Project Tickman's stuff. Tidy* up time.

[Split_Pin]

Can't go wrong with that at all. My Megane, presumably with the same basic engine set up, has served me well.

[Tickman]

I'm guessing that's Chuck's new vehicular transport?

 

You could also call it Slow Poke, going by the number plate.

 

You are correct in that it is Chucks new chariot.

My mate has one of these with the 1.2* on 140k with a fucked clutch and it smokes oil from the engine bay. Still goes though. And these have the best bucket seats ever.

Clutch done in December for 1.5 times what I paid for the car.

[Tickman]

Can't go wrong with that at all. My Megane, presumably with the same basic engine set up, has served me well.

If I am half as lucky as you have been with your Megane then I will be very happy.

[Tickman]

First issue, the rear exhaust hanger is a bit wrong, not sure rope is an acceptable solution!

Basically two of the mounting bolts have snapped off and someone has used a hole at least 15mm from where it should be so it is out of alignment and rattles against the car on overrun. 

I have already remounted it properly and will drill out at least one of the snapped bolts.

 

An in depth investigation of the interior of the car revealed £3.23 under the back seat

 

List of stuff to do, not at all bad.

 

Edit: That is my neatest writing!

[Tickman]

Some work done on the new arrival. 

Front brake discs and pads done and the exhaust hanger has been mounted properly which involved the use of a drill and a tap.

 

I tried sorting the Horn today with no success

 

The fuse is fine, the horn itself works using a power probe but nothing with the horn using the steering wheel.

 

How do I take off the horn button/Air bag without it smashing my face in? I am not used to these new contraptions, or is there and other possibilities that might be the cause?

 

Any info appreciated!

[Sigmund Fraud]

I was going to post a hilarious* response with some "getting the horn" innuendo, but I will refrain.

 

 

IIRC, horns are on a relay in those - it would be a good idea to check this before anything else.

 

The next step would be to take the steering column cowling off and have a look for frayed/disconnected wires or dirty contacts. I'd disconnect the battery before doing this, just in case.

 

If relay and wiring are fine, and the fault is narrowed down to the steering switch, I'd probably be tempted to bodge a silly red push-button somewhere on the dash rather than spend an afternoon dismantling the airbag. Bad for concours competitions, good for an MoT.

[Tickman]

Clio fettling, brakes sorted, horn investigated with no success so a button will most likely get added next week.

Spare tyre was inflated as it was not totally flat (will be checked again soon) wiper blades all changed 16:95 with the trade card instead of £26.

Waiting for the headlight polishing kit to arrive.

The oil was very black but the motor factors closed seconds before we arrived ;( I still changed the oil as I had enough sitting around and will treat it as an engine flush.

I am currently being driven to Glasgow by Chuck for some gig that I will probably not like!

 

Not a bad first run for both Chuck and Nicole.

[Tickman]

Quick recap from the other day when the Forum was poorly.

 

This is the very good side before starting.

 

This is the horrendous side after finishing.

 

Thrilling* update but it is much better than it was before.

[Split_Pin]

What did you use to restore the lights?

 

Our Duster has the horn button on the end of the stalk and it would almost definitely fit your Clio. Wonder if eBay have any of those cheap?

[Split_Pin]

Nope! Button it is!

[Tickman]

What did you use to restore the lights?

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/clay-bars-detailing-products/meguiars-one-step-headlight-restoration-kit?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Car+Cleaning-_-Clay+Bars+&+Detailing+Products-_-342649&_$ja=tsid:60494%7Ccgn:GoogleShopping%7Ckw:342649&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xtpalarap&istBid=tztx&_$ja=tsid:35522|cid:344535484|agid:25437357604|tid:pla-230481118324|crid:89797548604|nw:g|rnd:9772663879761886157|dvc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CK3_k7-KnNMCFYU-Gwod0GUI2A

This is the stuff I used but I used more sandpaper rather than just the little square pads that were included.

[Supernaut]

It's always good to see a 'boring' supermini getting some love like that. It's the sort of car that would just be disposed of by a non-shiter.

 

I'm also still incredibly envious of your workshop. I'd love to even have a driveway!

[tooSavvy]

I'm also still incredibly envious of your workshop. I'd love to even have a driveway!

Yup... I have, of course, an entire back lane >> except when car is in the air/no wheels/immovable it suddenly becomes the Pit Lane @ *Monaco

 

*other (less sunny) locations available

 

TS

[Tickman]

.... I'd love to even have a driveway!

I would love a driveway too. It is the reason the workshop was a necessity (to me) because the camber on the road is so steep and there is a bloody drain that is a magnet for everything that can possibly fall with the exception of any fluids which would go anywhere else except the drain!

[Tickman]

After the Easter holidays for the girls finishing it was time to get on with the prep for the MOT on SL0P (formally known as Nicole) after her un-ceremonial renaming it was time to make her a bit more vocal so I started working to get the horn to actually work.

I used the Haynes book of quite accurate really to get to this stage:

 

 

Not too difficult, then I managed to get the airbag detached from the wheel but the wires had a weird connector and I really didn't want to create more issues so I compleetly bottled out of killing the car and put the airbag back in place and ran a separated wire with a fuse in line to a new button next to the headlight adjustment wheel.

 

After that it was time to do a pre mot check book the mot and take it along.

Advisory for one track rod end, advisory for the tyre for the same wheel and an advisory for a brake pipe and this too:

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say I am rather pleased with my ridiculously cheep car purchase.

[Tickman]

Time to see the Ministry again this time it was the Mother in Laws car so It came up for a quick check:

 

 

Then I took it to the MOT garage and across the road there are a couple of lost causes resting on the top of a container, they have been there for as long as I have been going along.

 

 

A couple of niggles were found as well as one of the mounting brackets for this that had broken from the rack.

 

 

It has been a complete bastard to remove but is now out and the bracket has been reattached so 'all' I have to do is pop it back in.

The car has been left in this state at the moment as I've had enough of it today!

 

 

 

All mechanics that work on modern cars must be saints or masochists! 

 

Fitting better not be the reverse of removal bloody hateful car. (just a little* frustrated)

 

[Tickman]

Quick catch up with my shite.

 

So I have a high quality Talbot camper with a hi top roof and the headlining at the front of the cab was getting wet. I decided this needed investigating. This was a very stupid decision.

 

 

That's not great then. So after more investigation I finally make the camper waterproof!

 

 

Right I better actually fix this properly then.

 

 

Making progress.

 

 

Ran out of steel and had enough for the day so I packed up.

 

 

Got some more steel.

 

 

Did some more of this.

 

 

And more.

 

 

That looks done.

 

 

Time to stick the hi top back on and hold it down while it sets.

 

 

 

That was fun*

 

This took the best part of a week and two days of it was kneeling on the bonnet welding in the really hot sunny weather we had. 

I really wish they hadn't fixed the top down at the front by screwing straight through both the hi top and the cab roof. Bastards.

 

 

[spartacus]

Fair play to you, a lot of folk would have thrown the towel in at that! There God when they're going right though and it looks like you've done a good job, so hopefully good for another few years yet. I like these of Talbot campers but if you want to run one economically you need to know how to weld!

[mercrocker]

Good work and a brave investigation....some of these boat tops didn't help vehicle longevity!     

[Tickman]

After making sure the roof of the van didn't leak I decided that the manky rotten headlining around the front of the cab needed sorting. First thing I did was find the post that MrB0ll0cks wrote when he did the Volvo roof. 

As my previously soaked headliner was breaking in a few places some fiberglass and resin was used, this made all the difference. then I ordered the material off ebay as well as some trim fix spray.

It went better than I thought it would, I have just glued most of it down here.

Then I had to get a lip stuck down so hopefully it doesn't come off.

What it actually looks like.

Finally fitted.

 

Needless to say I'm happy with that.

Next job for the van is actually fitting the solar panel I have.

[taxi paul]

Very nice job, well done. That leak looks like it has been there forever, judging by the rust.

[spartacus]

That trimming looks great. What's the material you used, I'm hoping I never have to do this kind of job but it pays to be prepared.

[cobblers]

I'm really scared to look above my headliner now. I'll just not worry about it.

 

I'm considering a solar panel for my talbot, mainly to keep the leisure battery topped up when it's laid up as I have a 4G modem and CCTV camera going all the time, but other than that, with LED lights and a gas fridge my 100AH pack is enough for ages out camping.

[320touring]

Oooft. Get you!

 

Looking good chap

[Tickman]

I'm really scared to look above my headliner now. I'll just not worry about it.

Don't, just don't.

I'm considering a solar panel for my talbot, mainly to keep the leisure battery topped up when it's laid up as I have a 4G modem and CCTV camera going all the time, but other than that, with LED lights and a gas fridge my 100AH pack is enough for ages out camping.

I'm fitting it mainly for the van battery (it will charge both but favour one of them) as it has a random drain that I haven't managed to find.

 

Oooft. Get you!

 

Looking good chap

Cheers

[Keymaster]

Top, top work.

 

I am so happy mine only* needed some woodwork.

 

Talbot campers are ace, but I think both of our recent updates show that the way they are constructed and their age mean that they all hiding problems to one degree or another.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Ergh, I'm glad someone else is responsible for 'my' old Talbot camper now!!!

[Timewaster]

Father TW had A Camelot sometime around 97.

If it makes you any feel better, that cost £10k and was rotting nicely then.

[Tickman]

Today I put this on the roof:

 

I also did all the associated wiring that goes with it. So far it is charging happily.

I had some black sikaflex left over from the roof job and I only care that it is functional.

 

[spartacus]

Have you got a link for that solar panel please Tickman. It looks like the kind of mod I should be considering.