Sold Dollywobbler's Bluebird - Buy an award winner! £SOLD

[Noel Tidybeard]

bosch wipers were one of the biggest disappointments when use on the spaceship

[Ben_O]

We stock Unipart blades at work and I have a pair on my car.

 

I would recommend.

[Timewaster]

There was a time when I wouldn't touch anything other than a Bosch wiper.

 

But that time was 1992.

 

Now they all seem to be shit, so I just buy shit ones and then I'm not going to be disappointed.

[twosmoke300]

I've trialled most to see what to keep in stock and bosch are about the best of the bunch

[dollywobbler]

More importantly, what I'm fearing at the moment is heater matrix replacement. Assuming I can find a replacement. It's going to be a miserable winter otherwise...

[egg]

How much of the dash has to come out?

[dollywobbler]

A fair bit, and the dash is cracked and knackered and should be replaced while I'm at it.

[dollywobbler]

GAH. This thing has just dumped all of its coolant. Accelerated past a tractor and suddenly there was a LOT of steam. I thought it was out of the back, but it was from the front when I stopped.

Big puddle underneath, seemingly from the rear of the engine. Can't follow the hoses but they all look ok. Seriously hoping it isn't a core plug, which is very possible in an engine that's had clear signs of cooling system neglect.

Now awaiting rescue from Mrs DW.

[Slartibartfast]

Oh dear

[spartacus]

Bad luck DW, I hope it's not too serious, expect the worst, anything better is a bonus.

[Supernaut]

[beko1987]

Oh no, had you put the waterless stuff in yet?

[dollywobbler]

Yes. We just topped it up, but it hurls coolant out when revved. Breakdown callit is then.

[egg]

Dislike. This is what worries me about my new Mondy, rebuild the entire cooling system and something related but unexpected happens.

 

Even a core plug is doable though, I mean this doesn't make economic sense already so a few more quid...

[dollywobbler]

And we're home.

 

Turns out the top heater hose had split, right near the block. Phew! AA guy trimmed it, reattached it, refilled the cooling system and I was back on my way in minutes.

 

Of course, the waterless coolant now isn't waterless, but seeing as I'm going to have to change the matrix anyway, that isn't a problem. However, I am now concerned that the matrix may be overstressing the hoses. Is that possible? Or was the hose just weakened by the HGF? I'm meant to be driving it to Bridgnorth and Manchester this weekend, then Kent the weekend after. Confidence shaken...

[dollywobbler]

I am slightly at my wits' end with this car. I have a cooling system I still don't entirely trust, a thrust bearing that is still honking, a heater that doesn't work and a sunroof which leaks (needs a new panel). Ugh.

[Snipes]

Split hose may simply have been an old house that had split........

[dollywobbler]

Split hose may simply have been an old house that had split........

 

Yes, but the whole time this car has been back together, I've been chasing leaks and over-stressed parts in the cooling system. It just leaves you wondering what's going to fail next.

[Bear]

Another hose you've not caught yet... can you get a set of classic silicone hoses to feature?

[dollywobbler]

Another hose you've not caught yet... can you get a set of classic silicone hoses to feature?

 

I'm wondering where I'll get a heater matrix. The engine isn't powerful enough either. And I don't like saloons. Clearly, this is the best* car I've ever bought.

[chaseracer]

I'm meant to be driving it to Bridgnorth and Manchester this weekend, then Kent the weekend after. Confidence shaken...

 

Use Honda.  Sell Bluebird.

[dollywobbler]

Use Honda.  Sell Bluebird.

 

Honda is a bit of a travelling oil leak/burner at the moment. It is good at the long distance stuff though, to be fair.

[chaseracer]

Honda is a bit of a travelling oil leak/burner at the moment. It is good at the long distance stuff though, to be fair.

 

Use Honda.  Take oil.  Sell Blu... you know the rest.

 

[dollywobbler]

Is a cheap Pug 106 diesel for £100 in the eBay thread, low mileage too

 

If I could find a way to reroute my ankles, I might consider it. 

[Rod/b]

I had exactly the same thing on an old Volvo 440. Just an old car with old hoses, don't read too much into it.

[Snipes]

Maybe the Maylaise secret service have been sabotaging the bluey to try and keep the Proton updates coming?

[dollywobbler]

I'm starting to wonder if I'm Roffling the wrong car. Bluebird enthusiasm has been hit hard. There's still so much that needs doing, and I'm not sure I can justify any more expense.

[Lacquer Peel]

Time for a new Kia on finance? It's the reality of using an older vehicle as a "daily" sadly, most of its parts are nearly 30 years old and it's been neglected by previous owners.

If you're not bonding with it, roffle time?

[oldcars]

I bet Kinkersaab on here would buy your Bluebird. 

[dollywobbler]

It's the reality of using an older vehicle as a "daily" sadly, most of its parts are nearly 30 years old and it's been neglected by previous owners.

If you're not bonding with it, roffle time?

 

I disagree. I've spent many years driving old clunkers, often with far more than 100,000 miles on them. Every now and then one bites me on the arse (Range Rover springs to mind...) but 30 year old cars can be perfectly reliable. If they've been looked after.

 

I was a fool to buy a car that was so clearly neglected though. I was just to scared it'd go for bangering. More fool me.