The new adventures of Brownnova. Abject failure.

[brownnova]

I appear to have four seperate topics for my four vehicles... so I've decided to start an entirely new one where I can muse occasionaly about the motoring world, and my varying motors. And even update as to progress made, and jobs done... maybe.

 

So starting with the most long-standing member of the fleet...

 

Max - the 1990 MX5 (well a Eunos to be precise) pictured here in the ring at Chumly.

 

 

I've had max for 2 1/2 years now, a record for a 'fun' car for me. They don't usually last beyond a year. When I acquired it, it was covered in stickers, had a shit hood, cut springs, too loud exhaust and awful wheels...

 

 

So I de-stickered it, and put proper wheels on...

 

 

It's a proper early one, with the short nose crank engine. Mechanically seems to be spot on, and underneath is surprisingly good to be honest. Under my custody it has had to have some welding on the sills (no surprises there) and a few other remedial jobs such as a brake caliper, routine servicing, a new battery and a little fettling on the exhaust. But it has been incredibly reliable and masses of fun. I've also been reversed into twice... Starting to show it's age a little more now though, so as I have some extra time on my hands for the next month and I've just re-done my garage I'm going to tackle some of the rusty bits, and the bad paint, and give it a good mechanical going over. Hopefully replace the suspension too, but I've grown to quite like the loud exhaust... oops! I will also do the hood at some point, and quite fancy sticking a Leather interior in...

 

Easily the second favourite car I've ever owned... If I do complete the work on it it'll probably be a keeper. But I have just joined the MX5 club, and bought the HBOL which usually sounds the death knell on any car's ownership!

[brownnova]

Second in the length of time served is Kirmy, the KA. Owned for Just over a year. 

 

The newest member of the fleet by some ten years, Kirmy is a late 'Style' model finished in beautiful green...

 

 

It's technically my (now thankfully ex) wife's car we got it for her to pass her test in, but it's all in my name so I get to tax, MoT and insure it!

 

All told, it's surprisingly good little car. Nippy, fairly fun to drive and not too bad on the economy.  Although when I commuted in it for a fortnight my back didn't thank me!

 

Few minor blebs of rust here and there, but my friendly local mechanic said it was one of the tidiest underneath he had ever seen.

 

Does have issues cold starting though, takes a couple of goes to catch, and then always dies off.  I'm suspecting the spark plugs. They're awkwardly located and I cant get them out, so that job is off to my friendly local mechanic.  Other than that it has had a couple of new suspension bits, and a new battery and been generally reliable. And after being left for three or four weeks parked on damp grass it only took six or seven attempts to get it going...

 

Plans for this one?  I scraped the front corner on the front garden wall, I need to touch that up (I knocked the wall down after that) and treat the bits of rust. It also needs a good service, so I'll get on with that. Then hopefully the (now thankfully ex) wife can be set loose upon the motoring world in it...

 

Not very shite, nor very exciting this one... so I'll move on!

[brownnova]

Third in length of service at 3 months... is Matilda, the Fiat Ducato Autosleeper Campervan!

 

Same underneath as the Talbot Express et al, it's a common choice as entry into the world of Camper-vanning.  So much so there's another one across the road from us, and a third around the corner!

 

Ours is pretty low mileage having just clicked over 72k on our last jaunt.  We've been on 5 camping trips in three months, and absolutely love the campervan lifestyle!  It's always the oldest van at the site too.. so far!

 

 

She came with a few pre-exisiting problems - a rattling manifold being the most apparent.  But we've discovered a few more too, the leisure battery has had to be replaced, as it didn't hold charge.  The choke has to be in exactly the right position to start her (this is tricky on a cold morning on a campsite!), and rust...

 

When we bought it it looked pretty good on the rust front.  But as you go over it you find more and more blebs here and there.   Mostly micro-blistering, but the front drivers side wheelarch looks like it'll need some attention, and round the screen is going a bit too.  

 

Plans for this one are to sand back and treat the rusty areas, and give a bit of TLC to the paintwork.  Might have a look at the manifold, but apparently they're an absolute bugger on these.  Also in need of a service, according to the previous owner.  And after a jaunt to Cardiff this week in need of a damn good wash!  Then roll on the summer when we plan to go on a nice long roadtrip! 

[brownnova]

Aaaaand finally... The newest member of the fleet: Bjorn the Saab 9000.

 

Bought to replace a three year old BMW this is my commuting car.  It's in superb condition bodywork wise (well at least one of my cars is eh!) and wears it's 170k well both inside and out.  Has full Saab dealer or specialist service history and rides like a big luxurious car should. Oh and it has a 90s Nokia phone holder!  It was taken as a px by a Saab specialist, and stored for 5 years.  Then recomissioned and sold to me. 

 

 

Did need a new ignition cassette/coil pack thingy, but that's been the only problem so far, well that and the drivers side heated seat doesn't work... and it is a touch thirsty...

 

 

I do really like this one, I have to admit.  It's fast, so comfortable, huge inside and feels like a much more advanced car than 20 years old! 

 

Jobs to do, well there's a big stonechip on the front, and a tiny scrape on the back.  I'll sort those, polish it, and 'back to black' the plastic bits.  

 

Then we'll see what happens, and if it goes wrong!  Off to the midlands in it this week so we'll see how it takes the longest journey I've done in it. 

 

So that's my fleet, I'll update as and when progress is made, or I feel like adding something else...

 

 

 

[oldcars]

Nice fleet. Can you set the choke gap on the Fiat? Mine was wrong on the Reliant and once set to the correct gap its been spot on since.

[brownnova]

I'll check that idea out thanks Mr Rialto

 

Meanwhile I visited the town of my birth and residence of the parentals this week a nice 300 mile round trip in the Saab...

 

Drove beautifully all the way. Cruised past all the modern tosh in the outside lane comfortably and decadently we used the M6 toll where cruising speeds of many mph were achieved.

 

Being 90's it comes equipped with a tape player. I got my dad to dig out a cassette from my youth for a listen on the way home.

 

Good laughs!

 

Has reminded me of an odd lights issue on the 9000. When having driven with the sidelights on and switching to main dipped beam nothing happens. Until you turn on full beam when the main beam then illuminates. Sometimes it will go off again and be stubborn and take many flicks if the main beam switch to reactivate. If switching the lights on from the car being cold they usually work normally. I'm thinking lighting relay...?

 

Anyone shed any *light* on this issue?

[PiperCub]

I appear to have four seperate topics for my four vehicles... so I've decided to start an entirely new one where I can muse occasionaly about the motoring world, and my varying motors.  And even update as to progress made, and jobs done... maybe.

 

So starting with the most long-standing member of the fleet...

 

Max - the 1990 MX5 (well a Eunos to be precise) pictured here in the ring at Chumly.

 

20160904_142453.jpg

 

I've had max for 2 1/2 years now, a record for a 'fun' car for me.  They don't usually last beyond a year.  When I acquired it, it was covered in stickers, had a shit hood, cut springs, too loud exhaust and awful wheels...

 

WP_20150721_12_51_02_Pro.jpg

 

So I de-stickered it, and put proper wheels on...

 

20161113_150631.jpg

 

It's a proper early one, with the short nose crank engine.  Mechanically seems to be spot on, and underneath is surprisingly good to be honest. Under my custody it has had to have some welding on the sills (no surprises there) and a few other remedial jobs such as a brake caliper, routine servicing, a new battery and a little fettling on the exhaust. But it has been incredibly reliable and masses of fun. I've also been reversed into twice...    Starting to show it's age a little more now though, so as I have some extra time on my hands for the next month and I've just re-done my garage I'm going to tackle some of the rusty bits, and the bad paint, and give it a good mechanical going over. Hopefully replace the suspension too, but I've grown to quite like the loud exhaust... oops! I will also do the hood at some point, and quite fancy sticking a Leather interior in... 

 

Easily the second favourite car I've ever owned... If I do complete the work on it it'll probably be a keeper.  But I have just joined the MX5 club, and bought the HBOL which usually sounds the death knell on any car's ownership!

 

Blimey, that's even earlier than mine! Glad you've un-modded it, too many Mk1's got ruined by stupid wheels and unnecessary suspension mods not to mention cosmetic 'Upgrades'. (Don't get me started!).

 

I wouldn't bother with a leather interior unless you are planning to have one made or re-done. The standard Mazda leather wasn't much cop when new and time won't have improved matters. The car was cheap in the first place so consequently so was the leather used so don't expect to much. 

[gadgetgricey]

 I'm thinking lighting relay...?

 

Anyone shed any *light* on this issue?

 

That's where I would start .

 

From memory its a git to get to, behind the glovebox. (but that could be a c900)

 

If you are not already, join UK Saabs. Loads of friendly advice on there, including a load of people who can remap the ECU's for very little money.

[brownnova]

Blimey, that's even earlier than mine! Glad you've un-modded it, too many Mk1's got ruined by stupid wheels and unnecessary suspension mods not to mention cosmetic 'Upgrades'. (Don't get me started!).

 

I wouldn't bother with a leather interior unless you are planning to have one made or re-done. The standard Mazda leather wasn't much cop when new and time won't have improved matters. The car was cheap in the first place so consequently so was the leather used so don't expect to much.

Yes it's one of the earliest I've seen, although I know there are older ones knocking about Saw an F reg one once...

 

Good to know on the leather too cheers... my cloth is in perfect nick to be fair so leather was just a far away thought. But might not now.

[brownnova]

Important job jobbed...

 

Front window for the Mazda... I rarely have the roof up unless it's hurling it down

 

Window of sarcasm for Matilda...

 

And a nice background for this shot...

 

Thanks to Mr Ruffgeezer for the swift dispatch of these.

 

In other news I've begun a touch of bodywork on the Mazda.... it's rustier than I remembered....

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

On the Ka, thoroughly clean out the inner rear wing and really clean up around the fuel filler bowl. You may* catch any rust starting there or at least slow it down. The rear sills can literally fall off these. Remove the rear quarter trim panels from inside the car (easy) and you'll see directly down into the sills. Tip some Waxoyl or similar down there (thin it down with paraffin or just heat it up) and let in run forwards into the sills. I did this on mine after a very involved rear filler flap repair with all new panels so unless someone just wrecks it, it will be the last unrusty Ka on earth.

[brownnova]

On the Ka, thoroughly clean out the inner rear wing and really clean up around the fuel filler bowl. You may* catch any rust starting there or at least slow it down. The rear sills can literally fall off these. Remove the rear quarter trim panels from inside the car (easy) and you'll see directly down into the sills. Tip some Waxoyl or similar down there (thin it down with paraffin or just heat it up) and let in run forwards into the sills. I did this on mine after a very involved rear filler flap repair with all new panels so unless someone just wrecks it, it will be the last unrusty Ka on earth.

Cheers for the advice Rev. Will be doing this when the Ka gets it's turn.

[brownnova]

It's a thread about an MX5.... of course it's rust time!

 

With a few days free I decided I would tackle s few blemishes on the car's bodywork. The biggest obvious surface rust being on the front drivers side wing. A bit if sanding down later and the rust was away.

 

 

This was one of three patches of a similar size. It was sanded some more primed, and is now awaiting paint as it turns out Crystal white from 1990 is difficult to get hold of. Found some now though.

 

As I ventured round the back to tackle another fairly minor surface patch I thought I'd poke at the rear sill where it was starting to go a little....

 

Ah...

 

 

Learning to weld has to one if my 2018 new year new you type plans (sod the gym!)

 

But for now I had to farm it out to the local chap who I trust with my welding.... and a good job he did too.

 

 

I decided to get it done before itvspead any further. Good news is welder said he thought it was pretty good otherwise. Many MX5s he has to reccomend hpurs more welding on. But not mine. Phew!

 

In an effort to keep this the case I purchased...

 

This will be fun....

 

To stave off having too much of the fun I thought I'd get out my HBoL and the Craptical Plastics guide to servicing your MX5 and give it a going over.

 

But no one wants to hear of an oil change.

 

If OMGSnowKAOS isn't as bad in Wales as predicted I might continue checking thibgs today... hmmm...

 

Although as long as I keep the door closed on the garage and bring a heater with me it'll be ok. I know... softy.

[Ghosty]

Max - the 1990 MX5 

 

 

[brownnova]

Yep...

Well after you kissed it with Junkman's 405 I thought I should name it after you...

 

     

 

 

 

 

Or it was something to do with it being the closest name to the car's numberplate and wasn't even my idea... but lets go with number one!

[brownnova]

Today I played how many dogs can you fit in a Saab 9000s boot...

 

I ran out of dogs before I ran out of space

 

 

This car continues to surprise me with how capable it seems to be at everything, dog swallowing included. Except maybe being frugal on the fuel but hey ho.

 

Going to draw up a little list of jobs to do on this over Christmas. Including trying to get both heated seats to work and both headlight washers to work as currently only of each does!

[brownnova]

Well...its been a while...

Not long enough for anyone to wonder if I've left on the 'members who have left/come back' thread.. or maybe I'm just not prolific enough.

 

My absence from actually posting has been due to a set of circumstances whereby I have left my abusive wife and marital home to live with another woman... alright quiet the gasps at the back. It's the best thing I've ever done, I've not been happier.

 

This however left me with a problem... the shite. I'd left with just one of my vehicles... how could I get the band​ fleet back together...

 

The SAAB:

The day I left, I left in the Saab. 8 months on from purchase it has been providing almost flawless commuting service for my 20 mile each way commute. It's smooth, refined and thirsty.

 

However, it's been slightly in the wars. I was driven into on a lane by a tw*t in a Yaris... who promptly drove off, leaving this scrape and trim damage:

 

 

And then I managed to reverse into a house... well I swear it jumped into my way!

 

 

So two small bodywork repair jobs to tackle then.

 

So the Saab was safe, and my new girlfriend absolutely loves driving it... she keeps nicking it to go places...

 

However, the Mazda was locked away in the former family home's garage. Some negotiating later and it was freed!

 

Here it is beforehand on the Evo Triangle:

and the Horsehoe pass

 

 

Remarkably this thing just keeps running well, and being excellent. I've not used it anywhere near as much as I would have liked recently. But now it's here with me at the new abode it will get more usage. This really could be a super example of an MX5 with a little work, thankfully the new Mrs is a massive petrol head too, and can't wait to get stuck into work on Mazzy! Keep the peepers peeled for updates on this one soon.

 

The Camper:

The hardest to liberate as it's the most valuable... but whilst still a slight point of contention it is now here too...

 

Prior to the 'breakup' the van had been used for everything from sofa removal, to moving set for the amateur theatre group I act with.. a truly versatile old girl.

 

Sadly being parked outside not moving has taken it's toll

 

 

These sum up the slightly rusty outer that the van seems to have. Thankfully th underside is still solid, or so it seems. This one also needs a fewe jobs doing as it was slightly neglected for a few months.

 

EDIT: it looks worse in the flesh than on the pics - some sanding and filling to do methinks

 

The KA:

is the casualty here, she gets to keep that one... but my new Missus' car is even shiter! But I'll save that joy for another time.

 

Here they all are in OMGSNOKAOS in their previous life...

 

 

Now all back together, safe and sound albeit on a much smaller driveway! The car shuffle is becoming ridiculous... but at least I now have someone who understands the shiter life, and will give me time to do the jobs on the fleet, and even help me with them! Expect more updating soon!

 

Onwards and slightly sideways!

[dollywobbler]

Things happen. Good luck keeping the dreaded rust at bay!

[brownnova]

Cheers!

 

Think I'll need it. Here's hoping I can through the next mot without welding!!

[davehedgehog31]

A fine fleet.

 

Does your Saab have the little button you press that turns off all the interior lights and lets you pretend you're flying a plane?

[brownnova]

Every day is "Drive it day" for the Saab... so I treated it (and me) to a special trip to Llangollen Motor Museum....

 

 

The chap spoke very fondly of the Autoshite massive and said he hoped we'd be back there in the future.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Great thread - first time I’ve seen it to be fair. Sorry to hear of your previously wobbly home setup - I hope you got to keep the dags too?! We had a white J plate Eunos for a few years and had so much fun with it. Our current mk3 MR2 fills the gap nicely, although it could do with a bit more power. I remember our Eunos as being able to light up the rear tyres easily enough, when required.

Kwality camper van as well - seriously tempted to get something similar for this summer* season.

Watching updates with interest!

[brownnova]

Thanks for the kind comments above gents, I'll endeavour to keep things a bit more up to date around here, I keep storing things up for a bigger update! And then realise too much has happened and don't update.

 

Anywho,

 

After getting all the fleet in one place I set about enjoying myself with them. The Mazda provided sterling service through the heatwave, the Saab starts first time every time and goes like a tank, and the camper clatters away merrily.... and noisily.

 

However, MoTs were due, all three of them!

 

 

 

MX5 had an issue with a fog light tell tale cured by an orange sticker (as detailed on another thread), and the Saab flew through with one sidelight bulb (once I'd shown them how to switch the fog lights on...)

 

The the ex wife got i touch to say her Ka had failed as and it was in my name it was my problem...

 

Guess what it failed on...?

 

Rust

 

Small amount of welding later and a new test was achieved, and the car was passed on to my brother to nip around in.

 

The Camper was the one I was worried about. I'd nipped underneath during a game of hide and seek and spotted some rot on the inner sill.

 

Off we went in holiday anyway. The clattering was getting worse.... but hey ho. It was still running...

 

 

Barring one damp dizzy moment she performed her duties well, and bracing myself I sent her in for the test.

 

Amazingly rust wasnt even mentioned. But a 'major leak of exhaust gasses' did cause a fail. Yes it was the manifold. Investigation showed that two bolts had sheared off, been bodged back together to get it sold and then left. Pleasingly it did solve the issue of just why it had been so clatter.

 

The bad news was that the manifold is inaccessible, and requires the head to be taken off if you read the forums. I decided it was beyond my skill set, and lobbed it in the general direction of my friendly local garage.

 

Leave it with me a few days he said I'll see what I can do..........

[stuboy]

maybe getting ur name of exes ka logbook?

[brownnova]

Yeah it’s in my brothers name now. She’s insisted it needed scrapping... all for £150 of welding!

 

Thankfully sorted now.

[brownnova]

NEWS!!

 

After a few days at the garage I called up and they said he would call me back the next day,

 

So yesterday late afternoon he calls and says he managed to fix the bolts in situ!!

 

Amazing!!!

 

Now I have a quiet van with a full MoT!!!

 

Happy days

[brownnova]

Björn at SaabFest.

 

 

Amazingly only 5 9000s in the main show area. We might even be the fourth best one!

[brownnova]

In between all the MoT fun I went out on a run with my local MX5ers who are a great bunch. Nearly 200 miles covered all told, in beautiful sunshine in fantastic North Wales scenery. Bliss.

 

 

But two miles from home my gf (enjoying her stint driving) says “it’s running very hot”

We pull over and open the bonnet and...

 

 

Shit.

 

The troublesome part was the thermostat housing which appears to have failed at the T junction.

 

I had a look and didn’t consult the HBoL and thought it looks a simple enough job. Few bolts off and bolt the new bit on.

 

However once o bought the part and started stripping it down I realised that it was a job that involved cambelt removal. Great.

 

 

I dispatched it off to a local garage as cambelt a are not something I feel confident to tackle. To be honest I regret that now. You’ll never learn unless you have a go. But I didn’t and I haven’t this time. New cambelt and water pump going on too. This picture didn’t exactly fill me with joy....

 

 

Even less joy was received today from a message which told me that the coil pack has now failed too and it won’t run on all four at all. Aargh!!!!

 

It’s been the whole of my summer holiday off the road so far.....

[The Moog]

It's certainly a cambelt to have a go at as non interference and I think facing the right way engine.

[brownnova]

She’s back!!!

 

Bad earth on the coil solved a last minute running issue. And now she’s good and rating to go. Fuck the fact it’s been raining I’ve been out with the roof down today!!!

 

Although it was up when I took this picture...