Project Shirley Knott's Evil Web Of Shite - Volvo gets a clean sheet MOT, now on to wheel trims, thermostat and brakes revisited

[Shirley Knott]

Greetings all.

 

After lurking here for a short while, frankly liking what I see and enjoying the various shite, the site has well and truly struck a chord with me. I'm a serial buyer of ropey sub £1k vehicles, don't have to but genuinely enjoy it.

 

I feel like I might (Just might) have found my 'spiritual' home here

 

I've been posting across the web on owner specific forums (Usually using either my JoeyEunos or RandomPrecion handles) for a while now, but from here-on-in I will pull my threads together and merge them here into one ghastly topic.

 

My current steeds...

 

Lupo 1.7 SDI

 

SAM_5560 by

 

and the work/story so far...http://forums.clublupo.co.uk/index.php?/topic/102863-joeyeunoss-sdi-beater/

 

Golf Mk4 SDI

 

 

SAM_5531 by

 

and the thread.... http://uk-mkivs.net/topic/597074-project-slow/

 

Early (1989) Mk1 Eunos (This one was recently sold)

 

SAM_4656 by

 

the thread...http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=213274

 

Other shite I've owned and moved on in the last year include this ropey Passat...

 

SAM_6011 by

 

and this legendary £300 Fiesta Finesse...

 

Festa by

 

Cars I'd like to own/actively looking for in the forthcoming weeks/months/years...

 

Rover 75 (Dizzler)

Peugeot 405 (XUD)

Mk1 Octavia (Estate/dizzler, pre pd or SDI)

Honda CRV (Gen1)

Volvo 240/850

[Cavcraft]

Welcome along, chief.

[Shirley Knott]

Welcome along, chief.

 

Many thanks.

[Pillock]

That's a nice little wanted list, welcome. I'm sure you'll have plenty of people urging you to take on a 75 or Volvo especially, they seem to change hands on here like currency. 405s are trickier since they're clearly all worth north of £3000 now.....

 

Lupo is a tidy little thing, what sort of performance do you get from the 1.7 SDI? My eldest is going to need a car soon and I've just remembered these exist.

[tooSavvy]

Don't see a Carina II in your chod haul

 

.... glad you like it on here... It's why we're here

 

 

TS

[Shirley Knott]

That's a nice little wanted list, welcome. I'm sure you'll have plenty of people urging you to take on a 75 or Volvo especially, they seem to change hands on here like currency. 405s are trickier since they're clearly all worth north of £3000 now.....

 

Lupo is a tidy little thing, what sort of performance do you get from the 1.7 SDI? My eldest is going to need a car soon and I've just remembered these exist.

 

75 or Volvo would be lovely, I noticed both seem to have a strong fan base here which is nice.

 

I spotted the 405 thread and I too am now aware that they are a bona fide classic, out of reach for the most part but it's still important to have dream right?

 

Thanks for the kind words RE the Lupo. It's quite possibly the cheapest car in the world to run. £30 a year to tax if you get one post 2001, pennies to insure, simple to maintain and dirt cheap to buy. 60+mpg round the doors is easily achievable and over 70mpg on a run is not unusual. Only real downsides are 'relaxed' (Read slow) acceleration and slightly weak gearboxes, problems that dog the whole SDI range TBH.

 

It's worth looking at Arosa SDI's too as they're basically the same thing.

 

 

Don't see a Carina II in your chod haul

 

.... glad you like it on here... It's why we're here

 

 

TS

 

Whilst I am something of a masochist and I do enjoy motoring at the bottom of the food chain I'm simply not prepared to sink to that level yet...

 

All that being said I've got many shite buying years left in me and it's always good to have something to work towards. Maybe I'll give them some thought once I've finally hit rock bottom.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

You've got my beard thoroughly twitching with the SDI VAG threads you've posted up.  A lot of it relevant to my old TDI...

[Parky]

Welcome Joey, with a current fleet and wish list like yours I am pretty certain you'll be at home here!

 

I like your Lupo too

[Datsuncog]

Hey, good to have you along - always nice to see a lurker become a regular (yeah, I did that too). That's an impressive fleet you've got going there - and rather unexpectedly, it's the Lupo getting me in a lather...

 

Look forward to hearing more!

[clayts450]

You'll fit in fine here mate, good list of choddage in your possession right now, and your want list is equally impressive.

[Shirley Knott]

You've got my beard thoroughly twitching with the SDI VAG threads you've posted up.  A lot of it relevant to my old TDI...

 

HTH

 

 

Welcome Joey, with a current fleet and wish list like yours I am pretty certain you'll be at home here!

 

I like your Lupo too

 

Thank you.

 

 

Hey, good to have you along - always nice to see a lurker become a regular (yeah, I did that too). That's an impressive fleet you've got going there - and rather unexpectedly, it's the Lupo getting me in a lather...

 

Look forward to hearing more!

 

 

Hey, good to have you along - always nice to see a lurker become a regular (yeah, I did that too). That's an impressive fleet you've got going there - and rather unexpectedly, it's the Lupo getting me in a lather...

 

Look forward to hearing more!

 

 

Cheers. Yes, the Lupo is a lovely thing.

 

 

You'll fit in fine here mate, good list of choddage in your possession right now, and your want list is equally impressive.

 

Many thanks.

[Pillock]

75 or Volvo would be lovely, I noticed both seem to have a strong fan base here which is nice.

 

I spotted the 405 thread and I too am now aware that they are a bona fide classic, out of reach for the most part but it's still important to have dream right?

 

Thanks for the kind words RE the Lupo. It's quite possibly the cheapest car in the world to run. £30 a year to tax if you get one post 2001, pennies to insure, simple to maintain and dirt cheap to buy. 60+mpg round the doors is easily achievable and over 70mpg on a run is not unusual. Only real downsides are 'relaxed' (Read slow) acceleration and slightly weak gearboxes, problems that dog the whole SDI range TBH.

 

It's worth looking at Arosa SDI's too as they're basically the same thing.

 

 

I think despite 405s being the best car in the world and the only car anyone will ever need (copyright Junkman), the £3000 ones are still rare on the ground so it's worth keeping an eye out

 

I reckon a Lupo with a duff box sounds a perfect first car, I'm just about capable of slinging a new box on one of those. And relaxed acceleration is perfect for an 18 year old getting bullied into driving to McDonalds by her mates every night! Might even stab some holes in various vacuum pipes to further cripple the speed.

[Scruffy Bodger]

I'd still recommend a decent 405 if you can find one. If you don't mind one that looks like varied shades of sucked smartie there's an estate for sale at the mo for £350.

 

Is there a mileage the Lupo's tend to spit boxes?

[Shirley Knott]

 

 

I reckon a Lupo with a duff box sounds a perfect first car, I'm just about capable of slinging a new box on one of those. And relaxed acceleration is perfect for an 18 year old getting bullied into driving to McDonalds by her mates every night! Might even stab some holes in various vacuum pipes to further cripple the speed.

 

LOL is a term that get's banded about far too often these days, I'm pretty jaded but that genuinely did raise a chuckle

 

 

I'd still recommend a decent 405 if you can find one. If you don't mind one that looks like varied shades of sucked smartie there's an estate for sale at the mo for £350.

 

 

 

Tell me more....

 

 

 

 

Is there a mileage the Lupo's tend to spit boxes?

 

Not really, it's all down to gearbox oil (Or lack-thereof) IMO.

 

They pretty much all leak through the selector shaft seal and that causes the issues. Replace the seal and keep the box topped up with the correct G50 gear oil and you stand a much better chance of avoiding 'box related woes.

[clayts450]

Keep 'em peeled on the ebay tat thread, Joey - there's always some hidden gems* being discovered by the Gumtree, eBay, Facefart, donedeal, leboncoin elves.

[Shirley Knott]

Will do, cheers

[Scruffy Bodger]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/peugeot/405-turbo-diesel.-£350.00-ono/1293718702

 

Sorry, just realised I hadn't provided the link to this.

[davehedgehog31]

A fine fleet Sir. Those Lupai (plural of lupo) have always intrigued me with that engine. What is real world economy like?

[Shirley Knott]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/peugeot/405-turbo-diesel.-£350.00-ono/1293718702

 

Sorry, just realised I hadn't provided the link to this.

 

Thanks, miles away and not the NA derv model of my dreams but still very fetching.

 

 

A fine fleet Sir. Those Lupai (plural of lupo) have always intrigued me with that engine. What is real world economy like?

 

Thanks

 

60-70mpg is achievable without trying. I've had approaching 80mpg after a long run involving hyper-mileing techniques (Measured brim to brim).

 

Be warned, a Lupo SDI is the kind of car that will eventually turn you into someone who's proud to be driving in the slow lane of the A1 at 55 mph.

[Scruffy Bodger]

A bit closer but not a NAD I'm afraid. Advertised as "old barge is finished in Never Gonna Sell It Dark Blue with sumptuous black leather upholstery". Not proper Autoshite as it will be fully loaded with toys except appears to be lacking electric seats. Not immediately evident but the rear sill has gone in the typical spot on one of these and has been fairly well omitted on photos and description.

 

https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/peugeot/405/257044

[Shirley Knott]

^ Again, whilst it is utterly lovely, it's an NA derv estate that my heart desires. 

[Scruffy Bodger]

Something tells me this is indeed the right forum for you!

[Shirley Knott]

Today I have been mostly servicing VAG shite.

 

Starting with an oil change for the Golf...

 

 

I tend to use the Pela 6000 for most changes these days, TBH it seems to get just as much if not more out than a traditional change, it seems able to get right to the bottom of the sump and also hoover out the filter housing.

 

Oil used is 'proper' Quantum Platinum 5W40 synth. The SDI's will happily run on 10W40 if needed but given the quantum PD rated stuff is just over £12.50 for 5l from TPS it's a false economy to use anything else. It's way over spec but for that price, why not?

 

Bags of room to work in the engine bay without any turbo related nonsense getting in the way...

 

 

Air and fuel filters were done last spring on this one (Once every 2 years on these) so time to move on to the Lupo...

 

 

Again, Pela 6000 and Quantum oil FTW

 

Lupo engine bay slightly more cramped than the Golf, probably the busuiest engine bay of the whole SDI range actually, but still plenty of room....

 

[

 

Sexy new fuel filter fitted   No lift pump so these need to be properly primed to work....

 

 

And then air filter....

 

 

People seem to have this idea that German folk don't have a sense of humour, they obviously haven't seen the location for the air filter on a Lupo SDI   Hint: You need a jack, stands and a selection of swivel bits and extensions to get to it. Not for the faint hearted.

 

After this the brakes/bushes/boots etc are given a look over then on to gearbox oil top offs.

 

Gearboxes are the weak point of the entire SDI range. They were all intended to run on VW's 'G50' oil but if you call VW they will direct you to G60 and tell you it's superseded the old stuff.

 

The problem is the newer oil is much thinner (Emissions related?) and not much use. The good news is that you can still get the correct stuff, I've found that if you ask for it by name they tend to look blankly at you or pretend it doesn't exist, but give them the part number they'll reluctantly order you some from the remaining stock in mainland Europe.

 

The amber nectar, coupled with the magic key for gearbox entry...

 

 

Level plug for the Lupo, nice and easy to get to...

 

 

 

The Lupo uses an 085 gearbox, a very old design mostly intended for non derv variants, keep the oil level right and the seals in good shape to avoid leaks and they're not as bad as people would have you believe.

 

And on to the Golf, access is even easier here...

 

 

 

In similar fashion to the Lupo, the Golf uses a gearbox with ancient origins. The 02K box is pretty much identical to the old 020 gearboxes that VW have used since the seventies, only adapted to use a hydraulic clutch. Again this box is usually used in petrol variants, and they're not too bad but nowhere near as strong as the boxes bestowed on TDI models.

 

Last but not least is a bottle of injector cleaner (Snake oil?) straight into the tank for the Lupo on the basis of it being used for mostly tow work/short runs, seems wo work but who knows...

 

The final, crucial step is to celebrate by quaffing a selection of fine ales, eating this imported sausage thing coupled with a selection of soft cheeses.

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I'm curious about priming the fuel filter.

 

I changed mine on my PD130 TDI two days ago and it started up after a few seconds of cranking.  Assuming the fuel pump just had to fill the filter again and it's all go.  Is it different between the SDI and TDI in this regard?  Looks like the same filter.

 

Also, what's the spec on the flexible fuel line to and from the filter?  Asking because mine could probably do with changing in due course, it's a little more worn than I'd like...

[Shirley Knott]

Yes, if you have a PD engine the filter is the same but the lift pump in the tank that will fill up the filter when you crank the car (Lucky devil)

 

Not so with VE/SDI models unfortunately, funnels and diesel in a jerry can are required to prime.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Yes, if you have a PD engine the filter is the same but the lift pump in the tank that will fill up the filter when you crank the car (Lucky devil)

 

Not so with VE/SDI models unfortunately, funnels and diesel in a jerry can are required to prime.

 

Aha!  That explains it.  I forgot to get a new jerry can (haven't one since I got my Golf) and realised after I'd changed the filter and given it my neighbour (who was doing his at the same time!) for disposal...

 

I like my PD130, it's a bit naughty but I'm always thrilled to see an SDI.  Your's will be running by the next Ice Age, I'm sure...

[Shirley Knott]

It takes an ice age to get anywhere in one.

 

Actually that's slightly unfair, once they're 'on the boil' they're ok and they sit a modern motorway speeds without any dramas but dual carriageway slip roads pretty much always require full throttle and overtaking has to be planned long in advance

[GrumpiusMaximus]

It takes an ice age to get anywhere in one.

 

Actually that's slightly unfair, once they're 'on the boil' they're ok and they sit a modern motorway speeds without any dramas but dual carriageway slip roads pretty much always require full throttle and overtaking has to be planned long in advance

 

This thread reminds me that I've always wanted to try living on a canal boat...

 

My other half's Focus has a quoted 0-60 of 13.6 seconds.  I know how to live.

[Shirley Knott]

The SDI lump is/was commonly used on boats, albeit in a marine format...

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDI_(engine)

[Shirley Knott]

*Drum roll* New member introduced to the fleet today in the form of a late 940 estate in 2.3 low pressure turbo flavour.

 

Obligatory/generic stately home type pics en route to Casa Eunos...

 

 

 

 

Initial impressions were good, some judder under hard braking quickly subsided after a few miles had been covered and had completely resolved after the 30 mile trip home. The car holds temperature well and all seems gravy.

 

Barely run in...

 

 

Loads of history, original owners manuals and 3 keys!

 

 

The car has bills to show it's had a new exhaust, distributer, leads, all filters including fuel, drive belts, fluids and waterpump replaced within the last year or so. It also has the factory dog guard/luggage cover etc. Weirdly absolutely everything seems to work including all of the clocks. All in all good craic.

 

Bonus finds that came with the car include various Volvo porn...

 

 

Assorted road manuscripts of yore...

 

 

And a Haynes book of lies...

 

 

Not so good bits include this sunroof 'repair'...

 

 

Woeful drivers seat...

 

 

And peeling door cards...

 

 

Other than the above niggles the passenger footwell is very wet indeed    Never mind. The aforementioned boggles helped whittle the price down by a fair wedge and the car is currently airing out under the carport until I have the chance to investigate...

 

On the whole I'm very pleased. Spent the day pottering around in it running errands and at this stage (Including driving the car home) I've covered about 80 miles or so.