Seanl82's ringer Storm

[holeinmk1 0]

Wow, you really see the difference in your bay, looks ace! i would'nt worry to much about the compression figures, there all as you say within tolerance.

 

Good work mate!

 

​Tom

[seanl82 23]

Cheers Tom! It helps it was a sunny day too! lol.

 

Finishing bits today. Wheels arrived yesterday, so set about getting them cleaned up and on the car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Faces were reasonably clean, so didn't get a pic of them before.

 

A quick pre-wash with APC then Bilberry wheel cleaner resulted in this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then two hits with Iron-X. For those that don't know, Iron-X is a clear liquid (that absolutely bloody stinks!) and turns purple/red when it reacts with the iron fallout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could have done with one more hit, but as they're just on temporarily and I'm out of Tar remover anyway, I thought it would do! Rinsed off, dried, and given two coats of CG Jetseal 109. Tyres done with Megs Endurance Tyre Gel.

Most of the spots you can see in the pics are corrosion.

 

 

 

After pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Took the opportunity to give the car a quick wash before fitting them too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've got to admit, I really like them on! A subtle drop really makes them stand out imo. If only they were slightly bigger though! (............Opens a new internet window to look for some Compomotive MO's............)

 

 

 

Thought I'd better check out the battery tray too after seeing the thread.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks worse than it is, and I'm pretty happy thats its completely solid. I applied to Kurust to it to halt any further spread, and just need to paint and seal it now.

 

I've now done everything I "think" will need doing to pass the MOT, although I may have overlooked something known me!

I'll give the MOT station a bell tomorrow and get it booked in for next Saturday hopefully.

 

Next update fingers crossed will be to declare it roadworthy!

Edited May 10, 2013 by seanl82

[clumpy1 11]

Good progress as usual with you Sean have to admire you getting on with it good luck with MOT matey :thumbleft:

[J.C 10]

Fantastic job Sean,

You've turned a pigs ear into a silk purse,

you've inspired me to do some detailing on mine

how hard was it to get the headlining out?

Also re. paintwork, it's not completely neccasary to take the glass out, you can feed nylon rope under the seal so it lifts the rubber off the body,

of course if you see or suspect rust the windows out,

also you can save money by prepping it yourself and then getting a bodyshop to do final prep and "gun" on the paint,

3rd/4th year appretices are good source of cheap skilled(if inexperienced) labour,

I've got a mate who owns a bodyshop in Luton(where I'm currently prepping my old mans TR4 shell), if your interested I can see what he can do.

 

keep up the good work

Steve

p.s did you find out whether it's a storm or not?

Edited May 10, 2013 by J.C

[seanl82 23]

Cheers Clumpy, fingers crossed its OK and I can get started on some bodywork!

 

JC, trust me mate, its a longgggggggggg way from being a silk purse! Hopefully with a few little bits to the bodywork and interior, I won't be too embarrassed to be seen out in it! lol.

 

If I were to go full body respray (which there's no way on earth I can afford yet!) I'd take all glass out as a matter of course. You never know what's lurking behind on a car of this age, and the last thing you want is to fork out for a not so thorough respray, only to have rust start coming through 6 months - a year - whatever down the line!

The thing is, there are so many chips, scuffs, lacquer peel, dents, that a few touch ups just won't cut it in the long run. It will happen, just not for a while yet. Like I said, I just want to get it presentable, then start moving forward slowly.

Its a weekend toy, so there's no need to rush into things, as I get as much enjoyment out of working on it as I do driving it anyway..........................well, almost as much then! :nuts:

 

Re; headlining, it was pretty easy tbh. Take out all the surrounding trim and pillars, remove the grab handles, visors, and sunroof switch and surround, then just slide it all back through the boot. I didn't remove the trim at the windscreen though as its bonded on when the screen has obviously been refitted! Trouble is, I've upset something as the sunroof won't slide now, Doh! Not a major problem atm though and its low down on the list to fix.

Edited May 11, 2013 by seanl82

[clumpy1 11]

You are right Sean take your time and enjoy it prep work is not hard and the way you have been going about thing's you could get your car prepped ready for paint easy that is the majority of the cost matey so it wouldn't cost that much to get someone to paint it ;)

[holeinmk1 0]

The wheels look really good on the car, i do like speedlines, but as you say they would be better bigger.

 

The car is looking fantastic though! :thumbleft:

[VR6 Lee 0]

coming along nicely!!!!:)

[seanl82 23]

Thanks again guys!

 

MOT booked for next Saturday @ 10AM. :eek:

[holeinmk1 0]

No turning back now lol

​

[seanl82 23]

I know Tom!

 

There's so much more I want to do though, I just hope its enough!

Its only £25 though, so its not the end of the world if it fails, it'll just be off the road a bit longer.

As of Monday, I'm SERIOUSLY busy at work/on course. Its the beginning of full time training for an Engineering Degree (8-5), and the first Module is three weeks of maths - which I'm utter pants at! and three exams in that time. It'll be a ton of revision in the evenings, and if I fail any of them, the resits are on Saturdays.

 

The only problems I can think that might cause problems, are the ABS illumination - it does actually work, but the lamp has been butchered in the past. IIRC, in March/April there was a change to the VOSA regs on ABS, so I might get away with that. The only other thing that might slip me up, (excuse the pun) are the oil leaks. Again I've looked into it, and IIRC its

1 sq inch of oil over a 5 minute period max. I don't think its that bad, but its from two or three different places. Sump plug has ground away on the bottom half where it was dickhead low and has grounded out, so its leaking slightly there, sump gasket looks to have been sealed with white bathroom sealant and is seeping all around it, and finally its either the crank seal, or the chain covers that are leaking. I thought it was crank seal to begin with, but I noticed when I changed the stat the other week that a couple of the bolts for the top cover were pretty loose, so had to tighten them up. I degreased and pressure washed the bay earlier in the week, but noticed yesterday that its still seeping slightly, and its probably the same for the bottom cover too. Either way its a GB off job which is a PITA! That's what happens when previous owners get the chains done by non-specialist garages! The clutch was replaced about 15k ago, and I hope it doesn't get contaminated as I'd rather not have to replace that as well!

 

It's just a weight off by having the MOT, it means I can get out in it every now and again after I do the odd job!

Edited May 11, 2013 by seanl82

[VW_OwneR_85 2]

It's just a weight off by having the MOT, it means I can get out in it every now and again after I do the odd job!

 

good work!! , yea thats what i like to do with mine, work on it for a week then drive it for abit , rinse repeat :) good luck with the course ;)

[holeinmk1 0]

I understand what you mean, m.o.t prep time is never pleasant, i always feel i'm on test rather than the car and ubercommandantmotinspektor will tell me off for the little oil leak from the sump or the fact he can't test the seat belt because it has a child seat fitted! however the garage i use are pretty decent, little things that can be sorted there and then are but its still not a time i look forward to.

 

to be fair, you can see a lot of work has been done on the car and it is looked after, i'm sure that some garages take this in to account(the fact whilst something maybe below par at the test(if it is'nt dangerous) it will get sorted in the near future). just go with it, as you say if it fails it fails, at least you'll know exactly what has to be done to get a new certificate after that lol!:thumbleft:

[seanl82 23]

I had a good rapport with my old tester and went to him for years. He was exactly as you say, very thorough, but made me aware of any problems that may arise whether I was aware of them or not. I only moved here in October though, and this is the first time I've taken a car for anything at the local place. I'm trying to look after it, but unfortunately it had been rather unloved and abused by the previous couple of owners. I'm gonna wait whilst its being done, hopefully the customer waiting area isn't a room off of the workshop, so I can have a chat with the tester whilst he's doing it. (I used to help my old tester by doing everything in the cabin whilst he was checking underneath).

[GrahamU 6]

great work, hope it goes well

[seanl82 23]

Ok so just got back from MOT............................................failed. :(

 

On the plus side, I think its all easily fixable. Failures are;

 

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect. - New headlight needed, the way he explained it was the beam was scattered. Its obviously the reflective coating inside the headlight has broken down, so needs replacing

 

ABS warning lamp does not illuminate. - I knew it would probably fail on this, so a replacement lamp is required as it has been butchered from behind. The pedal pulses on start-up, so thats good, and the ABS system seems to be working when I jump on the brakes at 30 mph, so hopefully its just the lamp. There is some history around the ABS system, so hopefully its just a backshot of that as components were replaced back then.

 

N/S rear tyre has a lump. - Didn't notice this tbh, new tyre will sort that.

 

Advisories;

 

Slight Oil leak. - Yeah I know that, sump gasket and chain cover leaking, that'll come shortly.

 

O/S headlamp aim poor. - Will replace this as well. I had to bodge the adjuster with some Epoxy Resin as the plastic around the thread had broken, but I may as well replace it for peace of mind.

 

 

Not the end of the world, and I was very impressed with emissions so at least the engine is healthy!

Post in the Wanted section for all parts required shortly.

[holeinmk1 0]

That does'nt sound that bad tbh honest mate. all fairly easy fixes you'll be on the road very soon! lol keep at it.

 

​Tom

[seanl82 23]

Cheers Tom, unfortunately nothing ever runs smoothly though!

 

Its booked in for retest on Tuesday morning, but I'm gonna have to cancel it now.

Got the tyre changed over, and fitted the headlight and ABS light I received from Kip, but unfortunately I'm still in a bit of a predicament with the ABS system. I went down to the car earlier today, and started with a few little easy things.

Received these earlier in the week. Just little things, but its the little things that make it look really scruffy imo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First off got the pedal rubbers changed. One was missing, and the other pretty well worn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was the door pin, then finally the parcel shelf strap. Unfortunately I had a little accident when trying to get the old bit out of the shelf! With the aid of set of long nose pliers, I was pulling the nib up so I could cut it and drop it out from below, and the pliers slipped, stabbing me in the eye! Hurt like fook, and I couldn't see out of it for a good 10 minutes! Thankfully it cleared, but I've got a gouge out of the sclera and a very bloodshot eye! Its the first time I've ever really hurt myself when working on a car, and for something so silly, I feel a right douche!

 

Anyway, once I'd recovered and bruised pride overcome, I cracked on with the ABS system. I got voltage at the light, and its constant. There was no illumination though. I didn't get anything on any other pins though, so whipped out the ABS Controller to see if anything was amiss with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Think this may be an issue! Post in the wanted section for another, and I'd gone as far as I could with that for the time being. Only other thing was a tyre, which I already had a near new one in the shed, so ran down to .................................Kwik Fit.............. it was the only place that was open!!!! and got it fitted. lol.

Tbh, its only going on the speedline which are a temporary wheel anyway so wasn't bothered if they were banged around a little, and for the sake of a tenner I wasn't too fussed. Got that back on the car, set up headlight alignment by eye (the good one!) and just gave the car a quick wash as its dusty as hell in the unit!

I really hope a new ABS Controller sorts the problems, as its taking far too long to sort out already! I just want to drive the bloody thing!!!!!

[robrado974 1]

Getting there mate , keep it up , timbo has an ecu for sale

Rob

[Sean_Jaymo 0]

Looking good Sean!

[seanl82 23]

Getting there mate , keep it up , timbo has an ecu for sale

Rob

 

 

Sold yesterday Rob, gutted as it was a great price too! Always a little too late..............:censored:

[holeinmk1 0]

Your right sean it is the little bits that make a difference. i'm planning to do myu pedals soon to lol. Is there no way of cleaning the connections up on the ABS unit? even just as a temporary measure?

[Ruggy 10]

Hi Sean, finally got found to fitting the parts you supplied this weekend, happy to report that the cars running properly again, happy days!

 

Thanks again mate!

[seanl82 23]

Tom, couldn't be done mate. One of the pins on the ECU had snapped due to the corrosion, and some of the internal components looked pretty ropey too!

 

 

Chris, really happy to hear that its sorted mate! Can't beat a nice cheap fix!

[seanl82 23]

Just bought a Saab. :silent: