stewh

A, Think very carefully before trying to make your own Bio diesel. Although it is a relatively easy process, it is fraught with danger. You will be using two very toxic substances in the transesterification process, i.e. Methanol and Lye. I used to make Bio diesel until my company sent me on a Methanol handling course. I won't go near the stuff now. Instead of me trying to explain why it's both dangerous and highly poisonous, I recommend you do a little research on-line. The combination of Methanol and Lye results in an even more toxic substance. I switched to using WVO, which is simply veg. oil which has been filtered & settled. I have to either blend the WVO or pre-heat it before it reaches the injector pump, to reduce the viscosity. I actually do both. I thin it with petrol, then heat it with a home-made heat exchanger. If you buy Bio diesel from someone else, you need to be very careful that person knows what they are doing. Poorly made Bio diesel can wreak havoc with your engine. Some car manufacturers warn not to use Bio diesel in their cars, as it can wreck certain seals in the fuel system. It is a very powerful solvent. I seriously recommend that you use WVO rather than Bio diesel, and do plenty of research on-line, if you haven't already done so. Good luck, Stewart

Very eloquently put, Roger. A far better explanation than mine, and done in plain English. Best regards, Stewart GM0GTU

Hi Gripper, He wouldn't be able to use a VHF/UHF rig on the CB frequencies as CB is on 26 or 27 MHz, which technically speaking is an HF band. I also have an HF rig in my Disco which covers all the amateur bands from 1.6MHz to 29.6 MHz. It will also transmit & receive on the CB frequencies, but legally I'm not allowed to transmit there as my license is only to transmit on the allocated Amateur bands. My radio is also not type approved for the CB band either. Strange & wonderful rules, as I'm allowed to design and build my own equipment running up to 400 watts. I take your point about talking to the other people he's out with. Another option would be the license-free PMR hand-held radios. They are UHF, quite small, and fairly cheap. Also you can use them outside the vehicle, which adds to their usefulness. ATB, Stewart

Here's a serious suggestion:- Forget CB and take the Amateur Radio Foundation Course. Once you have passed the exam, which is very easy & not designed to fail you, you will have access to lots more bands than CB allows. If you fit a dual-band FM 2M/70cm (VHF & UHF)transceiver in your vehicle you will have access to a system of repeaters covering almost all of the UK. Even working simplex, you will have greater coverage than a legal FM CB. You will be legally allowed to use higher power than CB. The biggest difference you will find is the people you will talk to on the Ham bands. As bad language (bucket-mouthing)isn't allowed, and the CB-type pseudo-American lingo is frowned upon, you will find conversation more meaningful and easier to understand. If your children or you granny are also in the vehicle, you won't have to turn the rig off for fear of them being subjected to the filth that is unfortunately all too prevalent on CB. I know for a fact that all CB'ers aren't IQ zeros, but unfortunately due to there being no enforceable regulation of CB, the serious users are in the minority. I used to be a CB'er myself, until I saw the light in 1984. Further information abut Amateur Radio can be found at http://www.rsgb.org.uk/ Regards, Stewart GM0GTU

Thanks Bog Monster, only problem is I can't figure out how to remove the rear panel while the door is closed. Catch 22? Regards, Stew

Hi Guys, Another Newbie question here. I have a problem with my yr 2000 5-door Freelander. The tailgate window drops when I operate the handle, but the door won't open. Is there any way to get in to the lock mechanism without removing the door? I'm presuming that I can remove the hinge-pins & lift the door off? Stewart

Hi Listmates, I have sourced a TD4 Diesel engine to fit in my 1.8 petrol Freelander. Is the gearbox the same or do I need the one from the TD4 vehicle? Anything else I need to be concerned about apart from a return line to the tank & glow-plug circuit? Cheers Stewart

Hi Guys, Another Newbie here. I have a similar problem with my yr 2000 5-door Freelander. The back window drops when I operate the handle, but the door won't open. Is there any way to get in to the lock mechanism without removing the door? I'm presuming that I can remove the hinge-pins & lift the door off? Stewart