a

little bag of hooks so you can hook it to the bottom of the seat. It’s more the sort of thing you’d use for keeping your seats protected for a long time, rather than for us bringing vehicles in and out.

HHHHH

Draper Heavy-Duty Seat Cover Price: £20.62 From: drapertools.com

Craig We’re not so keen on the material for this one but it’s at least waterproof and a decent quality, so it’ll keep your seats well protected. It’s not something we’d want to use, though, simply due to the hassle of getting it on and off.

James It’s good quality but it didn’t fit very well and it’s not very secure. There’s an elastic strap on it, but it’s not very obvious where it should go.

Andy I wasn’t over-keen on this. I didn’t like the way it fitted on to the seats – we

tried it on different cars with different-sized seats – and didn’t really get on with the texture. There’s a bit of elastic underneath but I’m not really sure where it had to go or how it would help retain the cover to the seat. This one you can keep.

HHHHH

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Andy Stamford Hendy Ford, Fareham

James Hannah National Tyres and Autocare, Redcar

Craig Rose Bob Rose Motor Vehicle Repairs, Redcar

In 1910, Hendy became the first dealer in the UK to sell Ford models. It is a Ford main dealer group, with branches across Hampshire and West Sussex.

National has more than 235 centres across the UK and specialises in tyres, exhausts, batteries, brake parts and MOTs across the automotive spectrum.

An independent garage that’s been running for nearly 40 years, Bob Rose is a family firm of two generations that deals with anything and everything.

How Andy rated them: 1st Sealey CSC6; 2nd Sealey CSC1;

How James rated them: 1st Laser; 2nd Sealey CSC1; 3rd Draper; 4th Sealey CSC6

How Craig rated them: 1st Sealey CSC1; 2nd Sealey CSC6; 3rd Laser; 4th Draper

3rd Laser; 4th Draper

Sealey CSC1 Car Seat Cover Price: £5.15 From: sealey.co.uk

Craig This is the only one we’d use, as it’s the only one you could get quickly on and off. It’s just two bits of Velcro around the headrest and the seat’s covered, so it’s good for us getting a mix of cars in and out.

James This one’s okay for just driving in and out of the workshop, but not for every

day. It doesn’t clip or attach to anything, it just slides around, so if you were out on the road with it on, it wouldn’t be much good.

Andy The first thing I did with this was put it over my head and wear it as an

apron! The only downside to this one is that there’s nothing to stop it moving around as you get in and out – once it was on it would slide around a bit – but a lot of seat covers do that.

HHHHH

Laser Front Seat Protector Price: £18.72 From: lasertools.co.uk

Craig The Laser’s all right, but it’s more like something someone who’s in and out

of one car all the time would use rather than for us. It’s purely on ease of use – once they’re on it’s not something you can swap quickly if you need a quick turnaround, as it’d take half an hour to switch it between cars!

James This one’s very good. It fitted well and did everything I expected it to do. The quality is pretty good for the price and it fitted perfectly on our seats.

Andy The Laser is like the 2-piece Sealey in that it’s more of a thing you’d put on as a permanent protector. It’s easy to use – it’s not as though you couldn’t use it on a daily basis, but it looks like it’s designed to go in and stay in. This one was more tricky, as it goes a long way down the seat, but then it gives protection to all the seat rather than just the areas we’d be sitting on.

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| 41

MY PROJECT CAR.

LAURA THOMSON FINDS OUT ABOUT THE YOUNG HELPERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A MK1 GOLF

Back to black! A modded old motor restored to former glory

W

hen Tony Young bought his MkI Volkswagen Golf a year ago, it was in far from original condition. Boasting gold alloys, a lowered suspension and a host of other modifications, the £5,000, 1981 model had been ‘boy racer’d’ to within an inch of its life.

The previous owner – a young London-based designer – was selling it in order to move to New York. Despite the car’s styling not being quite to Tony’s taste, the managing director of ITAS – a bodyshop training centre – was drawn in by its apparent good condition and impressive service history. After buying the car, Young ran it for a month to make sure it was in working order. After all, he didn’t want to spend a lot of time and effort on the body only to find that it was in poor nick mechanically.

Luckily for him, the engine and running gear were top notch; ‘a testament to its service history,’ the 39-year-old explained. However, when he got the car into the ITAS workshop in Milton Keynes, and began to take it apart, Young discovered it was not as he had originally thought.

‘Where it had been repainted, it looked in reasonably good shape,’ he explained. ‘Unfortunately, though, these models suffered badly from corrosion and the Golf had received lots of previous bad repairs. The back arches were terrible – we had to replace most of those – and the A pillars were completely gone.’

What was looking like a quick rebuild was becoming a lengthy, drawn-out project.

‘A lot of time went into cleaning up the metal and working out which bits were still serviceable, and which were just going to corrode further down the line,’ Young continued. ‘So we had to cut everything out of the car that was bad, and replace all the metalwork – even if that did mean fabricating it by hand.’

Young and his team of volunteers used modern, more corrosion-resistant products in the vehicle’s rebuild, in order to avoid problems further down the line.

‘Every time you got it near to the point of reaching the finish line, something else would crop up,’ he said.

Luckily, he had two especially willing helpers by his side – his three- and six-year-old sons, Thomas and Oliver.

‘I bought the car for my children – and maybe as a bit of an investment,’ he explained. ‘Because all of my family have been in the bodyshop industry, I wanted to give them a bit of an opportunity with a car to play on.’

Despite their young age, the Golf isn’t the first car they have helped their father with.

Above: Young’s sons lend a helping hand ‘About a year ago, I bought a campervan and we did that up together. But when we’d finished, the boys said to me, ‘‘it wasn’t really a campervan that we wanted, we just enjoyed messing around with the cars’’, so we never used it, sold it and put that money into the Golf.’

Young has managed to keep the cost of restoring the Golf to a minimum, and estimated that he has spent £3,000 to £4,000 on it to date. Once it’s finished, Young plans to keep it under wraps until his boys are old enough to drive. But first, he plans to take it to the Nurburgring for his 40th birthday.

‘I’ve promised the guys I wont go mad and smash it up,’ he laughed. ‘The MkI golf is such an iconic car, and it’s important for there to be another one back on the road.’

DO YOU HAVE A PET PROJECT? LET US KNOW! We‘re looking for the cars that mechanics are doing up in their spare time. Email editorial@blackballmedia.co.uk and we‘ll do the rest.

42 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

”

The £5,000, 1981 model had been boy racer’d’ to within an inch of its life

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www.RMItrainingAcademy.co.uk RMI Academy of Automotive Skills, Clearwater Business Park, 2-3 Building, Welsh Road East, Warwickshire, CV47 1NA WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 43

OUR FLEET.

MG Metro Turbo Christian Tilbury is saying a fond farewell to D821ACJ for a little while

O

ther than a brief encounter with a set of Capri Laser wheels and a Shirazfuelled bid on a joblot of, er, Metro parcel shelves, I’ve managed to stick to my goal of only investing in parts that will, hopefully, return D821ACJ to a usable condition.

Making progress hasn’t been easy though, as finding the replacement suspension bits I’ve been bleating on about for the last few months proved to be a right pain in the backside.

The only rear Hydragas displacers I could find either looked like they’d been dragged from a canal or sold in the few minutes I pondered their purchase, while my smugness in unearthing a matching pair that had been stored for 20-odd years soon faded when it transpired they were for van and five-door versions.

Eventually, a supposedly decent pair turned up from a specialist breaker and although it couldn’t be confirmed if they were from a three-door Metro, at £65 they were worth a punt.

A bit of wire wool should reveal a part number and determine whether they’ll be going on the car or straight back on eBay. To go with the displacers, I also coughed for some stainless steel straps to hold them in place as the original steel ones look like they’ll crumble at the mere sight of a spanner.

All that remains to do now then is to chuck the parts in the boot and bounce my way down to the local garage. I could probably tackle it at home, but Hydrolastic fluid stinks and I can’t be doing with trying to track down a proper pump – the last one I borrowed needed unseizing and that was after much ridicule from the mechanic who asked me to bring it back asap in case the garage had a rush of Allegro owners.

And while the Metro’s away, it’ll be a case of ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Which is a good thing, as it’ll allow me to focus on sorting my stack

of spares and, more importantly, ponder the rather daft idea of chopping it in for an equally knackered Cosworth.

Model: 1986 MG Metro Turbo Owned by: Christian Tilbury Engine: 1.3-litre, 4-cylinder Bought for: £680 Mileage: 67,951 Money spent this month: £65 Highlight of this month: Sourcing the parts that should, fingers crossed, see the Metro back on the road.

VW Type 3 Fastback A stitch in time saves nine? That’s not exactly Rebecca Chaplin’s attitude!

OLD cars, you’ve got to love ’em. There is never a shortage of work to be done and there’s always a fresh problem to tackle. This month the Type 3 has sprung a leak.

Actually, it could be that the leak has been there for a while but it was only when I turned a corner in torrential rain that I felt what should have been outside the car was now inside.

This caused me to examine the bodywork and there are certainly a few issues to resolve.

Although we’re not quite at Swiss cheese level, there are some areas that are crumbling like Stilton and will need to be tackled very soon.

You may remember from the issues I have mentioned before, that my rear main oil seal was leaking when I bought the car.

Yes, I know that is a fairly major problem but it wasn’t actually causing me any trouble and I foolishly try not to deal with these things until I absolutely have to.

Our cars...

We love cars here at Workshop and here’s proof. We’ve written about them and everything...

44 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

VW TYPE 3 FASTBACK

VW TRANSPORTER

BMW 520D TOURING

SUBARU IMPREZA STI

by Rebecca Chaplin Head of editorial video, @BelieveBecca

by Cliff Culver Advertising executive, @CarDealerCliff

by Jonathan Fleetwood Photographer, @Jfleetwoodphoto

by Jon Reay Multimedia manager, @JonReay

This month the Type 3 has been a bit neglected – and a few new problems have come out of the metalwork. Oh joy.

Cliff is seriously considering selling his van for an early Bay or Split Screen, and getting a cheap daily driver as an alternative.

A busy time – but not TOO pricey.

A replacement tyre came in at £150, while two headlamp bulbs were £16 with fitting.

A new (and overpriced) battery means the Impreza jumps into life rather than just coughs. So we're making progress...

Subaru Impreza STI

Mazda MX-5

Jonny Reay’s car falls into a grey area after failing to start, frustratingly

Andrew Evans finds himself hearing things after noticing a mysterious leak

THIS month in Subaru land, the universe decided it hated me. It was dreaded MOT time and, fearing the worst for my decidedly rusty exhaust, I put off the test until after pay day – even if that did mean a fortnight of no driving for me.

Then the fateful day arrived. An hour before my super-last-minute booking at a fast fit centre that shall remain nameless, I started up the Impreza. Well, I tried to.

The ancient battery that I’d always suspected would one day die, had died.

Excellent. Much attempting to jump start it with a Mazda 2 diesel followed (with the help of Jack, in the picture below) which, understandably, did nothing except give the electrical system just enough power to set the You Ain’t Stealing Me Bro uberalarm into some sort of un-switch-off-able panic mode. Even better.

Fifteen minutes before my time slot, Workshop Magazine man-who-fixeseverything Andy Entwistle came to the rescue with what he likes to call his ‘general emergency’ box, containing everything from battery booster packs to inflatable life rafts (I assume).

Just in time, the booster pack did the trick, and without even enough time for

a proper drive to get some power in the battery, I’d dropped the Impreza off to get its annual £35 bit of paper.

I’m sure you can see where this is going.

‘Hello Mr Reay, I’m afraid we haven’t been able to test your car because it won’t start. Okay?’ Oh yeah, brilliant, thanks.

In fairness, I can’t exactly blame Mr Fast Fit man or his colleagues – my unresponsive Japanese lump fell into a bit of a grey area. If I’d dropped it off for a wheel alignment or a service, you’d hope that they’d stick a battery booster on it and get it going without batting an eyelid. But a government test where you can’t so much as unscrew an under tray without breaking the rules? Probably a bit of a stretch.

Still, I can’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if I’d taken it to an independent instead.

Now the car has developed an unnerving shake when I take it over 60mph, which stops when you persist to at least 70.

This, I suspect, is down the oil seal issue but only time will tell when I change it next week.

The parts are ready to go but the engine will need to come out, so time is the major factor.

MG METRO TURBO

Model: Subaru Impreza WRX STI Owned by: Jon Reay Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol Bought for: £9,000 Mileage: 66,800 Money spent this month: £165 (battery + MoT) Lowlight this month: Dealing with a not-particularly-helpful fast fit centre

OUR MX-5 has been a little underused this month. This is despite knowing that MX-5s really do detest neglect and will spring faults for no reason if you leave them standing, so really I deserve everything I get for letting him sit still in the car park yet again.

I first noticed the problem after a rainstorm, when a bright rainbow puddle appeared beneath the nearside front. At first I thought it was an oil leak, but then I remembered that the MX-5 isn’t front-wheel drive and doesn’t have a gearbox over there. As the brake calipers have been sticking a little (no, I haven’t fixed that issue from Workshop Magazine 8 yet), I was a little concerned that it was related to that and that possibly the heat radiating from the disc was affecting our cheap Tarmac driveway, but on closer investigation there was definitely a leak, from a reservoir I didn’t immediately recognise.

My wife is more of an MX-5 expert than I, so we had a bit of a brainstorm and eventually resorted to the internet. It transpired that the reservoir is for the power steering fluid.

Over the course of a few weeks, the fluid eventually all leaked out, and while the steering became heavier it didn’t really have a major effect on how the car drives.

Well, other than the weird noises I’ve been hearing...

Model: Mazda MX-5 Merlot Owned by: Mrs Evans Bought for: £1,500 Engine: 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder Mileage: 110,000 Money spent this month: £7.99 Highlight this month: Pretending that the MX-5 is haunted. (Possessed might be nearer the mark...)

Model: Volkswagen Type 3 Fastback 1600E Owned by: Rebecca Chaplin Engine: 1.6-litre Bought for: £3,500 Mileage: 90,000 Money spent this month: Nothing Highlight this month: A long drive from Southampton to Milton Keynes in the sunshine.

BMW 330D TOURING

MINI COOPER

MAZDA MX-5

PEUGEOT 205 GTI 1.9

by Christian Tilbury Staff writer, @Christilbury1

by Jack Evans Staff writer, @jackrober

by Sophie Williamson-Stothert Features editor, @1Sophie_W

by Andrew Evans Senior staff writer, @snavEwerdnA

by James Baggott Chief executive, @CarDealerEd

Replacement suspension parts have finally been found and the Metro’s heading off to Christian’s local garage for some much-needed TLC.

Belfort has for some reason been surrounded by weeds – and that might be to do with his lack of movement. Big drive in order soon.

HCZ’s diff decided to churn itself up this month, while on the A34 heading south to glorious Gosport.

Gearbox rebuild it is, then.

The problem explained above has left Andrew listening to something that sounds like a conversation between an owl and a ghost.

Baggott’s attention has turned towards his other 80s hot hatch – his Fiesta XR2 – which is back on the road. Full story next month.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 45

OUR KEV.

OUR MAN ON THE INSIDE SPILLS THE BEANS ON THE GARAGE BUSINESS...

A dozy divorcee, a very oily rag and a Sierra that beat the odds

L

ast month, I recounted a tale of an owner who assumed that, because her car had never used a drop of oil in 190,000 miles, it didn’t need servicing. It was a Toyota, so it survived.

This month, I’ll tell the tale of another tough old bus.

This time, a Ford Sierra, which came to us at some point in the early Nineties, when I was a mere apprentice.

Like the Toyota, the Sierra is another hardened survivor.

My dad always told me that if you wanted to know what makes a tough car, there are two types of people you should ask – taxi drivers and banger racers. The Sierra was a big hit with both, if you’ll pardon the pun, so it’s no surprise that, on this occasion, it survived a fate that it really shouldn’t have.

Oil, it seems, is something of a mystery to the average person, and to the Sierra’s owner, it certainly was. The car belonged to a lady in her late 40s, a recent divorcee, whose husband had previously been left in charge of the household car maintenance before he decided to go and get himself serviced elsewhere.

It was, she later told us, during an episode of Coronation Street, where spanner-wielding soap star Kevin Webster asked one of the other characters when she last checked her engine oil, that she realised she hadn’t done so herself since the last MoT. Anyway, no sooner had she topped up the oil than the Sierra started playing up, big-style. That’s a rare occurrence for Ford’s venerable 2.0-litre Pinto engine, which might be a little loud and uncouth by modern standards, but is one of the most durable and easy-to-maintain power units ever made. Indeed, to ruin one requires a very special kind of abuse. And here, before our very eyes, was just that.

As it spluttered onto the lot, the Sierra – engulfed in a cloud of thick, black smoke – was barely visible.

‘What happened?’ I asked her.

‘Well, I think I’ve run it dry of oil and probably killed it,’ she replied. ‘Kevin said on Corrie last night that Rita should check her oil, and I thought I hadn’t done it for a while, so I did it this morning and there was next to nothing in it – it only showed about an inch or so up the stick thingy.

‘I put more in, but I think it was probably too late.’

That set my internal alarm bells ringing, on the basis that an inch up the dipstick is probably about right for a Ford Pinto, and, indeed, a sign of a good one if after a year of no oil checks it still even registers in the sump – after all, they burn the stuff organically.

‘How much did you put in?’ I inquired.

‘I needed one-and-a-half of those big bottles,’ she replied.

‘At least seven litres. It must have been really empty. I thought maybe I’d caught it in time as it was running fine yesterday, but even though the oil now comes up right to the top of the stick, I think it’s blown up.’

Forewarned that the Sierra may well, indeed, have suffered terminal failure, and educated in the correct use of a dipstick, the poor lady then had to sit nervously in our waiting room while we drained almost an entire bathtub of oil out of the smoking wreck. After doing that, we put some engine flush through it and changed all of the drenched plugs, leads, and even distributor innards.

An hour later, with most of the engine bay cleaned off with a by now very oily rag, we turned the key only for the Sierra to fire up on the first turn and run more sweetly than it ever had done, albeit with some residual smouldering that we assured the owner would eventually go away, even if it did take a couple of months.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I saw the very same car at a classic show I attended just the other week. If any Sierra was destined to survive, it probably wasn’t that one, but a quick chat with the owner soon revealed more.

‘All the bodywork is original,’ he told me. ‘That’s astonishing for a 30-year old Sierra – but I think one of the previous owners must have injected the entire shell with used engine oil, as it drips all over the place when it’s parked up.’

I took immense pleasure in filling in a missing part of the car’s history for him, as we both rejoiced in the serendipity that his Sierra’s near-death experience had brought to the car.

Even so, filling any vehicle up with oil to the top of the dipstick tube still falls into the ‘not recommended’ category – please don’t try it at home…

WHO IS OUR KEV? If we told you, we‘d have to kill you... What we can say is he‘s been around for longer than he cares to remember and has a fund of stories to tell...

46 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

”

No sooner had she topped up the oil than the Sierra started playing up, big-style.

That’s a rare occurrence for Ford’s venerable 2.0-litre Pinto engine...

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 47

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48 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk