Sold Dollywobbler's Honda S-MX - Provisionally sold

[dollywobbler]

Or email them and not have to pay any extra in my case.

[Dave_Q]

I don't know what they'd actually do as surely they can get it all online anyway, but that's what the renewal said.

 

I'd struggle as mine came from Norn Iron and didn't come with any old certs, or a current one for that matter, it's just had it's first ever UK MOT, NI ones aren't online so I can't really prove the mileage before then if required.

[dollywobbler]

As mentioned in the 24hr thread, I need to stop it melting headlamp connectors. Otherwise, another 300-mile weekend despatched quite merrily.

[twosmoke300]

Check it hasn't got 130/90 w bulbs in it . Had a disco last week that had melted the connectors for that reason

[gm]

your rear washer issue may be a knackered one-way valve, my crv had one where the flexi pipe joined the boot lid to the body, I discovered this having ripped up all of the carpets to follow the pipe from the bottle a quick trip to halfods and I was scooshing like a good 'un

[dollywobbler]

Not the valve. Pulled the rear end of it all apart and it's just all gunked up. Did clear quite a bit of crud out of the one-way valve, but the jet itself was pretty blocked. Couldn't find a way to easily remove it, so used my tyre pump to blow it through both ways. Which worked! Now scooshes a treat.

 

I also investigated the headlamp issue - you'll recall that it had melted both connectors when I got it, which Twosmoke kindly replaced. One has gone slightly melty again, and this is the bulb.

 

Not sure if that's cause or effect, but a new bulb has certainly got it shining brightly again for now. Then, with all this faffing with headlights and wipers/washers, I thought I'd better run the engine for a bit. Hasn't moved since I got home on Sunday night as the RAV has been taking all the glory this week.

[bub2006]

Were these also known as a Honda stepwgn? Spelt exactly so too. I followed one through Nottingham the other day on a Regular plate. Huge boot dent, brake light out and someone lay down under a duvet in the back. Every time traffic slowed I would see their head pop up!

[dollywobbler]

Were these also known as a Honda stepwgn? Spelt exactly so too. I followed one through Nottingham the other day on a Regular plate. Huge boot dent, brake light out and someone lay down under a duvet in the back. Every time traffic slowed I would see their head pop up!

 

Stepwgn (what a stupid fuggin' name) is the long-wheelbase version.

[bub2006]

Ahhhh thought it was similar

[mat_the_cat]

What would happen if you were over? I reckon you'd have to pay extra premium, surely you're not just suddenly uninsured if you go over...

 

I wonder what their stance would be if you loaned the vehicle to a friend, and the resulting miles they covered (under their insurance) took it over your mileage limit. I know it's academic for you now, but I had the same scenario a few years back with the van. It was on a very low mileage policy, and I lent it out to my FIL for a holiday. Kept a record of start and finish miles, but just going by MOT history the vehicle would have exceeded the mileage limits. I never needed to claim, so didn't find out the implications of this...

[dollywobbler]

In other news, went out for a drive. I'm not sure I can be arsed trying to keep this car clean. 

[richardmorris]

I'd moan that its poor aerodynamics are causing most of the muck build up. Glad you're ok though and not tornado blighted.

[dollywobbler]

Aye, not the best aerodynamics. Last tank still managed 34mpg though! That's a cross-country drive to The Midlands, a daily commute up the M42 to the NEC, and a motorway slog back home. I'm pretty happy with that for a 2-litre, automatic, brick.

[dollywobbler]

I finally have new ARB drop links for the rear! There's an annoying rattle from the back, and I know there's plenty of play in the ARB drop links. So, ignore the frost and get the car on the ramps.

 

Got the old ones off, but they bolt through the ARB, which means the old bushes need burning out. I've got nowt for doing the burning, and don't really fancy doing that underneath the car, right next to the fuel tank. Sacking it off as a 'local garage' job methinks. May have to cable tie the ARB up out of the way for the short drive there.

 

Annoyingly, this job won't cure the rattle either. Had a quick blezz up the driveway, and the noise is still there, even with no drop links fitted. Arses.

[dollywobbler]

Did some research. The bush just pushes out. Sorted!

[Roverageous]

How big is this? It looks shot the size of a previous generation Vauxhall agila, but with the mention of 2.0 engine - is surely bigger than that?

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

How big is this? It looks shot the size of a previous generation Vauxhall agila, but with the mention of 2.0 engine - is surely bigger than that?

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

It is slightly shorter and narrower than an MG3 it turns out. But taller. 

[Roverageous]

It is slightly shorter and narrower than an MG3 it turns out. But taller. 

 

 

About the size I imagined!

 

Bet it goes well with the 2.0!

[dollywobbler]

It is pretty darned good at overtaking, that's for sure. Sadly, the gearchanges are still a bit sluggish, so it's also seriously anti-social as an overtaking weapon. Revs up a treat, and sounds quite aggressive once it's revving. Definitely a car of two characters, as it wafts about fairly well too. Still handles like a greased pig on a helter skelter though.

[lexi]

There is a severe lack of rust under Honda box car! 

[stuboy]

these NA or turbo'd?

[dollywobbler]

There is a severe lack of rust under Honda box car! 

 

It's pretty astonishing, especially given that it has been here since 2008, and was previously used as a surf wagon! Mind you, I guess they perhaps don't have to grit the roads so much in Cornwall?

 

 

these NA or turbo'd?

 

NA Honda B20 twin-cam, producing around 128bhp.

[dollywobbler]

I have a severe dislike of winter when it comes to cars. FILTHY!

 

By the time I got home, it was even worse. DISGUSTING.

 

So bad that I gave it a full wash and Rapid Aqua Wax in the dark.

 

That much was the result of driving to Worcester and back. It looked like I'd driven down tracks rather than an actual main road!

[beko1987]

The Meriva does this, it's the slab sided back I think. Always filthy when the roads are even a little bit damp. The Xantia is positively spotless in comparison despite not being washed probably since bub owned it, the large rear overhang helps it there I think.

 

They haven't salted down here yet though, which probably helps

[mrbenn]

Been salting here for a while and all cars seems to look like DW's above. I like winter but hate road salt with a passion

[dollywobbler]

It's staggering how much screenwash I got through today - front and back. Design doesn't help, but the roads really are bloody mucky at the moment.

[richardmorris]

Aqua wax is pretty good for an instant finish. I use it round here as the water is so hard it leaves streaks on the dark paint whatever you do.

[Ghosty]

Yeah, it's an aerodynamics problem with cars with square/flat backs. They get absurdly dirty, it's an issue on Binis too.

[Snipes]

It's pretty astonishing, especially given that it has been here since 2008, and was previously used as a surf wagon! Mind you, I guess they perhaps don't have to grit the roads so much in Cornwall?

 

 

 

NA Honda B20 twin-cam, producing around 128bhp.

JDM imports always seem to be less rusty than uk cars of a similar age, even if the import has been here for several years. I use to spend a lot of time under MX5s at work and the imports were always the cleanest, especially early Mk1s imported in the mid90s. Faded red, early Uk cars always had one wheel in the scrapyard, so to speak.

[dollywobbler]

I'm getting fed up with the fact that Autoshite membership seems to require the ownership of a Rover 75, Jag XJ or bleedin' Sherpa at the moment, so here's an update on my JDM YO! Honda.

 

In truth, it's had a pretty quiet winter, as I've been hammering around in all manner of other vehicles, and/or rebuilding the 2CV. This is where the three-spoke alloys are a bad idea, as they let moisture get all over the brakes very easily. A few times, I had the CLUNK of doom as I moved the car for the first time in yonks. Here it is on a 6-mile round trip for gas. Not exactly megamiles.

 

Look at that cheeky face though! I can forgive this car instantly for its woeful handling, because it has much more character than I expected. I'm starting to love the column gearshift, and am left thinking all cars should return to this system IMMEDIATELY. The almost-shapeless seats offer surprising comfort too. I know this, because about a month a go, we took it to York.

 

There are still downsides. The lack of an offside door is actually really annoying, as I often use the rear footwell space for storage. Which means I inevitably can't reach what I want as it's now behind the driver's seat. The gearbox is still not entirely healthy either, and the rear suspension bushes are entirely shot. There's also still a drip through the tailgate that Cap'n Tolley has so far failed to cure. I do need to get the rear bushes sorted out, and do another transmission fluid change - this time including removing all of the solenoids.

 

Will it still stack up against my new cruise machine? We'll find out in time. I think the S-MX will be getting the job of transporting me to Cannock this weekend for Auction LOLs. I've booked it in for Japfest on 30th April too, so I'll have to keep it until at least then. I don't think I'll mind...

 

Could it become a core member of the fleet with this pair?