Millipede Monaro (it's a bit leggy!)
Discussion
99t said:
DHE said:
Any idea what mpg you are getting?
Yes, all fuel logged on Spritmonitor.de and it says my average since purchase is....
edited to add - as an old(er) git, I tend to drive in quite a smooth and relaxed manner most of the time, so I tend to get reasonable fuel consumption from most things that I drive. The difference between this and other stuff I've had, is just how quickly the average mpg drops as soon as I start to give it any welly!
The most I've seen on the trip average is around 33mpg, but I know it wouldn't take much effort on my part to halve that!
Edited by 99t on Friday 26th July 08:23
If you compare my 99 Impreza next too it that has had 2 engine rebuilds and is at 120k you can see the difference in how these cars deliver performance. The big old school under-stressed engine should go on for a very long time given its been well maintained.
I also love the sound of the Monaro.
I think its an excellent choice, its also far better on fuel than my Impreza
So today I set out to change a headlight bulb....
...I may have got a little bit carried away!!
In my defence, I also wanted to change a fractured air-con hose, which was always going to involve a degree of strip-down, but when I found a second fractured pipe I decided it was a case of "in for a penny, in for a pound" and I might as well replace the squeaky idler pulley and cracked looking air-con belt, and change the thermostat for good measure, since the temp gauge never quite gets fully half way and the heater was pretty poor at the start of the year.
Fractured pipes
Nice clean looking coolant and cooling system. A/C belt idler pulley bearing (pulley removed in pic) was very rough.
I sense a bit of a parts bill coming on!!
...I may have got a little bit carried away!!
In my defence, I also wanted to change a fractured air-con hose, which was always going to involve a degree of strip-down, but when I found a second fractured pipe I decided it was a case of "in for a penny, in for a pound" and I might as well replace the squeaky idler pulley and cracked looking air-con belt, and change the thermostat for good measure, since the temp gauge never quite gets fully half way and the heater was pretty poor at the start of the year.
Fractured pipes
Nice clean looking coolant and cooling system. A/C belt idler pulley bearing (pulley removed in pic) was very rough.
I sense a bit of a parts bill coming on!!
99t said:
change the thermostat for good measure, since the temp gauge never quite gets fully half way and the heater was pretty poor at the start of the year.
I thought it was normal for the temp gauge to sit below half on the gauge - mine certainly has always done, and the heater is like a furnace...Thanks for the update OP, glad to read the car is treating you well
As for the talk of mods, I've been having bad thoughts about the UPP twin turbo kit from the states
Codswallop said:
I thought it was normal for the temp gauge to sit below half on the gauge - mine certainly has always done, and the heater is like a furnace...
Thanks for the update OP, glad to read the car is treating you well
Cheers. Ok, well in that case the thermostat may be fine. Given the current ease of access I'll change it anyway and if the heater is still weak I'll start looking elsewhere - heater valve perhaps?Thanks for the update OP, glad to read the car is treating you well
The other thing I need to investigate is where the power steering fluid has started disappearing to? No huge leak / puddles / obvious drips, but there definitely is a steady loss to somewhere...
slippery said:
B'stard Child said:
Correct but if you follow his threads you'll know he kinda racks up miles - a lot!!!
Actually, my mileage has been at an all time low over the last few months, as I've been mainly working from home. To be honest, it's sending me a bit stir crazy! 
Really
Your all time low mileage is a busy week for me
my E38 did 2800 miles last year
I had similar problems with air con on my Monaro. Wasn't brave enough to tackle myself so took it to a specialist who replaced numerous lengths of pipe, the compressor, drier and expansion valve.
Previous owner already had the belts and idler pulleys done too, so an expensive repair to get it up and running. Well worth it though, as if yours is anything like mine the cabin can mist up when it rains but the climate control sorts this out nicely!
Previous owner already had the belts and idler pulleys done too, so an expensive repair to get it up and running. Well worth it though, as if yours is anything like mine the cabin can mist up when it rains but the climate control sorts this out nicely!
CarlosV8 said:
I had similar problems with air con on my Monaro. Wasn't brave enough to tackle myself so took it to a specialist who replaced numerous lengths of pipe, the compressor, drier and expansion valve.
Previous owner already had the belts and idler pulleys done too, so an expensive repair to get it up and running. Well worth it though, as if yours is anything like mine the cabin can mist up when it rains but the climate control sorts this out nicely!
I had no real problem living without air-con during the summer as I'm happy driving this with the windows open, the soundtrack improves significantly Previous owner already had the belts and idler pulleys done too, so an expensive repair to get it up and running. Well worth it though, as if yours is anything like mine the cabin can mist up when it rains but the climate control sorts this out nicely!
But yes, last month or so, the misting has become an issue.
I'm replacing all of the engine bay lines, plus the a/c belt and one pulley for now, then I'll re-gas and see if it holds pressure. The compressor and condenser are hopefully ok, but we'll see...
gsd2000 said:
This must be the highest mileage monaro in the country
well done for keeping it going and where exactly is it rusting so I can treat mine in those areas
There is some rust creeping into the bodywork, in and around the engine bay the worst bits are:-well done for keeping it going and where exactly is it rusting so I can treat mine in those areas
Front of chassis leg and chassis leg to radiator support upright seam
Slam panel where grill bolts go (and PS cooler mounts are crusty too)
Radiator support to slam panel seam
Nothing that couldn't be cleaned up and treated at this stage if I felt so inclined.
What is really poor though, is how bad all of the fittings, brackets and fixtures under the bonnet are. The quality of the factory plating and the metal quality itself must have been garbage. Maybe ok in Australia but certainly not fit for a few winters in Britain.
Crossmember and various brackets and pipes
Maybe I've been spoilt by working on 20 and 30 year old Saabs where although the bodywork can turn to dust, the quality of the plated pressings is still, generally, superb.
Anyway, new pulley and belt on. New thermostat fitted (and as suggested it made no difference to the position of the temp gauge)
Nice shiny new pipes!!
All back together and back to the local air-con guy to see if the system holds a charge now...
When I go to collect it, he starts off with "well there is good news and bad..."
Turns out the system does now hold pressure
But the compressor is useless!
As an aside, top marks as usual to Rob at Vehicle Electrical Services in Bootle, twice they've had it in now, first time it wouldn't hold gas, this time they charged it up and then took the gas out again so I can replace the compressor. No charge to date. Top guys and highly recommended if you are in the area.
99t said:
gsd2000 said:
This must be the highest mileage monaro in the country
well done for keeping it going and where exactly is it rusting so I can treat mine in those areas
There is some rust creeping into the bodywork, in and around the engine bay the worst bits are:-well done for keeping it going and where exactly is it rusting so I can treat mine in those areas
Front of chassis leg and chassis leg to radiator support upright seam
Slam panel where grill bolts go (and PS cooler mounts are crusty too)
Radiator support to slam panel seam
Nothing that couldn't be cleaned up and treated at this stage if I felt so inclined.
What is really poor though, is how bad all of the fittings, brackets and fixtures under the bonnet are. The quality of the factory plating and the metal quality itself must have been garbage. Maybe ok in Australia but certainly not fit for a few winters in Britain.
Crossmember and various brackets and pipes
Maybe I've been spoilt by working on 20 and 30 year old Saabs where although the bodywork can turn to dust, the quality of the plated pressings is still, generally, superb.
Anyway, new pulley and belt on. New thermostat fitted (and as suggested it made no difference to the position of the temp gauge)
Nice shiny new pipes!!
All back together and back to the local air-con guy to see if the system holds a charge now...
When I go to collect it, he starts off with "well there is good news and bad..."
Turns out the system does now hold pressure
But the compressor is useless!
As an aside, top marks as usual to Rob at Vehicle Electrical Services in Bootle, twice they've had it in now, first time it wouldn't hold gas, this time they charged it up and then took the gas out again so I can replace the compressor. No charge to date. Top guys and highly recommended if you are in the area.
I love getting shiny bits in boxes
Compressor turned out to be in very poor condition internally so fully rebuilt and looks the business. Very fast turn-around too.
And from Rock Auto in the US, ordered on a Thursday and delivered early the next Monday morning
Total cost for both including postage just a smidge over £300 so not too bad I think...
Will fit if the rain ever stops and ideally the mother of all colds sods off too!!
Compressor turned out to be in very poor condition internally so fully rebuilt and looks the business. Very fast turn-around too.
And from Rock Auto in the US, ordered on a Thursday and delivered early the next Monday morning
Total cost for both including postage just a smidge over £300 so not too bad I think...
Will fit if the rain ever stops and ideally the mother of all colds sods off too!!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff