Ruffgeezer's Repairs... (Tales from an ex-mechanic) 27/1/2023 Focus on the positives: MOT time.

[ruffgeezer]

Ok so since the success of the MOT, I have been driving the van daily in the hope of drawing out the intermittent limp mode / running fault that the owner had described.

These are prone to leakage around the fuel filter housing, and as at the time I had no idea as to when the filter had last been changed, I ordered a new one and fitted it.  I noted on the way that one of the low pressure pipe clips was damaged on the filter cap, and this had the potential to draw air in around the pipe end.  New from Peugeot would be around £95 + vat, but they are on back order.  Ebay brought up only complete housings in used condition for around £70 + delivery which was still too dear for my taste.  Luckily the Peugeot parts bod gave me the part number. 1904.42 is the PSA part number, which transcribes to 71779261 for the Alfa Romeo/ Fiat equivalent.

This delivered me a brand new fiat branded part from ebay, for £30 delivered.

Far better price wise I reckon! It was the white clip on the left that was missing half of the retaining ring that holds the fuel pipe into the filter head, but this was not the end of the fuel related woes.

[ruffgeezer]

Catch up time.

As I hinted just before I went on holiday,  the fuel woes weren't just limited to the broken fuel line clip.

Whilst I was there, I pressurised the low side of the fuel system using a tyre valve and a bicycle pump.  Thankfully there were no leaks to be seen here,  and since I had the cover off anyway, why not just carry out a quick injector leak off test?

Oh.  Oh shit.

This was after less than a minute idling.  What this tells me is that 2 of the injectors are rather unhappy.  I got some quotes from local factors (£260+ vat and £170+vat respectively) and then spent an hour scouring the Internet before I happened across  PFJones' ebay store.   A quick phone enquiry to ensure the correct product and 2 refurbished delphi injectors ordered for £100 each,  with a £30/unit surcharge on the old ones.

I though I'd best try and get those out sharpish!

Luckily, they both came free with the minimum of stress,  so now I've just to wait for the new parts.

This morning after a final sweep of the load bay, I decided it'd look a little nicer if it were sealed and painted...

Certainly looks less scruffy now.

[ruffgeezer]

A quick repair this evening...

2007 Volvo S40 with the boot light not working.

Whe  tested at the boot light, 12v was present so the switching of the earth side was the issue.

These critters have a second microswitch in the boot latch that operates the light.  In this case it doesn't work.  The wiring was proved by applying an earth to the 4th pin on the catch and the light came on.

I did dismantle the catch, but the microswitch is an integral part.  So a new catch required just to get the boot light to come on?  Yeah forget that,  if like me, you've a garage full of parts from cars you had a hundred years ago, then you'll have a solution.

Step in the 1992 Citroën Ax Gt rear wiper mechanism, complete with ball bearing boot light switch.

Arrowed is the ball bearing switch, which when the boot opens, supplies an earth to it's spade terminal.  A short run of wire tapped into the original loom and soldered in position means that we at last have light, and a saving of about £30 for a used catch.

 

[ruffgeezer]

Had work back this afternoon that the recon injectors I was sent have been tested and re-reconed so hopefully that cunting fucking van should be on it's way out of the door soon too.

[vaughant]

On 9/3/2022 at 4:20 PM, ruffgeezer said:

It's one of those that made perfect sense when I wrote it!

I've got got this on commission sale at the moment.  It's out of test, has a horrible vibration and an alleged limp-home issue.

I can't believe that's only done a 100k miles 😳😳😳. 

Great efforts on it by the way. 

I was thinking of chopping in my Patner HDi on a 54 plate for something like this but I don't think I'll bother now 🤣🤣, seems like a lot of hassle for what I'd consider to be a modern car. 

I bet that's still way over £10k 🤔🤔🤔

[ruffgeezer]

2 minutes ago, vaughant said:

I can't believe that's only done a 100k miles 😳😳😳. 

Great efforts on it by the way. 

I was thinking of chopping in my Patner HDi on a 54 plate for something like this but I don't think I'll bother now 🤣🤣, seems like a lot of hassle for what I'd consider to be a modern car. 

I bet that's still way over £10k 🤔🤔🤔

I think it'll probably hit the market at £5,500 with the aim to get a round £5k.  

Hoping to have the injectors back today or tomorrow all being well.

[vaughant]

On 11/16/2022 at 3:08 AM, ruffgeezer said:

I think it'll probably hit the market at £5,500 with the aim to get a round £5k.  

Hoping to have the injectors back today or tomorrow all being well.

Well shows what I know, that seems vAlu to be fair and it looks like you've sorted a lot of the issues for the new owner. 

[ruffgeezer]

On 11/16/2022 at 3:04 AM, vaughant said:

I was thinking of chopping in my Patner HDi on a 54 plate for something like this but I don't think I'll bother now 🤣🤣, seems like a lot of hassle for what I'd consider to be a modern car.

P/ex always a pleasure

[ruffgeezer]

One in,  I've replaced the EPAS pump but they changed the design  of the main power plug at some point in production so I shall have to graft the correct one on when I get some connectors big enough.

Then it's off  home for a thorough clean, service and MOT.

It's had a clutch previously but now has flywheel rattle when idling.  It'll do someone to knock about in though, as indont intend on keeping it.

[ruffgeezer]

Also in this issue; how fucking much?

Book on the van was £6250 if sold by a dealer, so they are way north of that.

The pictures are the ones I used to list it on Motorway,  so one would hope it is going to look significatly cleaner at that price!

[ruffgeezer]

Gave the focus a bit of a clean today,  ran through the lights and levels and fitted a bugger battery, just waiting on a exhaust tail pipe before the mot next week.

It still smells damp inside so I've the dehumidifier running in it to dry it out.

I've a timing belt kit and an oil filter for if it passes the mot,  then I'll see if I can find it a new home.

[tommytwo]

That Focus looks nice.  Should sell very quickly with a new ticket.

[ruffgeezer]

20 hours ago, tommytwo said:

That Focus looks nice.  Should sell very quickly with a new ticket.

The plus side is it'll have a full ticket, new exhaust etc, down side is that the DMF rattles it's arse off.

[jonathan_dyane]

Is it the dmf or could it be that they fitted a smf and the noise is the gearbox rattling?

[sierraman]

Tell them it’s a loose heat shield and your mechanic says it’s a £5 part but you’ve no time. 😂 It’s a private sale I guess anyway so once it leaves the drive it’s gone.

[ruffgeezer]

I'm pretty certain it's dmf,  the noise isn't altered by holding the clutch down.

Anyway, today after the effects of last night's "dinner and drinks" had abated, I set to preparing the exhaust for it's replacement that should arrive tomorrow. 

 

This is the really shit bit,  where now there is a large hole, the used to be a hanger.  The replacement part for this section was only £20 so it really wasn't worth messing about with.

These sleeve joint exhausts can be an utter slag to separate,  but this proved a quick and easy method to get it off...

This bit was sectioned with the angle grinder and gently spread until it can be twisted off of the mid section.

 

Lastly,  a quick check of the outlet of the centre box shows that it is tender here too,  so out with the exhaust paste to deal with those pin holes.

 

it reminded me a bit of this scene:

 

 

[ruffgeezer]

OK light and levels checked,  MOT time this afternoon.   Place your bets now.

[sierraman]

56 minutes ago, ruffgeezer said:

OK light and levels checked,  MOT time this afternoon.   Place your bets now.

Pass and advise on rearmost wishbone bushes I’m betting. 🤣

[ruffgeezer]

Yep, that'll do nicely! 

[puddlethumper]

26 minutes ago, ruffgeezer said:

Yep, that'll do nicely! 

Nice one Ruffgeez.

[sierraman]

15 hours ago, ruffgeezer said:

Yep, that'll do nicely! 

TADTS