Laguna escapades **CHEEKY BUGGERS 23/03**

[Dan_ZTT]

I haven't tested this theory, but I've seen it suggested that the regular kind, like this;
 

 

Are much better than the fancy kind, like this;

 

 

 

 

Apparently the red ball thingy doesn't dissolve as easily as the rest of it, guess you don't want that bouncing round your cooling system.

 

 

Probably doesn't make any real difference though

[Twiggy]

"Heroic" is the most appropriate word to describe this collection ! ! !

[320touring]

I haven't tested this theory, but I've seen it suggested that the regular kind, like this;

 

 

Are much better than the fancy kind, like this;

 

 

 

 

Apparently the red ball thingy doesn't dissolve as easily as the rest of it, guess you don't want that bouncing round your cooling system.

 

 

Probably doesn't make any real difference though

The red ball pops out;)

[fatharris]

I got a pair of hours before MrsHs alarm woke me up and I couldn't drop off.

 

So, I took the Laguna to the shops. Only bought some coffee beans, mind.

 

 

Finished work early, so I popped to the car club and decided to have a quick going over of the new steed.

 

 

First up with no picture, the boot would only be opened if you lifted and pressed the release button at the same time. Quick adjust of the rubber bump stops and that was back to normal.

 

Next up, investigate the suspected blowing backbox. Quickly deduced that it wasn't the back box as it was practically brand new - still had visible writing on it.

 

So I followed the pipe and bingo:

 

 

Nice easy fix, that.

 

Next, investigate the pull to the left when breaking. Checked the pads and discs:

 

 

Not great, but not the cause of the issue. Found a broken wire for the pad wear sensor too.

 

 

Next up, the thumping engine when the throttle used. Another win.

 

 

Whilst underneath, the swing arm Bush's were checked for play - they do, but no big rush.

 

 

Next job on the list was investigating the alleged poor fuel consumption. It has done fantastically so far (I filled up at the start of the journey and I've still got half a tank left), although Rob was saying he only got around 32-30.

 

 

This culprit was the cause, the output of the fuel filter was leaking ever so slightly, so if left alone for two weeks to sit, it could lose quite a lot over that time. So a replacement filter should see that leak stop.

 

No photos, but the radiator and heater matrix were bled, to nil effect. Noticed the cooling fans didn't operate although the temp, slightly elevated, was still within normal limits.

 

And that's it! It's actually quite a small list so I'm feeling confident.

 

 

Cheers!

[GrumpiusMaximus]

We all know that the reason for Rob's poor fuel consumption is because he drives like a madman.

 

How brilliant that you have access to a ramp!

[fatharris]

Yeah, I finally pulled my finger out and re-joined the car club at work so I have access to ramps and some decent tooling for those awkward jobs like changing the spring. £30/yr and it's worth every penny.

[Eddie Honda]

I don't own a dishwasher, so I'll have to buy some specially. Is there a 'stand out' automotive use brand?

Just buy a sack of citric acid powder and a sack of sodium bicarbonate. Thousands of cleaning uses round the home (and garage).

 

10% citric acid mix for descaling. 5% sodium bicarbonate degreasing. ( https://cdn2.ms-motorservice.com/fileadmin/media/MAM/PDF_Assets/Cleaning-of-Engine-Cooling-System_51423.pdf ) hexchemonline.co.uk (or their Amazon / Ebay shops)

 

(I must get some in sometime. I'm still working my way through 20L of Isopropyl alcohol)

 

 

(small quantities are available)

 

[RobT]

You're getting my chod mixed up dude! 30-32 is from the Impreza. I did find this to be good on fuel, albeit I only covered around 90 miles in it. Must be a big tank if you did 300 miles on half, although being French the gauge could be telling porkies.

[fatharris]

Ah, thank fuck, I was panicking otherwise!

 

EDIT: Book says 66 litres and I popped 60-ish in yesterday without the fuel light being on so I guess that's about right.

[Supernaut]

Is it just running really cool so not providing much heat? I.e. thermostat stuck open?

[Isaac Hunt]

Just buy a sack of citric acid powder and a sack of sodium bicarbonate. Thousands of cleaning uses round the home (and garage).

 

10% citric acid mix for descaling. 5% sodium bicarbonate degreasing. ( https://cdn2.ms-motorservice.com/fileadmin/media/MAM/PDF_Assets/Cleaning-of-Engine-Cooling-System_51423.pdf ) hexchemonline.co.uk (or their Amazon / Ebay shops)

 

(I must get some in sometime. I'm still working my way through 20L of Isopropyl alcohol)

 (small quantities are available)

 

Is that TATA Sodium Bi-carb Jaguar approved Bi-carb ?. I'm sure I read that there wiz concern over use of dishwasher tabs in aluminium engines, but suppose it might depends on how long you leave it in. I'd disolve the fecker in boiling water and pour it in in liquid form.

[Guest]

Citric acid works a treat with choked matrix- had proper sucess with a 190D with next to no flow. Helps if you can swap the hoses round which backflushes it, then after a few days, get both pipes off and get a garden hose down one then the other to blow all the crud out.

[fatharris]

Is it just running really cool so not providing much heat? I.e. thermostat stuck open?

Temperature gauge is bang on during normal running and it's not using excessive fuel so I reckon the stat is fine

[Eddie Honda]

Is that TATA Sodium Bi-carb Jaguar approved Bi-carb ?. I'm sure I read that there wiz concern over use of dishwasher tabs in aluminium engines, but suppose it might depends on how long you leave it in. I'd disolve the fecker in boiling water and pour it in in liquid form.

Just dinnae go mad with the concentration and flush like mad afterwards

[dollywobbler]

Just fill it with cheap cola and leave it overnight. Sorted. Was amazed at the difference on my Bluebird. From zero heat to really quite cosy.

 

Have you recovered from the trip sufficiently to discuss the last bit? How did you cope with closed roads or were they unclosed by then?

[Dan_ZTT]

Citric acid works a treat with choked matrix- had proper sucess with a 190D with next to no flow. Helps if you can swap the hoses round which backflushes it, then after a few days, get both pipes off and get a garden hose down one then the other to blow all the crud out.

Swapping the hoses round is a clever idea, might have to give that a go

[fatharris]

Just fill it with cheap cola and leave it overnight. Sorted. Was amazed at the difference on my Bluebird. From zero heat to really quite cosy.

 

Have you recovered from the trip sufficiently to discuss the last bit? How did you cope with closed roads or were they unclosed by then?

Cola is a good shout actually, be good to replace the chocolate milkshake that currently appears to occupy the expansion tank.

 

Oh yes, the second half of the journey.

 

I was actually quite lucky in regard of my friends at work who found the entire escapade hilarious, they were constantly feeding me information on what roads were shut and the weather state as I went along.

 

The A30 from the M5 had quite publicly become a car park as over a hundred motorists had abandoned their vehicles for refuge in a local Inn.

 

My priority was to avoid areas involving steep inclines (up or down), especially up, as that's when naive (stupid) people get stuck, bringing the whole thing to a halt. I had several options available to me, but at that time of night, the travel news websites were slow to update and react, and my navigation apps were proving to be useless too.

 

I headed for the A303, on the basis that I had offers of accommodation from friends and family on that road should the shit really hit the fan, plus if there did end up being a blocked road, there were plenty of back roads I could try my luck on to get past it.

 

London and the first hour or so of travelling was not too bad, snow was falling but not settling, but after that it was coming down thick and fast, particularly after Amesbury on the A303. I deliberately pulled into lay-bys when anyone else was near so they were far from me and my non-ABS wonder wagon.

 

I ended up taking the A303 to Taunton then the M5 instead of the A30 as it simply has a lot less steep inclines, there's a particularly long one with a sweeping bend at the bottom which I didn't fancy tackling.

 

Once I got on the M5, the gritters and ploughs had done a fantastic job of keeping the road as clear as they could in the circumstances, and I chose to take the A38 through Plymouth which had pretty much melted by then and I joined the A30.

 

The A30 was a hairier experience, as it had recieved minimal traffic due to the blockage up the line along with more snow fall. That blockage was starting to ease and I ended up joining the A30 at the same time as around two dozen wankers who felt the need to tailgate me during controlled descents. I eventually pulled in and let them past.

 

Getting onto the driveway at home was tricky, as I live at the bottom of two rather steep hills which do not get gritted and sections of it were sheet ice, so I simply went down in 1st at as low a speed as possible. Thankfully in the whole journey, I only slid/lost my steering position once, during the A303.

 

TL : DR - M25, M3, A303, M5, A38, A30. t'was scary shit, y0. Laguna did brilliantly.

 

[fatharris]

Not much news to report here, the Laguna has been absolutely fine so far, the only downside is the rear seatbelt doesn't fit our child seat, it's about six inches short! Luckily it fits the seat base so it's fine when MrsH takes over the car.

 

Today was a quick job.

 

 

Thankfully at nil extra cost. I noticed that the original stereo was Philips, which was also the OE stereo supplier for Rover, which had an aftermarket stereo in that we wanted.

 

We had an aftermarket Philips stereo in the garage which fit the Rover OE connections and freed up the ISO adapter for the Renault to use the stereo we wanted, so both cars now have aftermarket stereos in the right places at absolutely zero cost.

 

This defunct bit is no longer needed though.

 

 

Got it out but there was a section of the loom trapped, so I cut it out either side and left a small section in.

 

 

And that's your lot, the next to come out will be the phone cradle when I can be arsed and when it's warmer

[RochdalePioneers]

Always thought they were a very smart looking car. Not sure I would have wanted to acquaint myself with one now via a 300 mile drive through a snowy night...!

 

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[320touring]

Always thought they were a very smart looking car. Not sure I would have wanted to acquaint myself with one now via a 300 mile drive through a snowy night...!

 

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Quite the opposite - was a good chance for faith building:)

[stilo_active]

Epic collection thread M9. Will have to pop over at some point and check out the new steed.

[fatharris]

Three things happened yesterday.

 

1. It started juddering/misfiring for about thirty seconds when full throttle was applied. No warning lights, and hasn't come back since.

 

2. I filled it up for the first time since London. 38MPG, which is pretty good considering it spent a long time idling yesterday to demistthe inside.

 

3. I washed it, and learned how to lightpaint for the first time.

 

Had the perfect subject to practise on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've never tried it before and I'm sure I have made mistakes but I immensely enjoyed it

[loserone]

That's awesome. Know what I'm looking up over the weekend

[yes oui si]

That's awesome. Know what I'm looking up over the weekend

Midget DVDA?

[fatharris]

Handover complete.

 

MrsH's verdict?

 

 

Rover will be cleaned and ready for Roffle tomorrow.

[beko1987]

Didn't know it was lhd?

[Split_Pin]

Brilliant efforts on the lightpainting there!

[Slartibartfast]

That lightpainting is great, especially for a first attempt. What camera did you use?

[fatharris]

The photos were taken on a D7100 with a 50mm lens. Did use an 18-200 zoom for this shot though.

 

 

More photos of both on my Flickr account https://flic.kr/p/SrZkvC

[RochdalePioneers]

That shot of the right hand tail lights and Laguna badge - you sure that's not out of the brochure? That is truly *excellent*

 

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