Post #41
Been a while since so time for an update.
Car is currently just shy of 172,000 and has had some niggles. Some I have sorted today and the rest will be sorted over the next few weeks.
Today I replaced every engine mount as the car had developed some quite shocking driveline shunt. Powerflex lower mount for ease of replacement along with a SH fork with new OE small bush. The old large mount was split so well worth doing.
Replaced the gearbox mount with OE one I purchased from RichW. Again old one was showing signs of excessive wear.
And whilst I was at it had my top engine mount apart again even though I replaced it with a Baker BM one a couple of months ago. And glad I did as the mount had failed catastrophically. The bottom metal cup of the mount had completely cracked apart in a way similar to the way the chassis usually fails.
Luckily I had kept the old standard mount so refitted that and whilst I was at it chocked the buffer too.
Just took the car for a spin and it drives beautifully. No shunt at all and no excessive vibration, which was something I was concerned might develop using a Powerflex mount.
I had a knocking coming from what I thought was the drivers side front suspension but that has gone now so was actually the top mount. Two birds with one stone. Result.
My exhaust still leaves something to be desired. A mount has snapped off the back box and I have bodged it back together. A new Jetex system is awaiting fitment, and while I am at it will replace the little bushes in the bottom of the gearstick to cure an annoying rattle. Got a noise that I think is a loose heatshield so will address that at the same time.
Few other really minor items sorted. Hockey stick clips, loose interior trims, seized brake compensator (I free it off evry time I service the car, grease it up and it always sticks again) and that is it.
Got an oil catch tank to fit when all the bits turn up. Tha car uses no oil whatsoever but the intake needs cleaning every service. Replacing the standard concertined plastic air intake for a smooth alloy pipe which will also move my BMC CDA up about 4". Which is good because it is too low for my liking.
That should do me till I hopefully find some ITB's at a good price. And I do mean a good price lol.
I still really love driving this car, it is civilised when bumbling around town yet when you let it off it makes a really lovely sound and pulls very well, embarassing a lot of 'fast' modern machines.
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Barry
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China D Turbo HDi daily charger
Black Rallye occassional toy