N19's fleet - Mondeo brake warning light excitement

[danthecapriman]

16 minutes ago, N19 said:

It isn't a bad achievement for someone who's (a) born 10 years after the car was manufactured, (b) an IT manager in the public sector, (c) hadn't done any work on a car before 2016. Clearly a lot of help along the way, and there's still some things to iron out and finish off, but I am feeling pretty happy about it.

Definitely something you should be very proud of. Not many people can do that and get such excellent results.

I thought you were older than that though😬 don’t know why! Not that it matters of course.

[jonathan_dyane]

What an achievement, looks brand new!

The emissions results suggest to me it's running too weak which may be causing the stumbling.

[uk_senator]

I`ve not been on for ages (probably about a year), its great to see the progress! You must be feeling very proud, & rightly so! Great work!

Pretty sure I saw you go past my CCTV a couple of weeks back! 

 

[N19]

10 hours ago, danthecapriman said:

Definitely something you should be very proud of. Not many people can do that and get such excellent results.

I thought you were older than that though😬 don’t know why! Not that it matters of course.

It has been said that I'm old before my time! No I am 35 going on 55!

 

2 hours ago, jonathan_dyane said:

What an achievement, looks brand new!

The emissions results suggest to me it's running too weak which may be causing the stumbling.

Hmm. Will turn the mixture screw up slightly, see if it helps!

 

53 minutes ago, uk_senator said:

I`ve not been on for ages (probably about a year), its great to see the progress! You must be feeling very proud, & rightly so! Great work!

Pretty sure I saw you go past my CCTV a couple of weeks back! 

 

Yes I popped over Hadley, down your way and then off round Totteridge that day!

[Westbay]

5 minutes ago, N19 said:

It has been said that I'm old before my time! No I am 35 going on 55!

 

Hmm. Will turn the mixture screw up slightly, see if it helps!

 

Yes I popped over Hadley, down your way and then off round Totteridge that day!

"..told you..." - George Orwell

[N19]

New smaller fuel filter fitted

 

I think some of the rear bulbs fitted are the wrong ones, need to check (OSR tail and NSR indicator for benefit of myself tomorrow)

went out for a run this morning, see two blue Fords together

Before returning to tweak the exhaust... I've become far too used to working on ramps!

One of the side trim fixings came off - a stud I'd embedded in some tigerseal - so I've added a bit more and clamped it, see if that works

[danthecapriman]

How nervous were you putting the car in that garage with all the stuff in there too!?😄

Im paranoid putting mine in and out.

[N19]

2 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

How nervous were you putting the car in that garage with all the stuff in there too!?😄

Im paranoid putting mine in and out.

Less nervous in the Capri than anything else, actually, as everything is built around it!

The shelves on the right with the wood, lamps etc is built with the contours of the body in mind. On the left is where I leave the walkway. Usually, though, I have the car the other way around!

There is also a sponge on the wall at the place where the door opens, and another one at the place where the bumper would touch the first thing (a small table).

[danthecapriman]

3 minutes ago, N19 said:

Less nervous in the Capri than anything else, actually, as everything is built around it!

The shelves on the right with the wood, lamps etc is built with the contours of the body in mind. On the left is where I leave the walkway. Usually, though, I have the car the other way around!

There is also a sponge on the wall at the place where the door opens, and another one at the place where the bumper would touch the first thing (a small table).

I’ve put a big foam mat against the wall where my door opens. Bloody big doors aren’t they?!

Your garage looks really well arranged and crucially, dry too. In mine I’ve been trying to move everything around to keep the drivers side clear to walk in/out and get the door open but where stuff is stored it’s kept well clear of the shelf edges and nothing over the car. Like I said - paranoid.

 

[N19]

It's a very nice garage, dry and with good neighbours. When I was moving in there, the owner suggested I pop down and make sure I was happy - which I did - I got home and he rang me to ask if I'd gone down in a red car. "Oh that solves something - a resident rang up to say someone had been hanging around the garage block, with a red car". The other tenants and the people who live in the block are all decent people so, despite it being a walk down the hill (or more usually a drive), I'm very happy with it.

[N19]

That's better... hopefully...

[N19]

Hmm, a bit more frustration today.

I turned the car around (including a 10 minute drive around the block) and then left it idling for, probably, 20 minutes whilst I moved things around in the garage and fiddled with the bumper. Again, the car just cut out. Ignition still on, the engine just stopped. Opened the bonnet and the fuel filter was empty. Engine started again by chucking brake cleaner in the carb, at which point with some revving I could see a small amount of fuel in the filter, but not much.  I wondered if the mixture did need changing but could this account for the empty filter (as surely the filter would be full as fuel is being brought up, just less would be drawn into the carb) - weak fuel pump? delivering enough when the engine's turning, but not enough when idling?

[danthecapriman]

5 minutes ago, N19 said:

Hmm, a bit more frustration today.

I turned the car around (including a 10 minute drive around the block) and then left it idling for, probably, 20 minutes whilst I moved things around in the garage and fiddled with the bumper. Again, the car just cut out. Ignition still on, the engine just stopped. Opened the bonnet and the fuel filter was empty. Engine started again by chucking brake cleaner in the carb, at which point with some revving I could see a small amount of fuel in the filter, but not much.  I wondered if the mixture did need changing but could this account for the empty filter (as surely the filter would be full as fuel is being brought up, just less would be drawn into the carb) - weak fuel pump? delivering enough when the engine's turning, but not enough when idling?

The pump should always be operating well enough that it’s shoving enough fuel up to the carb. All the metering of fuel the engine needs is done by the carb.  
Even idling, mine usually has the fuel filter (I use the bigger clear plastic type) roughly a quarter full in the bottom. On mine you can see a bit of disturbance inside as the pump squirts little shots of fuel up into it. 
It does sound to me like your pump is struggling for some reason? 
If you drive the car faster then stop and check the filter does it look to have more fuel inside? If so then it’s likely the pump not able to supply enough fuel at low engine speed, but after a higher speed run that is just enough to get it to pump.

For mixture, whip out the plugs and see how they look. Should be a good indicator of how it’s running. But I’m sure your simply not getting enough fuel from your pump.of course it could also be a problem down stream, so in the pipe between pump & tank (blockage/part restriction?) or even your tank pickup?

In the past, I’ve bought a new one of those mechanical pumps for a V6 Granada, fitted it and it did absolutely bugger all straight out the box. Refitted the old one and it worked fine. So it might be crap modern quality parts.

[N19]

I bought a new pump but had issues with that so re-fitted the old one.  Nevertheless, it's still been something that I've got a question mark over. I do now have another new one, somewhere, so could try that. 

If there were an issue caused by tank pickup etc wouldn't there be some hesitation (or some sort of detectable symptoms at least) when under power as well?

[Matty]

10 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

The pump should always be operating well enough that it’s shoving enough fuel up to the carb. All the metering of fuel the engine needs is done by the carb.  
Even idling, mine usually has the fuel filter (I use the bigger clear plastic type) roughly a quarter full in the bottom. On mine you can see a bit of disturbance inside as the pump squirts little shots of fuel up into it. 
It does sound to me like your pump is struggling for some reason? 
If you drive the car faster then stop and check the filter does it look to have more fuel inside? If so then it’s likely the pump not able to supply enough fuel at low engine speed, but after a higher speed run that is just enough to get it to pump.

For mixture, whip out the plugs and see how they look. Should be a good indicator of how it’s running. But I’m sure your simply not getting enough fuel from your pump.of course it could also be a problem down stream, so in the pipe between pump & tank (blockage/part restriction?) or even your tank pickup?

In the past, I’ve bought a new one of those mechanical pumps for a V6 Granada, fitted it and it did absolutely bugger all straight out the box. Refitted the old one and it worked fine. So it might be crap modern quality parts.

Ruins originality but I do like the modern solid state pumps for this. They just work.

[N19]

Will have a look at the plugs tomorrow and also see about fitting the replacement filter. I'm hoping, if the weather is ok and I'm happy with the car, to take it on a trip to High Wycombe next weekend, 40 miles each way.

As an aside, rain-wise, I was actually told to let the car sit in the rain a few times - not when it's torrential - but just a light shower, to let the rain wash off the remnants of the white polish/dust from the paint on the bodywork especially in inaccessible areas.

[danthecapriman]

12 minutes ago, N19 said:

I bought a new pump but had issues with that so re-fitted the old one.  Nevertheless, it's still been something that I've got a question mark over. I do now have another new one, somewhere, so could try that. 

If there were an issue caused by tank pickup etc wouldn't there be some hesitation (or some sort of detectable symptoms at least) when under power as well?

Definitely worth testing it with another pump if you have it. It’s dead easy to change so well worth a go.

Youd think a problem or blockage further back would affect flow during driving as that when fuel demand is highest, but if the pump is running faster maybe that extra speed is enough to overcome the restriction(s) and keep it running? But yes, I’d probably agree with you.

My money is definitely on your pump.

 

[danthecapriman]

22 minutes ago, N19 said:

Will have a look at the plugs tomorrow and also see about fitting the replacement filter. I'm hoping, if the weather is ok and I'm happy with the car, to take it on a trip to High Wycombe next weekend, 40 miles each way.

As an aside, rain-wise, I was actually told to let the car sit in the rain a few times - not when it's torrential - but just a light shower, to let the rain wash off the remnants of the white polish/dust from the paint on the bodywork especially in inaccessible areas.

😄 good god man! You mean put your car outside! In winter. In the RAIN! Deliberately!

I feel ill just thinking about it!

I think the last time my Capri was out in the rain was about 2016!😆

[N19]

3 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

😄 good god man! You mean put your car outside! In winter. In the RAIN! Deliberately!

I feel I’ll just thinking about it!

I think the last time my Capri was out in the rain was about 2016!😆

yes would you like to see a photo... or will you end up being wheeled away in an ambulance!! 🤣

[N19]

No pictures as I was tired, but I got the Capri on the ramps at the garage and after much swearing managed to get the exhaust rubbers on the middle fixed. Sorted out one of the joints which was chuffing a bit, with tightening/bending the metal into place and a smear of exhaust paste on it and the other. There is one more clamp which should go on the end, and I removed when I repainted it during the restoration, so need to order up a replacement. That should give the exhaust the security it needs to sit nicely. 

Hoping to do a nice run to Wycombe this weekend which would almost be the acid test?! (don't worry there's no rain forecast!)

[danthecapriman]

1 hour ago, N19 said:

No pictures as I was tired, but I got the Capri on the ramps at the garage and after much swearing managed to get the exhaust rubbers on the middle fixed. Sorted out one of the joints which was chuffing a bit, with tightening/bending the metal into place and a smear of exhaust paste on it and the other. There is one more clamp which should go on the end, and I removed when I repainted it during the restoration, so need to order up a replacement. That should give the exhaust the security it needs to sit nicely. 

Hoping to do a nice run to Wycombe this weekend which would almost be the acid test?! (don't worry there's no rain forecast!)

The exhaust rubber that really pisses me off is the one up above the back box! Little arse hole!! For some reason it likes to snap on my car every few years then I’ve got to jamb my hand up there to try to wriggle it off and get a new one on. I’ve worked out I can lengthen its life a bit though by putting a cable tie around it! 
I’ve got a generic branded exhaust system on my car, which isn’t a particularly great fit or quality but for now it’ll do. Ended up having to use chemical metal putty to seal the joints as they just wouldn’t seal up with exhaust paste. Works well as it hasn’t crumbled or blown out but it gives off a horrible fishy smell when it gets hot!😆

[N19]

1 minute ago, danthecapriman said:

The exhaust rubber that really pisses me off is the one up above the back box! Little arse hole!! For some reason it likes to snap on my car every few years then I’ve got to jamb my hand up there to try to wriggle it off and get a new one on. I’ve worked out I can lengthen its life a bit though by putting a cable tie around it! 
I’ve got a generic branded exhaust system on my car, which isn’t a particularly great fit or quality but for now it’ll do. Ended up having to use chemical metal putty to seal the joints as they just wouldn’t seal up with exhaust paste. Works well as it hasn’t crumbled or blown out but it gives off a horrible fishy smell when it gets hot!😆

I ran with cable ties only for the first few test runs! I've a sportex on mine which is generally good. The back box should hang off something in the rear arch but there's nothing there, I honestly can't remember exactly how it fixed on. I may have to mcgyver something!

[danthecapriman]

5 minutes ago, N19 said:

I ran with cable ties only for the first few test runs! I've a sportex on mine which is generally good. The back box should hang off something in the rear arch but there's nothing there, I honestly can't remember exactly how it fixed on. I may have to mcgyver something!

Good old cable ties.

Doesnt the back box just have a bolt in hanger that goes through the underside? It’s quite a simple little thing if I remember right.

Edit: one of these…

https://www.capriclub.co.uk/Rear_Chassis_Exhaust_Bracket--product--711.html

[N19]

That looks about right. I'm going to see if I can see anything on some of the old pictures I have / and or ask on the facebook groups for some pictures.

[N19]

I popped down to the garage this evening, firstly to look at the exhaust fixings, then to check the rear numberplate lights (not illuminating - seemed intermittent when I unscrewed and wiggled, so will clean up all the contacts again as maybe some gunk got in). Then I searched for the new fuel pump I bought, where on earth was it, I'm sure I put it in one of these boxes, oh wait it's on the shelf clearly marked "Capri service parts" well who put it there.

Anyway after the difficulties with the one I had before I wanted to check it properly, so I unboxed it and stuck it in the vice to test it.

After priming (helped by pouring petrol *down* the tube) it squirted quite nicely. So I may get the old one off and that on, I'm starting work late tomorrow so that might be a good shout. I was going to get the cambelt cover nicely coated etc but I'll just put it back on how it is for the present time. Petrol poured into tank after testing completed, for safetys sake.

[sierraman]

On 08/02/2025 at 16:20, N19 said:

New smaller fuel filter fitted

 

I think some of the rear bulbs fitted are the wrong ones, need to check (OSR tail and NSR indicator for benefit of myself tomorrow)

went out for a run this morning, see two blue Fords together

Before returning to tweak the exhaust... I've become far too used to working on ramps!

One of the side trim fixings came off - a stud I'd embedded in some tigerseal - so I've added a bit more and clamped it, see if that works

What I love about that is it’s doing what people used to do on a Sunday, nip round to the lock up and tinker about with stuff. 

[N19]

1 minute ago, sierraman said:

What I love about that is it’s doing what people used to do on a Sunday, nip round to the lock up and tinker about with stuff. 

Absolutely. I'm supposedly old before my time... but if the cap fits. I usually pop down for a few hours over the weekend, and/or an evening after work, depending on what needs doing and how involved it is. The location is about 5 mins from my house in the direction I go to work so on my way to/from the station I will often shuffle bits back and forth as needed.

[Westbay]

Fit new pump and put 'old' one in boot with tools for epic 'roadtrip' ...

[N19]

Old pump off.  New one in. 

I think it needs priming, damn the whole "going to work" malarkey have had to leave it for now. 

[N19]

Fucksake. No luck with the new fuel pump. Took it off and... it's fucked. The pump rod is jammed inside exactly how the other one was and the washer that sits in the notched bit of the rod, at the end of the spring, was punched through. See on the right. 

The old pump... that was working OK just weak... on the left, can't get the spring/washer assembly back together to refit it. 

 

really not sure whats gone wrong here again. It's a QFP88, that's the part number for a pinto fuel pump there doesn't seem to be any different ones for different engines... and yet as soon as I fit a new one to my engine, it fucks it up. So I've got two pumps, sixty quid of parts, that are just scrap, and one old pump that won't go back together. 

Fucksake. Fed up now.