Car tinkering

chillidoggy

I've messaged the seller about the camera. I did manage to get it to work briefly, then nothing. I just need a bit of time to sit down and work out whether it's goosed, or whether it needs software, or whatever.

Deadman, I'd have walked too if the oil light was coming on. Mind you, my Mondeo air con compressor has been rattling like a bastard since I've had it. It still works at the moment, though.

Deadman

The strange thing was that it only rattled with the system turned off. I've read that if the compressor is goosed then the condenser could be too and the whole thing can cost up to £1200 to put right.

As for the oil light, he'd just had it serviced and the level was spot on. Probably a dodgy sensor but nevertheless a worry when it's a private deal.

The Mondeo will be staying for now. It's a good motor, I just fancy a change sometime soon.

chillidoggy

Interesting. My Mondeo air-con only rattles when it's engaged!

I don't think the condenser would necessarily be goosed due to the compressor, but if the condenser has a hole in it, then all the gas disappears and the system doesn't work. The compressors are normally pretty robust. At least that's what I'm hoping for the Lotus, a new condenser is about £600.

Deadman

Blimey, that's one expensive condensor!

I think if  the compressor is worn it can introduce metal into the condensor. But of course I may be talking out of my arse there.

boogieman

The metal wouldn't get through to the condenser in the first place, there's a filter strainer in the gas circuit that should stop that. Condensers usually fail because they get holed or crack at a weld or seam, they're basically the same as a radiator.

Deadman

Hence my talking out of my arse caveat

boogieman

>:D<

chillidoggy

And after two days farting around fitting the new clutch slave cylinder/clutch hose, I think the clutch is fucked. As are two of the three cooling fans. Pissed right off, where's the personal facepalm?

Then I drove it. You don't sit in it, you wear it, and it's alive, like taming a wild animal.  Bastard thing. I hate it and love it in equal measures.

goldtop

(Not me doing the actual tinkering, but a warning) ... Muggins here 'saves money' by buying a new pattern cambelt from an Ebay US trader with great rep. It arrived quickly and I dropped it off with the car to a specialist. Who tried twice to get it to fit - it just won't line up all 3 timing marks.He, of course, thinks I've bought the wrong part to him, I'm doubly sure that the part is advertised and marked as the right part for this particular version of the engine. Cheked other sources and they agree.

Amyway, no point arguing if it doesn't fit. So a lot of labour later (ouch!) and another pattern part (UK-sourced this time) fits perfectly.

I presume the factory that made the first one is just inconsistent (it had the right number of teeth, width, etc). Not happy - might just about get £50 refund on the useless cambelt.

chillidoggy

One of the Lotus boys (recently divorced, I hasten to add), sent me these. He reckons it does the job of cleaning shitty engine parts brilliantly.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/owezjt60nmouusa/2014-09-20%2008.19.52.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nffvhdebegaxwcj/2014-09-20%2008.19.48.jpg?dl=0