Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[Gibbo2286]

There are several links Mick inside the page I posted.

[Zelandeth]

Now if they've got an RM there with the proper drivetrain in it, that I would love a shot of. I have driven one, but it had been retrofitted with a more modern engine to meet emissions regs in the area the owner used it for private hire work. They'd done it themselves and taken great care to ensure everything was reversible (and still had the original running gear), and it did drive lovely...but I'd really like a shot of one in its original guise.

The thing which I remember being absolutely staggered by every time I've been on an RM was just how good the ride is.

I'd really like to get back into doing something on that side of things through volunteer work or something, but with everything that's happened over the last few years it's just not been practical. If/when we do move back up north at least I do know a few people in the industry, both mainstream and preservation which is a helpful "foot in the door" so to speak. I would really like to get my full category D license one day, yes because it would make things far easier if I did ever buy one (mainly from an insurance perspective really), but also in no small part simply to prove to myself that I can do it.

Edit: Well it looks like the original part exchange isn't going to work out. However the same vehicle will be heading my way as I'm just going to buy it outright instead. Just suits my needs for the fleet workhorse far too well to pass it up. Does mean I'm still looking for a home for the Merc though.

[Zelandeth]

Had an opportunity to activate test out the SLS setup on the S123 yesterday when we did a run to the recycling centre. Prior to startup she was sitting like this after loading.



Then 30 seconds or so after the engine was started.



Yep, that works then.

Don't want to know how much weight I had crammed in there...Was quite a lot of heavy metal stuff like old brake discs, the knackered old cylinder head and four old car batteries.

I could have gone up further, but I knew if I had much more in there I'd never get everything out in the 15 minute slot they give you. I barely managed as it was.

This evening I discovered a job for tomorrow while I was out running some errands.



At least it's only a 30 second job on this car.

To be fair I usually change the headlight lamps when I get a car, never did that on this one.

[Zelandeth]

Been very little going on, hence little to report.

I can confirm that as of this evening a deal has been agreed and that a new vehicle will be joining the fleet shortly. We collect it from down by Exeter on Monday.

Not fast, not exciting but will be supremely useful I hope, and I think will be quite interesting in its own way.

Sounds like a nice sort of state for me too, nothing that needs urgent attention but a good number of smaller jobs that will want doing which will add up to making it a lot nicer to live with long term.

[Zelandeth]

New car collection preparation checklist:

[] Money transferred, check.

[] Insurance, sorted. Bit more expensive than the Merc, but I expected that.

[] Address confirmed for collection.

[] Collection vehicle fuelled up, check.

...Would have had the actual owner transfer done if it weren't for the amazing automated computer system the DVLA has which only keeps office hours, so that and the tax will have to be done in the morning.

We aim to be on the road by 0900 tomorrow, about a 3.5 hour drive there...Wish me luck with the motorway traffic gods...

[mickthemaverick]

Looking forward to the reveal, good luck with the traffic and have a good trip!!

[Zelandeth]

Remembered the things I usually forget.



Shouldn't need the power bank but it's nice to not have to worry.

Well on our way now, ETA just before 1300 so far.

[Gibbo2286]

Coming my way then Zel.

[Zelandeth]

Full report tomorrow. Right now I've got a grade 8.2 out of 10 headache that's threatening to turn into a migraine so am going to go hide somewhere cool, dark and horizontal until it subsides.

Can't really give a tour just now as it's pitch dark outside. However thanks to the magic of this camera, here's a brief intro.







Initial observations though are that it drives really incredibly well.

The SDi seems to have a reputation for being slower than a wet week, however it seems absolutely fine to me. It's not a fast car, no. Equally though it doesn't feel even remotely sluggish. Didn't have any issue at all holding 70 on the motorway without needing to drop a gear or anything.

[mickthemaverick]

I didn't realise you were a golfer Zel ! Looks tidy enough with the right amount of jobs for you to get stuck into!!

[Hell Razor5543]

That looks more like a Polo derivative. There is plenty of room for shopping and the dogs in there. How are Tesla and Star, by the way? You haven't posted anything about them for a while.

[white exec]

Does that reg.no. really read 'Poo to Size' ?
Nothing if not adaptable, our Zel!

[mickthemaverick]

That looks more like a Polo derivative. There is plenty of room for shopping and the dogs in there. How are Tesla and Star, by the way? You haven't posted anything about them for a while.

It's a VW Caddy James, hence the golf reference, Golfers having a caddy to carry their stuff!!

[mickthemaverick]

Not that you need a diversion at the moment Zel but I thought you might find something of interest in this sale!!

[Zelandeth]

Not that you need a diversion at the moment Zel but I thought you might find something of interest in this sale!!

It alarms me how many of those consoles that we own!

-- -- --

So, what have I found, having had a chance to look over the...car? Van? It's half of one, half of another... we're just going to say "car" for the sake of simplicity.

Overall initial assessment so far is that it's pretty much as expected. Cosmetically challenged in a few areas but fundamentally sound underneath it all.

Let's start with the usual walk round photos.













The only bit of rust which has me slightly concerned is the bit immediately below the window over the cab.



I have a horrible feeling that if I start digging at that we're going to have a hole to deal with. Properly sorting *that* would then require removal of both the front and rear headliners. I'll obviously be doing a bit of investigation, sanding it back, attacking it with Vactan then paint it for now.

Interior isn't too bad, needs a good clean and I've a few things to sort, but for a vehicle which has always earned its keep it's not bad at all.



Thankfully this just pre-dates the point at which VW switched over to using concrete for their seats, so they're quite comfortable actually.

Rear seats are a bit cramped, but will be absolutely fine for short trips which are the most likely thing they'll be used for 99% of the time.



That interia reel on the floor is part of the original seatbelt lashing arrangement so could be removed just a couple of bolts and could easily be refitted later if needed. Would be nice to get it out of the way of people's ankles given room is already pretty limited.

Strange sitting so high up, you kind of look down into the cab a good foot or so above the driver.



Will surprise precisely no one that the pop out side windows appear to leak.



Hopefully a good clean and treatment of the seals will sort that out.

The rear door seals could do with a bit of a refresh too. This will explain why the cabin fills up with exhaust fumes if you have a window open.



This is the real reason for buying this though. Having two pretty large dogs, this is about as perfect a setup as I could ask for. The rear two wheelchair lashing eyes even are perfectly placed to hook their travel harnesses to (via suitable leads with elastic to absorb the shock during an emergency stop).



I'm thinking I might make a panel to drop in over the dropped floor section so they have a bit more width, and it could also make a handy covered storage area. Lack of anywhere really out of the way of prying eyes is a bit of a drawback to vans with a lot of glass like this.

It's a layout which just lends itself to being a really, really *useful* vehicle.

Words can't quite express how much I'm looking forward to attacking this engine bay with a couple of gallons of degreaser and the pressure washer.



That said, it's an honest looking engine bay and there's no hugely obvious bodges that are immediately apparent.


So let's make a start on the to do list.

One thing I immediately noticed the moment I started the van yesterday was that the idle tended to hunt a bit, especially when cold.




Which was also accompanied by a tendency for a bit of white smoke to be visible occasionally when you come off the throttle. It's definitely fuel related, not coolant based on the smell.

Took me about thirty seconds to spy a likely cause for the fuel system having a bit of a hard time with the engine running.



If you look carefully you can just see there are air bubbles in the feed line to the fuel pump.

An obvious suspect is this fuel line on the suction side of the pump which is very obviously perished and kind of squishy.



They're all a bit crusty looking, so I think they will get replaced along with the fuel filter. I've picked up everything for a routine service today anyway, so that will be done soon.



There was an advisory on the MOT for the SRS warning lamp not lighting. As the space for the radio was still empty it was easy to get to the back of...sure enough it was unplugged.

Plugging it back in and turning the ignition on resulted in it lighting up as it should...



Then after a couple of seconds, somewhat to my surprise, going out, exactly as it should do. Has continued to do so all afternoon too...so if that's sorted it I'll call that a win.

Next task was an obvious one...



Getting audio set up. I'd actually asked the seller to take their head unit out as having only just bought this one and just about learned my way around it I'd rather stick with it.

Helpfully it's one of those which you can customise the colours of, so can match it perfectly to the dash lighting.



Speakers in there are pretty decent actually, nice not to have to mess around upgrading those for a change.

Which is where I left it today, as I'd clearly run out of daylight!

Next thing I need to investigate is the temperature control for the heater. As is basically standard for this control assembly the cable has snapped off the back of it. So the heater is currently adjusted by pushing or pulling a cable sitting in the dash cubby hole. Which rattles. A lot. If nothing else it'll get relocated to one of the switch blanks above there to stop it rattling so much! Hopefully while I'm in there I can see if I can sort the illumination for the heater controls as currently none of that works.

Not really going to have much time over the next few days, but I'll no doubt find a few minutes here and there to do something.

Overall though I'm really happy with it so far. Was exactly as I expected based on the description I was given and is something I should be able to improve on nicely. Really does drive nicely too.