Poisson's Motoring Mishaps
Discussion
A day of interesting occurrences yesterday.
Got to the unit, pulled the heap out. A better Smiley photo
Went to get the other one out. Turned the key and nothing. Flat. Dead. Time for some Minor to Minor love
Still no dice. Fetched the big guns (dad's Punto) and life was restored.
They went off to EYTCCs Burton Agnes event, and I went off to Derbyshire, nearly hitting some trainee sheep in the process. Since nothing was due to be operational until 11, I used Darley Dale station for photos (nearly typed Denby Dale, did a year of commuting to 'Uddersfield)
Then after this one, it started spluttering. On the tracks, Bugger. Luckily avoided death and it fixed itself, so gave it a thrash home to make sure it was okay, also doing some pre AMPHSS checks on the car after.
Got to the unit, pulled the heap out. A better Smiley photo
Went to get the other one out. Turned the key and nothing. Flat. Dead. Time for some Minor to Minor love
Still no dice. Fetched the big guns (dad's Punto) and life was restored.
They went off to EYTCCs Burton Agnes event, and I went off to Derbyshire, nearly hitting some trainee sheep in the process. Since nothing was due to be operational until 11, I used Darley Dale station for photos (nearly typed Denby Dale, did a year of commuting to 'Uddersfield)
Then after this one, it started spluttering. On the tracks, Bugger. Luckily avoided death and it fixed itself, so gave it a thrash home to make sure it was okay, also doing some pre AMPHSS checks on the car after.
An interesting weekend. Went to fetch mine on Saturday and this happened
Followed by a run to Halfords to fit a battery in the heavy rain. Still, started fine on Sunday so to the Sunday Service I proceeded.
Dribbletastic
Also met a fwend
After a run back to Sheffield (avoiding previous M1 diversion hell that on the way down cooked me thanks to having the have the heater on to cool the engine) Via the A5/M42/A42 detour, I was called upon for cinema and entertainment time with the GF, so Meadowhall/Valley Centertainment we proceeded.
Average MPG wasnt horrendous at roughly 28.5 MPG worked out across the 4 fill ups I made, not bad for something not designed for motorway work
Followed by a run to Halfords to fit a battery in the heavy rain. Still, started fine on Sunday so to the Sunday Service I proceeded.
Dribbletastic
Also met a fwend
After a run back to Sheffield (avoiding previous M1 diversion hell that on the way down cooked me thanks to having the have the heater on to cool the engine) Via the A5/M42/A42 detour, I was called upon for cinema and entertainment time with the GF, so Meadowhall/Valley Centertainment we proceeded.
Average MPG wasnt horrendous at roughly 28.5 MPG worked out across the 4 fill ups I made, not bad for something not designed for motorway work
Alternator, pinch bolt for heater control and Lucas battery sticker fitted, along with a relocated coil and sparkrite and fixed the rotating ignition barrel after someone filed the locating hole for it, making it circular instead of oval, causing it to rotate after every start.
Test driving it this weekend (my excuse XD)
Test driving it this weekend (my excuse XD)
Right, so what happened?
Yesterday was a chance to test a new route to Alton Towers to pick up our passes (because Merlin Annual Pass sale)
Actually did fairly well on Duel for once (I'm on the right)
And bothered to take photos at times
Coming home, everything went wrong. I think I ended up with no brake lights, no indicators, no fuel gauge and no wipers. Basically I became a rolling hazard
(I don't have hazards actually either)
This morning I poked and prodded. Changed the 2 fuses the car has. Sort of worked. Changed an inline fuse. Still on and off. Had to switch the fusebox and life!
This is probably why. There was no spring to the holder and it is corroded/filthy.
Yesterday was a chance to test a new route to Alton Towers to pick up our passes (because Merlin Annual Pass sale)
Actually did fairly well on Duel for once (I'm on the right)
And bothered to take photos at times
Coming home, everything went wrong. I think I ended up with no brake lights, no indicators, no fuel gauge and no wipers. Basically I became a rolling hazard
(I don't have hazards actually either)This morning I poked and prodded. Changed the 2 fuses the car has. Sort of worked. Changed an inline fuse. Still on and off. Had to switch the fusebox and life!
This is probably why. There was no spring to the holder and it is corroded/filthy.
An update: Went to a local show, ended up next to an immaculate 32,000 mile 1950 Lowlight
IMG_20160713_165021 by . ., on Flickr
And on the way back the rotor arm lunched itself, on a blind, busy roundabout, Bugger.
IMG_20160713_195929 by . ., on Flickr
Anyway, went down to Norfolk to host a charity car show and back via Alton Towers. Made a major mistake using Tesco unleaded (was desperate) ending up with 16mpg and a massive power drop.
IMG_20160710_072245 by . ., on Flickr
IMG_20160716_135139 by . ., on Flickr
IMG_20160717_194405 by . ., on Flickr
IMG_20160717_202217 by . ., on Flickr
Needed a good wash after all the miles, also was surprised with a better located coil and an electric washer pump
IMG_20160724_093125 by . ., on Flickr
IMG_20160724_101913 by . ., on Flickr
IMG_20160713_165021 by . ., on FlickrAnd on the way back the rotor arm lunched itself, on a blind, busy roundabout, Bugger.
IMG_20160713_195929 by . ., on FlickrAnyway, went down to Norfolk to host a charity car show and back via Alton Towers. Made a major mistake using Tesco unleaded (was desperate) ending up with 16mpg and a massive power drop.
IMG_20160710_072245 by . ., on FlickrIMG_20160716_135139 by . ., on FlickrIMG_20160717_194405 by . ., on FlickrIMG_20160717_202217 by . ., on FlickrNeeded a good wash after all the miles, also was surprised with a better located coil and an electric washer pump
IMG_20160724_093125 by . ., on FlickrIMG_20160724_101913 by . ., on FlickrUpdate time. Now on my 4th? Rotor arm, proving that isn't at fault. The AA dude who rescued me last night and towed it said the dizzy clamp is knackered, causing it to work loose and destroy any sort of timing, causing hopping and stalling and not starting. It has broken 5 times in my last 2 outings. I needed it this weekend but after last night I can't trust it to do 100 miles I want it to
Blimey - this thread is like a rollercoaster of emotions! Credit to you for keeping her going, but it must require the patience of a saint to be constantly dealing with breakdowns.
MrsC had one of these as her first car (in 1999 - generous parents!), and has long lusted after another to potter around in on the weekend. I think I'll direct her here if she brings it up again!
MrsC had one of these as her first car (in 1999 - generous parents!), and has long lusted after another to potter around in on the weekend. I think I'll direct her here if she brings it up again!
C70R said:
Blimey - this thread is like a rollercoaster of emotions! Credit to you for keeping her going, but it must require the patience of a saint to be constantly dealing with breakdowns.
MrsC had one of these as her first car (in 1999 - generous parents!), and has long lusted after another to potter around in on the weekend. I think I'll direct her here if she brings it up again!
It has only left me completely stranded once (Monday). Everything else has either been fix or bodgeable to get moving again. Considering it was neglected in a barn for at least 10 years and possibly more, the engine/ancillaries going from 0 to 2000 miles a year or so I'm not surprised they failed. Tell her to get one, but the top end of the market is ridiculous and the cars are photographed "well". Go for one that has been in use recently and it should do you well. MrsC had one of these as her first car (in 1999 - generous parents!), and has long lusted after another to potter around in on the weekend. I think I'll direct her here if she brings it up again!
Survived a jaunt at the weekend, slightly out of tune and no electronic ignition it felt a bit slower, especially on hills XD It has Alton Towers on 5 - 6/11 and Ginetta SS on 20/11 and then some well earned downtime. Planning to fit spots, hazards, possibly a reversing light on a switch panel salvaged from an Austin and mounting using some excess from work. Fun times 
Well, times have been exciting since my last update:
Alton Towers for the Ultimate Fireworks went well, with the car providing Uttoxeter station shuttle run duties and good times by all including a good friend and staff member who did this:
After dark rides included....
The fireworks were not quite as good as last year, the accommodation was excellent as ever
So everything was set for Ginetta, the car in fine fettle and a new exhaust sounding great until this:
The car was fine, the ECU not so! I was in for 3 days, 2 nights with something they don't quite know yet, hopefully to be determined by the Colonoscopy coming up this Wednesday. Despite being released on the Thursday I was still too weak and in pain for the Sunday :/ Nae well, move on...
I decided whilst ill but not in pain (thanks painkillers) that I'd start buying some stickers for the car, starting with these 2:
Yes I am a sad, sad human being.
Anyhow, yesterday I decided to go and show the car a little love. It was slightly damp outside...
I had had enough with the rusty spots on the glovebox so set about to remove/cover them. Here's a slightly messy first attempt
The final result isn't great but will do. Crap blue paint looks better than crap blue paint which has rust on it. I'll remove it all and do it properly when the car is sprayed but it is behind the Smoke Grey Saloon, Blue Van, DHSS Saloon and possibly the chassis cab I believe in order for work/money
Cleaned and sprayed my lamp assemblies as well
And my other sticker:
And to today. I went to the South Yorkshire Transport Museum open day, because why not. Also being excellent I had collect my GF from Meadowhall last night and dropped her off today, so if you saw a dark blue Minor, it was probably me.
Alton Towers for the Ultimate Fireworks went well, with the car providing Uttoxeter station shuttle run duties and good times by all including a good friend and staff member who did this:
After dark rides included....
The fireworks were not quite as good as last year, the accommodation was excellent as ever
So everything was set for Ginetta, the car in fine fettle and a new exhaust sounding great until this:
The car was fine, the ECU not so! I was in for 3 days, 2 nights with something they don't quite know yet, hopefully to be determined by the Colonoscopy coming up this Wednesday. Despite being released on the Thursday I was still too weak and in pain for the Sunday :/ Nae well, move on...
I decided whilst ill but not in pain (thanks painkillers) that I'd start buying some stickers for the car, starting with these 2:
Yes I am a sad, sad human being.
Anyhow, yesterday I decided to go and show the car a little love. It was slightly damp outside...
I had had enough with the rusty spots on the glovebox so set about to remove/cover them. Here's a slightly messy first attempt
The final result isn't great but will do. Crap blue paint looks better than crap blue paint which has rust on it. I'll remove it all and do it properly when the car is sprayed but it is behind the Smoke Grey Saloon, Blue Van, DHSS Saloon and possibly the chassis cab I believe in order for work/money
Cleaned and sprayed my lamp assemblies as well
And my other sticker:
And to today. I went to the South Yorkshire Transport Museum open day, because why not. Also being excellent I had collect my GF from Meadowhall last night and dropped her off today, so if you saw a dark blue Minor, it was probably me.
My then girlfriend bought a 1962 convertible 23 years ago as she couldn't afford the Golf convertible that she wanted at the time. I still have both although neither have been particularly cheap to maintain!
Enjoyable thread - always happy to read about Minors as each has a story and a personality.
Enjoyable thread - always happy to read about Minors as each has a story and a personality.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff