320touring

Time to get on with stuff.
I order some service bits for the Clio as I've done 5,800 miles since the start of November.
I went to remove the old pollen filter but it was empty, not any more.

Next up was the air filter.

Quite simple right at the back of the engine.

I checked the spark plugs and they seemed ok

Then the oil and filter, wonder when it was last changed I doubt it was long ago 😂

The oil was very thin, it has had a refill from the Manol oil deal that was posted about on here.
That is the 'maintenance' side of things taken care of.

What does it drive like? Well, the closest frame of reference I have are a couple of LS400s I had a shot of in the distant past.
It's reassuringly large and the air suspension just floats over bumps. You really are cosseted. Steering is actually quite weighty. The double glazing doesn't completely subdue the noise of passing traffic but there is no wind noise at all. The noise from the budget tyres is quite intrusive though but given the cost of even a mid range tyre in this 20 inch size, I can live with it.
The 3.0 TDi has a modest output of around 215 bhp but theres lots of torque. It's not that quiet but it is smooth and makes a nice sound. Finally, I own a car with more than 4 cylinders.  Furthermore, the car structure, subframes and suspension components are made entirely from aluminium so it weight just over 1.6 tons, about the same as my Rover 75. Progress is stately rather than fast but it does feel very special, rather than just another large car.
The seats are spectacular and this Sport (pre S-Line) model gives not only the usual fore and aft of the base and tilting backrest but there is lumbar adjustment, upper and lower back , headrest, seat belt and steering column. All electric and the entire range of adjustments can be stored in a 4 position memory. 6 stage heated of course as well.
 

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

This has been quite the nightmare for @Mk2 Craig.
I'd supplied a new waterpump - the impeller half that bolts onto the housing on the block.
Aluminium housing, steel bolt. A love story as old as time...
In the end, the decision was taken to pull the whole waterpump assembly off and then sort it.


Broken bolt removed and hole re- tapped and it was ready to go back on..
 
Or not..

Grim. This level of corrosion would have meant the pipes wouldn't seat properly and would be likely still to leak.
 
Luckily, your man can drive a wire brush!

It was assembled and refitted.
Next up was the thermostat.

Ah, we've been here before.. it was all cleaned and ready to be refitted.
A question for the assembled company - "Who would sell a thermostat without a gasket?"
Answer - Berkshire Jag Spares.
Handily @Mk2 Craig is into his arts n crafts too!

With everything refitted, the new drive belt was applied and supercharger belt refitted too.


All in all, a top job - I'm glad I didn't tackle it myself. There is about 9hrs of labour in this, and that was with access to a ramp.
 
Whilst it was up in the air, I'd asked for the steering to be looked at - it felt a bit vague..
Good news is it has had a rack!

Bad news was they had used this bolt to 'secure' the knuckle to the rack

 
Consequently, the knuckle/rake interface was as tight as putting your dick out the window and fucking the night...
A new bolt was fitted, and with actual contact betwixt rack and column, direction changes are reported to be much more controlled.
 
Many thanks to @Mk2 Craig for all the graft and exceptionally reasonable price - can't wait to get it back!

Took this to the unit last night.
Filled it up with LPG on the way (after about 20miles drive).
It's now got a huge dead spot (on both LPG and Petrol) when you go past 1/4 throttle. @Broadsword any ideas?
 
In addition, it looks like it has sprung a coolant leak near the wiper motor, so the low coolant light came on again.
It was a fun 120 miles whilst it worked!

This has been quite the nightmare for @Mk2 Craig.
I'd supplied a new waterpump - the impeller half that bolts onto the housing on the block.
Aluminium housing, steel bolt. A love story as old as time...
In the end, the decision was taken to pull the whole waterpump assembly off and then sort it.


Broken bolt removed and hole re- tapped and it was ready to go back on..
 
Or not..

Grim. This level of corrosion would have meant the pipes wouldn't seat properly and would be likely still to leak.
 
Luckily, your man can drive a wire brush!

It was assembled and refitted.
Next up was the thermostat.

Ah, we've been here before.. it was all cleaned and ready to be refitted.
A question for the assembled company - "Who would sell a thermostat without a gasket?"
Answer - Berkshire Jag Spares.
Handily @Mk2 Craig is into his arts n crafts too!

With everything refitted, the new drive belt was applied and supercharger belt refitted too.


All in all, a top job - I'm glad I didn't tackle it myself. There is about 9hrs of labour in this, and that was with access to a ramp.
 
Whilst it was up in the air, I'd asked for the steering to be looked at - it felt a bit vague..
Good news is it has had a rack!

Bad news was they had used this bolt to 'secure' the knuckle to the rack

 
Consequently, the knuckle/rake interface was as tight as putting your dick out the window and fucking the night...
A new bolt was fitted, and with actual contact betwixt rack and column, direction changes are reported to be much more controlled.
 
Many thanks to @Mk2 Craig for all the graft and exceptionally reasonable price - can't wait to get it back!

In situations like this I would start by thinking what could go wrong at the point of replacing the water pump. It seems more than a coincidence you sprung a coolant leak and got running problems as soon as you replaced the water pump. The fact that the problem persists on both fuels I suppos rules out a fuel system fault. There are a couple of easy things to check. One is the ECU temperature sensor. They give strange running issues when faulty. I assume the cooling system has been poorly maintained since you mention the missing gasket on the thermostat. You have now been in there and shook things up. If there is a lot of crud in there, maybe it could affect the ECU temperature sensor? Same goes for the leak, which will be near the coolant pipes near the heater valve no doubt. New water pump, change of coolant, shake things up and now you have a leak. Was there lots of corrosion or evidence of stopleak used in the system?
Another thing to check, is there a flatspot at all times or is it only with the engine running at operating temperature? When was the crank position sensor last changed? They can sometimes fail slowly, leading to strange running issues. It's worth having a spare at all times anyway because you are stranded if it fails. 

Took this to the unit last night.
Filled it up with LPG on the way (after about 20miles drive).
It's now got a huge dead spot (on both LPG and Petrol) when you go past 1/4 throttle. @Broadsword any ideas?
 
In addition, it looks like it has sprung a coolant leak near the wiper motor, so the low coolant light came on again.
It was a fun 120 miles whilst it worked!

Took this to the unit last night.
Filled it up with LPG on the way (after about 20miles drive).
It's now got a huge dead spot (on both LPG and Petrol) when you go past 1/4 throttle. @Broadsword any ideas?
 
In addition, it looks like it has sprung a coolant leak near the wiper motor, so the low coolant light came on again.
It was a fun 120 miles whilst it worked!

This has been quite the nightmare for @Mk2 Craig.
I'd supplied a new waterpump - the impeller half that bolts onto the housing on the block.
Aluminium housing, steel bolt. A love story as old as time...
In the end, the decision was taken to pull the whole waterpump assembly off and then sort it.


Broken bolt removed and hole re- tapped and it was ready to go back on..
 
Or not..

Grim. This level of corrosion would have meant the pipes wouldn't seat properly and would be likely still to leak.
 
Luckily, your man can drive a wire brush!

It was assembled and refitted.
Next up was the thermostat.

Ah, we've been here before.. it was all cleaned and ready to be refitted.
A question for the assembled company - "Who would sell a thermostat without a gasket?"
Answer - Berkshire Jag Spares.
Handily @Mk2 Craig is into his arts n crafts too!

With everything refitted, the new drive belt was applied and supercharger belt refitted too.


All in all, a top job - I'm glad I didn't tackle it myself. There is about 9hrs of labour in this, and that was with access to a ramp.
 
Whilst it was up in the air, I'd asked for the steering to be looked at - it felt a bit vague..
Good news is it has had a rack!

Bad news was they had used this bolt to 'secure' the knuckle to the rack

 
Consequently, the knuckle/rake interface was as tight as putting your dick out the window and fucking the night...
A new bolt was fitted, and with actual contact betwixt rack and column, direction changes are reported to be much more controlled.
 
Many thanks to @Mk2 Craig for all the graft and exceptionally reasonable price - can't wait to get it back!

Took this to the unit last night.
Filled it up with LPG on the way (after about 20miles drive).
It's now got a huge dead spot (on both LPG and Petrol) when you go past 1/4 throttle. @Broadsword any ideas?
 
In addition, it looks like it has sprung a coolant leak near the wiper motor, so the low coolant light came on again.
It was a fun 120 miles whilst it worked!

This has been quite the nightmare for @Mk2 Craig.
I'd supplied a new waterpump - the impeller half that bolts onto the housing on the block.
Aluminium housing, steel bolt. A love story as old as time...
In the end, the decision was taken to pull the whole waterpump assembly off and then sort it.


Broken bolt removed and hole re- tapped and it was ready to go back on..
 
Or not..

Grim. This level of corrosion would have meant the pipes wouldn't seat properly and would be likely still to leak.
 
Luckily, your man can drive a wire brush!

It was assembled and refitted.
Next up was the thermostat.

Ah, we've been here before.. it was all cleaned and ready to be refitted.
A question for the assembled company - "Who would sell a thermostat without a gasket?"
Answer - Berkshire Jag Spares.
Handily @Mk2 Craig is into his arts n crafts too!

With everything refitted, the new drive belt was applied and supercharger belt refitted too.


All in all, a top job - I'm glad I didn't tackle it myself. There is about 9hrs of labour in this, and that was with access to a ramp.
 
Whilst it was up in the air, I'd asked for the steering to be looked at - it felt a bit vague..
Good news is it has had a rack!

Bad news was they had used this bolt to 'secure' the knuckle to the rack

 
Consequently, the knuckle/rake interface was as tight as putting your dick out the window and fucking the night...
A new bolt was fitted, and with actual contact betwixt rack and column, direction changes are reported to be much more controlled.
 
Many thanks to @Mk2 Craig for all the graft and exceptionally reasonable price - can't wait to get it back!

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

Today, the gold one:
Pulled the radiator off it’s mounts to make access to the fan shroud. The rad fan was seized solid. Wd40 and gentle persuasion got it to turn a little bit but it was really really tight, this motor requires surgery.
 
Getting fan and shroud unit out requires the slam panel to be detached, which means taking the grill off. Got two of the three fragile plastic grill screws out intact, one broke. Grill removed along with a headlight lense that fell off when disturbed. Gave up removing the slam panel when the first two captive nuts mangled the captive clip thingys. With the access so far I could get onto the three bolts holding the motor to the shroud. First one sheared the end of it’s stud off, the other two came out ok. Couldn’t for all my might undo the inline electrical connector. Gave up and pulled as much slack wire through as I could so I could work on the motor.

Dismantled the motor and found the metal casing was heavily rusted and pushing the magnets inwards and jamming it up. Removed each magnet in turn and cleaned the rust off before reassembling and fixing it back into its shroud.




Warmed the car up again and still no fan, disappointing. Bodged a direct battery feed to the motor with some mains cable and bingo the fan runs great.

Put it back to normal and bridged the temperature switch, still nothing. Reinstated the bodge but only the positive wire this time, fan still runs, so it’s a live feed issue. Traced the live wire and found an inline fuse that I don’t think was standard and it was blown. New fuse and we might be in action! Ran engine up to temp and the fan kicked in and cooled it back down nicely. Probably spent too much time on this arguably optional fix, it takes about 5-10min to get too hot so I could have shunted it about without the fan really.
So can I get brakes too? Brake fluid header was nearly totally dry. Picked up some dot 4 (1 litre £7.25 at Halfords) and glugged it in, still no pedal, that would be too easy! Didn’t fancy trying the calliper bleed nipples today. Called it a day at that.
-Steve-

Not for me , the joy* of working!
Instead, a trek to Sunny Lochgoilhead for a walk and a spot of lunch.
130 miles covered, all good! 17/10 would hoor down single track roads again

With that done it was time for deployment.
I went out to the car on Wednesday morning and realised 2 things:
1. The heated rear windscreen switch on MK1 Octavia's has no warning light and will remain pressed in.
2. The cig lighter socket is a permanent live - so the Bluetooth to FM doodad I had plugged in had drained the battery overnight.
I swapped the battery for a charged one - the one from the car was from 2016 and still had one of the vent holes blocked from shipping..

It went onto charge and seems to have come round alright. It'll get refitted in good time.
then it was off up the rank

 
JOAKS!
I was assisting @Lacquer Peel dae an flitting.
The boot on these hatchbacks are pretty spacious.

 

Right, where was I? Oh yes...
After a scent* filled sojourn to Clio Stu's and back, I had to do some emergency work to make the car suitable for initial deployment..
Firstly, assemble the "first pass" troops

 
Initial assessment indicated it was not so much a thorny problem as a hairy one.

Deployment of a dustpan and brush brought significant improvement

The spare wheel needed some shovelling too

 
Again, dustpan and brush to the rescue.


Then it was time for a first pass over the surfaces

Mild profit

 
The back came up well too

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

Not for me , the joy* of working!
Instead, a trek to Sunny Lochgoilhead for a walk and a spot of lunch.
130 miles covered, all good! 17/10 would hoor down single track roads again

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

It is a tale as old as time.
Boy convinces mate that a Clio 182 is a fine plan.
Mate buys Clio 182.
Inevitably, mechanical maladies abound.
Clio 182 returns to its natural habitat.
Clio Stu works his magic.
Clio 182 is ready for collection.
 
At this point, @loserone decides to repay the misery I foist upon him Clio 182 wise by letting me know of the existence of this fine specimen...

It's a 2009! MK1 Octavia 100 pd..
Low mileage

 
Never raced or rallied, but extensively mini-cabbed (and doggo cabbed)

 
Nevertheless, it forged northwards in fine fashion

Just been to the cowp in this.
It takes a wheen of shite even with the back seats up and the parcel shelf in.
Eminently practical , and still in the original tank of derv, some 560+ miles ago.
 
I should probably sell it😂

Just been for a walk in bright sunshine from the ponderosa on the horsehoe pass.

After a chat with the garage it appears that the only welding required is a patch to the rear seatbelt mount. The front shock mount is the cup the spring sits in and a new one comes with a new spring. So for an old bus she's doing well I think. Booked in for the work and retest next Thursday/Friday.