183 replies to this topic

[Wreelybro]

We got there mate and was a testament to your commitment to get it done... Car ran great and set-up felt good.. Looking fwd to the next one.. Plus you did a great job of keeping he DB's down past the sound meters

[D-DAWG83]

Ha ha, yeah, i think the fibres are all on the back of the car now, looks like iv ground a rear clam up, nothing a good wash wont fix!

[D-DAWG83]

Well, its been a week since the car was on track now, and have to say that not nuch has changed. Iv enjoyed driving it over the weekend, which felt great, and although it looks a little tatty, im happy that mechanically its almost there, and atleast i can enjoy it and drive it. The next week or so will aee aome bits and bobs tidied up, and hopefully it will get a wash too, which is much needed. Brakes feel great since the fluid was bled out the fronts, but i may knock a couple of clicks off the dampers, to see how it feels, as it appears a little fidgety. Was great to see and meet some fellow VX owners on Sunday at the heritage centre, gave me some ideas as to what id like to do, as well as meeting some new faces.

[D-DAWG83]

Well i wanted to check a few bits over today, and noticed the exhaust rubber before the cat was a little worse for wear. This was brand new!

Also noticed my sump was a little close to my undertray


Had a small puddel of coolant under the car after the track day, and found this today when having a poke around.


Appears to be coming from the pipe just under the breather outlet. Have not touched this pipe at all, so a little unsure why its started to leak, but il stick a jublee clip arounf it, and see if that fixes it. Currently got one of them spring clips on it.

[fezzasus]

That's the overfill pipe for the coolant. Effectively bleeds of coolant back to the header tank as the coolant pressure increases. nothing to worry about once you cable tie it.

 

The backbox mounts are available in both rubber and silicon, the latter has a greater heat resistance. I suspect there isn't a silicon version of that hanger because it's not used much. 

[D-DAWG83]

Cheers Tom. Its the large pipe under the coolant bleed pipe that it appears to be dripping from, its an S shape, and eventually goes down the sill. Maybe iv overfilled the system or something, so the increase in pressure has caused it to find a weakness.

[fezzasus]

Oh, The S is added as part of the supercharging process to avoid getting in the way of the supercharger snout. Check the join at the end of the S section. Might be that the aluminium join isn't the right diameter.

[Nev]

You could try getting some offcuts of alu sheet and make a little heat shield for that rubber - looking at it's position, whatever you chose to replace it with will likely melt again.

 

[Arno]

Also check for cracks in the exhaust pipe around the weld where the hanger is attached and also if the plug in the un-used bung is (gas-)tight.

 

Rubber doen't tend to char and break down like this unless it's exposed to a really high temperature for along time, but an exhaust gas jet from a (small) crack will do this in no-time flat.

 

If it were normal heat radiation from the pipes I'd expect it to develop a bit of a 'scaly' skin but not this about of damage to a relatively new mount.

 

Bye, Arno.

[D-DAWG83]

Cheers Arno, il have a look around that exhaust bung tomorrow. Did and oil change today, so need to run the car up to temp and see if there are any leaks anyway.
Found the cause of the coolant leak. A couple of jubilee clips at the end of that S section, one had gone a little rusty, and during running (to warm the oil up), i saw a little dribble coming from one of them. Iv tightened it up now, so hopefully that will do the job.

[D-DAWG83]

Well ran the car up to temp today, and joy, no collant leak. Totally forgot about the exhaust, as have a few issues with the wife's Leon Cupra R, like suspected head gasket failure. But il have a look over the next couple of days. Did an oil and filter change yesterday, and now the engine seems to idle a little better, though that could be a placebo, we shall see. Will probably change plugs soon also, if im brave. Seen a few issues with people having snapped plugs etc.

[Gedi]

Had some shiny carbon shims made for the rear clam support  

 

Those 'shims' are actually galvanic anodes which protect the subframe from corrosion. I'd consider dumping the carbon and putting them back.

[Nev]

Great project this, wonderful to see so many owners doing major overhauls and improvements these days.

[fezzasus]

 

Had some shiny carbon shims made for the rear clam support  

 

Those 'shims' are actually galvanic anodes which protect the subframe from corrosion. I'd consider dumping the carbon and putting them back.

 

 

No they're not.

 

They're the same material as the chassis; galvanised steel. The galvanisation prevents corrosion, it doesn't require a sacrificial part as this approach doesn't work unless it's in an electrolite (such as submerged in sea water)

[D-DAWG83]

Thanks for clearing that up Tom. Nev, the car was bought as a car to keep me occupied, and learn about mechanical bits and bobs. Only work id done on a car previously was change some brakes, but this is on a whole new level. Its mostly been enjoyable, and was certainly worth the effort when i was going around Bedford 10 or so days ago. Though the big push to get the car ready was a little tiring. I would say the track day, and getting MBR to look at it helped though, as it would probably not have seen the light of day yet if it hadnt been for them being booked. MBR did an amazing job of being flexible and sorting my car out, despite issues with the front wishbone. He really is a saint with dirty hands!

[D-DAWG83]

Cant say thanks enough to Joe and Matty, for both physically helping, and putting up with my constant questions and worries

[Wreelybro]

Cant say thanks enough to Joe and Matty, for both physically helping, and putting up with my constant questions and worries

 

Anytime mate...

[D-DAWG83]

Well its been a good few weeks. Got to Bicester Heritage on Sunday, which was really good to go to. Car felt great after i went -2 clicks on all the dampers, though may go +1 on the rears, but il drve it some more before sorting that. Got a few bits and bobs to do now. I did a quick rattle can job of the turbo ears last week to see if id like the colour, which I do, so il be getting a few bits done in that colour. (Im not telling yet) 

Roof is a little dodgy to fit also, so need to sort that out, and raise the windows a little to seal it all up. Turbo seals are a last resort, given it was water tight before i removed the roll bar cover. 

Also need to see how I can get the seat belt buckles and harness loops fitted at the same time. 

[D-DAWG83]

Couple of pictures of mine and Matty's VX's at Bicester











http://i234.photobuc...55F85452F35.jpg

[D-DAWG83]

Well the car had its MOT last week, and passed no major issues. Bought some new number plates for the car also, as the current ones are looking old and shabby. However, went to open the boot the other day, and the handle just moves freely, so looks like the cable has snapped. Iv got some new SC belts on order, so when they arrive, il get in there and have a poke around. Not going to get much free time the next couple of weeks, as on a training course away from home, and it is going to be a difficult one to pass. Other than that, the car is in great shape, and still enjoying driving it. Im going to go more more step with the ARB, and see what its like going stiffer, not a big job, so if its too hard, i can always change it back