Cluffy

Hello all, A while since an update but the Corrado is in bits again... It was driving ok but still smoking like Dot Cotton. Being worried about the catalytic converter @grogee and I took it on ourselves to do compression and leak down tests. Low compression all round, wet test showed improvement suggesting rings but even further evidence from the leak down test with 20% loss on three cylinders. You could feel a lot through the dip stick tube 😐 So this is where we are: Hoping to get the box out before then working on stripping down the engine and getting the block to our helpful precision specialist (same guy who did the head work). He'll then determine if the bores have gone oval or not 😩 Thank God it's not my daily!

I had a short thread on the rust above windscreen but struggling to find... I just patiently rubbed down the rust where I could access and used a blade to cut some out. I then worked in some layers of touch up pen as tidily as I could. It would be a glass out job to make perfect. The car has been our (fabulous) family hack for 8 years so it would never win awards for its paintwork...!

It was a good turn out. But where do these Yank Tanks come from....!? As we pondered last night, we never ever see them out and about on the road in/around Southam. Likely the cost to fuel them I suppose..! XJR for me I think. Or the Ford GT just to sell (after a quick hoon) and then have all the choice in the world... $$$$$$$

There are still some bargains about but they will likely need a fair few £££ to get them into a reliable state... But you never know what you may find out there - the megabucks being asked by some are daft and only there because of some 40-50k mike immaculate cars that have done £20-30k through some posh auctions.... A useable vr6 should be about £5-7k these days I would say. Doesn’t stop people asking for five figures though....

Evening All, Exactly a month since the last post - the car has been mainly at the friendly mechanics for a couple of weeks. It sadly needed a new catalytic converter and it took a while to order one we were both happy with and then the first one was damaged.... Anyway, I just collected it this evening and it’s driving really well! Just a blast around the bypass and MY GOD I’VE MISSED THAT NOISE!!!! Sorry for just the two pictures but didn’t have much time (plus it’s filthy!) Next up, sort some Road Tax (possibly from 1st Aug) and enjoy. Needs a damned good scrub and polish first though...!

Glorious. Standard response: “Where’s our barn?”

Not sure it’s the same as that was a little more 50s/60s avec massive tail fins. However, exceedingly similar given it has its own postcode

How far North are you headed, remind me?

Good buy at that price. A shame I have a new bathroom to pay for 🤮

Been a while since I updated. So it turned out there was nowt wrong with the pump. £60+ quid for not a lot, although what price for peace of mind...? Having replaced the front left ABS sensor, the ABS wakes up no problem with the light coming on and going off. I got a replacement ECU too, just because it was an EBay bargain... @grogeeand myself spent a bit of time this evening getting some form of pedal so it’s going for a proper bleed and MOT next Tuesday! Fingers crossed for that and then I can tax it from 1st July and thrash it through the summer! Will report back this time next week I guess..!

XJCs are just... something else. I said to @grogeetonight that I’d love for no new cars to ever be built. It would mean all those gems would have to be pulled from barns and be fixed etc. It would also mean I’d be out of a job but still, it’s a sacrifice for the greater good...

Nice evening of some delights, something for us AS pervs Delightful Amazing Our pal’s beetle. Very tidy Used to be everywhere. Just glorious and a lovely colour

Yes i think so. I’ll check with Stealth tomorrow

Got the pump out 💪 Now to find someone to work their magic on it!

That looks pretty special. They are really sweet to drive. Mine is mainly stock so manages our dreadful roads nicely. Not fast but the noise is just tremendousl!

Afternoon All, So the VR6 is back to full health. The rest of the car however is not quite there yet... stealth found a cracked cam timing disc (on the camshaft I hadn’t messed with...) and also a sub-par Fuel pressure regulator (yep, hands up my fault) For the ABS the pump needs a rebuild. I’ve nearly got it out to send for a refurb but am stuck with these two connections. Any thoughts before I break something? They look like some kind of quick disconnect thing...

I’ve been meaning to update this thread for a while. The car is now back together but waiting for a trip to Stealth to fathom the running issue that’s still apparent second time around. Highlights of fun on the way: Got the new starter motor fitted after borking the original Then when fitting the driveshafts back in, I read off the wrong torque value from the manual. Oops: Luckily, given Corrado+Old VW Megatax (a real thing), twelve new ones weren’t expensive. New HT Leads you say? Too fat for the routing strips! A bit of judicious filing will sort that: And back together. At least sufficient to get her mobile and to the mechanic: It would’ve been nice to get it back on the road fully on my own (ahem! MASSIVE shoutout to @grogeefor all the help and patience when i was being stupid/dumb). However, it’s at a point now I dont know what else I can try. It starts fine, idles nicely for about 90 seconds and then drops to about 600rpm. Give it any throttle and it bogs down/is easy to stall. One of the temp sensors, TPS, MAF sensor, Cam and crank sensors all swapped about as I had spares in store with no effect. Another annoyance is the ABS light has come on. The car has been pretty stationary so i guess maybe the pump has seized partly as the sensors/rings won’t have rusted in a dry garage. The frustration is added to as my VCDS decided to stop working (it’s been fine for about 5 years..!) and although a new cable has fixed one issue, I still can’t get at the codes to confirm the problem. To be fair, it should take Stealth all of 3 seconds to discern what’s wrong if there’s is running OK. Might help diagnosis of the running issue too. So it’s off for some TLC in a couple of weeks and hoping to pick up with a fresh MOT and not to have to take out another mortgage to pay for it...!

It’s goes forever in a circle in my head 1) I hardly drive it 2) Think about selling 3) but it’s so good to drive and listen to so I can’t sell it 4) life happens and return to number 1 I’ve had it six years. Chances are 1-4 will be going round my head well into my dotage (if my legs still work)

Or, indeed for myself. The Corrado is fixed* now after all...

It was cash only too and only thought I had a £20 note. I was relieved to find a pound coin in my wallet so I could pay jeremy Hunt for some curry sauce as well...

These are just brilliant little things. That fella never did get back to me, even though I offered asking price if he stuck a fresh ticket on. Must’ve been a lemon....

Very similar. Mine was on an E plate

A special car, that. Soooo comfy... Ate miles and fuel for laughs. It’s a shame we’ve not yet acquired that barn yet, @grogee!

A lot was done today, but alas the swear jar is full. I need to update my Corrado thread but will do so when the foul language has stopped. Prey to whatever you prey to that the gearbox isn’t coming out again...

Majestic. Perfect daily for me