Project Domes shonky autos - Grand Cherokee departs, Kangoo titivation and 911 dug out.

[The Moog]

Book trackday  

[dome]

Book trackday

 

Booked!

 

1st TrackScotland one of the year in March

[The Moog]

I look forward to you lapping me

[gm]

Booked!

 

1st TrackScotland one of the year in March

nice one - swap you a few laps in the mazda for a few laps in the toyota ?

 

and the puma too ?

 

actually fuck it, let's just throw our keys in a bowl and see what happens

[The Moog]

I am unlikely to still have Puma in march but if I do you are more than welcome.

[dome]

Still getting to grips with this, it's good fun to drive but I've yet to bond with it properly-it's very light at the front end and a bit understeery, even on T1RS. I suspect a back of sand/cement in the front may happen for Knockhill. It was good fun in the snow we had recently, the LSD spins up both rear wheels nicely and overcomes the understeer...

 

We picked up a very cheap hardtop for it, sadly the fitting kit cost more than the hardtop. It makes a big difference, mainly as our fabric roof is fucked. It almost looks respectable now, or would if I actually washed the thing...

 

 

There was something not quite right about the handling so I went out today to have a prod around. All bushes seemed fine, I also managed to free 3 out of 4 bleed nipples off so will be able to get fresh fluid into it. One did shear off though

 

I came to the front right, jacked it up and straight away noticed a problem-a wobble before I loosened off the wheel bolts. I'd noticed some roughness in that wheel bearing when we got it, that has got worse now and turned into some play.

 

Not too long afterwards, this had happened.

 

 

 

A new bearing is on order and should be here by the middle of next week. That and a brake bleed (and a bag of sand) and it should be ready for it's first track day...

[Asimo]

Two 25 kg bags of gravel was just about right for mine. Gravel because the bags sort of take the shape of the "frunk" better.

[dome]

Time for an update, I managed to get some bits and pieces done last weekend

 

Firstly, the S4 was due a service and MOT. This seemed like a good time to replace the gearbox and diff fluids, seeing as I got them back last April...

 

 

 

 

Engine, gearbox and diff oils all changed. Engine oil was dead easy due to no undertray and a sensiby mounted filter. Diff and gearbox weren't too bad, I used a big syringe for the diff and my lidl electric pump for the gearbox. Air filter was also changed. 

 

The diff and gearbox oil both came out looking fairly clean, I reckoned at 124k it made sense to change them though. Gearshift does feel better since changing the oil which is a bonus.

 

MOT passed successfully with a few advisories including exhaust getting rusty. I wish I could justify/afford a Milltek but they ain't cheap...

 

The S4 also got a bloody good wash after this, it was filthy. 

 

 

[dome]

The MR2 has got a bit of attention too.

 

The new front hub arrived and was fitted, it seems to have gone a long way to having cured the slight vaugeness at speed and making it feel a lot more positive.

 

To celebrate I gave it a wash and the quickest T-cut you've ver seen. It's now a 20 footer.

 

To celebrate even further I met up with 320touring to go for a wee blast on Sunday, him in his Clio 172 and me in the MR2. Some fine roads were followed by some fine food which was followed by quite a lot of snow. Bugger.

 

Still, it was good to drive the wee thing on some dry(ish) roads and get a feel for it. It gave me a lot more confidence in it than I'd had previously so I'm more prepared for its first track day in a couple of weeks. The wee Clio wasn't pulling away from me as much as I thought which was nice!

 

 

 

I'll replace the brake fluid before the track day and that's probably all, unless I get the chance to fit a DIY induction kit. It's a fairly easy job to get an induction kit sucking in nice cold air from the LHS vent in front of the rear wheel which should improve the sound if nothing else.

[Dirk Diggler]

You can say that again

[Bren]

Still hanker after an S4 - however seeing so many non runners has put me off - the thought of a £2k bill for timing chains has me sweating.

[SiC]

Still hanker after an S4 - however seeing so many non runners has put me off - the thought of a £2k bill for timing chains has me sweating.

With high performance motors, you've gotta pay to play.

[dome]

Still hanker after an S4 - however seeing so many non runners has put me off - the thought of a £2k bill for timing chains has me sweating.

 

I know what you mean. If mine needs done it'll get them, it's a good example.

 

Mine doesn't rattle for more than a second on a cold startup, so I'm happy. It often doesn't rattle at all. Audi say the 1 second thing is normal so until it starts idling badly and throwing codes I'm not worrying, I've heard how one sounds when they go, you can't miss it. 

 

It's also been serviced on non long life intervals which will help. I've got a set of return valves for the head to replace which can fail allowing the oil to drain back out, at under £100 for the kit it's a worthwhile thing to do. The parts are Lamborghini branded too as that was the cheapest way to get them!

 

There was nothing else around with the combination of V8, manual box, carrying capacity and LPG. I got it for the right price and it's been looked after so I'd happily* drop £1k on a set of chains and pull the engine and do it myself. 

 

I've been using the MR2 this week for work and it costs me more in fuel, and it's pretty economical!

[Rave]

LPG tank in the frunk of the MR2 then, two birds with one stone?

[stuboy]

never driven one, id have to try one day............

[dome]

So, in a break from the norm*, I seem to have accidentally* bought a broken car.

 

The rationale was simple-I go on holiday in a month and some extra spending money would be handy. What better way to make some spending money than to buy a broken car, fix it and bask in the profits? 

 

We'll see...

 

The usual sites were perused and the usual shite was available and ignored. The criteria was simple

 

Broken

Cheap as possible

New as possible

Desirable* to the car buying masses when fixed

 

A couple of Mk3 Clios came and went before I could get to them, as did interestingly a couple of Mini Cooper Ss but again I wasn't quick enough.

 

Last night I travelled to a small reservation on the outskirts of Glasgow by the name of Blantyre.

 

I met a lady and she took me to an industrial estate where my quarry was located.

 

The story-Hubbys car which started making ominous noises on the way back from the Lake District. They got recovered to the garage it was now parked outside who diagnosed a fucked gearbox. 

 

2 keys were present, the car looked honest as did the seller. I duly handed over some cash and had a look at what I'd bought...

 

 

 

It's a 2007( I know, right!!) Toyota Auris 1.6 petrol manual. Be still your beating hearts...

 

It seems honest enough  with a couple of dents and scrapes and a collection of sweet wrappers inside. Maybe not Cavcraft quality but not far off...

 

The girls husband had apparently forked out in the region of a grand for brakes and tyres recently and couldn't face the prospect of a new gearbox. A cheap, quick sale was required, especially with a newborn kid. MOT'd til May

 

A quick drive around he industrial estate where it was parked confirmed: it was fucked. 

 

It feels a lot like 320Touring silver Clio did with the fucked crownwheel on the diff. Forward motion in a straight line is possible(but noisy) but turning corners causes horrible noises/banging.

 

I locked it up and left it for the night.

 

I need to decicde how to get it back home. Shiply quotes are around £50, however I have breakdown cover and am tempted to nurse it the 40 odd miles home. WCPGW?

 

Sigh, why do I do these things to myself?

[The Moog]

So, in a break from the norm*, I seem to have accidentally* bought a broken car.

 

The rationale was simple-I go on holiday in a month and some extra spending money would be handy. What better way to make some spending money than to buy a broken car, fix it and bask in the profits?

 

We'll see...

 

The usual sites were perused and the usual shite was available and ignored. The criteria was simple

 

Broken

Cheap as possible

New as possible

Desirable* to the car buying masses when fixed

 

A couple of Mk3 Clios came and went before I could get to them, as did interestingly a couple of Mini Cooper Ss but again I wasn't quick enough.

 

Last night I travelled to a small reservation on the outskirts of Glasgow by the name of Blantyre.

 

I met a lady and she took me to an industrial estate where my quarry was located.

 

The story-Hubbys car which started making ominous noises on the way back from the Lake District. They got recovered to the garage it was now parked outside who diagnosed a fucked gearbox.

 

2 keys were present, the car looked honest as did the seller. I duly handed over some cash and had a look at what I'd bought...

 

IMG_20180222_185340922.jpg

IMG_20180222_185332721.jpg

 

 

It's a 2007( I know, right!!) Toyota Auris 1.6 petrol manual. Be still your beating hearts...

 

It seems honest enough with a couple of dents and scrapes and a collection of sweet wrappers inside. Maybe not Cavcraft quality but not far off...

 

The girls husband had apparently forked out in the region of a grand for brakes and tyres recently and couldn't face the prospect of a new gearbox. A cheap, quick sale was required, especially with a newborn kid. MOT'd til May

 

A quick drive around he industrial estate where it was parked confirmed: it was fucked.

 

It feels a lot like 320Touring silver Clio did with the fucked crownwheel on the diff. Forward motion in a straight line is possible(but noisy) but turning corners causes horrible noises/banging.

 

I locked it up and left it for the night.

 

I need to decicde how to get it back home. Shiply quotes are around £50, however I have breakdown cover and am tempted to nurse it the 40 odd miles home. WCPGW?

 

Sigh, why do I do these things to myself?

Happy birthday mate.... I cant think of a better* birthday present

[Tickman]

So, in a break from the norm*, I seem to have accidentally* bought a broken car.

 

The rationale was simple-I go on holiday in a month and some extra spending money would be handy. What better way to make some spending money than to buy a broken car, fix it and bask in the profits? 

 

I can see nothing* wrong with this at all

[320touring]

MTFU I did 400+ miles in the Clio with the fucked gearbox, and that's not renowned for Japanese reliability*

[dome]

MTFU I did 400+ miles in the Clio with the fucked gearbox, and that's not renowned for Japanese reliability*

You make a fair point, however this one seems worse than yours and I've heard of the term mechanical sympathy ;p

 

It is, however, the preferred solution...

[cort16]

Just fill the gearbox full of sawdust then relist on eBay with the sub title “strait kut grbx” to cover from the howls of pain omitting from the front end

And stiff gear change.

 

I can’t imagine there’s a much easier car to sell once fixed .

 

That’s that cursed.

[dome]

So, tonight is the Auris collection attempt. 45 mainly motorway miles back home. 

 

My long suffering better half will take me there and I will attempt to drive it back

 

Anyone care to take a guess as to how far it will make it with a fucked diff/gearbox?

[Fabergé Greggs]

Motorways are mostly straight. I’m betting on you making it all the way!

[Split_Pin]

Yeah I think you'll make it fine!

[The Moog]

Is it downhill? Freewheel... or get Missus to tow you in Locost 

[Tickman]

I like the confidence in the thread title, it doesn't say 1st collection attempt so it will make it easy, just take ear defenders so you cannot hear the car destroying itself further

[Split_Pin]

I'm en route so if you have any problems just let me know.

[gm]

I'm free this evening and have a suitable tow car (but no rope) shout up if you need a helping hand

[dome]

Cheers for the offers of help guys.

 

I have AA cover so if the worst comes to the worst it'll be fine. Had thought about trying to top the gearbox oil up to get home, I'll see how easy it looks when I get there.

[dome]

Well. Let's not beat about the bush. Here it is, parked in the naughty spot outside my house, having driven there under it's own steam(and smoke)

 

 

All is far from well however with it. The gearbox started out bad, and got worse. Noisy and getting noisier with a horrible whine that got worse when I lifted off. 2nd gear jumped out if I tried to use it and the others felt terrible.

 

Sweating power*

 

 

I switched it off outside the house to rearrange cars and when i started it up it took an ordnance survey map and a hiab to get it into a fucking gear. 

 

But, the fucker made it home. It's fucking stinking of gearbox oil, even though it was dry underneath when I looked the other night. The troubles are obviously worse than the diff but fuck it, I was resigned to it getting a new box. The noise was something special. The Focus WRC I was in on Sunday was quieter. In the spirirt of Autoshite, I turned the radio up and soldiered on.

 

It's safe to say it hasn't been loved.

 

There's a million pine needles from a Christmas tree in it as well as fuck knows what detritus from children

 

 

 

I can't wait* to see it in daylight...

 

So, I'll need to source a gearbox-there's a couple if scrappies locally with them. But that can wait, I'n knackered and got other things on this week.