Update on my 'new' 280i F/H.

[grahamw48]

Well, I took my Wedge into the garage, and up onto the ramp today for a good lookover. (pre-MOT).

The drive there was interesting (about 5 miles on country roads). My first drive in a wedge, of more than a few hundred yards.

It didn't misbehave, apart from Injection in need of sorting. Nothing fell off or caught fire, and no overheating.

I waited with baited breath for the vedict.
The chassis was 'very good'. Outriggers had been replaced.

Front brakes locking on (no doubt due to lay-up of over a year).

Joints look (and feel) ok - no clonking.

So, some nut and bolt stuff, plus fuel system to sort.

PHEW ! I can cope with that.

She's booked in for next week - no time for me to do, if I want her on the road sometime soon.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I can attend the big meet.

The tailgate rattles and bangs, even though it's locked. Any ideas ?

[gemini]

Tailgate - wrap some insulating tape round the pin just enough until it stop rattling

[grahamw48]

Ah yes - thanks !

I noticed there was already a bit of tape around it,
but evidently the tape needs servicing every 6,000 miles. I'll add a bit more.

[tallbloke]

grahamw48 said:

Ah yes - thanks ! I noticed there was already a bit of tape around it, but evidently the tape needs servicing every 6,000 miles. I'll add a bit more.

PTFE - Plastic Tape For Engineers

[wedg1e]

I told you so

Good news Graham!

Tailgate lock mechanism can be packed to pull the glass down tighter. Don't, incidentally, if the rams are tired, fit a pair from a scrappy. They'll almost certainly be way too powerful (should be 100 Newtons - most others are 200+ and could crack the glass or rip the mountings out of the shell). Rumours abound as to what else used 100N rams, but nobody has ever proved it for certain - it's not Range Rover: I have 4 in the garage and they're 210...

Ian
Nursing a sore head from catching my hair in a spinning milling machine pulley... Safety guards? For girls!

[rev-erend]

wedg1e said:

I told you so Good news Graham! Tailgate lock mechanism can be packed to pull the glass down tighter. Don't, incidentally, if the rams are tired, fit a pair from a scrappy. They'll almost certainly be way too powerful (should be 100 Newtons - most others are 200+ and could crack the glass or rip the mountings out of the shell). Rumours abound as to what else used 100N rams, but nobody has ever proved it for certain - it's not Range Rover: I have 4 in the garage and they're 210... Ian Nursing a sore head from catching my hair in a spinning milling machine pulley... Safety guards? For girls!

Get ya hair cut laddie...

[grahamw48]

Haha! Did you save the hair ? I need some !

Hope you're ok, anyway.

Thanks for the advice.
The struts seem fine.
I will try adjusting the locking mechanism - once this pesky 'flaming June' weather lets up.

[tallbloke]

wedg1e said:

Rumours abound as to what else used 100N rams, but nobody has ever proved it for certain - it's not Range Rover: I have 4 in the garage and they're 210...

tallblokes tacky techy Tiv tips #12

I found that using one rangie strut and one tired Tiv strut worked fine on my bonnet.

Rangie struts are only about £7 new.

[grahamw48]

My car -280i- has been in the garage the last couple of days, for checkover, and MOT testing. (It had been unused for over a year).

I had been building myself up to the anticipated list of horrors to be fixed.

Hmm - it passed !!! Total parts = 1 light bulb.

Now what ???

Oh yes, get it taxed I suppose.

[york33]

BBWF, this w'end, obviously

[wedg1e]

Graham: if you do make BBWF this weekend, I know the car, I'll have a wander over. I'm driving down tomorrow (Friday) night and staying with my g/f in Leics.

Ian

[grahamw48]

wedg1e said:

Graham: if you do make BBWF this weekend, I know the car, I'll have a wander over. I'm driving down tomorrow (Friday) night and staying with my g/f in Leics. Ian

Hi Ian.

I'd love to go down, and maybe I will, but it would be a bit chancy undertaking such a trip in what is really a pretty unknown quantity (engine-wise).
I don't really fancy ironing out any 'teething troubles' on the hard shoulder of the M1 !
The engine isn't running as smoothly as it should, and still needs sorting.

Duncombe Park seems more realistic, but I'll see what can be done.

[gemini]

see you at BNG then

[grahamw48]

gemini said:

see you at BNG then

I definately intend to be at BNG.

Took the car out for a blast this evening, complete with new tax disc and TVRCC badge now on screen.

I'd put some injector cleaner in the tank, as an initial step towards getting the motor to run something like right. (She seems to have a misfire when
applying throttle). Idles nice and cleanly though. They'd set it a bit slow at the MOT place, for the emissions though. Have to increase it a bit, as the engine stops after a run.
Ignition leads look in good shape, and previous owner had fitted new plugs. ( Were they the right ones ?).

Anyway, things got 'interesting' when smoke started to appear from under the passenger side, towards the back of the car, accompanied by a mildly acrid smell.
Shortly before, I'd added some fuel.
It didn't feel like a brake had been locking on, and no sign of fuel leaks. Have to admit, it had a 'braky' smell about it though. Maybe some wiring is touching the exhaust. Nothing electrical appears to have failed as yet (miracle? )
Oh well, something to busy myself with this weekend.

[gemini]

mine had smoke from rear n/s - was brake locking on

[grahamw48]

Thanks for the response (while I was having a lie-in )

I think locking brake does look the most likely.
There was silly me feeling the rear wheel for heat.
Hahaha - says to myself - it's got inboard discs you dumbo !!!

Curse this weather! I left her outside last night.
I'll post the results of my tinkering as soon the caffeine has kicked in, and I've got my wellies on. (I live on a farm).