Well fellas, I am sitting here entering a new chapter. And, if I am honest, feeling a little vulnerable, apprehensive and not just a little scared.
I have bought my first 80 and whilst I know cars, it's been a long time since I bought something like this. OK let's run through it. It is NOT perfect, or immaculate and has definitely been tickled up here and there in the past to what actually looks like a good standard. But there are some initial issues to chuck out there for some reassurance if you will. This probably doesn't belong in Your Garage - but it's a multi-purpose posting.
Here we go:
The tyres are fine, but the white lettering looks horrible. Time to black those out.
Yep, rear wiper doesn't work.
By way of evidence, Phil very kindly let me have all the scrap parts that he'd replaced. Hmm, plant pots perhaps?
It's not bad inside. Rear seats are battered, well they will be when they land in the council tip!. Seats worn through, but seat covers will fix that. All electric motors work. Needs a seat belt, looking a bit worn. The last person was a farmer and I suspect that getting in and out to open gates has probably hastened the seat bolster and seat belt on their way.
Not sure what this bit is called - err enjin? Anyway, one new battery one one out of a kitchen clock judging by the size of it. It starts fine, but with the little one on the right, it sometimes doesn't seem to fire the starter quite so solidly. It had pretty clean oil in it. Air filter clean. Auto oil smelled clean. Rad needs flushing and doing properly. The aircon pump has been robbed off it. Last bloke had two cruisers. Hmm, spanner magpies I think.
OK, no then - what the hell should be on the end of this pipe going to the airbox - I can't find any EGR valve anywhere. There are a few bits of hose which I don't think are original!
Now, when it's idling, the engine sounds smooth but it sort of bobbles a bit like it has a shagged engine mounting. It disappears when you raise the revs very slightly, but there is a sort of harmonic sets up when it drops back down and the engine rocks a bit. The engine note does not change at all.
Not this is a problem, the wiper arm seems to have come off its giggle pin. The result is that it flails around and bashes the scuttle. In my view, this was not grounds for a funeral. The whole assembly could be replaced by Steff or Carl I am sure. It may be a weld here or there or a missing bolt. But hardly terminal. please tell me I am not wrong.
OK odd shot of general underside condition. There was nothing at the back end that gave me ANY cause for concern at all. Oh, other then the spare wheel is missing. Sorted from Carl.
Here is the nearside swivel which looks good to me
and the off side which looks a little oily rather than greasy - I dunno. But it looks clean unlike the cannon balls that I have been looking at all month.
The CVs have no clicking at all!!!!! OK BEBs will want doing asap, I know. Might be that a rebuild of the CVs is in order but just in terms of a 'freshen up and new seals maybe?
It's had two new discs and calipers so I think that I shall have a full look see on the brakes myslef as a matter of course.
Sunroof works perfectly
Central locking works
Doors all close and shut lines look good
MOT history confirms mileage
Bottom leading edges of doors a little flaky inside
Diff locks all work within 1 yard of movement
Auto box seems alright to me
ABS light is on - err help
Aerial broken off motor working
Small leak of oil underneath spreading down the chassis drive train etc. Will have to find. Not dripping - just looks like not much spread a long way
Brakes pull very slightly to one side - I can sort that.
Steering positive, no wobble at all, no 'Eeeech' on lock to lock
Bit sooty when revved up. Other that I have looked at have seemed sweeter - but with all those damn pipes, it may be something there.
Lights all fine
Fag lighter missing
CD player
Has after market cruise control - with broken wire - so another job for the list.
OK that'll do for now. Hit me guys! But be gentle. Still slightly nervous.
Chris
I have bought my first 80 and whilst I know cars, it's been a long time since I bought something like this. OK let's run through it. It is NOT perfect, or immaculate and has definitely been tickled up here and there in the past to what actually looks like a good standard. But there are some initial issues to chuck out there for some reassurance if you will. This probably doesn't belong in Your Garage - but it's a multi-purpose posting.
Here we go:
The tyres are fine, but the white lettering looks horrible. Time to black those out.
Yep, rear wiper doesn't work.
By way of evidence, Phil very kindly let me have all the scrap parts that he'd replaced. Hmm, plant pots perhaps?
It's not bad inside. Rear seats are battered, well they will be when they land in the council tip!. Seats worn through, but seat covers will fix that. All electric motors work. Needs a seat belt, looking a bit worn. The last person was a farmer and I suspect that getting in and out to open gates has probably hastened the seat bolster and seat belt on their way.
Not sure what this bit is called - err enjin? Anyway, one new battery one one out of a kitchen clock judging by the size of it. It starts fine, but with the little one on the right, it sometimes doesn't seem to fire the starter quite so solidly. It had pretty clean oil in it. Air filter clean. Auto oil smelled clean. Rad needs flushing and doing properly. The aircon pump has been robbed off it. Last bloke had two cruisers. Hmm, spanner magpies I think.
OK, no then - what the hell should be on the end of this pipe going to the airbox - I can't find any EGR valve anywhere. There are a few bits of hose which I don't think are original!
Now, when it's idling, the engine sounds smooth but it sort of bobbles a bit like it has a shagged engine mounting. It disappears when you raise the revs very slightly, but there is a sort of harmonic sets up when it drops back down and the engine rocks a bit. The engine note does not change at all.
Not this is a problem, the wiper arm seems to have come off its giggle pin. The result is that it flails around and bashes the scuttle. In my view, this was not grounds for a funeral. The whole assembly could be replaced by Steff or Carl I am sure. It may be a weld here or there or a missing bolt. But hardly terminal. please tell me I am not wrong.
OK odd shot of general underside condition. There was nothing at the back end that gave me ANY cause for concern at all. Oh, other then the spare wheel is missing. Sorted from Carl.
Here is the nearside swivel which looks good to me
and the off side which looks a little oily rather than greasy - I dunno. But it looks clean unlike the cannon balls that I have been looking at all month.
The CVs have no clicking at all!!!!! OK BEBs will want doing asap, I know. Might be that a rebuild of the CVs is in order but just in terms of a 'freshen up and new seals maybe?
It's had two new discs and calipers so I think that I shall have a full look see on the brakes myslef as a matter of course.
Sunroof works perfectly
Central locking works
Doors all close and shut lines look good
MOT history confirms mileage
Bottom leading edges of doors a little flaky inside
Diff locks all work within 1 yard of movement
Auto box seems alright to me
ABS light is on - err help
Aerial broken off motor working
Small leak of oil underneath spreading down the chassis drive train etc. Will have to find. Not dripping - just looks like not much spread a long way
Brakes pull very slightly to one side - I can sort that.
Steering positive, no wobble at all, no 'Eeeech' on lock to lock
Bit sooty when revved up. Other that I have looked at have seemed sweeter - but with all those damn pipes, it may be something there.
Lights all fine
Fag lighter missing
CD player
Has after market cruise control - with broken wire - so another job for the list.
OK that'll do for now. Hit me guys! But be gentle. Still slightly nervous.
Chris