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

[CitroJim]

Zel, delighted this job was a nice, easy one

Liberal use of copper grease helps keep everything easy to disassemble!

That belt was a little past it's best...

[daviemck2006]

That’s one magic thing about an ex Citrojim car. Every bolt comes out easily, no fighting stuff. I wonder if I will eat my words when I come to the injectors on Gabby lol.

[CitroJim]

That’s one magic thing about an ex Citrojim car. Every bolt comes out easily, no fighting stuff. I wonder if I will eat my words when I come to the injectors on Gabby lol.

I never touched her injectors Davie... So don't blame me if they don't come out easily

Be aware they can be biblically tight and a special socket is needed - especially for the injector with the needle lift sensor - that one is easily damaged...

And bloody expensive to replace

[Zelandeth]

Have figured out why the various fuel lines I've got for the Lada don't fit.

They *do* fit - but the metal bits didn't come with them...So I'll need to adapt what I've got. Now I *know* that, not a problem...will get some 10mm flare fittings and look at getting that sorted soon. I'd foolishly assumed that the pre-shaped rigid "tails" would have come with them. My mistake.

I've got a circuit pieced together on a breadboard upstairs to operate the check engine light, will need to bring it out to the car at some point shortly to see if it actually works. It's not doing anything fancy as it's just providing the same functionality as the original from the carb setup - so in this case it will light the check engine light in the following circumstances...

[] Lambda value too high OR too low AND vehicle coolant temperature is over 70C.

[] Vehicle electrical system voltage is LOWER than 12.6V.

So it should behave exactly like the original - comes on with the ignition, but extinguishes the moment the engine starts, and should then stay out unless something is awry. It'll ignore the lambda value until the car drops into closed loop mode (coolant temperature >60C), I've aimed for slightly above that to avoid nuisance triggering at the changeover point. Will be interesting to see if it works in practice.

I could just wire it in to the ignition light...but this should actually give me some useful diagnostic information at least, and puts my conscience at ease as it's not an MOT defeat-device...it's an honest workaround for the fact that my ECU has a stuffed CEL output.

Couple of comparators, half a chip's worth of 7400 series logic, and a handful of passives.

The question is going to be whether I have issues with this being sufficient to load down the lambda sensor input...Hoping the answer is no. If the answer is yes, that could rapidly become annoying.


Couldn't resist getting the Invacar out for a bit. Gave it a bit of a run around the drive, and can confirm that the speedo does indeed work. This "enthusiastic" behaviour and exercising of the brakes however then immediately swilled more gunk out of the bottom of the fuel tank, and I spent some considerable time trying to figure out why I wasn't getting any fuel into the float bowl.

Turned out the little screen filter in the top of the carb was full of rusty gunk. Now, these are far too big bits of crud to have got through the fuel filters or the screen in the fuel pump...so my guess is that they've been dislodged from the pump itself due to the higher fuel flow rate because I was actually using the throttle under real load for the first time.

Cleaning that out restored normal behaviour again, though if I were going to be using this fuel tank long term I think I'd just pay to have it professionally cleaned - I can't imagine it being that expensive. As it is, it'll not be getting used long-term, so I'm just going to keep an eye on things.

I also got fed up of tripping over the engine cover stay, which seems to have a talent for managing to get in the way irrespective of where I put it in the garage...so I solved this problem by reattaching it to the car.

That does a good job of suddenly making it look significantly less incomplete.

Can see why people often remove them when working on the car though - the cover doesn't open very wide - and the huge cool air inlet duct means that the first time you try to duck under the thing you inevitably whack your head on it.

Edit: Went out to get something later in the day, and discovered that for the second time in as many days that a bird's nest has fallen out of the tree next to our drive, and landed on the poor Activa. The heater now buzzes...that'll be bits of twig in the blower then.

Have I mentioned that I'm really sick of that tree...

[RichardW]

Have I mentioned that I'm really sick of that tree...

This'll fix it

[Zelandeth]

Oh believe me...if it were that simple it would be history.

Issue is twofold.

Firstly it's big enough that getting it down is a job for a professional - one that will involve briefly closing our road.

Secondly, the Council say we're not allowed to remove it. I am keeping every bit of correspondence on that topic to throw back in their faces when they come after me to pay for the damage the roots are causing to the footway and probably the carriageway.

[Zelandeth]

Being such a lovely afternoon today, I couldn't not make a point of having all the windows and sunroof open all the way when I went out - finally kicked into making a tip run by virtue of the fact that the oil bottle into which I drain everything was full so I needed to empty it. So loaded up a plethora of other stuff that had been getting stacked in the corner waiting to be taken in as well.

Couldn't fail to notice two things. Firstly was that driving along without a perpetual "squeaksqueaksqueaksqueak..." is far more pleasant. Secondly was a light tapping noise coming from somewhere towards the offside rear. Sounded very much like ratting brake pads, but didn't stop when the brakes were applied. Hmm...Made a note to myself to investigate when I got home.

Cause was actually nice and simple for a change!

Slightly loose wheel centre cap. There's just enough free movement in it (about 0.5mm) for it to rattle. I'll have a closer look a that at some point in the near future, guessing removing the centre cap is far easier with the wheel off first.

On the subject of wheels, I apparently will indeed need a new wheel cylinder for at least one wheel on the Invacar, as evidenced by finding this when going into the garage to get something out of the freezer at the back.

Ah well, at least they're cheap!

[Zelandeth]

Can't remember where I last updated things on the Invacar bodywork front...

Oh...and the brake fluid leak has stopped again. What the? I seem to have a wheel cylinder that leaks when it feels like it.

First off... don't expect any updates of great substance for the next couple of weeks. We're about to dash off for a holiday abroad, so car stuff will need to wait. In laws are going to be house (and dog) sitting for us, so don't have to leave the place empty, which is always a bit of worry off my mind. Sadly does mean I'll be deprived of car tinkering time though. Curious to see what box of bland the rental company give me this time.

Hopefully there should be things afoot on my return though.

Firstly, the Saab is now sold. So she will (after seven years in the family), be off to pastures new. Hopefully to be restored and put back into the road.

The Lada will hopefully be next on the list to be back on the road. I miss driving the darn rust bucket... hadn't realised quite how much until I spent a few minutes sitting in it yesterday. There's a reason I attached myself to the marque all those years ago, and it still just feels like slipping into a comfy old jacket getting back in the driving seat. Not expecting any real horrors MOT wise, just need to get the windscreen sorted. Will probably swap out the brake Flexi hoses too. Was wary of doing it before in case I broke any of the rigid ones, but now having found my flaring kit it's a non-issue as I can make up replacement pipes if needed.

I NEED to make sure I get this car to some shows this year.

Next up, Invacar. I have secured a second one. It's got a rough body, but (save for the rear apron below the engine cover), it is all actually there. It's also missing the engine and gearbox, the engine cover is in two pieces, is missing the rear windscreen, I think there's a chunk missing from the roof, the door locks are gone, pretty much the entire interior is missing, and the wiring is a total mess. However, I've got a good (I think!) engine, a good roof, good glass, and the lower section of my doors is good, so I can make a complete good set. It's basically got exactly what I need. It also apparently has a near perfect floor pan, which given how well these little crates were rust proofed, means the underside is probably like new. It was also in use as recently as 1999 apparently, so suspension bushes, brake Flexi hoses etc should be in better order than on mine.

So... I'm expecting if it's as good a candidate as it sounds that my current one may well wind up as the parts donor. Either way, the idea is to make one good one out of the two. They're both AC examples, and the "new" one is a 1973 example I believe. If they're much of a muchness condition wise, I'll Rob parts for my current one...to be honest that's a call I'll need to make when I've actually got it on the drive. Not exactly sure when that will happen yet as details are still being worked out.

...The idea of making the other into a fun kit car of sorts has crossed my mind. For that reason, I'll hold onto the pile of leftovers until I've done some miles in the working one and decided on how terrifying it is to drive. I'm expecting more fun than outright terror though...hard work in terms of concentration yes, but not actually scary. For me that's reserved for things like several tonnes worth of bus with cable operated brakes or sports bikes that do 0-100 faster than the Activa gets to 30. It was a Suzuki 1300 engined thing of some description, never again.

If I ever do end up with a bike it will probably be a Yamaha pretty much identical to the one my uncle has - which we both describe as "a Harley that's been made properly." In that it looks and sounds like one, but goes better, corners better, stops (way) better, and doesn't vibrate the fillings out your teeth. He's had it since 2007 I think, and it's also been unwavering in its reliability so far. It's the sort of bike it really feels like you could comfortably cross continents on.

The first show the Invacar is hopefully going to surface at will be the Festival of the Unexceptional in July. That will be a two trip job for me, as I hope to have the Lada along too. Activa too probably, as while she is very much exceptional I think, the Xantia is very much one of the largely forgotten workhorses of the last decade.

Activa plans...

Once the weather sorts itself out, investigate the creaking front end and see if we can do anything to tame it.

Stabilise a few bits of the sunburn.

Probably new tyres this year.

Possibly look at getting her a stainless exhaust made up. Won't be anything crazy, and the original tip profile must be retained in my view as it's important to the look of the back of the car (like the BX). Won't be loud either, though I won't say no to a bit of burble...not boy racer loud though as that's totally out of character with the car. The blend Saab got with the 900 Turbo was spot on I reckon. You didn't even really notice it on the move, just a lovely burble at idle though. Wouldn't surprise me if it freed a few horses too, as the exhaust note on full throttle suggests that the system is more restrictive than ideal. Certainly isn't a huge bore for a turbocharged engine of its size.

Other than that, use, enjoy (which I am, massively!) and get it to some shows too.

You'll have to have a shot one day Jim and see if you can feel any difference with her having been back in regular use. Likewise I might propose an afternoon at some point for an Activa health check once the weather's better. You'll know the drill better than I, and will be able to point and laugh when I wind up getting a face full of LHM that way.

So yes... that's a little rambling (probably full of typos because I'm typing this on a phone screen - I'll edit it in the morning!) fleet update.

Saab: moving on.
Invacar: progressing with big progress inbound.
Lada: Awaiting new windscreen then MOT.
Activa: being enjoyed and using large amounts of petrol (totally worth it).

[CitroJim]

Have a lovely holiday Zel

I'm feeling the need of one and plan to take a few days off over Easter... My brain is exhausted and needs a long rest from all things technical and a rest from thinking...

[van ordinaire]

Have a lovely holiday Zel

The very thought that came into my head as I started on Zel's latest missive.

Seems like Easter'll be as busy as Christmas was for me, now the red Cherokee's honeymoon period seems to be over (BUT, after 14 months I can't really complain). However, as of tomorrow, I do have a long w/e in Germany - to be entirely devoted to a classic car show, to tide me over to a proper holiday in May.

The Saab actually going was a bit sudden wasn't it Zel?

Hope you're not too disappointed with the hire car (thought it was only in USA that you couldnever rely on them to come up with what you'd booked)

[Zelandeth]

The Saab actually going was a result of me giving myself a right metaphorical slap in the face and realising that if I didn't move her on that she was otherwise doomed to rot under that tree until being too far gone.

She's too good a car for that, and this is the right time of year to do it. For all I love driving the Saab, I have to admit that it's a car I've never enjoyed working on. It's just one of those cars where everything seems to always take at least twice as long as it should. The fact that it seems to be costing a major chunk more every year to insure was the last straw. So I forced myself to get off my lazy tail and sort it.

It also frees up some extra funds that I can pump back into the Invacar project, and any leftovers probably getting sunk into a couple of non-motoring projects.

Not kidding myself though, I'll really miss the car. Doubt it will be the last Classic 900 I own, but do reckon it will probably remain the best one I've ever driven.

The fact that in that car was the last place I ever really spoke to my mother is something that will always stick in my head too. That's a reason both why I think I need to move it on, and why I'm reluctant to. That's been a loss that I've still never really dealt with properly for all it's going on four years ago now. I'm hoping this might be a small step forward with that.

[van ordinaire]

Obviously not an easy decision but, fwiw, probably the right one.
Just surprised that, so long after you first mentioned it was to be a victim of pruning the fleet, suddenly - it's gone!
Don't let it spoil your holiday.

[Zelandeth]

Won't actually be until after the holidays she moves on. Isn't going to bother me so to speak though. I'll be sad to see her go, but would be far sadder to see her continue to rot and eventually be carted off for scrap.

If I get to hear stories of her getting back on the road and someone else enjoying the car doing what she was built for, that will make me happy.

The only proviso is the usual "if I see you at a show, I might want a shot!" statement.

The Ambassador (so known due to the colour, Embassy Blue - and because it fit) will be missed, but it's something that needed to be done and I'm feeling actually quite positive about just now.

Kind of feels like it's time to move on from Saabs a bit...Lada I honestly can't see me selling unless someone offered me really daft money for it.

Invacar? Who knows...I think a lot of that will depend on what it's like to drive. Even if it turns out to be a "fix up and move on" restoration, then so be it - I've had a huge amount of fun working on it so far, and I'd be perfectly happy if I didn't make a penny out of it. However I've got a pretty good guess in my head of how I think it will behave - and if that's right, I reckon the biggest challenge will be trying to stop myself driving it everywhere.

That's kind of where I am with the Activa. I jumped at it when the opportunity turned up because it gave me a chance to try a car I'd always wanted out, and was a deal that saved both me and Jim stress. However now I've got it , I'm utterly hooked on it...and she's now right up there in the top tier of "favourite cars I've owned." Can't see sale happening there anywhere near soon, and I reckon I really might consider it worthwhile to splurge next year on that full respray she wants and deserves - the fact it will probably cost twice or more what the car is worth is irrelevant. Have pretty much decided that when that happens that it will probably be proper camera-murdering 110% saturated Ferrari red though. I just think that will suit it so well (especially with the slightly brutish stance being the Activa), yet is still "red" so doesn't feel like it's too massive a step from original.

Long term fleet...tricky. I really want something at some point that is large and comfy enough to take the dog on longer trips etc, but that is modern enough that Darren isn't terrified of driving it. I reckon that will mean Cherokee (before there's none left), C4 Grand Picasso, Berlingo (as I'm fully aware they're about the most practical car ever made), or a Saab 9-5 Estate. The latter is the least likely - I know all too well the issues they can have on the earlier examples (the self-destructive tendencies of the engine's for one) and the tax is murder on the later ones. Oh...or a proper old Volvo... unlikely though as they go for strong money these days, and I'd rather have a good one than a project as bits can be expensive.

Then of course the whole plan might go totally tail about face if the right old bus were to materialize at the right time...

[Zelandeth]

Uuuuuuuurrrrrggghhh...

Someone remind me why I do international travel again?

I remember the trip being actually fun...now it's just a stressful mess.

Virginia Atlantic's relatively recently overhauled Airbus A330s...seats apparently bought off Audi. I've sat on park benches with more padding. The most useless infotainment systems I've used in years with resistive touchscreen interfaces...which is great when the guy in the seat behind you decides to start playing a very enthusiastic game of Bejewelled. Pretty sure I wound up with concussion from that...then a hostess managed to dump about 2/3rds of a 2 litre bottle of water in my lap. About 15 minutes into an 8 hour journey. I just about dried out when we arrived at JFK for the connection.

After the usual kerfuffle at the border control point (they really can't get their heads around the whole me being married to a US Citizen thing) which wasted an hour, we found our departure gate. ...and realized with about 10 minutes to boarding that the pre-booked seats (which we paid £30 odd each for!) had all been changed, and we were scattered all over the plane.

I was already having a bad day by this point, was in quite a lot of pain, and getting quite overwhelmed by the world in general. Then spent two hours sandwiched between two people I didn't know, one of whom was a very loud, very drunk Russian, who then fell asleep on my shoulder and spent the latter two thirds of the trip drooling on me. Overbooked flight too...so no chance of shifting...

Having finally escaped from that aircraft, limping my way through the terminal, I managed to get bodily bowled over by a mother chasing four out of control children. Not so much as a sorry...and a scolding from the nearby TSA security guard for knocking over their barrier tape thing because I fell into it.

Have finally made it to our overnight hotel...then all I've got to do is survive the traffic getting out of Fort Lauderdale as far as the Overseas Highway heading south...and we should be good. No more bloody air travel at least.

Think I may just have to impose a family ban on my being involved in trips like at least until my mental state improves. A couple of years back I'd have just shrugged my shoulders, however I counted it a major victory in that I managed to neither have a total breakdown nor physically chuck anyone out of the aircraft today...

Feel really bad that the cracks have been showing lately.

[Gibbo2286]

Should have gone by BA to Baltimore Zel, a direct flight from Heathrow and closer to Fort Lauderdale.

I flew in to JFK on one trip then on down to Baltimore, a real pain of a journey, while waiting for the connection in one of those outpost waiting rooms we watched a couple of mechanics working on a plane engine, chucking spanners up and down to each other, girl next to me said "I hope that's not our plane"......it was and with hardboard seats.