What else!

[Chilli Girl]

So now Sapphire has a puncture today! I really am beginning to think she doesn't like me being her owner!

[Dev]

Sorry to hear Jane. Just stay the course and don't sweat the small stuff.
I had a BMW that caused all sorts of little problems that drove me nuts, it was also blue.

[Zxrob]

Jane

Have you shot the "proverbial Robin" or were you a really naughty girl in a previous live

Rob

[puma2]

  Just remember a puncture is anytime with any thing that has air in the tyres
never a good time.
 she loves you more as she wants more of your time with her  

[Joesson]

I read somewhere that "a puncture is worth a thousand words" there's a way to go yet then on this thread!

[Mickemo]

Oh dear @Chilli Girl Sapphire is testing you isn't she.

Keep the faith, she will reward you.

[Chilli Girl]

Took Sapphire down to the local tyre place this morning and pleased to say no puncture.  They took the tyre off and cleaned up the inner alloy, re-sealed and new valve.  All good again! Managed to keep her clean and she's now back in my warm garage for a rest ready for the New Year's commute to work! I'm happy again

[puma2]

  Happiness back and love all-around even better when clean and ready to roll with you  

[Chilli Girl]

Battery dead today!  Not used her for 10 days but thought she'd be ok today
Any good deals on currently. I've all spent up on Sapphire so could do with finding a reasonably priced one

[steveash]

Battery dead today!  Not used her for 10 days but thought she'd be ok today
Any good deals on currently. I've all spent up on Sapphire so could do with finding a reasonably priced one

Completely dead? I've been trying to nurse mine back to health this weekend. When it got very empty before, a long slow charge over several days got it back going again.

Even without the alarm set these cars seem to leak battery power over a few weeks. Must be the led in the dashboard!

[Carolyn]

Did you not fit the remote isolator?

[Chilli Girl]

Battery dead today!  Not used her for 10 days but thought she'd be ok today
Any good deals on currently. I've all spent up on Sapphire so could do with finding a reasonably priced one

Completely dead? I've been trying to nurse mine back to health this weekend. When it got very empty before, a long slow charge over several days got it back going again.

Even without the alarm set these cars seem to leak battery power over a few weeks. Must be the led in the dashboard!

Yep, completely dead!  I'd just driven a 120 mile round trip before I put her away in a warm garage too! I'll put it on charge tomorrow and see but I suspect I will need to buy a new one as I think it'll be a few years old by now.

[Chilli Girl]

Did you not fit the remote isolator?

No I'm afraid it's still in a box!🤔

[Ardent]

Not used her for 10 days

nuff said.

[Joesson]

Not used her for 10 days

nuff said.

Indeed, to explain:

From Century batteries:
12.6V volts or above - Your battery is healthy and fully charged. No further action is required.
12.5 volts - Your battery is at a healthy state of charge, but we'd recommend re-checking it within a few days to ensure the voltage hasn't dropped any further.
12.1 - 12.4 volts - Your battery is partially discharged and should be recharged as soon as possible, using a suitable battery charger. The lifespan of your battery will be moderately affected if it remains within this voltage range for extended periods of time.
12.0 volts or below - At 12.0 volts your battery is considered to be fully discharged or 'flat' and should be recharged as soon as possible. The lifespan of your battery will be severely affected if it remains within this voltage range for extended periods of time.

From elsewhere:
"A "12V car battery can loose 1/10 V in 24 hours"

That means in 10 days it could be down 1V and then see above!

[fawtytoo]

How long would it take for a disconnected battery to go flat? And let's assume a new battery.

[Joesson]

How long would it take for a disconnected battery to go flat? And let's assume a new battery.

Contradictory answers abound.
Here is one that seems reasonably presented:
https://batteryfever.com/how-long-will-a-car-battery-stay-charged-if-disconnected/

How long can you leave any battery ? Why take the risk of a flat / damaged battery and the inconvenience of being unable to start your car?
My experience of motoring has taught me that the single most problematic thing with any car is an inability to start it. If it starts, goes, steers and stops everything else is a bonus.

Have a read about battery maintainers/ chargers. They are available at various price levels. Mine came from Lidl<£15.00.

[Chilli Girl]

Found that the battery is knackered completely, won't even charge so I've gone for Mr T price at £67.57 inc. VAT. Thought that was quite reasonable. 

[Gaz mr-s]

Shouldn't have paid as much as that. Lucas 390CCA for £55 & Yuasa 400CCA for £59.95 on ebay. Next day delivery.


I learned this recently, - if a battery's voltage has dropped so low that the charger won't start, rig up another 12v in parallel, which will allow the charger to get going. If you have a voltmeter you can check the 'dud' battery's voltage at start, & see if it picks-up. The charger I have needs a battery voltage about 10v to start charging.

[Carolyn]

The MR S cars generally had an aftermarket Thatcham alarm/immobiliser fitted and they are quite a lot more power hungry than the stock euro ones.

That's why having (and using) an isolator on an MR S is not just a good idea - it's pretty much a 'must'.

As I never know how long my car might sit between uses, I have got into the habit of isolating every time I park up at home.  With a remotely operated one, it's a doddle.

The only downside is that the stock head unit will loose its memory when you isolate.  I got round that by replacing the head unit with one that keeps its memory when disconnected.

So get the one you've got fitted, Jane, you'll be glad you did.

[Chilli Girl]

But am I capable of doing it? I can perhaps go by the pics otherwise the instructions are in Chinese!

[Carolyn]

You can bring it to me, if you like.  It's a long way, I know. A local garage could do it too.

Send me pics of the instructions and I'll try and help you through the job.