Jump to content

Re-light my fire, illumination is my only desire… - Ohdearme’s turn of the century emporium


Ohdearme

Recommended Posts

First thing is did was give the inside a bit of a Hoover and scrub as it appears to have had a few roof down with pine needles in it , or perhaps it was Xmas tree transport?


IMG_2743.thumb.jpeg.10969e88948ab258dab04a9cc24f9fe1.jpeg

IMG_2744.thumb.jpeg.82ce0b523e13002a0275d2b96963dcdd.jpeg

I’ve got a steam cleaner to work on the internal panels after seeing @Schaefft work magic on the e38, I need to find something to help lift the dirt out of the plastics - thoughts?

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The roof is manual from the factory I'm afraid, but the rubber quick release buttons for the deck lid are goosed.

Now I thought I'd fixed the window issue by soldering the big relay:

so it might be worth taking that out again and checking for more dry joints.

It was a great car in the 3 years I had it and gave no bother. The only thing that bothered me was that spares were very hard to come by for the 1.8 so hopefully you got the pile of bits along with the car that are specific to that model. If not, Donald Munn is the go to chap on Facebook.

If it comes up for sale again I might have to be a bit quicker on my decision-making skills!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought I’d try the cheap fixes first so got myself a can of WD40 silicone spray and jetted the window runs with it, has made a fair improvement and shave about a second and a half of the close time of the passenger side but I think it really needs a new motor or regulator as it’s squeaky and slows badly.

I’ll get the multimeter out when the weather is better and do some proper tests.

IMG_2742.thumb.jpeg.764f498f0f8e4fa5e80e9d48ea99e9c4.jpeg

IMG_2737.thumb.jpeg.e1cf9266333fef76d91462c09ed79e08.jpeg

I also sprayed the silicone over the window by accident and wiped it off, it makes a bloody good rain x product 🤣

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

The roof is manual from the factory I'm afraid, but the rubber quick release buttons for the deck lid are goosed.

Now I thought I'd fixed the window issue by soldering the big relay:

so it might be worth taking that out again and checking for more dry joints.

It was a great car in the 3 years I had it and gave no bother. The only thing that bothered me was that spares were very hard to come by for the 1.8 so hopefully you got the pile of bits along with the car that are specific to that model. If not, Donald Munn is the go to chap on Facebook.

If it comes up for sale again I might have to be a bit quicker on my decision-making skills!

 

Ah, I see about the roof - I’ll see what I can find about the clips.

Indeed  the boot is full of bits and by god did I cry looking at part prices on fleabay.

Seems an odd design flaw with the rear light cluster that reversing light

bulbs heat or something cause the crack in all the units I’ve seen (for like £250+!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Ohdearme said:

First thing is did was give the inside a bit of a Hoover and scrub as it appears to have had a few roof down with pine needles in it , or perhaps it was Xmas tree transport?


IMG_2743.thumb.jpeg.10969e88948ab258dab04a9cc24f9fe1.jpeg

IMG_2744.thumb.jpeg.82ce0b523e13002a0275d2b96963dcdd.jpeg

I’ve got a steam cleaner to work on the internal panels after seeing @Schaefft work magic on the e38, I need to find something to help lift the dirt out of the plastics - thoughts?

 

I use the steam cleaner on plastics as well, as long as you don't hold it in one spot for 10 seconds it won't damage anything. Normally you would apply some decent interior plastics cleaner before the steam treatment but most comes out with little more than the steam.

If you meant fabrics however, a carpet cleaner, drill brush attachment and carpet extractor will get almost anything out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

I use the steam cleaner on plastics as well, as long as you don't hold it in one spot for 10 seconds it won't damage anything. Normally you would apply some decent interior plastics cleaner before the steam treatment but most comes out with little more than the steam.

If you meant fabrics however, a carpet cleaner, drill brush attachment and carpet extractor will get almost anything out.

It was the plastics, thanks.

Wife has a proper carpet cleaner and attachment Jobbie so it will be getting used when she’s out  and can’t tell me off for ‘skanking it up with my cars’

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Ohdearme changed the title to A car to (Princess) Di for… - Ohdearme’s turn of the century emporium
12 hours ago, Ohdearme said:

Overdue updates here…

I briefly had a yellow seicento with a leak somewhere and thogguht it’d fixed it, but this was disproven by a major storm and a major footwell puddle.

Moving the vehicle I got a shed lid of water down my neck from the sunroof so it might actually be that leaking, not the windscreen I fixed* with gutter mastic.

anyway it got roffled on New Year’s Day as I was trying to sensible and cut the fleet…

…except…

IMG_1305.thumb.jpeg.2fca98b90650994420fb44191b3df332.jpeg

IMG_1300.thumb.jpeg.de5a22630f3db560584fddfd0560a738.jpeg

IMG_1205.thumb.jpeg.ca0f50b0b7ae882104650504ef1a46ee.jpeg

IMG_2579.thumb.jpeg.7de469ee47cd750d2b7e76074254dc8b.jpeg

You're right, it was the sunroof leaking.  It was full of moss and grot which was blocking the drain holes.  After clearing it all out and cleaning the drains it no longer leaks and the interior was soon dried out by a dehumidifier and fan heater.  Really enjoying it.  Nice little car.

Audi looks nice, too btw.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, Erebus said:

You're right, it was the sunroof leaking.  It was full of moss and grot which was blocking the drain holes.  After clearing it all out and cleaning the drains it no longer leaks and the interior was soon dried out by a dehumidifier and fan heater.  Really enjoying it.  Nice little car.

Audi looks nice, too btw.

Glad you’ve got it sorted. It’s a brilliant little car. Something about a sporting that puts a smile on you face whenever you get in it.

And the fact it makes a racket while going nowhere fast 🤣🤣🤣

Audi also putting the all important grin on my face too…just need to sort those two warning lights before mot or hopefully bang it through on a lucky day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Ohdearme changed the title to Paint it Black… - Ohdearme’s turn of the century emporium

Aside from it being rather cold to be faffing with buckets of water and hose pipes, the wind and extended forecast of dry weather made for an excellent day to try and sort the roof.

Pressure washer didn’t really do much to clear the grot once it dried after my first go so I shelled out for some proper cleaner and restorer. 

Here goes…

Before 🤢
IMG_2959.thumb.jpeg.b4e79f0d2ad32bc880546c3213ccdcf8.jpeg

IMG_2961.thumb.jpeg.0071c28aa906a456b87681b372d0ce7d.jpeg

Rinse the hood
IMG_2962.thumb.jpeg.ea01bca46bdf2c299040c22cc61d1e01.jpeg

Pat down and paint on the muck shifter
IMG_2964.thumb.jpeg.915f16ab718a24aa10f12426aa359fb8.jpeg

Attack it with the scrubbing brush

IMG_2965.thumb.jpeg.cc0114cecf6e5f969ea697e1dd83feb4.jpeg

Mmmm…green
IMG_2966.thumb.jpeg.cf450654c412ac76531db9066c66258e.jpeg

Hot water rinse
IMG_2969.thumb.jpeg.242f60f6955bae9abfa38cb583bd5c8b.jpeg

Dry it, Paint it, Dye it and see what we get
IMG_2971.thumb.jpeg.4cc32bdf1e6c1cc0be2447528748ce83.jpeg

IMG_2974.thumb.jpeg.b884354a4b346466905c6dd6cc2be869.jpeg

It takes up to three hours to go off, hence the dry spell being handy so we’ll see how it evens out.

IMG_2974.thumb.jpeg.b884354a4b346466905c6dd6cc2be869.jpeg

IMG_2976.thumb.jpeg.f55b4a67bb853092709be062e96fe165.jpeg

It looks a bit patchy in places despite three/four goes over with the dye.

IMG_2985.thumb.jpeg.763e38ce9c918d0f8d310d1d4c4a37de.jpeg

I think some of the patchiness is the age of the hood itself and streaks on the fold lines, a bit like the silver streaks you get when ironing your trousers like a fanny for the first time and ruining them cos your mum used to do it for you.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Back out today for a variety of tinkerage.

Even the Espace got some love with a new rear wiper blade due to half of the old one doing a Myra Hindley and fucking off somewhere near Saddleworth Moor on the M62.

As for the Audi, MOT is due so I’m tinkering ahead of that. Annoyingly the bonnet does not wish to open @fairkens have you had this before?

Finished off the work on roof with a waterproofing layer and it may even fix up some of the good colour a bit more. It looks more even but we’ll see how it dries out.

Half Moon

IMG_3272.thumb.jpeg.cd22b0e88882c565d8b907eb55b81027.jpeg

Total Eclipse 
IMG_3275.thumb.jpeg.84ddf976d0974c43f523bdad01fb7b11.jpeg

Lets hope it dries like that.

Also had a crack at the cloudy lemonade that is the rear window with some plant polish and a drill swizzer (no DA for me)

IMG_3263.thumb.jpeg.2c7c9a668bf5c513f239984e732c6076.jpeg


Before

IMG_3265.thumb.jpeg.b485ecd7fa043403e98ce48e47bb70dd.jpeg
during

IMG_3266.thumb.jpeg.24a7138b72daf951ae07025709d9772a.jpeg

After - Results? Dunno.IMG_3268.thumb.jpeg.7052114f9294065875616cd94bc5148b.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Attention then turned to the mirror, the replacement housing was not quite like for like so I went for the popping out the glass approach, always a gamble with 20 year old plastics.

Amazingly a year old autoshite Santa gift of a plastic trim removal tool was on hand to prise off the mirrors. 
 

IMG_3279.thumb.jpeg.89d8a76d5f6ba491e584d45bffe25d93.jpeg
 

Same but different 

IMG_3280.thumb.jpeg.f457afbe7e5c853645636f809f3b66e4.jpeg

Popping off revealed the wires on the existing had been secured with clips and some kind of glob glue.

It wouldn’t come off so snapped the mirror bit off complete with glue glob and then used a blow torch to melt the glue and then pulling, wiggling and making “ooh ahh, hot hot noises” to get the clip off.

IMG_3281.thumb.jpeg.8d3d92d61a0e3b0b9c2a9dfcd6cac316.jpeg

 

IMG_3284.thumb.jpeg.3a2d5301c5f49c32559f884f026b91d1.jpeg

No photo of finished as I moved swiftly on.

I’d noticed the boot seems to hold water and pisses a lot out when lifted - it also explains the condensation in the rear I think. 
 

I popped off the boot cover to explore and noticed the 3rd brake light wasn’t connected.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evidence of prior attempts at finding a solution* An NOS part for this type is about £200, so I’m also looking for economic solutions.

IMG_3261.thumb.jpeg.85ed4eade6b00e0978b840dc3c928be1.jpeg
 

£6 of bulbs at my local autofactor later and a some vigorous wet and dry action yielded…4 out of 6 bulbs operational.

The rust on the terminals makes me think the seal around the middle light lens may be a factor in all the water retention.

IMG_3285.thumb.jpeg.b0eb9945e48be274a84e14a8ae4a5a19.jpeg
 

Insettled for four and reinstalled, thought I’d check with the boot up to see how it looked…

Oh.

IMG_3287.thumb.jpeg.48e7fa74f1687b480f266c02bbb13814.jpeg

IMG_3296.thumb.jpeg.2ccfb2ac9df5590a221b188a8ac8730e.jpeg

Basically, the contacts are fubared. I’m not paying full whack, so some Heath Robinson solution will be found - with an eBay add on stick and some internal fettling.

One to watch for future.

At this point it was dark so Iwent in for a cuppa.

The airbag light only comes on when it’s cold outside, so I’m waiting for a stint of mild weather and it’ll get MOT’d on that day so the airbag doesn’t make an entrance during the test…Otherwise it’s running fine, 

It does have a small oil leak apparently so I really need to sort the bonnet issue as a next task.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Ohdearme changed the title to Re-light my fire, illumination is my only desire… - Ohdearme’s turn of the century emporium

The 3rd brake light was held in with paper when I got it but I never could get it properly secured.

The water is coming in behind the number plate as someone cut a hole there to access the boot lock mechanism many years before I got it. I just put the gaffa tape back and ignored it. 

The rocker cover gasket has a historic leak but as the undertray caught it from dripping on my drive, I left it. 

No idea on the bonnet catch, I had it open every week to check fluids and it was fine.

Speaking of which, the level on the dipstick should be the same distance between min and max again above the full mark as the holder is snapped off (new one in the Ash tray) and the dipstick sits further inside the sump than it should. 

Here is the correct 'full' level.

 

20190213_213901.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

The Audi FB page results say take the under tray off and use a long screw driver to reach the bonnet catches each side. 

It’s only one side that’s done it.

i might feign ignorance and send it for an mot to my friendly garage. Actually, I’ll probably tell them beforehand.

But then the undertray won’t catch the leaks on the test and they’ll advisory me 🤣

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

The 3rd brake light was held in with paper when I got it but I never could get it properly secured.

The water is coming in behind the number plate as someone cut a hole there to access the boot lock mechanism many years before I got it. I just put the gaffa tape back and ignored it. 

The rocker cover gasket has a historic leak but as the undertray caught it from dripping on my drive, I left it. 

No idea on the bonnet catch, I had it open every week to check fluids and it was fine.

Speaking of which, the level on the dipstick should be the same distance between min and max again above the full mark as the holder is snapped off (new one in the Ash tray) and the dipstick sits further inside the sump than it should. 

Here is the correct 'full' level.

 

20190213_213901.jpg

I think the fittings are shot. The plastic screw thread has snapped.

I’m going to get an eBay led light bar and wire that behind in place of the knackered bulb unit I think.

£6 versus £200!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...