Further SVM non-Volvo shennanigans. SPONSORED BY LUCAS CAV

[davidfowler2000]

Edit: This is longer than initially anticipated.

As some will have noticed, Mr cms206 of this parish reckons the death knell for the SVM is close with his recent purchase of a Saab. Going with the fact I still have a 100% Volvo fleet, as does Mr rml2345 of this parish I would personally say it's just diversification. Especially considering the amount of non Volvos cms206 has had these days.

This aforementioned diversification continues a pace. Although the paperwork still needs to be done, I have some non Volvo incoming.

Background:
My aunt got the above pictured 205 back in about 2002 and ran it for about 3 years. By her accounts she put it in the lockup, got a Nissan Almera for whatever reason and basically put the 205 in to the long term deal with pile. It was initially SORN on the blue log book. Back when there was a theft of blue V5s at Swansea and everyone in the country got sent one of the new red ones, one never arrived for the 205 and after that it was properly forgetten about. Well she did. I've been keeping it in my mind every day since then. During a discussion over my birthday dinner a few weeks ago, she mentioned that she was going to pay the gardener she gets in to trim the trees to break in to the lockup because the padlock had rusted solid and she was desperate to use the space in the lockup. I said I'd do it free if I could assess the car. If it was completely fucked, it would have to get dragged out and put on a truck to go to the scrap heap. If I could get it moving, I would make it a project.

Next day - 18th January:

Time to break open the padlock then. Big screwdriver through the hasp and burst it within 3 seconds. Now to have a look at the car. It's dirty, 3 tyres are flat, one of them creased and the 4th is still at about 10psi. After FIFTEEN YEARS! A gentle rock confirms suspicions that all the wheels are locked so time to get all the wheels off and set about the brakes with a big swing press.
The back wheels moved eventually. Judicious use the big hammer, two wheel bolts reinserted and a breaker bar as a lever got the back wheels turning. While the wheels were off I thought I'd see if they held air.

  

All 4 tyres held 35psi. None of them appear to be cracked and the rubber is still "soft" to the scrape of a finger nail. Lack of sunlight attacking them I suppose but it'll get 4 new ones if it becomes roadworthy.

After doing the back wheels, the front wheels quickly proved they could be a major problem. I took the calipers, pads and discs completely off the car and even with 2 wheel studs inserted and using the 3/4 drive breaker bar with an extra foot of length over the 1/2 bar, neither wheel / shaft would turn. So either the bearings had seized, the CV joints in the driveshafts had seized or something very sinister was happening inside the gearbox. By this time it was getting dark and cold so time to put it all away for another day.

Another day - 24th January:
Various discussions were had on the Scotoshite WhatsApp chat and the end result being Mr 320Touring of this parish agreed to come round for a shufty. He was wanting to check up on another car in a lockup only a mile or so away so it was a no brainer.
As before, front wheels off, bar on the wheel bolts... nothing. What to do next? We need to use the car's own power to try to free off whatever is seized on the front wheels but the car is nose in to the lockup so we can't get jump leads to it. We need to drag it out but we don't have a tow rope however we manage to find what appears to be a self tightening dog collar / leash in the car and decide to cue MAXIMUM SKETCHINESS!!!

A gentle tug from the ML of doom proved the NSF wheel is tight but not seized however the OSF is not moving. Fuck it... drag it while pushing from the front. If we need to shove it back in there's an old tyre in a pile of rubbish waiting to get uplifted by the council that can act as a cushion and the ML will do the job no bother. We also took the front brake discs off to minimise any drag from those.

We decided to drag it out just enough to get my jump leads on to the battery. We had already taken the battery out to try it on the leads outside the car. Surprise surprise* it was so dead it had gone open circuit so there was absolutely no magic pixies flowing in to it. Luckily I had an old battery from the 740 that was the same size so that was obtained, inserted and then put to work. Time to leave it to charge for a wee bit.

Now that we've got some electricity going from the ML in to the 205 it's time to see what will happen. Thanks to Mr Touring for providing the videos...

 

 

 

 

At one point we were vexed by the daft French screw on battery terminals

We were getting a bit desperate by this point. We used quite a lot of "easy start" and the amount of electricity was causing problems.

We took a break at this point for 10 mins or so. Mainly to make sure we didn't get too frustrated but also to make sure the maximum possible amount of electricity was in the actual battery so that the leads were just there as a boost. This was clearly a good idea...

Learning from all the antics of the last 15 mins or so we left it for another 5 mins. Using a clamp meter we let it get to the point that almost no electricity was flowing in the leads and therefore an almost complete charge and spraying the "easy start" ahead of time, results were finally had...

YAY! MUCH ELATION! Oh and that old diesel stinks. Time to get the leads off, move the ML and let the 205 tick over for a few minutes to let the engine settle. Next we found out why the front wheels were not for turning...

So yeah. All the CV Joints were completely solid. But anyways it was mission accomplished for the day. We got it moving and a general once over suggests that it should be easily salvageable therefore if auntie wants the space in the lockup, it's going to have to go somewhere. Time to put it back in and wrap up for the day.

Thanks to 320 Touring in assistance. The list of work is substantial but not insurmountable. It needs - a battery, front discs, front pads, front calipers, front lower arms, front driveshafts, possibly bearings, rear drums, rear shoes, rear fitting kit, probably handbrake cables, flexi hoses all round, 4 new tyres, 3 of the 4 doors don't work properly, a water leak at the water pump but that can get done with a new cam belt, probably a thermostat, engine oil, filters all round, fresh fuel, a good clean, handbrake light, oil pressure light and a rear screenwash leak inside the tailgate.
Oh and a sidelight bulb...

Interim time:
Lockup secured in Cumbernauld.
Car transporter trailer booked for Wed 12th Feb to move it. The V70 will do the honours.

Another bit of tinkering - 4th February

So it has been agreed the V5 will be transferred in to my name. With an impending trailer move, I thought I'd go back and have another look at things and reassemble the front brakes. I've already installed a new battery so it can be started without the need for leads and it does so quite happily even though the fuel coming from the tank smells like paint. I drove it about in circles for 5 - 10 mins to free up the CV joints and scrape the rust off the brake discs. I also did some straight line tests pulling away in 2nd which seemed to free up the turbo actuator.

I also found the radio code so I got that working but you'll have to take my word on it 'cos YouTube will just give me a copyright flag.

I shall leave this one here just now. Not much will happen for a while. There will of course be the drama of the trailer move but once it's in the lockup a plan of action will need to be drawn up. A sensible first course will be, I think, to find someone who will give it a once over for MoT viability before any new parts are obtained. All the obvious stuff should be easily DIYable but I don't know what lurks underneath. Some things like the timing belt and water pump will be paid for but the rest will just get picked away at in due course.

I also found some period souvenir parking tickets...

---ENDS---

[320touring]

This was a Braw day out - good for the soul!

When it fired it was pure elation - like we had discovered fire or something:)

It's a cracking wee car, and should make a most excellent conveyance once suitable tinkering has been undertaken.

Also props to the ML for being gentle enough to tow it out without snapping the dog collar, and for providing battery charging duties.

Special mention to Maw_Flowers for the much appreciated cup of coffee at the end of the shift.

 

If I could figure out how to do this full time and pay my bills I would. Felt like an internal combustion version of Tony Robinson!

[beko1987]

Very Adequate

[hairnet]

does maw_flowlers partake of volvo also??

nice one

can you send some of your enthusiasm to cannock for that racechaser blerk for his french shitta please

faile gu alba

 

[skattrd]

Nice work chaps, easy on the throttle with an engine that hasn't been run on nigh on 20 years Mr_Flower.

 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Worthy save fellas. The old girl definitely deserves to see tarmac again. Makes me miss my old phase 1 306 D Turbot in diablo red, which I assume was also XUD. Certainly had the same note to it. 

Interested to see the next installment!

[320touring]

7 minutes ago, skattrd said:

Nice work chaps, easy on the throttle with an engine that hasn't been run on nigh on 20 years Mr_Flower.

 

Fuu'shoe, or fuck aaff:)

Seriously though, it was needed to stop it conking out - essentially running on cold varnish.

 

Sounded much happier once warmed up!

[Six-cylinder]

I absolutely love that, it fits in so well with my love for small Citroens.

According to Glass’s guide Turbo D cost £10,346 in 1992 and Jul 92 they were then discontinued in favour of GRTD that cost £10,185 and in Aug 1993 Sceptre Turbo D was introduced that only cost £9370.

Some years ago I did own a 205 GRD, I was at an auction standing by it and the price stalled so I put my hand up and it was mine. Turned out to be a good car in spite of never really looking at it.

[davidfowler2000]

14 minutes ago, skattrd said:

Nice work chaps, easy on the throttle with an engine that hasn't been run on nigh on 20 years Mr_Flower.

 

If you watch the video very closely and keep your eye on the throttle linkage... the throttle position was at idle and it kept revving. Probably because all the injection pump internals not having proper lubrication in 15 years. I'll be hoying a 5L can of modern fuel in the tank in before it gets trailered to Cumbernauld to try and liven up the mixture a bit. It bloody reeks as it is.

[seacow]

That is bloody fantastic - well in!  Fantastic motors these what a gem!

[BorniteIdentity]

Great story. Great work! 

[loserone]

Phwaorrr.  

[BL Bloke]

Great to see it brought back to life. ?

[Jim Bell]

Outstanding work. They're rare enough to see now so it's class to see this one emerging from the gloom. 

I've always fancied one but you just never see them for sale in good order these days. 

[brownnova]

Brilliant!!! There’s no better feeling than when the car fires for the first time! Looking forward to further updates! 

[Craig the Princess]

Love it. The wee videos really add to it ?

[Noel Tidybeard]

[yes oui si]

Brilliant stuff

[wuvvum]

Superb.  I do love me a turbodizzle 205.  Looks like this is going to be a labour of love getting back on the road, but it'll be worth it.

[davidfowler2000]

I don't reckon it'll be TOO bad. If I can find a tester that's mental enough, I may just put it through an MoT to get a fail sheet to work from.

[320touring]

My chaps would test it no bother, and not too far from where you'll be billeting it

[HillmanImp]

I need to get out more. Logged on and saw the avatar... .

... and realised DavidFowler had commented and excitedly went straight for it as I knew it would be good. Not dissatisfied. 

[davidfowler2000]

 

1 minute ago, 320touring said:

My chaps would test it no bother, and not too far from where you'll be billeting it

Sounds like an plan. Priority #1 is to get it shifted. Priority #2 is to get the V70 serviced in preparation for it going to Fort William at the end of the month. It'll go to Voltech in Bridgeton 'cos I want the gearbox oil doing and it needs to be hooked up to the Volvo computer to do it properly. Fucking moderns.
With the trailer hire at £47 a day from Stirling it's going to be fairly cheap to shuffle the 205 every now and then until it get itself more roadworthy.

Just now, HillmanImp said:

I need to get out more. Logged on and saw the avatar... .

... and realised DavidFowler had commented and excitedly went straight for it as I knew it would be good. Not dissatisfied. 

Heh. hehehehehehehehehehehe. I may not post very often but I make sure it's good when I do.

[dome]

22 hours ago, davidfowler2000 said:

I don't reckon it'll be TOO bad. If I can find a tester that's mental enough, I may just put it through an MoT to get a fail sheet to work from.

Definitely the way to do it. Always good to get a second, professional opinion. I've got fixated with fixing/improving things and been caught out with other things i'd missed. Get it running with minimal expense and chuck it in to see where it's at.

Be aware you only get 10 days for the retest though, you might end up rushing to get bits ordered/fitted like I did with the exploder

[davidfowler2000]

Wednesday 12/02/2020

So 7 days on the trot at work finishing with two backshifts. What's the best thing to do when you come home absolutely humped? That's right straight to bed, up earlier than normal and go get a trailer to move a car. Trailer booked, as mentioned previously, for hire. £47 a day with insurance from Stirling Trailer Centre is pretty decent.

The SVM Industries Eco* Friendly* turbo staff car will be doing the work today. It has a detachable towbar from the factory which is pretty nifty. The V5 states the max braked towing weight of the car is 2000KG but I've read somewhere the detachable towbar is only rated at 1800KG. Still, a ~600KG trailer with a (maximum) 980KG car should not pose any issues.

Time to head to East Kilbride where the car is located. First stop is MAW_df2k to pick up the car key for the 205 and the lockup key. Also have lunch of some sort 'cos I've had bugger all to eat and it's currently snowing.

The 205's not far away. Other side of the street in fact in a lockup round the back of some houses, down a lane. There was more parked cars than I would have ideally liked but I did manage to get it turned in the space available.

Right time to dig out the 205 and load it up...

     

  

Load complete. Next stop is my new lockup in Cumbernauld about a 30 min drive away at sensible speeds given the weights involved and the weather. Estimated weight of the trailer and the 205 is about 1600KG and the car is about 2050KG with a driver so estimated train weight is 3650KG so that definitely requires a B+E license. 300bhp on tap and all wheel drive should keep things safe in the snow too. A trip down the A725 towards the motorway is the first order of business and even driving at 50mph until I get the feel for the trailer, I was still being held up but idiots driving at 45mph on a 60mph dual carriageway. Anyways I pull off at the last slip before the motorway to do a strap check.

  

Everything's fine so it's onwards to Cumbernauld with my new rear outlook. I decide to forego the M74 / M73 route just for something different so it's further up the A725 / A8 / M73. The highlight of the journey definitely being hearing the prolonged T6 roar going uphill on the slip from Baillieston Interchange to the M73.

Cumbernauld achieved. Time to get everything unloaded again...

     

All done. Time to put it away until the weather gets better and I can do something about it. First course of action will be to sling it in for an MoT so I can get a fail sheet to work from but that can all be dealt with another day so time to button up, take the trailer back and head home.

Home achieved. Time for a well deserved tea and Kit Kat. Oh aye... mind how I said 2 of the doors wouldn't close, that issue was resolved* before transit.

[yes oui si]

I drove my montego with the front passenger door cable tied to the rear offside door for about three months. Not a bodge tbh. 

[chaseracer]

Maister Flower, I have discovered my 205 workshop manuels; one is the HBoL for the Peugeot diesel engine (inc. turbo), the other is the Porter 205 service guide.

Would you like them?

[320touring]

Excellent stuff:)

[davidfowler2000]

23 minutes ago, chaseracer said:

Maister Flower, I have discovered my 205 workshop manuels; one is the HBoL for the Peugeot diesel engine (inc. turbo), the other is the Porter 205 service guide.

Would you like them?

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Ta.

[chaseracer]

They be yours, fren ?