DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 As you may have read in the 'Can we save this?' thread, the answer was 'Yes we can!' Someone on this forum who wishes to remain nameless, fronted the cash to rescue this little Mazda from certain doom at the hands of a banger racer. I've taken custody of the car, but will make sure they get their money back as soon as is physically possible. Perhaps once it's running right, I'll look at some sort of roffle to find it a new home and pay back what it owes me and them. Although it had been sitting 5 years or so, it went through an MOT, so that's a good start. Known faults. - Alternator is kaput. Shouldn't be too hard to find a refurbished one. Presume battery knackered too. - Wheel bearing grumbling. - Running like crap. Will replace fuel and vacuum pipes and add fuel filter. Then perhaps a carb strip down and rebuild. Aisan 980 carb as far as i know, same as the Toyota was, - Flat tyre. It's currently sitting outside with a flat battery and no fuel, so that's not a good start! As I have very little talent, time or money, and suggestions / help greatly appreciated. These are the pictures I have so far - looks good but it's a lot more dull in real life... Scruffy Bodger, AnthonyG, djim and 20 others 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 We’re going thru something similar with this A Sao Penza - basically the same car. Laid up since the 90’s, it’s still running like poo, although it’s gently easing back to life. straight after its MOT it shat it’s cam belt, but it is non interference, so other than a nuisance- no harm done. despite a full tank flush, it still needs new fuel squirting into the carb for a cold start, and it’s power is quite low. I’m guessing varnish etc, which will clear with proper use. Good luck with yours, be interested to hear. Jim Bergerac, DoctorRetro, GrumpyCat and 23 others 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Cool wheel trims, I like those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Yes, they’re coming off soon, as I’m unlikely ever to find a replacement “ Sao” wheeltrim! Too rare to risk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserone Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Nigel, just in case there was any doubt, you are a complete and absolute winner. That's awesome. 323saving also awesome, Doc, just not quite on the same scale as resurrection of a defunct badging exercise. egg and Burnside 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Not down to me really, but a young aficionado who hunted it down - then decdied he didn’t want it! Too much work Anyway, it’s roadworthy now, and I might tax it when next back home. Heres the badges... as found:- Dick Longbridge, michael t, egg and 11 others 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs6C Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I'd be tempted to change its fluids, plugs and belts as well, before any real driving commences. Five years of standing around and an unknown service history don't bode well for everything being fit for use! Top job on rescuing it! :-) Burnside, mrbenn, DoctorRetro and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispian_J_Hotson Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Get a crook lock on that now. Well saved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbenn Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 The spirit of Autoshite is strong in here. Very well saved! Looking forward to seeing how you get on. Burnside 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelandeth Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 If she's been sitting for ages, you might find the alternator brushes have just stuck in their carriers. Worth giving it a smack with a hammer to see if they can be shocked free. Nothing to lose if it's otherwise knackered... LightBulbFun and DoctorRetro 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sierraman Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 A Sao Penza. Is that the sole survivor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 This thread is likely to be hijacked by the Penza!! Is there a separate Penza thread? Have I missed it? That car is truly the holy grail of Autoshite! The doctor, well saved. I’m in for a few random tickets when the inevitable happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 15 minutes ago, brownnova said: This thread is likely to be hijacked by the Penza!! Is there a separate Penza thread? Have I missed it? That car is truly the holy grail of Autoshite! The doctor, well saved. I’m in for a few random tickets when the inevitable happens. I know, it appears it has been overshadowed by the Penza. I'll hold you to that roffle commitment, although the price of tickets is dependent on what I have to spend on it... somewhatfoolish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread DoctorRetro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 3 minutes ago, nigel bickle said: Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread But please do butt back in with a Penza thread.... Pleeeese mister! I’d love to hear Penza updates! NorthernMonkey, Burnside and timolloyd 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownnova Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 14 minutes ago, TheDoctor said: I'll hold you to that roffle commitment, although the price of tickets is dependent on what I have to spend on it... Happy to be held to it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 7 minutes ago, nigel bickle said: Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread It's cool, glad to see it surviving. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernMonkey Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, brownnova said: But please do butt back in with a Penza thread.... Pleeeese mister! I’d love to hear Penza updates! Here here....it’s one of those cars that I’d totally forgot ever existed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Datsuncog Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Yeesh, bit of a rollercoaster ride with this one, TheDoctor! That was a close one - glad to see your persistence was rewarded. Here's hoping the recommissioning process is fairly painless; looks like you've a few pointers anyway to get it running properly again. I understand Mazdas of this era are nice enough little things to live with, so with a little luck a sympathetic home can be found for this one. Just weird that they still generate zero interest and rock-bottom prices, still. LightBulbFun and Burnside 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Brought some fresh fuel back with me, and positioned the Rover ready for jump starting duties. Once there was some juice flowing, it fired right up. Runs like a bag of crap, but more like a misfire than fuel related. Pulling the leads off one by one found a culprit, as pulling off cylinder 3 lead made no difference - except the electric shock I got off it. When I dropped it, it was arcing out of the side of the lead and I found a split. It sat there idling roughly for a while, until I disconnected the Rover, and it died. Engine looks very oily, suspect rocker gasket. Left the car looking sorry for itself with its flat tyre,but spare is both flat and bald. Will upload a video of it running soon, if it worked. Amishtat, dave j, Dick Longbridge and 18 others 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrabbieRonnie Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 Death Row-ver... Still capable of delivering life to a less fortunate vehicle! Awesome work Doc, with saving it and giving it a chance, big well done from me. LightBulbFun, DoctorRetro, Dick Longbridge and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 There you go. Clumsy footage and it sounds way worse on video than it does in real life CGSB, Ohdearme, LightBulbFun and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Forgot to add, this has central locking and electric windows - the luxury! Mrs6C, egg, somewhatfoolish and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrabbieRonnie Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I have a Trabant... the Mazda sounds pretty good! I'm sure a set of leads will make a big difference though. LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnthonyG Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 If the running issue is fixed by a new set of leads that’s a major win all round. Good to see it saved - is the body as rust free as it looks? Current Mazda could learn some lessons about rust-proofing from 1988 Mazda if it is!! LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strangeangel Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 That's a good start Doc, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 47 minutes ago, AnthonyG said: If the running issue is fixed by a new set of leads that’s a major win all round. Good to see it saved - is the body as rust free as it looks? Current Mazda could learn some lessons about rust-proofing from 1988 Mazda if it is!! Rust free? Let me elaborate with pictures. It was raining, sorry, so I was in a rush. puddlethumper, andy18s, Burnside and 8 others 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorRetro Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 Took some interior pics while hiding from the rain... Mmm. Grey... Love this little switch Electric tilt/slide sunroof!? 4 electric windows?! Pretty low miles. MOT was a squeeze.. greengartside, Burnside, LightBulbFun and 16 others 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Longbridge Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I'd definitely be up for a roffle ticket. So glad you helped it escape the fork lift prongs. Burnside, BeEP, 500tops and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave j Posted June 10, 2019 Share Posted June 10, 2019 I wonder if electrical tape on the lead would help? Could be worth a shot as it won't cost anything... if you have already got tape! LightBulbFun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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