Fabergé Greggs: Xsara won’t start and it’s all my fault

[Talbot]

9 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

Hello my little friend. 

 

[Fabergé Greggs]

I had a little bit of workshop time tonight but not much energy, so I popped the cowls on and took this for a spin to grab some food. It's pretty damn sweet to be zooming about but we're not quite there yet. In summary of where we're at: 

• I need to sort an alarm and a chunky lock. 
• I need to do a bit more legshield repair 
• I'd like to swap the tubeless rims over from my LML that have nice fresh michelins on
• It handles like shit. The previous owner has put a really stiff rear shock on, which in combination with the hilariously soft and dive-prone suspension geometry at the front creates some remarkably bad vibes. Even so much as touching the front break causes the suspension to bottom out, and we're not even talking about a front brake that is in any way effective either.  Ok maybe fine for a 70's shopping trolly, but I think we can do better...
• Keen readers may remember that I have a set of forks from a later PK125 which is the upgrade of choice for these: much much better geometry. They need a steering stop fabricating and some modifications to the mudguard mount which will no doubt all amount to way more faff that anticipated. 
• Keen readers may also remember that I have a spare set of engine cases from an LML. Whilst in its current state this is perfectly usable, for an outlay of £300 or so on a cylinder kit & crank we'd be looking at an engine that would be kocking on the door of 20hp versus 8hp at the moment.. hmm... better sort those forks first eh? 

 

 

 

 

[Fabergé Greggs]

Due to the recent tinkering with the LML, all the electrics are working perfectly. 

When all the electrics work perfectly on an LML it's advisable to take it to the MOT station IMMEDIATELY because you have about 5 minutes before one of the indicators stops working. 

I must have made it with a minute to spare, because this morning the ministry man said 

Love this little guy ❤️

[Fabergé Greggs]

A couple of weeks back I sold the Vanvan. It was ultimately too soulless, slow and modern. 

I was messaged on facebook by a woman who had a slightly scammy vibe- glamour profile pic, weird "i will commit to buy now if you agree with my price" sort of messages. I agreed in a price and she then said she'd like to view it. No probs I said and we arranged a time. About an hour from the appointment, I got a call from some dude from a motorcycle dealers saying "hi, I'm coming to view your bike". I said that I thought it was weird that they use personal facebook profiles to do their buying to which he made some noncommittal excuse. He was pretty honest that he was going to spend some cash on it and then retail it in a showroom for £2300 to some hipster or other. He then phoned me an hour later to say he'd got his sums wrong to the tune of £100 and could I knock £50 off to split his loss between us to which I replied "hell no m8".

All in all they made what should have been a slick and painless transaction into one that was a bit smarmy, dishonest and annoying. Something tells me they're new to the game. Anyway, bye bye Vanvan. 

On to the Vespa: 

I was at a low ebb with this, 90% done but too many weekends spent in the cold skinning my knuckles and dropping washers into gearboxes, to the extent that I just felt like selling it and never looking at it ever again. It was close, but thanks to the support of others I just thought to heck with finishing the last 10% and put it into regular use. JUST WHAT I NEEDED. All the things that I'd been stressing about just melted away and I was able to appreciate it for what it is. Usually I'm painfully aware of its dynamic shortcomings in comparison to the later LML, but by just jumping on and using it for a couple of weeks all that disappeared and I was able to just appreciate it for what it is, a scruffy yet delightful and thoroughly useable 51 year old vehicle with looks to melt the coldest of hearts. 

Anyway, onto by far the most exciting development: this morning I did a dreamy cycle to Kings Cross. (Brompton 2 speed Titanium for the pedalheads amongst you- I got lucky and bought it for an absolute song during the last lockdown). I used to pour scorn on them, but now I use this practically every day and couldn't imagine life without one. 

I spotted this, which was auspicious: 

Then shortly afterwards I spotted one for @marm

Anyway, train boarded and disembarked, followed by a cycle through some delightful flatlands with a comical arctic headwind THE ENTIRE WAY. 

I then had a cup of tea and a natter with @BeEP , checked out his lovely workshop and amazing collection of prime chod. 

One icon of British engineering was folded into another. 

An absolutely delightful journey ensued, taking my sweet time back to London away from the motorways. 

 

I think I was prepared to be charmed by this, but what I wasn't prepared for is just how capable it is- the cabin is spacious and airy with a nice heater to keep your feet warm while you dangle your elbow into the spring breeze. The ride is noticeably smoother than anything else I've driven from that era, and the a-series has that lovely torquey pull from low revs with surprisingly crisp throttle response. Before too long we were acquainted enough to enjoy the fine handling on Essex's numerous roundabouts. 

 

I've done homeward journeys before that are fun but fraught, this was fun in an instantly relaxing way. 

Safely home I can't help but have a warm fuzzy feeling that my current daily driver fleet of Vespa and Morris have a ULEZ-busting, tax evading,  MOT exempt, combined age of 105  😇

Many many thanks are due to @BeEP for thorough MOT prep and for being a general "spirit of autoshite" award winner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ETCHY]

Lovely, really lovely.

Well bought.

 

[R1152]

That seemed to be a very popular colour of the period; Ford used it too - "Seafoam Blue"?

My godfather had a D-reg Corsair in that colour.

[Fabergé Greggs]

2 minutes ago, R1152 said:

That seemed to be a very popular colour of the period; Ford used it too - "Seafoam Blue"?

My godfather had a D-reg Corsair in that colour.

Lovely colour innit. Apparently "smoke grey" in BMC land. 

[R1152]

4 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

Lovely colour innit. Apparently "smoke grey" in BMC land. 

Grey? As in "Stroudley's Improved Engine Green"?

But yes - lovely colour, lovely car. Fine purchase.

[LightBulbFun]

30 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

A couple of weeks back I sold the Vanvan. It was ultimately too soulless, slow and modern. 

I was messaged on facebook by a woman who had a slightly scammy vibe- glamour profile pic, weird "i will commit to buy now if you agree with my price" sort of messages. I agreed in a price and she then said she'd like to view it. No probs I said and we arranged a time. About an hour from the appointment, I got a call from some dude from a motorcycle dealers saying "hi, I'm coming to view your bike". I said that I thought it was weird that they use personal facebook profiles to do their buying to which he made some noncommittal excuse. He was pretty honest that he was going to spend some cash on it and then retail it in a showroom for £2300 to some hipster or other. He then phoned me an hour later to say he'd got his sums wrong to the tune of £100 and could I knock £50 off to split his loss between us to which I replied "hell no m8".

All in all they made what should have been a slick and painless transaction into one that was a bit smarmy, dishonest and annoying. Something tells me they're new to the game. Anyway, bye bye Vanvan. 

On to the Vespa: 

I was at a low ebb with this, 90% done but too many weekends spent in the cold skinning my knuckles and dropping washers into gearboxes, to the extent that I just felt like selling it and never looking at it ever again. It was close, but thanks to the support of others I just thought to heck with finishing the last 10% and put it into regular use. JUST WHAT I NEEDED. All the things that I'd been stressing about just melted away and I was able to appreciate it for what it is. Usually I'm painfully aware of its dynamic shortcomings in comparison to the later LML, but by just jumping on and using it for a couple of weeks all that disappeared and I was able to just appreciate it for what it is, a scruffy yet delightful and thoroughly useable 51 year old vehicle with looks to melt the coldest of hearts. 

Anyway, onto by far the most exciting development: this morning I did a dreamy cycle to Kings Cross. (Brompton 2 speed Titanium for the pedalheads amongst you- I got lucky and bought it for an absolute song during the last lockdown). I used to pour scorn on them, but now I use this practically every day and couldn't imagine life without one. 

I spotted this, which was auspicious: 

Then shortly afterwards I spotted one for @marm

Anyway, train boarded and disembarked, followed by a cycle through some delightful flatlands with a comical arctic headwind THE ENTIRE WAY. 

I then had a cup of tea and a natter with @BeEP , checked out his lovely workshop and amazing collection of prime chod. 

One icon of British engineering was folded into another. 

An absolutely delightful journey ensued, taking my sweet time back to London away from the motorways. 

 

I think I was prepared to be charmed by this, but what I wasn't prepared for is just how capable it is- the cabin is spacious and airy with a nice heater to keep your feet warm while you dangle your elbow into the spring breeze. The ride is noticeably smoother than anything else I've driven from that era, and the a-series has that lovely torquey pull from low revs with surprisingly crisp throttle response. Before too long we were acquainted enough to enjoy the fine handling on Essex's numerous roundabouts. 

 

I've done homeward journeys before that are fun but fraught, this was fun in an instantly relaxing way. 

Safely home I can't help but have a warm fuzzy feeling that my current daily driver fleet of Vespa and Morris have a ULEZ-busting, tax evading,  MOT exempt, combined age of 105  😇

Many many thanks are due to @BeEP for thorough MOT prep and for being a general "spirit of autoshite" award winner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oh thats just lovely! 

Awesomely purchased and I look forward to seeing more on it, especially as your in London and using to beat the ULEZ zone  

[Marm Toastsmith]

42 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

A couple of weeks back I sold the Vanvan. It was ultimately too soulless, slow and modern. 

I was messaged on facebook by a woman who had a slightly scammy vibe- glamour profile pic, weird "i will commit to buy now if you agree with my price" sort of messages. I agreed in a price and she then said she'd like to view it. No probs I said and we arranged a time. About an hour from the appointment, I got a call from some dude from a motorcycle dealers saying "hi, I'm coming to view your bike". I said that I thought it was weird that they use personal facebook profiles to do their buying to which he made some noncommittal excuse. He was pretty honest that he was going to spend some cash on it and then retail it in a showroom for £2300 to some hipster or other. He then phoned me an hour later to say he'd got his sums wrong to the tune of £100 and could I knock £50 off to split his loss between us to which I replied "hell no m8".

All in all they made what should have been a slick and painless transaction into one that was a bit smarmy, dishonest and annoying. Something tells me they're new to the game. Anyway, bye bye Vanvan. 

On to the Vespa: 

I was at a low ebb with this, 90% done but too many weekends spent in the cold skinning my knuckles and dropping washers into gearboxes, to the extent that I just felt like selling it and never looking at it ever again. It was close, but thanks to the support of others I just thought to heck with finishing the last 10% and put it into regular use. JUST WHAT I NEEDED. All the things that I'd been stressing about just melted away and I was able to appreciate it for what it is. Usually I'm painfully aware of its dynamic shortcomings in comparison to the later LML, but by just jumping on and using it for a couple of weeks all that disappeared and I was able to just appreciate it for what it is, a scruffy yet delightful and thoroughly useable 51 year old vehicle with looks to melt the coldest of hearts. 

Anyway, onto by far the most exciting development: this morning I did a dreamy cycle to Kings Cross. (Brompton 2 speed Titanium for the pedalheads amongst you- I got lucky and bought it for an absolute song during the last lockdown). I used to pour scorn on them, but now I use this practically every day and couldn't imagine life without one. 

I spotted this, which was auspicious: 

Then shortly afterwards I spotted one for @marm

Anyway, train boarded and disembarked, followed by a cycle through some delightful flatlands with a comical arctic headwind THE ENTIRE WAY. 

I then had a cup of tea and a natter with @BeEP , checked out his lovely workshop and amazing collection of prime chod. 

One icon of British engineering was folded into another. 

An absolutely delightful journey ensued, taking my sweet time back to London away from the motorways. 

 

I think I was prepared to be charmed by this, but what I wasn't prepared for is just how capable it is- the cabin is spacious and airy with a nice heater to keep your feet warm while you dangle your elbow into the spring breeze. The ride is noticeably smoother than anything else I've driven from that era, and the a-series has that lovely torquey pull from low revs with surprisingly crisp throttle response. Before too long we were acquainted enough to enjoy the fine handling on Essex's numerous roundabouts. 

 

I've done homeward journeys before that are fun but fraught, this was fun in an instantly relaxing way. 

Safely home I can't help but have a warm fuzzy feeling that my current daily driver fleet of Vespa and Morris have a ULEZ-busting, tax evading,  MOT exempt, combined age of 105  😇

Many many thanks are due to @BeEP for thorough MOT prep and for being a general "spirit of autoshite" award winner. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very strange. I used to live in the very flat behind that Herald. (And the one next door!)

Is this a sign?

[BeEP]

Many thanks to FG for being very patient as the promised full MOT ended up meaning a bit of this...

...followed by this...

... but we got there in the end and I'm glad it made it to London without incident (plus I love the Fenland photos - pretty sure two are in the Lamb & Flag carpark at Welney?)

[BeEP]

1 minute ago, Mr Pastry said:

Looks more like Riviera Blue to me!  Smoke Grey was a very light blue/grey, my dad had one from new. 

Definitely Smoke Grey.  I don't think BL ever did a Riviera blue - certainly not on ado16s!

[Tickman]

Excellent to see the addition to your fleet. Looking forward to seeing this being used.

[Fabergé Greggs]

1 hour ago, BeEP said:

Many thanks to FG for being very patient as the promised full MOT ended up meaning a bit of this...

...followed by this...

... but we got there in the end and I'm glad it made it to London without incident (plus I love the Fenland photos - pretty sure two are in the Lamb & Flag carpark at Welney?)

Legend! Indeed that’s the photo spot. I was half on the look out for some nice architecture for a photo opp but ended up having too much of a good time driving instead. 

[vulgalour]

Once you've experienced one of these, even a bad one, it's not hard to see why they were one of the most popular cars of their day.  They really are peak BMC and get so many things right, you could well imagine a young couple upgrading from a Mini to an ADO16 back in the day when the inevitable miniaturised versions of themselves arrived and not being at all disappointed.

[Split_Pin]

That is simply lovely. I've never properly experienced a car like this so thanks for writing about it so I can live vicariously through yours!

[SiC]

They're great fun aren't they! I'm sad that I had to sell mine to reduce the fleet/increase funds. But I'll almost certainly be getting another sometime in the future. I regularly refresh the For Sale section on here in the hope that one day that I'll see @RobT one for sale! His is pretty much spot on what I really want on one - 2dr with the 1300 engine but still with a strip Speedo. 

Well worth joining the 1100 club too. Magazine is a good read and there is plenty of useful technical resources on their website too. 

[RobT]

Sorry @SiC, mine is staying with me for a while!

Looks like a great collection caper.  Did it bomb along quite happily at 50+ speeds?  I've only taken mine on a dual carriageway once so far, and I must admit it was a bit strained.  Might be better now I've done loads of stuff to it.

[Fabergé Greggs]

1 hour ago, SiC said:

 His is pretty much spot on what I really want on one - 2dr with the 1300 engine but still with a strip Speedo. 

My dream would be an estate I think- that extra usability would suit it so well. 

49 minutes ago, RobT said:

Sorry @SiC, mine is staying with me for a while!

Looks like a great collection caper.  Did it bomb along quite happily at 50+ speeds?  I've only taken mine on a dual carriageway once so far, and I must admit it was a bit strained.  Might be better now I've done loads of stuff to it.

Yeah it seems serene at 50, comfortable at 60, and busy at 70. This has the longer 1300 diff- does yours? 

I plan to use it quite a bit for beach trips etc, so hopefully it doesn't prove too manic. I've been eyeing up soundproofing/deadening options actually- I noticed in particular how resonant the roof panel is. 

[RobT]

9 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

Yeah it seems serene at 50, comfortable at 60, and busy at 70. This has the longer 1300 diff- does yours? 

I plan to use it quite a bit for beach trips etc, so hopefully it doesn't prove too manic. I've been eyeing up soundproofing/deadening options actually- I noticed in particular how resonant the roof panel is. 

No idea, but I assume it does.  My 998cc Metro will bomb along quite happily at 70, so maybe the 1300 is just showing its age.

Mine became a whole lot louder when I dug out a small hole in the bulkhead...so I've stuffed the sound deadening back in and will get it welded up this summer.

[RobT]

Also, check out this winner.  An East Dulwich/Peckham Rye spot.

[Fabergé Greggs]

11 minutes ago, RobT said:

Also, check out this winner.  An East Dulwich/Peckham Rye spot.

Practical! We need to gather a snowballing convoy of the ado16's of London, knocking on doors as we go. 

[Tadhg Tiogar]

28 minutes ago, RobT said:

Also, check out this winner.  An East Dulwich/Peckham Rye spot.

Manages to look low-slung and rakish. If it had been possible to develop the design further with a more laid-back / aerodynamic angle for the windscreen, I think it might have looked even better.

[Jerzy Woking]

Back in themid seventies my neighbour had all kinds of shite (although they were modern then), several Heralds, Maxi's and an Avenger Tiger. All came and went quickly, then he got an  MG 1300 in bright red. He definately had it when i moved seven years later.

I still used to see ot around locally, the last time i saw it was last summer parked up in a supermarket car park. It still looked lovely (i always was a sucker for the MG hubcaps). Really hope he is still its owner.

Bit what a win win, a car for everyday AND screwing up the ULEZ. Think of the money you are saving 😆

[Tadhg Tiogar]

17 minutes ago, Jerzy Woking said:

..... a car for everyday AND screwing up the ULEZ. ...

...and you can still add proper lead to its petrol.

[Fabergé Greggs]

The first week of using this regularly is coming to a close - a couple of commutes (about 10 miles and 40 minutes each way through fairly busy traffic) and various other journeys here and there as dictated by a busy life. It feels lovely, requiring just the right amount of effort to drive: pleasing physical without being too tiring. 

Here it is parked up next the Saab which is temporarily resting in my work car park. 

As can be expected, there's a list of things to be investigated, some more pressing than others: 

• A blowy manifold/downpipe connection. This has a single bolt clamp on it- is there some magic prep/clamp/sealant combo that would make this go away? 
• Signs of mayo- BeEp has changed the HG on it as there was evidence of mayo previously, so I've been on high alert. There's no signs of coolant loss and the temp is rock steady. Interestingly it wasn't here after my long collection caper home, so I'm hoping its a condensation thing as opposed to a HG thing. Hopefully it will go away with an oil change. We shall see. 

Yum. 

Less pressing is: 

• A bit of a wobbly fan. I wonder how wobbly they normally are? 
• I think there might be a benefit in some new engine mounts or CV joints or something- there's a bit of shunt coming on/off throttle which is pretty minor, combined with a bit of a vibration/clickyness in certain combinations of throttle and steering input. 

https://youtu.be/jR3hIDt418A

 

[somewhatfoolish]

On 4/6/2021 at 12:47 PM, RobT said:

Also, check out this winner.  An East Dulwich/Peckham Rye spot.

Rather overinflated suspenders.

[Fabergé Greggs]

4 minutes ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Rather overinflated suspenders.

.....ATCNBE

[somewhatfoolish]

3 minutes ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

ATCNBE!

 

[vulgalour]

For the clamp, I believe cast two-bolt ones offered for Minis are a suitable replacement.  That manifold-to-downpipe join is a bugger on all BMC/BL stuff that does it and if you're on the more basic clamp types, especially the pressed steel ones with separate shells, you can never really get them to seal.  If I've remembered rightly, these also have a bracket from the downpipe to the gearbox to help prevent stress on that join, so if that's missing you'll never seal that join for any amount of time.

You already know this, no doubt, but don't forget to recheck your head bolts for correct torque since the head gasket has been done and you've driven it a bit, they might need nipping up a bit.