Project Dollywobbler's Rover 45 - STOP - Carry on.

[egg]

Pollen filter, or as they should be known 'the neglected service item'

[SiC]

I always say they're the most important filter in a car. First thing I always change. Often makes the interior start to smell nicer too.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Blimey I didnt even know it had one!

[SiC]

I think the majority of air conditioned cars with R134A gas have them. Otherwise the evaporator gets easily clogged up with pollen, dirt and debris.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

It never even occurred to me! I think of Rovers as being too old and shite for that technology level!!!

[dollywobbler]

Blimey I didnt even know it had one!

 

I had to Google it.

[oldcars]

Could be the reason my car smells a bit naff. Bet changing one on the 75 is a joy.

[Lacquer Peel]

My 405s with A/C had pollen filters, the motor factor was not convinced based on the too old/too shite idea, I ordered a filter online in the end. Definitely change it, it makes a difference to the airflow and air quality.

[gadgetgricey]

Could be the reason my car smells a bit naff. Bet changing one on the 75 is a joy.

 

Its not that easy as some, but not that bad.

You also get to check the drain holes, which can cause major problems if blocked.

 

Did one on a mates ZT a few years back. He was complaining his car kept misting up when he put the air con on.

Drain holes were blocked and the pollen filter had almost half dissolved.

 

He was really peeved as he always paid his local garage to service it every year, and he was charged for pollen filter replacement.

 

If only there were all as easy as in a Honda Jazz

[dollywobbler]

Just used the Rover for a tip run. Handy that folding rear seat. But, at the tip, it briefly stumbled when I went to reverse, and the Check Engine very briefly illuminated. Then it was fine. #Rover

[SiC]

Did you check that the engine was still there?

[dollywobbler]

Did you check that the engine was still there?

 

I didn't have time. The light merely blinked, so I made assumptions.

 

I'm starting to learn how to get the best out of the gearbox now. I can see why some say the engine and gearbox are ill-suited. They aren't really, but the software in the gearbox is. It's far too lazy. Normally, I welcome laziness in an automatic - it's kind of what they're all about. I find BMW E39s far too eager to kick-down. It irritates me. The Lexus was ideal - it rarely allowed the engine to get beyond 3000rpm, while still making swift progress. The engine had torque, and the gearbox used it. Lovely.

 

Halve the engine size and torque is not so plentiful, but in normal mode, the transmission has a habit of not dropping down enough gears. Knocking the lever across into sport mode sorts things out nicely, and is exactly the same motion I'd deploy in the Lexus to knock it into third - pull the lever to the right. That gets the engine right back into its sweet spot of 3500rpm and more, and it's so smooth that the high revs aren't that grating. Ok, when it gets towards the red line, it can be, but I've usually lifted off by then. Unless I'm overtaking...

 

But, the composed ride and sweet handling make it a joy to drive around here. I know it's firmer than a 400, but it still manages to near-enough float over speed humps, but it goes where you point it on twisty roads too. I really do think I could get to like it, even if I do still wish it was a hatchback. Why did they not make a 45 V6 hatch?

[davehedgehog31]

Just used the Rover for a tip run. Handy that folding rear seat. But, at the tip, it briefly stumbled when I went to reverse, and the Check Engine very briefly illuminated. Then it was fine. #Rover

Wouldn't* have happened with a reliable Honda engine.

[Lacquer Peel]

When they launched the 45, the saloon was supposed to be the premium* option. I'm not so keen on the looks of the hatch, the saloon has Richard Woolley's magic touch.

[dollywobbler]

When they launched the 45, the saloon was supposed to be the premium* option. I'm not so keen on the looks of the hatch, the saloon has Richard Woolley's magic touch.

 

I've never liked the saloon. I think the rear lights look bloody awful. Whereas facelift hatch rear lights look ace.

[dollywobbler]

Wouldn't* have happened with a reliable Honda engine.

 

My Honda-engined 416 already had the engine check light on when I bought it...

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I'm on wobblers side on this one. I reckon the saloon has just got too big an arse

[dollywobbler]

I'm on wobblers side on this one. I reckon the saloon has just got too big an arse

 

We're agreed then. Only an idiot would buy a 45 saloon.

[Noel Tidybeard]

If only there were all as easy as in a Honda Jazz

 

 

or a vectra b

[dollywobbler]

DANGER. Though it didn't fall on me, so maybe not as bad as it looks. Can't drive the Rover onto my ramps on the level. Also gives more working room, though I never felt that comfortable even just reaching under - hence the extra wheels!

 

These were well worth replacing though!

 

The difference in how the car performs is remarkable.

https://twitter.com/HubNutVids/status/1024713102938578944

 

It now sounds bloody awesome at lower RPM. It was clearly struggling to breathe with that air filter. 

[dollywobbler]

I'm forced to admit that getting the Matiz home is proving more problematic than I hoped. I think I might be better off throwing some money at the problem. So, if anyone has any garage recommendations for South Birmingham (it's in Acocks Green), do let me know. It needs (probably) the inlet manifold modification, a CV joint, an exhaust. Wondering if it might be sensible to get the timing belt done as well, though it has had a head gasket. Not sure it had the belt done while convenient though.

[dollywobbler]

Yet another fill-up. £60 for 290 miles. Turns out that if you fill up every time the fuel light comes on, it's pretty much bang on ten gallons to fill, which at least makes the sums easy!

 

I'm off oop north next week, and I plan to take it gently. Since filling up this morning, I've managed to avoid going anywhere near the red line, so let's see if I can achieve some economy...

 

One thing I have noticed is that the torque converter lock-up doesn't seem to kick in until 60mph. It being a five-speed gearbox, it's already fairly low on revs come cruising speed. That doesn't help I guess, as most of those 290 miles were done on twisty, hill Welsh roads. Not much opportunity for a waft.

[dollywobbler]

Oh, and video.

[dollywobbler]

Decided to fit the new cabin filter tonight. No points for guessing which is the new one.

 

Pulled out another load of crap from the housing!

[Wingz123]

If you want matiz sorting message me and it can be arranged....my wife is from Acocks Green - Got a car going from Luton to Brum tomorrow in fact so I should be heading up there but normally up there at least once a week.....

 

Best friend has a garage in Highgate,

 

Shout if I can help....

[dollywobbler]

Thanks. Having trouble arranging access to it at the moment. Given I've got barely any time already, might leave it a few weeks.

[Noel Tidybeard]

i'm only 4.78 minutes from acocks green if i can help- even if only keyholding

could prolly park it in the grove if its vaguely legal

you have my number (or at least you did) lol

[They_all_do_that_sir]

We're agreed then. Only an idiot would buy a 45 saloon.

They done the V6 in the MGZS hatch. So in theory you could buy an MG and roverise it with 45 bits.

 

I like the idea of this, particularly as its the opposite of what everyone else was doing ten years ago.....

 

You'd end up with more POWAH as well, as I believe the MG variants were in a higher state of tune.

 

But it would be a bloody massive amount of work to end up with a car that would be near worthless anyway.

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

They done the V6 in the MGZS hatch. So in theory you could buy an MG and roverise it with 45 bits.

 

I like the idea of this, particularly as its the opposite of what everyone else was doing ten years ago.....

 

You'd end up with more POWAH as well, as I believe the MG variants were in a higher state of tune.

 

But it would be a bloody massive amount of work to end up with a car that would be near worthless anyway.

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

 

Tempting as it is, I'm not sure the MGs came with an auto option sadly. I'll just convert a 45 hatch to V6. How hard can it be? [this will never happen]

[somewhatfoolish]

 

It never even occurred to me! I think of Rovers as being too old and shite for that technology level!!!

I'm pretty sure even the Maestro/Monty had such luxury.