Schaefft's Bargain Barge Extravaganza - Rustival Preparations

9,555 · March 8

13 hours ago, Schaefft said:

I absolutely love the lines of these things, especially the Riva Aquarama transom styling. I always thought the Mercedes C216 took a similar path.

3,038 · March 8

Good work. Yank tanks aren't my thing and I know little about them however that dashboard is a stunner - it's the future!

23,807 · March 8

6 hours ago, RoadworkUK said:

I absolutely love the lines of these things, especially the Riva Aquarama transom styling. I always thought the Mercedes C216 took a similar path.

I see what you mean, might explain why I love the C216 so much!

4 hours ago, auntiemaryscanary said:

Good work. Yank tanks aren't my thing and I know little about them however that dashboard is a stunner - it's the future!

If there is a reason to keep this Buick alive it's the amazing dashboard.

I've spent most of the day cleaning the interior today in an attempt to remove years of filth and make it a slightly more pleasant place to sit in. Leave it to GM to create a seat material that seems impossible to clean!

The list of mot relevant stuff to sort gets longer by the day as well. Nothing too tricky but it'll take a while to get it through a test.

23,807 · March 13

We've been away for a few days visiting the area around Jedburgh and the Phaeton was the vehicle of choice.

I mainly wanted to find out whether replacing the oil pressure switch 100% removed any related warnings and after a couple of hundred miles of various drive cycles it hasn't come back. I'll consider this one fixed and hope that the S8 will be a similar story! It means I can start sorting out the Phaeton's many little cosmetic issues now that I know I'm not throwing money into a furnace.

It was the first longer trip over a few days in it as well. As you'd expect its a great car over long distances, quiet and comfortable. I found out that it does have power folding mirrors after all (I couldn't figure them out before and they were an option on the VR6, at least in Germany). I've tried the adjustable suspension options as well, as usual sports mode changes little other than making the ride firmer. The offroad mode that raises the air suspension slightly came in very handy on the farm track leading to our Airbnb tough!

The VR6 could use more power when overtaking, it usually has sufficient power but the slightly higher than expected rpms at speed and lack of oomph when you really want it are somewhat noticeable and the real difference between this and the V8 which would be the ideal powerplant for the Phaeton.

I very much enjoy driving it though. It certainly has a stealth wealth factor (at least when it was new) that I can very much appreciate. Compare it to what it would look like to most people at first (Passats, Vectras, even A6s of the time) and it's in a completely different league, however without shouting about it. Only the proportions would tell you that it's a proper luxury saloon. That makes it an incredibly good "normal" car.

23,807 · March 13

Before we left I had a chance to have a good look at the Riviera though! I reattached the passenger door panel which was taken off because the door lock was acting up, which it seems to do again despite me drenching it in lithium grease.

Its only a bunch of screws that really hold it on so I might have another look at that lock if I need to. The passenger side taillight was cracked so I swapped it with the one I got in Nashville over a year ago:

It's held in by two of these long bolts without any accessibility from the inside:

They came out without too much trouble, unfortunately I can't say the same about the driverside taillight bolts which someone stripped the heads on. Thats also the side I got a burnt out bulb in and I can't really see a way of swapping that without smashing the light...

The messy headliner was sorted by putting the A-pillar trims back on, naturally all the tabs were broken on them and whatever idiot removed them in the first place managed to snap the driver one in half. It looks a little tidier now at least, nothing hanging down in your face as you get in the Buick:

For whatever reason I found an assortment of switches that came with the car, including this panel...

Buick Riviera trackday build when?

The center armrest had a cover that didn't really improve the looks. Removing it revealed another cover that also wore right through to the original layer of leather. I guess 195k miles of hard use do that. I'll see if I can find a matching replacement at some point.

The boot was tidied and everything put back in place, much better now:

I've cleaned the interior with my steam cleaner so things are looking much better already. The list of MOT relevant/must-fix things is getting longer though (tyres, non-retracting driver seat belt, parking brake, passenger door lock, front shocks, dead blower motor - no demist, leaky sunroof etc.) so it'll take a little while. It seems to run fairly well now so I'm probably going to go for a short test drive in it tomorrow. It'll be the first time it's been driven in quite a few years I reckon!

16,337 · March 13

3 hours ago, Schaefft said:

We've been away for a few days visiting the area around Jedburgh and the Phaeton was the vehicle of choice.

I mainly wanted to find out whether replacing the oil pressure switch 100% removed any related warnings and after a couple of hundred miles of various drive cycles it hasn't come back. I'll consider this one fixed and hope that the S8 will be a similar story! It means I can start sorting out the Phaeton's many little cosmetic issues now that I know I'm not throwing money into a furnace.

It was the first longer trip over a few days in it as well. As you'd expect its a great car over long distances, quiet and comfortable. I found out that it does have power folding mirrors after all (I couldn't figure them out before and they were an option on the VR6, at least in Germany). I've tried the adjustable suspension options as well, as usual sports mode changes little other than making the ride firmer. The offroad mode that raises the air suspension slightly came in very handy on the farm track leading to our Airbnb tough!

The VR6 could use more power when overtaking, it usually has sufficient power but the slightly higher than expected rpms at speed and lack of oomph when you really want it are somewhat noticeable and the real difference between this and the V8 which would be the ideal powerplant for the Phaeton.

I very much enjoy driving it though. It certainly has a stealth wealth factor (at least when it was new) that I can very much appreciate. Compare it to what it would look like to most people at first (Passats, Vectras, even A6s of the time) and it's in a completely different league, however without shouting about it. Only the proportions would tell you that it's a proper luxury saloon. That makes it an incredibly good "normal" car.

Were you staying near Riccarton or something?!

(Also check out Whitrope tunnel and Shankend viaduct if you are)

I can recommend a nice AirBnB in Kelso 😂

23,807 · March 13

3 minutes ago, Bear said:

Were you staying near Riccarton or something?!

(Also check out Whitrope tunnel and Shankend viaduct if you are)

I can recommend a nice AirBnB in Kelso 😂

It was a cottage belonging to a farm near Denholm. We've just been to Kelso today, nice little market town! The pensioners there were skilled in filling the parking gaps right in front of you as you are trying to get in.

23,921 · March 14

Dinny mess wi' an auld wifey fae kelsae.

23,807 · March 14

More Riviera updates!

I've identified the (hopefully only) leak in the interior, seems like the little gaskets for the hardware that holds the handle to the sunroof pane were so brittle that rain water just leaked through there. I've replaced the gaskets with o-rings which hopefully should put an end to the wet footwell behind the driver seat:

Not in the pictures: The driver seat belt was saggy as the top portion didn't retract. I've taken the retractor out which really would need to be replaced and instead deployed a tactical ziptie to keep it at exactly the length I need to use the belt comfortably. There's also a retractor on the floor so there's still some adjustment there.

I've also tested the blower motor which, at 195k miles, has pretty much nothing of the carbon brushes left and therefore struggles to spin. You can still easily get one on Rockauto so that'll get added to the shopping list.

I've cleaned up the mess that was the half molten engine wiring harness as well. I replaced a few sections of wire and wrapped others where the insulation had halfway melted off. I have no idea how that happened, it really looks like it was on fire at some point! Not anymore:

I think I'm slowly figuring out why the car was taken off the road. While trying to get it running last week I noticed that the spark was oddly inconsistent at times. I didn't think much of it as it was idling perfectly fine eventually but I now keep running into the same issue of the engine not wanting to fire at all sometimes. The fuel pressure is there, its just doesn't ignite, probably because the lack of consistent spark. Cranking it over and over eventually resulted in a loud bang, the result of which you can see here:

I didn't like that aftermarket backbox anyway... But it does confirm that plenty of fuel makes it to the engine (and out again), it just doesn't ignite. This also explains why the plug wires, ignition coil and ignition module have all been replaced already, just not with the highest quality stuff. Whether the issues I see now are down to one of these components failing again (not at all unlikely) or something else I don't know. It's just odd to me that the car can run perfectly fine in one moment and not at all in the next.

It got dark quickly so I've done a lights check:

The aforementioned taillight bulb will be an interesting one but at least the tail/brakelights/indicators use 2 bulbs in each light cluster. No side repeaters on the Riviera so I'm not sure how it passed a test in the past. There are side markers so I could wire them up to be indicators if needed.

So yeah, two steps forward, one step back. I might have a look at the parking brake situation next. The list of MOT relevant items is shrinking fairly quickly, if I can get the ignition issues sorted that might be the last bigger item I have to worry about before a test!

23,921 · March 14

5 hours ago, yes oui si said:

Dinny mess wi' an auld wifey fae kelsae.

My all-time favourite Kelso memory is of watching someone's nan who couldn't have been under 85 years old, about 5'1" tall, built like a pin and chain-smoking rollies.

She was stood in the square, holding on to a dog lead with the other hand. At the other end of said lead was what looked like a husky crossed with a mastiff and a Clydesdale mare. It was nervous, twitchy and it's shoulders were almost level with her elbows.

It had noticed some gulls, and the gulls had noticed it.

They kept getting closer to it, then backing off when it made any movement towards them.

At this point I was entranced, robotically chewing the remnants of my lunch. I didn't know if I was about to witness a gull committing suicide by dog, or a dog committing violent avulsion upon a pensioner's left arm.

Then it happened. A gull flew from behind the dog, over it's head and landed about 18" in front of it; I don't know where gulls keep their balls but I'm surprised that this one was able to leave the ground without jettisoning extra weight. The dog jerked it's head back, I saw hackles go up in slow-motion, the crust of my cheese and ham sandwich tumbled to the floor of the van and...

...the woman hissed don' youse fuckin DARE through her teeth.

The dog tucked tail then laid on the ground.

15,327 · March 15

13 hours ago, Schaefft said:

I thought we were getting a sneak preview of work on the LS400 there.....

Hopefully that position on the driveway means it's next in line for TLC?

23,807 · March 15

3 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

I thought we were getting a sneak preview of work on the LS400 there.....

Hopefully that position on the driveway means it's next in line for TLC?

I've already started taking the air intake out ha! I need to order a longer charging cable for the DS3 that's currently occupying the paved section of the drive Im usually working on. There are still a few cars ahead of the queue but the LS400 is indeed positioned to be worked on soon!

30,628 · March 15

Was going to say cam/crank position sensor issues for the Riviera, though thinking about it I'd expect that to kill fuel too.

Given you've already found damaged wiring - and it's not a million miles away from the distributor if memory serves - I'd be looking for a supply or earth to the ignition that's dropping out when it's misbehaving. Give everything around there a good wiggle and see if you can make it misbehave.

23,807 · March 15

I've actually managed to find the previous owner to the person I bought the car from on FB. He replaced pretty much everything ignition related, plus the cam and crank position sensor, fuel pump etc. and whatever was related to it. He dailied it for a year but I'm not sure if that was before or after he replaced all these bits.

A loose connection or earth therefore seems plausible.

I've cleaned the fouled sparkplugs today and the car ran fine again. I'll have to sort the exhaust next as it's quite loud now.😂

From the previous owner. I've asked the guy who I bought the car from about the wheel trims, I'd definitely want to buy them if they are still around.

30,628 · March 15

36 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

I've actually managed to find the previous owner to the person I bought the car from on FB. He replaced pretty much everything ignition related, plus the cam and crank position sensor, fuel pump etc. and whatever was related to it. He dailied it for a year but I'm not sure if that was before or after he replaced all these bits.

A loose connection or earth therefore seems plausible.

Worth starting with the ground point at the ECU(s) itself. If that's iffy it can cause all sorts of mayhem. Easy one to check and bit of grease on the lug means you can forget about it for the next 30 years then too.

I keep thinking this ismid to late 90s looking at it...then I see the reg plate!

As far as side indicator repeaters goes I agree that repurposing the marker lights is probably the way to go. Or find a tester who's not too picky about things like that on imports, which I imagine is how it's got through however many tests already like that.

Do you have a photo of what you can get at for the tail lights retaining screws? Is there enough access to cut a slot in the head of the screw with a Dremel and thin cutting disc so you could use a flat head screwdriver to undo it?

23,807 · March 15

19 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

Worth starting with the ground point at the ECU(s) itself. If that's iffy it can cause all sorts of mayhem. Easy one to check and bit of grease on the lug means you can forget about it for the next 30 years then too.

I keep thinking this ismid to late 90s looking at it...then I see the reg plate!

As far as side indicator repeaters goes I agree that repurposing the marker lights is probably the way to go. Or find a tester who's not too picky about things like that on imports, which I imagine is how it's got through however many tests already like that.

Do you have a photo of what you can get at for the tail lights retaining screws? Is there enough access to cut a slot in the head of the screw with a Dremel and thin cutting disc so you could use a flat head screwdriver to undo it?

I'll see if I can just start it more regularly and reproduce the issue on a regular basis. I haven't even taken it for a drive yet beyond taking it off the trailer and out of the field! Filling the tank properly with some fresh fuel alone should make a difference, the fuel gauge is lying so I've definitely ran out of petrol before. Hopefully becoming more familiar with the car will reveal it's last remaining mysteries soon enough!

Shame about the cracked windscreen. It's outside the driver's view so not an MOT fail. Knowing from the DeVille it'll be a pain to find a replacement though, I only got lucky because a mate was breaking his vandalized car.

March 15

Good fuel would be a start, are the spark plugs definitely the right ones?

23,807 · March 15

1 hour ago, 24vdiamond said:

Good fuel would be a start, are the spark plugs definitely the right ones?

I've had a look before, it's 3 different types but it's not what's keeping the car from starting.

March 16

I assume it's got an OBD diagnostic port? If so I've a genuine Tech 1 diagnostic reader spare but you would need the correct data cartridge, the cartridge with it would do the Senator though 😁

30,628 · March 16

14 minutes ago, 24vdiamond said:

I assume it's got an OBD diagnostic port? If so I've a genuine Tech 1 diagnostic reader spare but you would need the correct data cartridge, the cartridge with it would do the Senator though 😁

Pretty sure GM at this age would be ALDL rather than OBD.

March 16

ALDL is the same as OBD1 isn't it?

30,628 · March 16

33 minutes ago, 24vdiamond said:

ALDL is the same as OBD1 isn't it?

From what I remember (which is from A Long Time Ago when I was still getting involved with the GM injection system Lada bought off the shelf for the mid 90s Niva) OBD1 was the first time things had been fully standardised to such an extent, and was heavily based on ALDL which I think is actually the language the system talks rather than the connector itself etc - which is what I think the OBD standard set in stone.

I could also be spouting utter tosh as it's 20+ years since I really read up on it!

23,807 · March 16

10 hours ago, Zelandeth said:

Pretty sure GM at this age would be ALDL rather than OBD.

10 hours ago, 24vdiamond said:

I assume it's got an OBD diagnostic port? If so I've a genuine Tech 1 diagnostic reader spare but you would need the correct data cartridge, the cartridge with it would do the Senator though 😁

The great thing about many OBD1 GM models with digital clusters is that all the diagnostics are accessible through that. It's been incredibly helpful with the Cadillac and the Riviera should have the same depth diagnostics through the CRT (only checked the codes briefly on it). It might come in very handy with the Olds Aurora though. I bought a SnapOn Solus which would be able to support all these pre-96 GM cars if it wasn't for the fact that the UK Solus variant doesn't have any software for US domestic cars! And getting a new old stock software cartridge for that might be next to impossible. It would work on the Senator though!

If your Tech1 only needs any second hand GM USA domestic cartridge then I'd be very interested in giving it a go! I need to pull abs codes from the Aurora.

23,807 · March 16

In other news, the X-Type has made its last journey today.

I've pulled anything worth something before it went, unfortunately similar to the Rover 75/MG ZT there aren't all that many enthusiasts that are willing to pay anything for parts, most of these are only getting used up until run into the ground so interest was very low. It's not like there's a shortage of rotten higher spec X-Types either.

I still managed to make my money back and have plenty of bits still available for sale. Shame about the decent tyres on it but even they wouldn't have fit any of the cars I own.

I've picked up my E39 528i on the way back. It still needs jacking points welded but with the parts car next on the chopping block I need both in the same place to make sure I don't miss anything before it goes.

March 17

I think OBD 1 is limited a bit, certainly on the Senator you can't see ABS or electronic suspension stuff as they are standalone systems that require different test equipment

23,807 · March 17

1 hour ago, 24vdiamond said:

I think OBD 1 is limited a bit, certainly on the Senator you can't see ABS or electronic suspension stuff as they are standalone systems that require different test equipment

You can blink out codes via the abs and suspension lights. Fortunately no special equipment required.

23,807 · March 21

Buick update! I may* have sorted the random stalling/loss of spark issues, at least I wasn't able to reproduce them again (naturally having said that they will surely happen again tomorrow). I'm fairly certain it was the spade connectors for the wiring underneath the coilpack. They are sandwiched between the ignition control module and coilpack and one of them might have been just about loose enough to lose its connection when hot. That's the only way I can explain the issues I'm seeing.

I've used my pliers to tighten the connectors to the point where they will never be loose again. I've started the car several times since, both when the engine was hot and cold. It's now starting without any issues at all so I'm probably going to order more essential parts for it soon. It also meant it was time to go for its first drive in what must have been about a decade!

It drives fairly well if you ignore the fact that the front dampers have about 0.0% of a damping effect right now. The car bottoms out over relatively minor bumps and hops like a lowrider, much like my E39 down below did when I first got it! The gearbox shifts smoothly and through all gears though, I think with new front struts and a few suspension bits (all of which are fairly cheap) this could be a really nice riding car!

Someone in the UK American owners group on FB got in touch with me as well. He has owned his own similar age Riviera since the 90s (mine was imported in '96) and has quite a bit of a horde of parts he has never needed. I bought a replacement taillight, a few clips for the rear quarter chrome trim and a few badges which should make a nice difference. He also has a set of OEM wheel trims, however I'm not quite ready yet to put big money into cosmetics as long as the Riv doesn't have an MOT. We are steadily moving closer to one though as the parking brake now works as well after unseizing the foot pedal mechanism!

In other news, with the E39 parts car possibly having found a buyer (he only really wants the engine) I've been busy swapping bits into my original 528i. Parts cars as complete as what I have are invaluable really. Not only do they have all the covers, clips, fasteners and trim you'd never find separately, they also show you exactly how they all come together. In some cases I had no idea certain small bits and pieces were missing from my car, and I've spend years tidying it up to avoid exactly that!

I've also used my freetime to finally swap the front doors which I had waiting for this for years. I think one of them must have moved houses with me twice! The old door were getting a little crusty at the bottom edge and swapping in clean panels is usually the best way of resolving corrosion issues permanently. In this case it required me to completely disassemble them and swap over latches and wiring looms. I replaced the cracked speakers with those from the parts car as well.

I've left the door cards off for now. I have several of them, with a complete set with the extended leather package as well. Since the pressed chipboard backing material is prone to wearing out with every removal, especially if the weather barrier has been leaking for years, I want to puzzle together a pair of immaculate door cards before I install them again.

The parts car should be around until the end of next week, if anybody needs any cheap E39 parts now's your chance!

March 22

Love the look of the Riviera , but, that 'cap' across the back of the roof looks like something the manufactures put on test mules to disguise the actual lines ! 😂

23,182 · March 22

The fakey "landau" convertible look was a retro throwback to 1920/30s cars which took off in the 70s and 80s in the US.

We never really got in the UK. Although the Hillman Avenger got an equally odd looking half vinyl roof on posh 2-doors...

I can't decide if I think the Buick looks good or is hideous, it is certainly striking at any rate!

16,337 · March 22

I love the half vinyl boxiness purely because it is so American, unique to the market.

But I also just think the Riviera is every kind of awesome.

Schaefft's Bargain Barge Extravaganza - Rustival Preparations

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