Conrad D. Conelrad

Here we go again. 
Potentiometer number two has failed. With this one it would occasionally idle too low, stalling when put into drive. After stalling, it would be very difficult to restart. So I've unplugged it. I'm finished with potentiometers, it works better with it unplugged. Cheap AliExpress OVP? Brilliant. Faultless. Cheap AliExpress potentiometer? Work for one week. 
I have been having some silly recurring thoughts about selling it and buying @jmsguzzi's 300E. I was mad jealous when Ghosty bought that thing, it's so nice. However, while on the motorway last night I was thinking about how much I've come to like the leather upholstery, and how much I enjoy being in the 190. It's one of those rare cars where everything just feels 'right' when you're sitting in the driver's seat. But I will keep having intrusive thoughts about SLK320s and that 300E. 

It's been in daily use, but no, it's not had a really good proper long run. Longest run probably no more than 70 miles. Maybe I should take it somewhere tomorrow. 
I didn't check, I just flung a new one on (I ordered three, assuming this might happen). Unfortunately it started to pelt down with rain before I could get the car up to temperature so I haven't tuned it with the multimeter yet, just placed it physically where the old one was. Car runs perfectly again. You know, for a week or so.

If I'd known it was going to rain, I wouldn't have wasted 20 minutes getting the plug leads back into their plastic guides! Quite happy with it though. I've been cleaning up the engine bay as best I can - I don't have any before photos but when I bought the car it'd been driven with a leaking valve cover gasket and a split oil breather, so everything on that side of the bay was caked with old oil. It was horrible. 
On a less complicated car I'd've just doused it in Gunk and taken it to the jetwash, but I imagine this thing would be immobilised for a month if I sprayed water on it so it's been a lot of solvent and toothbrush action. 

This area in particular was an oil bath. There's still a lot to be cleaned but it's so much nicer. Plus, there no more burning oil smell gently wafting through the vents into the cabin. 

More important work done - I replaced the shifter selector bulb. I despise burnt out bulbs! I've just noticed that the window switches are handed. They made two different switches. 

I also went to a toy fair. There was a white 190 in the car park, and this much smaller one inside, which came home with me. 

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

He bought a red one because he likes Rovers of blood

1 bag o' sand.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/345936161187450/

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

I left the paint to dry overnight and this morning.
I removed the masking tape and broadsheet to reveal sweet looking bumpers.


The front grille looks sweet too.
Next issue, sort out the sun burned bumper trims.

I have a plan and Amazon have delivered the solution but unfortunately I ran out of time this afternoon to make further progress.
Definitely more soon.
 
 
 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

Ford: The radio has numberplate display AND keycode AND detatchable face plate!
1997 chavs:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

Ford: The radio has numberplate display AND keycode AND detatchable face plate!
1997 chavs:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235478903284

Ford: The radio has numberplate display AND keycode AND detatchable face plate!
1997 chavs: