Minimad5's Thread - 309 content

[Minimad5]

Well as most of you know i've now got the 309 that retro80sboy was selling

 

Myself, Cavette and Pete-M cruised upto the Welsh wonder of Wrexham.

We had a quick look around the car and retreated to the warm and welcoming home of retro80sboys's house.

 

After documents were signed and stories exchanged, me and Cavette steamed to the end of the road and "paaah" - it died

At this point we just looked at eachother and laughed, but it thankfully started back up again and was nursed onto the motorway by a mix of left foot breaking and using every gear.

As soon as we hit the motorway it seemed to run fine, there was a flat spot or two that quickly went and all confidence in the car was restored.

So the car got back no problem.

 

Since then i have done the following:

 

Replaced plugs, leads, air filter, fuel filter, rebuild the original carb' then fitted a new carburettor and cleaned the gauze filter out. (Still awaiting Dizzy cap and rotor arm)

After i fitted the new Plugs and leads the car no longer suffered from the poor starting issue, but seemed to hate the choke being used.

Ater rebuilding the carb' and still having the same problem i took it off again and just decided to replace it, so mr Watanabe helped me source a replacement and i fitted that. It now seems to run spot on . . . . . . BUT (there is always a but) - it does seem a bit smokey. I smelt the exhaust fumes to see if it is burning oil and noted the colour - the smell and colour seems "normal" (Not blue and doesn't smell of oil)

So i gathered it was due to me cleaning the gauze filter out with some WYNNES product, which i think was break and clutch cleaner. So i removed the gauge filter and ran the car again .... still smokey.

At this time everything is going through my mind so process of elimination begins, ANYWAY !

Here are some pictures ....

 

 

After fitting the new carburettor and flushing the water system out, i ran the car to bleed any air out and came across this ...

Which led me to this (Rocker cover / exhaust manifold) - Oil leak

I R IN NEED Of NEW OIL AN DE-COKE

 

So at the moment it has no oil, as it's going to be completely flushed and the rocker cover is removed for a small clean up and to stop the leak.

After that everything can be put back together and a nice little compression test can be done, along with new break lines and a back box.

Also going to remove the old sunroof handle bolts and replace them (as they are foobared and leak)

Then i'll treat it to a wash and T-cut

Other than that, all seems okay

[Cavcraft]

I'm pretty sure all the 309 petrols I used to own or drive smoked a bit. Is it worth getting an emissions test done once you've finished servicing it as it might give a clue as to what the problem is?

The theory of cleaning the gauze filter out making it worse makes sense. Tbh I think flushing the oil might bring similar results as any carbon build up sometimes quietens the engine and almost seals things too. Flushing breaks this down (obviously) and can also sometimes cause blockages where carbon 'bits' block oilways etc.

Not trying to scare you Mark, and I've never had a problem with flushing myself but I do know people that have. Perhaps it's worth flushing it then doing changing the oil and filter after a hundred miles or so then again 500 miles later? This would hopefully break down any deposits even further.

 

Anyhow you've done well with that, as you said it wasn't quite right when we drove it back but if it's ticking over and running spot on that's a great result.

[CreepingJesus]

^That's the principle I've worked by, when flushing an engine thro': put on a good filter, and cheapo oil, run it as normal for 150 miles or so, then change it again. It's worth having a good look at it, around the 500 mile mark too. Just for reassurance, I find, 'cos there is always the nagging doubt that something's got dislodged which would have been fine staying put!

[Angrydicky]

That does look a tidy example.

 

Mark, you've got enough room by the side of your house for a garage, so why isn't there one? Get building man!

[Minimad5]

Mark, you've got enough room by the side of your house for a garage, so why isn't there one? Get building man!

 

My local council are "not nice people" - And i'm not too clued up on planning permission and all that business, so knowing my look they will come along and deman it to be demolished.

 

Thanks for the kind words chaps, my plan was to buy a cheapo bottle of oil and let it get warm then flush it again, and replace it with something decent.

After doing that taking it for a long drive and see what that does.

 

I might break the pressure washer out today and try blast the "shite" off the paintwork, then lend a polishing mop.

Watch this space for "OMG IT'S NO LONGER PINK" . Or "Shit the paint fell off"

[Cavcraft]

Don't get too close Mark as you may pull the lacquer off or some paint that you didn't expect

Perhaps try a little T-cut (or similar) first and see how it goes. I don't know if you're insured yet but if so give me a yell, bring it down here and I'll help if you want. I know you're quite able to do this sort of thing yourself but my only real skill is cleaning cars up and I have various polishes etc here.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I too suggest a sumpful of cheapo oil, maybe with a cupful of diesel in it, and give the engine a good ragging for a few hours - get it properly hot, which you wont be able to do with it sitting on the drive. Then drain this lot and refill with something half decent.

[meggersdog]

Back in the days of rattling CVH Escorts it was common around these parts to drain half the sump oil and top up with diesel.Run the engine at fast idle for twenty minutes.Then remove the oil pressure switch and screw in an airline end (same thread).A quick blast with the airline would clear the oilways and clean the crud from the oil pick-up strainer.Then do an oil and filter change.

[Parky]

Yo Minimad,

 

Probably a basic thing, but are the fuel settings correct, i.e its not running too rich is it? That would make it run a bit rough and generate some smoke. Do you access to a Gunson's colourtune to check?

 

Apologies if this warrants a "state the bloody obvious" award!

[Minimad5]

Are the fuel settings correct

 

I know the carb needs a 'fine' tune, but it doesn't seem to be miles out - As it's not smelling rich and the plugs seem to look okay.

I'm just waiting till Friday come now, so i can have a small amount of time to buy a compression tester along with a few gaskets, and see where that takes me.

I must buy a Colourtune, as they are fantastic an rather easy to use

 

Thanks for the advice though mate, appreciate the input.

[Pete-M]

Colourtune? That that one of those fucking abysmal things that clips over the spark plug and you're meant to tune it by colour?

 

I bought one a couple of years ago, used it once and if I didn't throw the piece of shit away you can have it. Provided I can find the thing.

[Parky]

Not a Colortune fan then Pete!

 

I havent used one for some time but found it helped get an old Renault running 95% right. Obviously a rolling road would have been better but I needed a cheap fix!.

[VWPowered]

cracking on then mark, good to see, looks a tidy motor for a pug

[Station]

Have seen the 309 out and about a few times, always too late to flash lights.

[Minimad5]

Have seen the 309 out and about a few times, always too late to flash lights.

 

I'm sure i passed you (going the opposite way) last week, but didn't want to wave like a freak incase it wasn't

 

Shall have to try organise a mini-meet soon.

ooh and Dave, your mobile number goes straight to some womans answer machine