169 replies to this topic

[oli8925]

Could it be the solenoid doing funny things

The solenoid is more likely to be the issue, is it the old style one that bolts to the inner wing simular to the older mini's or a relay?

Yeah it's the separate solenoid on the inner wing. I'm trying to get one bought and picked up by my Dad back in Kent so I can pick it up when I go down for Christmas. In the mean time I have the old one off, I'll give it a few hits in the hope it will dislodge the plunger if that's the issue. Otherwise I'll start the car and then disconnect the starter. Just to get it about if I have to.

[oli8925]

It was indeed the solenoid. Haven't managed to get hold of a new one yet but luckily I knew the rusty old one on the red Viva at least turned it over, so tried that. All works well and went for a lovely long drive yesterday. It still really struggles to turn over in the cold though. Once it's been run for 30 minutes it starts on the first crank, but the first start on a cold morning can take 5 minutes of trying or a jump!

So that's next problem anyway, might try a new starter but it's a bit much to spend if I don't need it...

[charie t]

It was indeed the solenoid. Haven't managed to get hold of a new one yet but luckily I knew the rusty old one on the red Viva at least turned it over, so tried that. All works well and went for a lovely long drive yesterday. It still really struggles to turn over in the cold though. Once it's been run for 30 minutes it starts on the first crank, but the first start on a cold morning can take 5 minutes of trying or a jump!

So that's next problem anyway, might try a new starter but it's a bit much to spend if I don't need it...

Was it like it before? wait until you get the new solenoid fitted.

[oli8925]

Yep, has always been a bit rubbish for first starts in the cold, but not this bad. I guess it has been very very cold lately.

Anyway,

Wednesday - Drove the Viva back from Hertford to Tunbridge Wells. In the traffic on the M25 an odd intermittent squeal started from the N/S wheel below 10mph.

Thursday - Drove down to Brighton to pick up a CB radio I'd won. Started off with no noise, then it came back and got progressively worse so that it was constant under 15-20mphm with an added random squeak. There was also a 5 minute period where my brake pedal lost it's sponginess in the first half inch of travel and became really stiff, then that went back to normal. On the way back I picked up a couple of friends. The noise from the wheel went away but while I was stuck in traffic going up a hill, I thought it felt like the clutch was slipping and the biting point was slowly disappearing, but wasn't sure if it was in my head

Today - Took friends back, everything was ok. Went to town a bit later and got stuck in traffic going up a steep hill. First a few more squeaks from the N/S hub appeared, then brake squeal, then my clutch almost completely gave up on me! Luckily by that point I was at the crest of the hill so it just about managed to struggle up the last bit so I could limp it back to the garage. It was there I found out one of my brand new engine mounts had split

Therefore, coming up: New clutch, new starter motor, new wheel bearings, new engine mount, new solenoid

On the plus side, the car seems to be much better going over road bumps than it used to be, and the guy I bought the CB off threw in an aerial and some weird cool retro gadget box. He doesn't know what it does or even if it works, but it looks awesome. I'll post a picture when I remember!

Edited by oli8925, 31 December 2010 - 07:00 PM.

[oli8925]

Time for a bit of an update. Two weekends ago I put the car back in the garage at my Grandad's disgust, and got the car back up on axel stands. Struggled with getting the engine to swing in it's cradle to the right position to drop the gearbox, but managed it in the end. Clutch didn't look bad but it certainly wasn't working so out it came. There was a bit of a leak from the rear engine oil seal too but nothing too bad, and its an engine out and apart job to replace, so considering it's getting a new lump, I'm not going to bother.

Last weekend I collected a new wheel bearing (they forgot the other), the clutch and a new starter and set to work. First off replacing he starter was the worst job of all. To do it you have to remove the alternator in front of it, didn't bother me as I hadn't been able to tighten it up enough on my own to stop it squealing, and either remove the engine mount bracket on the engine, or loosen the exhaust manifold studs to give the starter enough clearance to pull it out. Started with the engine mount, then though seeing as the bolts are in a recess and very difficult to get to, it was going to be extremely difficult to relocate them at the end, so moved on to the exhaust manifold. The exhaust had to be dropped in order to remove the gearbox crossmember, so I couldn't get the manifold to move enough to squeeze the starter through the gap. So from this all the bolts were undone and the manifold pushed up a couple inches. New starter in, and all the bolts done back up, it was on to the clutch. Luckily this didn't cause any problems and it all went back together.

However, with it all back together and rolling again, something was making an awful noise and vibration, and the clutch was biting extremely high (for some reason there's a huge amount of travel in Viva clutch pedals anyway). After driving it around for a little trying to diagnose the noise/vibration, we adjusted the clutch to bite lower down and got that out the way. On doing so I noticed the downpipe had shifted an inch to the right and was now touching the rear arm of the front crossmember. Bugger! Loosened a few mounts off and tried to kick the gearbox to the right to skew the engine back in to place, and got a few mm gap there now so it's not too bad. But that will need to be sorted when I change the engine mounts, as one of my new ones has already split

Otherwise, there was a barely noticeable but not very nice engine rattle which today I found to be a loose alternator bolt, thank god, but the engine's feeling and sounding a bit tired now anyway. Need to get the replacement built. The wheel hasn't made a noise until today, while I was lapping the Uni car park it started to squeak a little, as before. Hasn't done it since though so I'll cross my fingers, but tonight/tomorrow I'm travelling up to Hertford so will keep an ear out. If it is still there, I have no idea what it could be!

Happier news is that I now have my head ready for painting, just need to decide colour. I don't want it to look anything special, so am thinking of going for standard black, but thought it might be a little dull, so maybe I should do it blue, or navy or something. Not red though!

Think that's all for now, bound to be something else soon though *sigh* Will most likely start using my Dad's spare Saab 9000 soon though, it has 5 gears and everything!

[Sir Cheat]

Love them last lot of pics.. Looks so good next to all the modern poo..

[oli8925]

Haven't updated in a while.

Got a fair bit done but nothing exciting. A new set of leads made the running much better but it was still pinking, so set the timing. Found out it was over 30 degrees too advanced, it's a wonder it ran let alone as smooth as it was. Obviously it's much better now and doesn't pink, although it is still down on power. I need to find my new carb diaphragm and clean up the rest of the carb. Also did a compression test and it showed low pressure in the middle two cylinders. Really trying to avoid taking the head off though.

Once the timing was done I put in a cheapy electronic points replacement unit which has helped a little too. So that's it running much better.

A few weeks ago I took the cigarette lighter out of a Corsa B and drilled a hole in my dash in the position the cigarette lighter would have been from factory (I think). Turned out well and am pleased with the result. the reason I used one from a Corsa is that I wanted something a bit flash so bought this. In the end it didn't fit and the finish was rubbish so it's on its way back for a refund.



Also moved the fog light switch panel along a bit so I could get the steering cowl back on and cleaned up the interior for the first time in too long.




Another one of my headlight bulbs went pop and I thought I'd had enough. They're originally 45/40W golf ball type bulbs so I picked up a couple 60/55W halogen bulbs from Halfords with the same old type fitment. They made a big improvement but after one journey melted the headlight switch. So I got two fused relays from Halfords and wired them into the dipped and main beam circuits so now all the switch has to do is pull in the relay, luckily the switch was fine once it had cooled down. Despite this I still wanted to fit the Super Brilliance bulbs I had fitted to my Mini as they were brilliant. Problem was they were the modern P43T H4 fitment, where my car has the old P45T fitment. For this I bought some adapters off the bay of E. These needed a bit of trimming in order for the modern bulbs to fit in the recess, so out came the dremel. Once this was done I trial fitted them but found the prongs on the bulbs fouled the bulb retaining clip on the headlights. Back to the dremel and the prongs were cut back. All much better and now I can see at night!


Else where in Viva land, I have a CB radio I need to get working and a really cool speed camera warning thingy that's amazingly retro!



I've also just bought this DTV (Dealer Team Vauxhall) steering wheel from Ebay which I can't wait to fit. It needs a full refurb though and have no idea where will do it. I've asked Moto-Lita seeing as I'll be buying a boss kit off them but they said no. Got a nice leather gear knob to fit too.



And last of all, I got stuck in B&Q car park with sheets of wood far too big for the car, so took the opportunity to take some pictures (pre new headlights and cleaning)






Not been able to do much lately thanks to luvlygal's Mini taking up all my time

Edited by oli8925, 04 March 2011 - 11:04 PM.

[twiglett]

howdy oli havent seen you or the viva in aaaaggggggeeeeeesssss. hows things?

i still have your compression tester sitting in my garage from way back.
glad to see the viva is still uber retro and mobile unlike my bloody crx.
i do believe a catch up is required good sir.

[oli8925]

Today I got some much needed t-cutting and waxing done, along with a clean up and some chrome polish. Plus a very important sticker!




The current classic fleet (Mini is the gf's and mine's in the garage)



Also finally stripped the carpet out of the red Viva, it was soaked and ruined all the way through, and found a nice big hole just under the accelerator pedal. Passenger side could also have a few holes as will the rear seat belt mounting points, but overall not too bad.

Edited by oli8925, 06 March 2011 - 09:52 PM.

[oli8925]

Andy, hello. Has been too long. Things are good, finally getting back on track car Viva wise.

I've seen your crx around occasionally, last time was a week or two ago at the post office. What's wrong with it? I thought these Honda's were supposed to be reliable?

I did wonder where my compression tester had gone I still owe you a flywheel puller too! Catch up definitely required! How's the Mini?

[twiglett]

It would seem that if it can break and cause damage to other components at the furthest point from home..............



......... It will.

Apart from the fact that my car seems to wear out ball joints and bushes on a monthly basis it hasnt cost too much this year.
theres a 2 litre vtec lump and a turbo setup sitting in the garage for when i can afford to get it fitted and mapped.
the mini is at about the same stage as when you last saw it minus the little holes in the floor and boot after i had a productive weekend with the welder.
I have moved house yet again so the mini has been chucked to the back of the garage and covered in crap until the weather gets better.
Alternatively i will sell the lot for £900 so i can get the crx finished.

[twiglett]

It would seem that if it can break and cause damage to other components at the furthest point from home..............



......... It will.

Apart from the fact that my car seems to wear out ball joints and bushes on a monthly basis it hasnt cost too much this year.
theres a 2 litre vtec lump and a turbo setup sitting in the garage for when i can afford to get it fitted and mapped.
the mini is at about the same stage as when you last saw it minus the little holes in the floor and boot after i had a productive weekend with the welder.
I have moved house yet again so the mini has been chucked to the back of the garage and covered in crap until the weather gets better.
Alternatively i will sell the lot for £900 so i can get the crx finished.

[Down&Out]

That camera thing is amazing!

Where'd you get that?

[oli8925]

Andy - sounds pretty bad! What happened?

Vtec with added turbo sounds pretty good though. Get that done as soon as you can please I was considering supercharging my 1256 I'm rebuilding but it's too much hassle considering in a few years I'm putting a V8 in it.

Shame the Mini hasn't progressed. If selling it gets the CRX done then I'd possibly do that. Then you have an amazing and hopefully reliable car to start with and you can save up for another Mini when time and money is easier flowing I still haven't touched mine, considered taking an angle grinder to it to free up some garage space though.


Down&Out - came from the same guy that had the CB. I won it on ebay without an aerial but as he was local went to pick it up. He then invited me into his garage and he has tonnes of weird old electrical stuff. There was something else cool he tried to flog to me but it he wanted more money that I was willing to spend at the time so turned it down. Ended up getting the CB, 2 mics, aerial and camera thing for about £20

Edited by oli8925, 11 March 2011 - 09:00 PM.

[oli8925]

So in view of not being able to get hold of the guy that was going to band my steels, I knocked up a few photoshops last night of the current contenders. They're not great but give an idea. Opinions would be great, thanks.

Original photoshop of plans: Wide Steels


Now...
Revolution RFX's with black centres


Revolution RFX's


Revolutions 4 Spokes with black centres


Superlights with black centres



ATS Cups


ATS Classics


Alleycats


Slotmags

Edited by oli8925, 15 March 2011 - 07:37 AM.