Knowledge required - bits and bobs

[fhwong]

Just a couple of things that came up on an inspection of a 3R that I had done before purchasing, hoping you guys with your knowledge can help:

1. The hydraulic clutch master cylinder reservoir was almost empty - what could be the cause of this? Should I be worried? Could the slave cylinder be leaking? Is it easy to repair? Or replace? Or is it a gear box out situation?

2. How on earth do you get the battery out??

3. Exhaust silencer bracket has gone - I could re-weld, but it looks like it would just fail again. What have you done to improve things? It looks like I need to alter it so I can get more of a welding contact.

4. Where can I get a replacement mounting bracket for the turbo charger heat shield?

5. Fuel hose is about to go - would anyone recommend a replacement? Or would a stock standard one do?

6. There appears to be a fuel line regulator located under the induction manifold, but it seems to be missing a vacuum control pipe missing from the single connection?? Should there be anything connected to it?

7. Coolant hoses are about to go - seems like the majority of you have upgrade to silicone hoses. What make do you recommend and where should I purchase from?

Thanks for all your help.

[ollygogs]

why the f**k did you bye that car ????????????????

[=Stella Artois=]

ollygogs said:

why the f**k did you buy that car ????????????????

A little less subtle than I was thinking , however, it would have seemed prudent to have asked before buying fella (OP).

[Jim O.]

fhwong said:

1. The hydraulic clutch master cylinder reservoir was almost empty - what could be the cause of this? Should I be worried? Could the slave cylinder be leaking? Is it easy to repair? Or replace? Or is it a gear box out situation?

If it is the slave, the gearbox has to come out. I'd check all the lines and fittings first for signs of leaking, along with the master cylinder.

fhwong said:

2. How on earth do you get the battery out??

From below - it's easier if you remove the under panel, but you may be able to drop it through the hole in the floorpan.

fhwong said:

5. Fuel hose is about to go - would anyone recommend a replacement? Or would a stock standard one do?

We build our own fuel lines out of braided hose and AN fittings. Stock ones eventually start to crack.

fhwong said:

6. There appears to be a fuel line regulator located under the induction manifold, but it seems to be missing a vacuum control pipe missing from the single connection?? Should there be anything connected to it?

On some cars, depending on which car the fuel rail was sourced from, there's a fuel pressure regulator built onto the fuel rail - this isn't used, so the vacuum line is disconnected. You should have another fuel pressure regulator mounted on the fuel line, between the pump and the rail.

[Noblescort]

ollygogs said:

why the f**k did you bye that car ????????????????

Not really the way to welcome a new owner, was it?

Please try and remember we were all new to this once upon a time.


5. Fuel hoses - Replace with braided stainless PTFE and screw-on AN fittings - Best place to source is www.speedflow.co.uk

7. Coolant hoses - Any of the motorsport specialists can supply these. try here www.hoseworld.com or these are the two biggest manufacturers - www.sfsperformance.co.uk & www.samcosport.com

Hope this helps, and good luck with the car (you'll love it!)

[fhwong]

I haven't purchased yet! My knowledge of fixing cars is minimal hence why I thought it prudent of me to get a proper pre-inspection.

The items came up in the pre-purchase inspection.

The seller will change the fuel hose and coolant hoses, but will probably replace them with standard stock elements.

Also the handbrake is binding to one of the rear wheels. I assume this is a simple fix and the handbrake just needs adjusting.

All the other bits seem to be easy fixes and common problems- The only thing I am concerned about is the slave cyclinder.

So you are all saying I shouldn't buy the car?

The worst thing is this car had a service recently at an authorised dealer!!!

Edited by fhwong on Sunday 9th August 07:49

[bernhund]

The slave leaked on my 2.5. Had a good look and a pray that I would find a leak elsewhere, even took it to Plans Motorsport. They too couldn't find it, But they did manage to make my stereo stop working from the column control! They left the clutch under pressure for 24 hours and the fluid didn't go down. However, it would drop after a few days on the road.
The slave is in the gearbox, which will have to be removed. Did mine the quick way by cutting the chassis, but that in itself is still expensive. I would expect you to pay £3000 plus for the repair with the engine out.
My money is on the previous owner knowing about the leak and shifting the car because of the cost of the repair.
I don't know whether you would then still pick up more expense. The 2.5 didn't have a LSD and to take the box out without fitting one would be madness - another £500 for Quaife!
Having said all that, if the price is right, you could end up with a better motor than paying top dollar and getting the same problems 6 months down the road. It could be an opportunity to make a really tidy car.

[Abdn1982]

Who did the inspection for you?

[art411y]

The worst thing is this car had a service recently at an authorised dealer!!!



i think you will find quite a few on here have gone on to find their own specialist to service the car

[fhwong]

Don't you worry! Going to stay well clear of those thieves!

Also a quick question on fitting of fuel hose and silicone hoses.

Did you all fit them yourself? Or buy the bits and get your local indie to fit them?


Thanks

[art411y]

fhwong said:

Don't you worry! Going to stay well clear of those thieves!

Also a quick question on fitting of fuel hose and silicone hoses.

Did you all fit them yourself? Or buy the bits and get your local indie to fit them?


Thanks

i think again most of us have done these jobs on our own especialy when the floor pans have been removed

[fhwong]

Abdn1982 said:

Who did the inspection for you?

Inspectacar ...

The guy John was really quite thorough and knowledgeable ..

[fhwong]

I've trawled through the forums, but only found one mention of a hydraulic fluid leak and its relationship to the slave cylinder.

Am I assuming that this is a rare occurrence?

Do you just fill up the master cylinder and leave it to see if the level drops? I assume you cannot really see if it drips onto the floor as the floor pan will catch it?

If it drops and one has not been driving it should just be a hose leaking somewhere.

If it drops when you are driving it is probably a slave cylinder problem??

I am just guessing here so please don't flame me. Just trying to find out the best way to actually find where this leak is coming from so I can decide whether or not to buy this car.

Also what essential upgrades would you recommend in addition to the below which I have picked up from the forum?

1. upgrade to silicone hoses
2. upgrade fuel hose
3. fuel pump wiring upgrade
4. take off and reseal foot wells

Thanks

[sean_goodman]

fhwong said:

I've trawled through the forums, but only found one mention of a hydraulic fluid leak and its relationship to the slave cylinder.

Am I assuming that this is a rare occurrence?

Do you just fill up the master cylinder and leave it to see if the level drops? I assume you cannot really see if it drips onto the floor as the floor pan will catch it?

If it drops and one has not been driving it should just be a hose leaking somewhere.

If it drops when you are driving it is probably a slave cylinder problem??

I am just guessing here so please don't flame me. Just trying to find out the best way to actually find where this leak is coming from so I can decide whether or not to buy this car.

Also what essential upgrades would you recommend in addition to the below which I have picked up from the forum?

1. upgrade to silicone hoses
2. upgrade fuel hose
3. fuel pump wiring upgrade
4. take off and reseal foot wells

Thanks

mate i konw you are trying to get yourself a bargain as your budget is tight but if this car has soo many faults it is best to steer well clear, especially if you will have to pay for all the repairs yourself. changing the coolant hoses is quite a big job as two run the entire lenght of the car under the floor so to do properly you need to take the whole floor off. the hoses are not too expensive, miine cost me about 200 quid for the whole car but took a weekend to change them. (i have a double garage and pit at home).

the exhaust bracket will keep happening and the only realistic outcome will be that you pay out for the roush exhaust, this comes with remap and fuel pump but is not cheap at over 3k!

you really do have the potential to end up spending a lot of money getting this car into a good condition from what you say, i am not trying to sell you mine, if its too expensive for you thats fair enough but please be careful, it is very tempting to jump in and buy cheap but then end up paying for it all later.

wish you all the best of luck, the guys on here should be able to help with most things just be careful

regards
sean

[fhwong]

sean_goodman said:

mate i konw you are trying to get yourself a bargain as your budget is tight but if this car has soo many faults it is best to steer well clear, especially if you will have to pay for all the repairs yourself. changing the coolant hoses is quite a big job as two run the entire lenght of the car under the floor so to do properly you need to take the whole floor off. the hoses are not too expensive, miine cost me about 200 quid for the whole car but took a weekend to change them. (i have a double garage and pit at home).

the exhaust bracket will keep happening and the only realistic outcome will be that you pay out for the roush exhaust, this comes with remap and fuel pump but is not cheap at over 3k!

you really do have the potential to end up spending a lot of money getting this car into a good condition from what you say, i am not trying to sell you mine, if its too expensive for you thats fair enough but please be careful, it is very tempting to jump in and buy cheap but then end up paying for it all later.

wish you all the best of luck, the guys on here should be able to help with most things just be careful

regards
sean

Sean

Point taken, and it is exactly what is going through my head. I am still thinking about it.

Thanks

[sean_goodman]

the most important thing is to take your time mate, dont rush into anything.

best of luck

[NobleGuy]

fhwong said:

All the other bits seem to be easy fixes and common problems

Think I've all of the minor issues you mentioned at some point.

My hoses needed replacing when the car was about 4-5 years old so although it's been remarked that the stock hoses are pretty crap, they do last at least long enough not to worry about them for a while.

fhwong said:

The only thing I am concerned about is the slave cyclinder.

As mentioned above, expect to pay around £3K to change this unless you do the work yourself. I would join others in suggesting going for an LSD at the same time. You're then looking at the nastier end of £3K-£4K.

Then, as in my case, there's no guarantee that 3rd gear won't shred a year later

[F.C.]

I notice no one has mentioned the binding brake problem this could be down to the handbrake shoes breaking up due to bad adjustment.
You'll need to budget something like £80:00 per shoe IIRC, so £320:00 plus labour.
I reckon the clutch slave is the problem too so gearbox out if you go the chassis cutting route or entire engine out if you don't, the diff is a must change while it's out (open diffs appear a little fragile in these cars)and I'd also put a new clutch in.
All in all a tidy sum to repair.

[fhwong]

NobleGuy said:

As mentioned above, expect to pay around £3K to change this unless you do the work yourself. I would join others in suggesting going for an LSD at the same time. You're then looking at the nastier end of £3K-£4K.

Then, as in my case, there's no guarantee that 3rd gear won't shred a year later

Hangon but the 3R already has an LSD? - are you saying I should fit a new LSD?

I don't have a pit or a large garage so I think doing the work myself is not going to be feasible.

[NobleGuy]

fhwong said:

NobleGuy said:

As mentioned above, expect to pay around £3K to change this unless you do the work yourself. I would join others in suggesting going for an LSD at the same time. You're then looking at the nastier end of £3K-£4K.

Then, as in my case, there's no guarantee that 3rd gear won't shred a year later

Hangon but the 3R already has an LSD? - are you saying I should fit a new LSD?

I don't have a pit or a large garage so I think doing the work myself is not going to be feasible.

Ah, yes. Sorry. bernhund mentioned an LSD and I agreed without thinking.
As far as I know most (if not all) 3R's have an LSD already.

I suppose you could fit a new one if you really wanted