Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

In other V8 related discussion does anyone have any experience with the Audi A8 3.9 tdi and 4.2 tdi?

send pics!

Ha could well be me crying in my beer. It's been 3 years since it last ran. Got to hope the EFI plumbing and injectors are all in good shape, let alone whether I measured and put everything in the motor together right!

Volvo/brickwagon is back on the road!

3 month past its mot date, just started a new business which is all of 500m from house so not needed the car lol.

Vague steering that has plagued the car since I got it GONE.
Steering rack was a gen new volvo item around 18 months before I got car (so now 6 year old, but been slack since I got it). There is an adjustment on them (bush/pad that push into back of pinion) but it us a bustard to get to.
Either.... Lift engine, remove rear mounts (two!), remove upper rack crash guard, remove arb, remove steering column, partially lower subframe, remove rack and all hardware. Adjust. Put back in.

Or... Make a tool that reaches round the immovable lower rack crash guard. Nope still won't fit.

Angle grinder chopped the 5mm steel crash guard off, adjustment made. Weld back on .

If I'd set off with an angle grinder first time rou d years ago it would have taken me all of 45 mins start to finish and cost almost nothing. Instead I've spent years and prob a thousand pounds chasing this play out of the system, many parts replaced needlessly.

Worth it though for look on mot man's face when he drives it.

Also took injectors out and ultrasonic cleaned them, less smoke thanks to one that wasn't sat in the head right last time round.
Inlet tacks cleaned out with coarse media and a vacuum.
Put on the bigger but so so so much better made ipd rear arb bar, only a bit thicker (23 vs 21) but the mounting attachments on the stock bar are made from wet cardboard in comparison.
Rear top mounts suspected as going again. Turns out the b4 shocks had risen up through them allowing about 20mm of play before the damper did anything. This explains a lot! Found out there is a huge machined washer (30mm x 5mm) that's meant to go under the mount not on top of it (my error!). Swapped it round and wow, smooth yet firm back end, no more wobbly shaky crashy horror show of a ride.
Volvo ftw

I love that car. My dad had one for almost 20 years and it was then my first car.

childhood dreams of converting it were never realised :D

Good news. Finally got the steering rack sorted on the MX5.

Bad news. It mega overheated and seized the engine. I think the crank is toast.

What’s the word when you’re so used to disappointment that you don’t even feel it any more?

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What do you think caused it to overheat?

Sunshine and rpms?

Ah dude that sucks massively. Rebuild better, stronger, faster?

Not sure, not RPMs, was sitting at a steady 4k which is my usual motorway cruising speed. I think some sort of oil failure.

I wish. Over the last few years I’ve spent more than I can realistically afford on this car. I’m still in debt for previous bills, I can’t afford to fix it.

Can you dump it in a garage for a bit until you can?

I don’t have a garage and last time I left it in my estate not being used (these last 12 months) it got driven into twice so I’m reluctant to do that again

@NurseHolliday gutted to hear this. When you fitted the new front wing I thought things might just be on the up. If/when you plan on sorting it and need an enthusiastic helper just let me know.

^repped

what sort of bill do you think for an engine rebuild? could just be the head that needs doing?

@Dammit Goals. B^P

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Volvo ftw

Good work. Pics?

@NurseHolliday ouch!

Engine out, all the seals and ancillaries was £500 so actually opening the engine up and rebuilding, I’d say £1000?

I’ve got a few MX5 friends who are being very kind, going to have a bbq and fit an eBay engine.

Glad to hear that. Really dug your journeys into B-road land. Would be nice to hear some more.

Well after breaking down at 18:00 I’m finally in an uber home from Bromley, after dropping the car off at my mate’s garage. I spent 2.5 hours on the side of the motorway surrounded by 6ft tall stinging nettles. So much for prioritising recoveries from “dangerous locations”.

Atleast you didn't get 'stung' on the recovery. Glad to hear mx5fam are willing to help for grilled meats.

Bastard screw.

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