Dabooka

Just a small job but I stumbled upon the spark plug I’d bought along with the oil and filter so replaced that.  Really need to stumble upon my waterproofing stuff for the roof.

On 10/3/2023 at 4:58 PM, SilverMachine said:

afternoon folks!, lots of peoples mention this place, so thought id come to the dark side and see if there are cookies. noticed a few namesakes from the old retrorides place so hopefully catch up with some lost builds!

Welcome aboard.  See you’re just down the road in Darlo too, quite a few of us from these parts 

On 9/23/2023 at 11:11 PM, R Lutz said:

I part owned that building (the pottery) at one point. 

Is that now a restaurant, The Forge I think?

On 9/9/2023 at 10:38 AM, Saabnut said:

Get it Noobed and you will want to keep it at least another year. It will be like another car!

Just driven it to York and back this weekend and funnily enough that’s what I agreed with the missus. Worth the outlay to then decide!  That’s assuming it’s not utterly borked after this afternoon’s rainfall.

On 9/9/2023 at 4:17 PM, Wgl2019 said:

One thing worth checking out on these (as well as the Noob map) is the seal around the cabin air intake...... this is under the windscreen scuttle panel and water drains past it, the seal decomposes and water can then flow freely into the floor carpet.

I removed and resealed with some heavy duty roofing mastic when I had mine.

I’ll do this, I want to remove the scuttle panel to give it a bit more colour anyway. Cheers!

Took it to work on Thursday for the oil change and not only did they plonk it on the lift they actually did everything for me. Didn’t even have to open the bonnet which was nice.

Tommy the Friendly* Tech seemed pleased to work on something a bit different.  Well worth a slab of lager to not be rolling around on the floor spilling oil all over the driveway.

A quick reset of the service reminder and another job done.  I may change it again in a few months as I’m not sure when it was last done, treat this is as a bit of a flush.  I’m at a bit on an impasse now as I’ve had it for the year and I can’t decide if I need to stick or twist.  My missus has me on a strict one in / one out.  I’ve scratched the Saab itch but it’s soooo nice to mooch about in.

If I keep I’ll sort some of the rust out and get it Noob’d.  Already got roofing dye but can’t find the waterproofing in the garage, this needs done regardless.

On 8/16/2023 at 8:18 AM, Vantman said:

@Dabookaand guess what’s gone now…

The exhaust centre pipe/box?

 

Nope, thankfully the wobble!

Had a few minutes spare earlier so thought I’d do the oil change and plugs.  Except my low profile ramps aren’t low enough (my drive is on a slant, so the ramps make it level. Ideal for these jobs).  I can’t be arsed to do it any other way so I’ll take it into work in a few weeks and get them to do it.

So on to the plugs. 1-3 came out easily (possibly too easily) and are clearly well overdue for a change, but the forth is in firm.  Being worried I’ll fuck something up I’ve left it for now but want to get it sorted at some point soon. Probably get it looked at the same time as the oil.  

Old buses really are a thing of beauty.

That No 1 was my old route back home, in that direction, although mine were more modern Atlanteans (?) in the main.  I’m sure the Tyne and Wear Omnibus Corp (?) which was a short lived driver owned cooperative used singles decers like that, in blue and white.

Been a while but a few little things done. Recently had the tracking done which has helped but still some slight wobbly vibrations to figure out.  Unrelated I took the rear n/s wheel off as it appeared to have a slow puncture, and whilst I was there I noted a slight* hole in the back box;

Balls.  Whipped it off and the whole thing is fucked so a new genuine* replacement ordered from Neo Bros.  Arrived and fitted at the weekend (see if you can tell the difference).

All shiney and also better placed than before too.  Rubbers aren’t great but they’ll do.

Also got the wheel back form my local Kwik Fit and was informed it wasn’t a leak but possibly a bit of corrosion. He’s cleaned it up, resealed it and all is good and wouldn’t take any money! He just did it when they quiet for something to do.

Additional bonus was he also rebalanced it and guess what’s gone now…

Spent the day giving it a right good clean and even did some restorer on the plastic to bring it back up.  Looks pretty good (even though I know it’ll fade).

Identified some rust I need to resolve where water has been trapped in a seal for the roof, looked a lot worse than it is and the metal is actually pretty solid;

Annoyingly there’s a bit of bubbling on the lip which is visible,  otherwise I’d sort it myself. Mind it was that which gave me heads up there was something amiss so I can;t complain too much.  The otherwside isn’t as bad and can be sorted by me;

So dried up the seals, brushed away the loose flakes and refit for now.  Cleaned and treated all the seals whilst I was at it.  I’ll get some quotes to get the other side tidied up along with the bubbling on all four arches. 

Also taking it to work on Tuesday to get the tracking done and the A/C topped up.

On 4/14/2023 at 8:15 AM, SRi05 said:

Do you have the aux port in the armrest cubby ? I just plugged a bluetooth aux receiver in and powered it via the handy 12v port that's also in there on mine. Works a charm.

I realise this information would have been handier before you took the dash apart 😂

Kind of. First upgrade I did was the ICM1 to the ICM2 which had the Aux port enabled, and came with a cable (a badly butchered one that terminated in a 3.5mm jack plug). I installed it to the cubby box and planned to add the 12v socket and convert the cable to a 3.5mm socket, but then found this instead. The cable is still there, I just couldn’t be arsed to remove it until I add the 12v supply

On 4/14/2023 at 8:21 AM, Split_Pin said:

Do you need Tech 2 for this? I quite fancy doing this myself.

You will need it to activate the Aux socket if not already done. I have a Tech 2 but can;t get it working, I should probably post up about that 😂

4 minutes ago, gadgetgricey said:

Purchased one of those as well. (not yet fitted)
Good to know easy installation. Might try the weekend.

Honestly it’s a doddle.  I used two trim removal tools, a thin screwdriver and an old ‘garage towel’ to protect from scrapes etc. Most awkward part for me was being an auto having to take it out of park to free up space to work.

If you install the microphone post back as I’d appreciate to see how it goes.

4 minutes ago, mercedade said:

I can't help with the rough running, but they don't rev above 4k unless they're in drive.

Which would have been a useful thing for me to have known when I started diagnosing faults on the one I had!

I had a similar experience on the Cougar with the LIM opening the valves. Apparently it needs to be under load for the magic box to operate the actuators.

Bloody Nora, that’s ace

Saw my first and only ‘X rated’ movie at the Odeon.

4 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

Those are huge!

I find the brakes on mine to be very good indeed.

Yeah… seems all a bit OTT to me!

However the brakes aren’t quite right for me so rather than just simply and cheaply get new standard fronts I thought I’d be a bit daft. TBH I may yet change my mind and flog them on (I did this with the Forester) and replace the standard ones but getting them stripped and painted won’t cost me anything in time or money so why not?

Well maybe I’m using it as an excuse but I’ve never been quite settled with the brakes on this so  pounced on the chance for some bargain* calipers for 314mm discs. Result! Now I just need new backing plates, discs, hoses, possibly rebuild kits… Anyway I’ll be getting these stripped and painted shortly before getting them installed and getting the old girl back in use.

Mind I did NOT realise how big/ heavy these things are. Crikey.

Lego man for scale. Mind the pads might be alright at least.  I also need to find if they;re a straight swap or not.

Also need to dye the roof but need much better weather for that

Sod that!

Annoyingly I removed my cover for its MOT end of Jan (when it was fairly nice) and it’s been shite since. I didn’t want to recover it as I know I can’t get the roof dry.

Mostly leased shite and Euroboxes, but there are a few decent things (depending on the campus). One manager has a Soarer, another has a LS400  (‘92 I think, bit crusty), and one a JDM Estima. Students can have some right garbage.

Until recently there was a stunning Saab 9-3 Carlsson but it was switched out for some Audi POS. I’d have gone in for that if I’d have known. Lovely it was.

That must be behind the main Beds St I reckon?

Used to be a decent chippy on the corner too, opposite the park

That’s really jolly interesting, thanks for that.

I intended to get underneath and have a look but I’ll go armed with some chassis paint methinks

Well after a few months under cover I put it in for her (now lapsed) MOT. Well, last Friday actually.  I suspected it needed a ball joint anyway but got a fail sheet much worse…. 

Well I’m not in a position to fix anything at the minute so got it back in yesterday and just got it done. Not too expensive actually and it’s bought another year although I will get under it at some point and see what the welding actually was, maybe slap some chassis paint or something on it.

Now a few small jobs to do. I’ve swapped the headlight switch over as the other was getting all tacky as the coating was breaking down, and I’ve bought a cheap spare n/s wing mirror as mine isn’t adjusting correctly. Whilst that’s off I’ll get them in to work and get them painted up.  Got to get the old girl looking the part.

22 minutes ago, PicantoJon said:

Everyone loves a Cougar... 

In all seriousness, me likey your motor car sir. Keep up the good work. 

Just getting to sit in it again brought a huge smile to my face.Not the quickest, or most nimble, or comfortable and certainly not the most practical, but it’s a lovely way to cruise and soak up the miles.

I’m determined to get it on my drive so I can start chipping away.  We know what it’s like having a car in a lockup somewhere, makes it impossible to really make any progress 

Well yesterday I found myself with a spare hour and thought I’d get down to the Cougar and set about getting this fuel pump out.  So cordless grinder in hand a mate and I set about cutting a wider access beneath the rear seat and got the pump out, got it home and checked it over. Yes it’s knackered.  Probably just as well as the return locking cap shattered when we removed it.

Now to source one, I do have one somewhere but can’t find it and TBF I’d rather go new if possible for this,

Form a queue.  I’m sure there’s a terrible advert thread somewhere but this’ll do for now

Saab 9-3.  Open for offers