seanl82 23 Posted December 11, 2011 To follow on from what I posted in the newbie section, here is my first Corrado. Should be picking it up tomorrow once tax is sorted, and I cant wait to get stuck in! 1990 KR in Dark Burgandy Pearl, 157k, FSH until 128k then owner serviced there after, Borbet C's with excellent tyres, shortshifter, Lowering springs (not sure which or how low as no evidence), SS backbox (not a great one and couldnt see any markings as to which one it is), Black interior but original seats, heat wrapped exhaust Manni, Vibratech front engine mount, drilled grooved disks with green stuff pads all round, uprated light loom, and a few spares like a replacement wing (dent was knocked out on drivers side causing paint to crack and flake), gasket set, 50mm inlet manni, and a couple of sensors, oh and a tyre for good measure! Needs a bit of cosmetic work as there is a bit of paint fade and small areas of lacquer peel, and also a couple of small scuffs but these should polish out. Immediate plans are just to give it a good service for peace of mind, remove rub strips and the tint on the rear windows, a good clean, clay, polish and wax, bung on a bonnet bra, and some laminex everywhere. Anyway, will stick a couple of pre collection pics up later when I figure how to upload em, comments, advice, suggestions welcome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macdaddy 10 Posted December 11, 2011 Looking forward to pics, seems you've quite a collection of spares already ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted December 11, 2011 Yeah, I forgot to add drivshafts and cv joints and boots too. He was gonna give me a passenger door and boot that he had as well but they are different colours and I felt a bit guilty as he had already dropped his asking price quite a lot so I said not to worry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted December 20, 2011 Changed the heater matrix today as I had cold air. Replaced bypass valves a couple of days ago with copper pipe, but still only blew cold air. Can't bleed the system and check it though as I now have a dead battery! ChRging it up now and will try again in the morning, but knew it was on it's last legs anyway so a trip to GSF is in order tomorrow me thinks. Hopefully my service pRts from ECP should all be ready too so I can make a start on that Thursday after a swift stop at the stealer for oil, filter and coolant. Got air & pollen filters, plugs, leads, rotor arm, sump gasket, v and pas belt, thermostat and seal. Also ordered some bg44k fuel system cleaner from the bay of E, so hopefully all this will sort out my shockingly low economy! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aide 0 Posted December 20, 2011 all sound good sean, we need pics! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted December 20, 2011 I know mate, both laptops have died in the last month so only have my phone atm, not sure how to upload pics on here and its a pain doing it via iPhone! ---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 PM ---------- Ok think I've worked out photos via photobucket. Here are a few shots before, and just after purchase. Cracked paint on the wing that needs replacing. I have another wing but I tried unsuccessfully to remove the front bumper as the bolts on the subframe wouldn't budge cos I couldn't get the leverage with it on axle stands. Have soaked em with plus gas and will soak em a couple more times then try it again when on the ramps on Thursday. Old bypass valves out and copper pipe in And finally I went the proper long way round today to get the matrix out! Realised the error of my ways just before the whole dash was out, but took me 6 hours in all! Really don't wanna have to do that again! Hope these come out ok. Comments/suggestions welcome. :thumbleft: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CazzaVR 0 Posted December 20, 2011 That looks very tidy indeed! :) Heater matrix is great fun :lol: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted December 20, 2011 Looks great in the photos, but up close - not so much! It's solid underneath, but has a couple of very small rust bubbles around the bodywork that are on the verge of breaking through. That coupled with 21 years of swirl marks makes it look a little tired in the flesh. Rust bubbles will be sorted in the summer, but paintwork should come up ok with a good mop and polish. Have a rotary polisher in the shed, but precious few products and no cover to give it a going over. Will get to it in the next few weeks though hopefully. As said, a good service is required which I'm doing Thursday, and so long as the new matrix has cured the heating issue, should be spot on with exception of superficial things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted December 21, 2011 Managed to bleed the cooling system after matrix replacement this morning. Battery died yesterday so spent 24 hours charging it but it worked at least. Now have nice and warm heaters (not hot though as still need a new stat). Whilst bleeding it, I managed to lock the key in with the engine still running! Only key as well - berk! Had to pull ht master lead to get it to cut out, then disconnect battery again to stop it sparking. Then had to pay £50 for a locksmith to take about 3 minutes to get in, and another £50 for a new battery! Really didn't need the extra expense now! On the way to get the new battery and service parts, noticed my stereo, windows and mirrors weren't working! Windows randomly started working again after pulling up though, mirrors/reverse lights needed a new fuse, but radio is still dead. Tbh, the cables to it had been cut and fannied about with about a million times previously, so probs something to do with that. Will have to investigate tomorrow along with the gazzilion other things I have to do! This car is already costing me a bloody fortune, and nothing has gone quite right so far! I suppose that's the beauty of owning an older car though, and despite all of this, I still love it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 2, 2012 After all the above with windows etc not working, the car wouldn't start that evening. Had no spark, and what I though was fuel pump relay working, was actually ignition relay. Ordered a new ignition switch and fitted that just after Xmas, but still didnt work. Thought I must have seriously cocked something up when I changed the matrix! Disconnected the immobiliser to rule that out, even though I didn't think it could be, and she sprang to life! At least that's sorted now anyway! Had towait obviously before servicing as I couldn't get it down to the ramps, but hopefully next w.end as ECP delivered the wrong sump gasket so don't wanna do oil etc before I have that. When I first got the car too, the oil pressure alarm intermittently beeped. Turned out the sensors and wires were the wrong way round. Changed em and has been ok until yesterday, when it did it again very briefly. I've already changed one sensor, so ordered the other and luckily I had previously ordered the sump gasket so I could clean the pickup, and inspect the pump. That's about it for now. Will get some more photos when the weather clears up and I can give it a good detail. Will stick the bra on that I got the other week too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 6, 2012 Stuck in some BG44k after brimming the tank today. Heard lots of good things about it, and will report back with findings in a week or so. Changed leads, dizzy, rotor arm, cleaned panel filter, and changed the thermostat today as well. Got the ramps booked for Wednesday afternoon so will get some photos, but only got oil and filter and plugs left to replace (can't to plugs as don't have a deep socket yet). Gonna drop the sump for pickup clean and pump inspection too. Got some waxoil too for any ropey bits on the underside, and obviously give everything else a good eyeball. Only pic I've got since is this phone pic with the bra fitted. Will update as and when. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Portent 0 Posted January 6, 2012 I love pics like this. It shows how different Corrado's are to everything else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 6, 2012 I love pics like this. It shows how different Corrado's are to everything else. I know, its weird how small they look in comparison to modern cars. Mines lowered but only slightly, and it just looks really narrow at the front. Seems so much bigger when up close and when driving it! So much character in comparison too! God they look so good!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 9, 2012 Need a new alternator now! Car wouldn't start yesterday, as battery was flat. Charged it for about 20 hours and it struggled but eventually caught. Battery was new 2 weeks ago as originally thought that was the problem, but obviously alternator is on it's way out. Getting 13.4v on and off load, so there is charge getting there, but it's obviously insufficient current to ensure full charge is taking place. Will pop down to devondubshack to see if I can pick one up tomorrow, if not then the bay of E it is as I can't afford a new/refurb one at the mo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rodmax 0 Posted January 9, 2012 Hi i have a good alternator,if you get stuck Thanks rod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 13, 2012 Oil change yesterday, didn't get any pics as I was rushing to get back and pick my daughter up from school. Was planning on dropping the sump and cleaning it and the pickup out, but couldn't undo the 2 bolts up behind the gearbox bellhousing, dammit! Managed to loosen the subframe bolts with the airgun though, so changed the drivers wing today. Before During After Newer wing has a few scratches from storage, but much much better than the original. Trim is also back on it now, but the photo highlights how filthy the car is at the mo! Will deffo be giving it a full detail int the week, but it will have to be in stages whilst the missus is at work! Apparently the decorating work around the house should be taking priority! Lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 18, 2012 (edited) Had another "Oh F##k!" moment today. Was leaving work, but I'd been driving a little around the dockyard so oil temps were nice and hot, water temp at 90, and thought I'd hand a mate his arse on a plate as we stopped side by side at the lights. Road leading out onto A38 is a 50mph road, that merges a couple of hundred yards up from the lights. He was in a 1.6 astra thats chavved up btw. Anyway, lights turn green, I leave him for dust, down clutch, shift up to second, plant foot, spin wheels a bit, look in rear view, and I have absolutely masses of blue smoke pouring out the exhaust! He had to pull back a bit "apparently" as he couldnt see bugger all! pulled in on the shoulder, switched off engine, and sat with head in hands for a moment. What a cock I felt for trying to show off! Anyway, mate pulls up behind, and starts laughing! bloody cheek! Smoke stank of oil, so mind was racing, but then remembered I'd overfilled oil in the rush to get it done last week. Pulled plugs, all ok, started engine, still a bit smokey, but getting better, no pressure alarms, temps all good, sounds fine, so thought I'd crawl home. Started off very conservative, but smoke soon cleared, confidence rose slightly, and right foot got a little heavier. No power loss or anything, no rattles or knocks, and everything seems ok touch wood. Think I got away with it this time, but I will be NOT be hitting the limiter again in the near future! Drained a bit of oil, so now just below top of indicator, and picked up the exhaust coupler that needs fitting this w.end. Alternator not arrived yet, but will polish it up, and fit as soon as it does. The battery is lasting about 5 days between charges at moment so not the end of the world, but could do with it sharpish! I've also given the front end a go over with the rotary at the w.end. Wings look good, but bonnet is a lost cause I think! Pretty faded, and looking at the doors, I think I'm gonna struggle to sort them too. The wings and bumpers are gonna look great, but its gonna look like a bloody harlequin by the end of it! lol. Will get some pics up when all panels are done, some wax has been added, and I've taken her somewhere nice for some photos. Edited January 18, 2012 by seanl82 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted January 28, 2012 Finally got round to going over all panels with the rotary after being rained off so many times. This is my first full car so I'm deffo no expert, but I was really pleased with the results tbh. Just used some Megs Ultimate compound, and a 3M Green Compounding Pad. Exterior Trim plastics were done using AG Bumper care, and tyres using some Turtle wax stuff I had lying around - although its actually quite good imo. Need to go over it a couple of times again with a finishing pad and DJ limeprime, and finish it with Jetseal 109, and Collinite wax. Well thats the plan! For now though, it was just gone over with AG SRP, and DJ need for speed! lol. This was done like this as I'm going to the Southwest Dubs meet in Exeter tomorrow, so just wanted it looking reasonable for the moment. Anyway here are a few more pics, not the best camera but you should get the idea. Will try to get some tomorrow when its been washed and dressed again early in the morning. Alternator also arrived the day after the last post, so thats fitted and all good now after a quick clean and light polish up. Also exhaust has been sorted, all it needed was one clamp, but I couldn't see before due to the ton of Gun Gum covering it all! It was actually just some repair wrap with a couple of clamps by the look of it. :bonk:. Anyway, here are some more pics. Alternator old vs new Remains of old exhaust repair And a few pics after the quick clean. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seanl82 23 Posted March 6, 2012 Little update, had a bit of a tidy up of the bay at the w.end. Rocker gasket was weeping a bit so needed changing, and whilst everything was off, gave it a going over with some crackle black hammerite. I've also swapped the breather hoses out for some blue silicon ones, and rad to expansion overflow to red, but no pics of these. Got a Halfrauds trade card last week too, so just testing it I bought some washer pipe. Should have been £2.99, cost me £1.19! :dance: Put that in, and took the washer reservoir out and scrubbed it out with hot soapy water and a kiddies bottle brush, then left in for a couple of hours in boiling water and bleach. It came out looking brand new, I was well impressed! MOT in 2 weeks time, so had it up on the ramps at work to see what needed doing. Looked like a VW specialist in there, was awsome! (This is a car club in Plymouth dockyard btw). I Was pleasantly surprised with the underside actually! Thought I'd need to rub down all brake pipes, but after wiping the crud off, they are virtually brand new! Small amount of rust on N/S sill, so will deal with that in due course but its not bad at all tbh. Only things required for MOT are ARB Droplinks as one is slightly perished, would probs be an advisory but the early worm and all that! Both rear wheel bearings have ALOT of play, which is weird cos they've been picked up as either a failure or advisory 3 times in 6 years. Hmmmm, something amiss maybe but not sure what it could be? Only other thing is exhaust hangers as both rears have proper had it! lol. Need 1 new star washer (or whatever they're called) that secure the heatshield. The threads are very good but one of the washers was missing near the backbox, causing it to rattle at idle when cold. Took one off from around the mid section to replace it with, and now all good! Also ordered a new black oil pressure sensor and rad fan switch as when messing around in the bay, I noticed the pins were loose on both of them. Anyway, enough ramble and more pics! Before During After Workshop shots, - Just make out the C in the background on the 2 post but thats it. More updates in due course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveb142 10 Posted July 3, 2012 I loved this Corrado :( Nearly bought it off swdubs before you did! Looked mint at the meet in January! Have seen it down DDS after the incident. Sad times dude! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
