240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Snow White]

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Find a different project.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Snow White

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Find a different project.

(At the risk of sounding unintentionally chauvinistic) it's what us blokes do, it keeps us happy! Sometimes though another uglier fault is unearthed by what we intend to be a simple swap so it's not necessarily a bad thing!

For example, i bought a car about 3 months ago, it's not a Volvo so doesn't really get mentioned on here but for what it's worth, i used it for the first time after dark about 10 days ago. I noticed dipped beam was pretty poor, in fact it was a dull yellow when it should have been a crisp white and much brighter. Simple conclusion, the bulbs were old and had faded, probably with discoloured glass envelopes too.
The one bit i didn't understand at the time was why others were flashing me, especially when i was struggling to see - the answer came today though!

Bought 4 new bulbs (thought i may as well do the inner main beam too) and set about fitting them this afternoon. Bear in mind the car didn't come with the original handbook (it was a bereavement sale and i'm guessing the Executor didn't find the handbook) so i was in the dark (every pun intended! ) as to whether the inner bulbs were the same type - they should have been but as it happens, they're not.

However, as i was changing the outer dipped beam bulbs (now a crisp, white light that actually hurts my eyes if i get in the right place as they should) i noticed both reflectors moving about more than they should. Then i saw it, firstly in the drivers side headlamp and then what appears to be in the passenger side headlamp too - broken adjusters! Turns out to be a common problem on this car and there are two courses of action - buy a new pair of headlamps from Jaguar at a cost of £400 each or buy a £20 kit on ebay to replace the adjusters that have shattered.
As the headlamps are covered by a shroud i wouldn't have noticed this unless i'd gone to change the bulbs (which necessitates removal of said shroud - i have removed it previously but that was to fix a lost feed to the electric coolant heater valve) and then would have wondered for a few more months why i was being flashed and then worse still, why it failed the MoT next year.

Thanks to "fixing" the poor output of the dipped beam, i now have several answers, some to questions i didn't actually know existed admittedly but at least i can be sure the headlights will at least be right come MoT time, i won't dazzle any oncoming traffic in between whiles and i'll also be able to see where i'm going!

Short explanation turned long but the short version is please don't discourage Alan!

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Snow White

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Find a different project.

That sounds boring

Modify everything!!!

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Snow White

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Find a different project.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeek!

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Snow White

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Find a different project.

Now there's the voice of common sense - suggestions on a post card please ... ! J.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

(At the risk of sounding unintentionally chauvinistic) it's what us blokes do, it keeps us happy! Sometimes though another uglier fault is unearthed by what we intend to be a simple swap so it's not necessarily a bad thing!

...


Short explanation turned long but the short version is please don't discourage Alan!

Originally Posted by 360beast

That sounds boring

Modify everything!!!

Thank you for that chaps! It is anathema to the 200 series corner (and the Amazon section also) to not fix things that ain't broke!

:-)

[Othen]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

Now there's the voice of common sense - suggestions on a post card please ... ! J.

Don't side with her John! I could end up stamp collecting!

:-(

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Othen

Thank you for that chaps! It is anathema to the 200 series corner (and the Amazon section also) to not fix things that ain't broke!

:-)

It is broke, it is missing 200cc

[Othen]

Originally Posted by 360beast

It is broke, it is missing 200cc

... and fourth gear!

Plus - I need an excuse to use this cool tool that I've just bought:



:-)

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

... and fourth gear!

Plus - I need an excuse to use this cool tool that I've just bought:



:-)

Bead breaker? Seal Puller? Nothing to relate the size to so a bit confused dot com!