Help!
GENERAL
OBD code reader
Q I have two vehicles – an X-registration BMW 530d and a 2002 Astra van Diesel. These are both 2004 pre-OBD and I want to know availability of fault code reading. I have tried units that claim to cover the BMW but it does every system but the engine, and on the Astra just shows battery voltage.
On the Astra, it has a fault that only occurs whilst driving in that it hangs on to engine revs between gears, I cannot replicate this by revving at stand-still so maybe not returning to idle map? Any ideas thanks.
Eliot Sevior
A As you say your 2000 BMW 530d and your 2002 Astra van were both produced before the EOBD standardisation. Both of your vehicles should though be fitted with the 16-pin OBD socket to enable connection to the scanner. As both vehicles do have the 16-pin socket, then the Foxwell NT680 ALL Systems Scan Tool at £299 should be suitable for both vehicles to read both the engine management systems as well as the ABS, airbag and transmission systems.
It would be a good idea to talk to Gendan.co.uk on 01792 588002 as they will certainly be able to give you a run down on the options available.
The fault with your Astra may be the throttle position sensor or the pedal position sensor, but this should be easier to find by connecting a scanner and reading off any fault codes and the live data.
GENERAL
Spring compressor
Q I am looking for advice on a spring compressor and don’t really want to put my life in the hands of super cheap pair. Would you advise Staley RE249 or Sealey RE229 or Sealey RE232 – so from £250 up to £350 @toolden.co.uk?
I have 2012 Mk7 Fiesta, 2017 Ssangyoung Rexton and my friend wants me to do his Citroën DS3, so looking for a tool to cover these vehicles – thanks in advance.
Ian Lynn
A I will first say that for many years I used a set of quite basic spring compressors much like the Sealey AK3841 units. I would, though, never trust just two clamps when compressing a spring and will use three or even four clamps if room allows.
I also ensured that the clamps would not shift when compressing the spring. It is very common for the clamp to suddenly slide sideways around the spring as the pressure builds. The Hilka Pro-Craft spring compressors (45986) which are £19.99 a pair from Screwfix, do have wide foot area, and if the spring size will allow then I would rather use a couple of sets of these than a unit such as the RE229. This is a personal preference, and with many of the smaller diameter springs the RE229 type unit is a better choice.
I am unsure that there is a perfect one size fits all solution in spring compressors, and in my workshop, we always have a variety of options. The RE units such as the RE229 use a single threaded unit to clamp the spring by using a cup top and bottom. These cups must be a good fit to ensure the spring is held firmly, and when these units begin to wear and the cups are allowed to move slightly, then they can become unreliable.
The RE232 is a bench-mounted unit and is in my opinion a far safer method provided the spring and strut assembly can be fitted into the unit. These tools are listed as universal and although they come with a wide range of fittings, unfortunately the fitment applications are not listed. In the price bracket you mention is the Sealey VS7011 hydraulic coil spring compressor 1000kg, and this may be more versatile than the bench-mounted unit.
I would also add that the maintenance of the spring compressor is important and if you do use the threaded type, then due to the high pressure on the thread it is important to ensure this is kept lubricated to minimise wear.
GENERAL
GENERAL
Coding
Q I was speaking to my dad last week who asked a good question relating to components that require ‘coding’ when fitted for the first time to vehicles, such as diesel injectors. While I understand the premise of coding to be so that the ECU can differentiate the new component from the existing ones and/or to accommodate for ageing and wear, what is the best strategy for scenarios where the component being replaced is a good working second-hand unit (eg. an injector)?
If the vehicle in question has 50k miles for example and the part had covered roughly the same mileage, is coding necessary? Would coding actually make things worse as the ECU is adapting a part based on it being new? Similarly, if there was a large difference between the mileage, where the injector was on 120k miles for example, would we consider coding or just straight swapping?
Peter Clayton
A Coding of components is not always to inform the ECU of the age or condition, although this is the case when fitting a new battery. On most units the coding is required to ensure the power flow is appropriate for the unit and that this will match the requirements.
As an example, Piezo injectors need coding as the power flow rate is unique to each injector, this then needs to be adjusted so that the ECU operates to give the correct output to match the fuel flow for the given Piezo crystal.
Even if the same injectors were refitted back in the same engine, if these were to be fitted in a different position then they would still need recoding.
It is of course possible to fit injectors and not code them, and I am sure that this is often done, but the result may be a poor mpg figure, uneven idle and low power output.
GENERAL
What van?
My son is a self-employed general builder, he is looking for a replacement used van. He
