So I've bought this as a stopgap as it was only a few miles from home, low mileage with potential and bang on the cusp of some pre-booked holiday. It was snowing when I picked it up no grip at all on 225 width of budget chinese rubber. I drove home with the EPC light on all the way, but after two weeks of work listed below the car is mostly ok. Fitted new number plates re-tapped rear M6 threads for nylon bolts Replaced battery with the Mk2s for now with Mk2 clamp and bolt as it was missing Cleaned inside and out plus under bonnet. Removed and cleaned wheels Cleaned around oil cap turned seal over. Revived central locking with 4x 1620 batteries for remotes Fitted FreciousPlus pollen filter and Valeo heater blower Silicon greased glovebox hinges + weighted closure before refitting Reseated dipstick tube as it was floating Investigate nearside electric window and manipulate into full closure. Repaired nearside electric window with new clips, cleaned glass and door rubber. White greased door hinges Rear brake light bulbs + one indicator Replaced spark plugs Replaced Air filter panel Run diagnostics cleared faults, monitored Reset Service Interval Reminder Resolved clutch pedal squeak Cleaned replacement climate control sampling module and refitted Removed and disassembled Concert II to free CD Eject mechanism Replaced chirping Aux Belt Replaced disintegrating Dipstick Measured oil depth down to sump pan via dipstick tube Took oil Sample Drain oil, Change filter Refill oil
Yeah it's an AUM, it has some marks on it, but it's pretty solid. Not much service history, but it hasn't turned an alleged 70K yet. Thankfully still just as quiet on a known grade of oil which makes me think its genuine. The gears still feel notchy too.
With a bit of TLC looks like you could have found a nice car. Get some decent rubber on it and I am sure you will like it better. https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/michelin/pilot-sport-4/225-45-zr17-94w-448155
Yeah it's an EVS code 02J. I'm surprised by the mechanical feedback from a little light pressure on the selector forks. The inner tubs of the wheels are a bit shocking after years with caked on brake dust. I joked to my mate that they might need balancing once it's all off. It depends what comes up first really a sensibly priced single wheel so I can refurb two at a time or another set entirely.
The EVS gearbox, runs the same FDR and gear spacing as MK3 16v vehicle. If it feels notchy, it could be the gear selector cables.
That's both interesting and slightly disappointing at the same time to know. The shifting is fine really. I just mean there's not much play there for a car that is now 15 years old this month.
I have the results of the oil analysis. I think I could of done a better job with the sample as the oil cooled a bit quicker than I expected and I almost didn't draw enough into the syringe. There's also a bit of a limit to the sample depth as the dipstick tube hits the side of the sump rather than the bottom. Just part of the report, but fairly unspectacular.
Well the oil analysis didn't tell me as much as peering in the sump with and endoscope did. I did try this before unsuccessfully, but it had been drained some time when I took these.
"And now Ladies and Gentleman what I've been waiting for." God bless our American cousins for making a sump gasket and a local importer of American car parts. Apparently reusable though I will get a spare before testing this out. Not sure where the grommets go as yet.
Still not sure what the 3rd grommet is for, but the two long ones are for this I did wonder if it would put the gearbox bolts out of alignment, but they seemed perfectly centered after the 1st torquing to 5Nm.
Well happy days it's a runner again albeit with a boost leak. Oil pressure is good so far and golden on the dipstick for the first time since it was new I should think.
I was up at the crack of a sparrows fart this morning. Turns out the bayonet hose>pancake pipe connection wasn't quite clipped in on the offside so promptly blew apart. No engine oil present there for a change. Terrible fuel economy on the test drive. After months on ramps I can't get used to the bonnet being so low.
