Millipede Monaro (it's a bit leggy!)
Discussion
So 6000 miles (and almost exactly two years) since the last oil change, the time has come for another one, 228,800-ish now. Needed just the one litre of oil at the start of this year between the changes and was still on max today strangely!
Anyway, just an oil and filter change, how hard can it be? Unfortunately, very, when the numpties you've ordered the filter from supersede the correct filter with one that doesn't bloody fit!!
Which meant as of this evening the old girl was still sitting like this
With a big note on the steering wheel just in case of total brain failure
(Yes I could have re-used the old filter - and have in fact re-fitted it temporarily to seal the hole up, but the Fish will have one here early next week and I don't actually need to use her before then so might as well be patient and do the job properly!!)
Anyway, just an oil and filter change, how hard can it be? Unfortunately, very, when the numpties you've ordered the filter from supersede the correct filter with one that doesn't bloody fit!!
Which meant as of this evening the old girl was still sitting like this
With a big note on the steering wheel just in case of total brain failure
(Yes I could have re-used the old filter - and have in fact re-fitted it temporarily to seal the hole up, but the Fish will have one here early next week and I don't actually need to use her before then so might as well be patient and do the job properly!!)
Oil filter issue resolved, the mileage continues to creep up without any real issues other than some artistic redecoration performed by a passing skip wagon during a recent site visit...
Might have passed the 230k this weekend but my semi-regular check of the tyres / pressures revealed a nice egg on a front sidewall (and the photo shows the tyre to be more perished than I had realised too)
I do recollect crashing over a pothole a few days ago but given the state of the roads around here it didn't feel anything that out of the ordinary tbh.
Anyway, time to refurb the last remaining scruffy wheel and put a pair of decent tyres on the front...
Might have passed the 230k this weekend but my semi-regular check of the tyres / pressures revealed a nice egg on a front sidewall (and the photo shows the tyre to be more perished than I had realised too)
I do recollect crashing over a pothole a few days ago but given the state of the roads around here it didn't feel anything that out of the ordinary tbh.
Anyway, time to refurb the last remaining scruffy wheel and put a pair of decent tyres on the front...
Four years of Monaro ownership today! Most recent trip was up to the Lake District for a bit of (rather murky) walking around Thirlmere.
The only unexpected bill this year was for the gearbox mount at £35. I can't really consider the £600 spent replacing the exhaust as unexpected since I've put off doing that almost since buying the car!
Two tyres and an oil and filter change complete the annual expenditure list.
Still not quite ticked past the 230k yet, although within a hundred miles or so now. I barely managed my 3,000 miles this year as I used my Saab 9-3 'vert quite a bit when the weather was better and took that on holiday last year when I might otherwise have taken the Monaro.
The pair of Rainsports I fitted to the front have improved my confidence in the front end significantly in the wet. Cornering speeds are higher and drift mode is definitely easier to activate
Plans for the next year? Get the old girl through the MOT in June and keep on driving. There is a small job list growing however.
One exhaust manifold stud has snapped and occasionally I'm getting a slight tick-tick at idle from the area which I suspect is a little blow. Removing the stud remains isn't a job I'm relishing so I may put that one off until it really sounds like a tractor!
The power steering cooler loop is looking incredibly crusty and is surely going to let go sooner or later. Really I should replace it now before it leaves me at the roadside but where's the fun in that? Live a little dangerously I say!
The HD Moog GTO drop links I fitted a couple of years ago have developed a little play in the rubber bushes where they attach to the bar itself but none at the lower ball joint. The rubber just looks to have compressed and isn't perished so I'll see if I can pack them out a touch with washers to take up the slack before condemning them.
The previous MOT advised on corroded fuel lines (although strangely not last year) so I could do with checking these out and treating them before they get too bad. A new fuel filter probably wouldn't hurt at the same time.
Finally, the spark plugs have done an unknown mileage. I looked through the paperwork but couldn't find a mention of replacement. No running issues at all though so "if it ain't broke"...
All things considered though, not so bad.
The only unexpected bill this year was for the gearbox mount at £35. I can't really consider the £600 spent replacing the exhaust as unexpected since I've put off doing that almost since buying the car!
Two tyres and an oil and filter change complete the annual expenditure list.
Still not quite ticked past the 230k yet, although within a hundred miles or so now. I barely managed my 3,000 miles this year as I used my Saab 9-3 'vert quite a bit when the weather was better and took that on holiday last year when I might otherwise have taken the Monaro.
The pair of Rainsports I fitted to the front have improved my confidence in the front end significantly in the wet. Cornering speeds are higher and drift mode is definitely easier to activate
Plans for the next year? Get the old girl through the MOT in June and keep on driving. There is a small job list growing however.
One exhaust manifold stud has snapped and occasionally I'm getting a slight tick-tick at idle from the area which I suspect is a little blow. Removing the stud remains isn't a job I'm relishing so I may put that one off until it really sounds like a tractor!
The power steering cooler loop is looking incredibly crusty and is surely going to let go sooner or later. Really I should replace it now before it leaves me at the roadside but where's the fun in that? Live a little dangerously I say!
The HD Moog GTO drop links I fitted a couple of years ago have developed a little play in the rubber bushes where they attach to the bar itself but none at the lower ball joint. The rubber just looks to have compressed and isn't perished so I'll see if I can pack them out a touch with washers to take up the slack before condemning them.
The previous MOT advised on corroded fuel lines (although strangely not last year) so I could do with checking these out and treating them before they get too bad. A new fuel filter probably wouldn't hurt at the same time.
Finally, the spark plugs have done an unknown mileage. I looked through the paperwork but couldn't find a mention of replacement. No running issues at all though so "if it ain't broke"...
All things considered though, not so bad.
Mileometer finally clicked over the next 10k last week.
No rest for the wicked however, instead some fairly hard driving up to Wasdale Head was Millie's reward.
Took in the Wrynose and Hardknott passes of course, both were interesting and fairly brutal in places! Between those and the single track road alongside Wastwater, I hadn't realised how hard I'd been concentrating until we got to the inn and I had an impromptu early evening nap!!
Coming home we turned off the A595 over Corney Fell, the sun came out and wow! What a great road and some stunning views.
No rest for the wicked however, instead some fairly hard driving up to Wasdale Head was Millie's reward.
Took in the Wrynose and Hardknott passes of course, both were interesting and fairly brutal in places! Between those and the single track road alongside Wastwater, I hadn't realised how hard I'd been concentrating until we got to the inn and I had an impromptu early evening nap!!
Coming home we turned off the A595 over Corney Fell, the sun came out and wow! What a great road and some stunning views.
shalmaneser said:
I enjoy these types of threads, please keep updating although it seems very little noteworthy actually happens as the old girl is so reliable!
Yeah, sorry about that!No tales of mechanical carnage just now I'm afraid (that's not a complaint obviously).
Best I can offer is.... (scratches head), erm, one of the wiper blades has gone a bit streaky!!
MDifficult said:
I'm pretty sure you and I were doing the exact same routes in our big blue cars at the exact same time! Amazing we didn't pass each other at least once (I would have noticed you!)
Lovely M5 you've got. As an ex-M5 owner I still have a pretty keen eye for ///M cars when I'm out and about so I'm sure I would have noticed if I'd seen you.How was the M5 on some of the tighter hairpins? I had a bit of a smokey inside wheel a couple of times which suggests the LSD in the Monaro isn't limiting slip quite as well as it once did!!
I was following a young lady in a small Citroen over the Corney Pass and she was absolutely flying!
I can only assume (hope!) she knew the road like the back of her hand, I was having to use my power advantage on the straights and uphill sections in order to keep up!!
Twenty five years ago I would have flagged her down to compliment her on her driving, but I don't think Mrs-99t would have been too amused if I'd done that on Wednesday!
She had her hands over her eyes and was making squeaking noises over much of that section as it was, bless!!
Spent some time fettling at the weekend.
Cleaned and treated a few brake pipes that were looking a little rusty, adjusted the handbrake and removed, greased and refitted the front drop links with an extra washer to take up the compression in the rubber bushes that was giving a little play.
Also tweaked a heat shield that was just touching the exhaust ever so slightly - just enough to give a little rattle now and then. Suspect the exhaust rubbers had settled slightly since fitting. A touch of percussive adjustment soon resolved that!
A fresh 12 months ticket duly obtained today, just one advisory for front to rear brake pipe corrosion, so I obviously missed that one!
Not advised on the MOT, but the rear tyres I fitted in July '14 are starting to get close to the wear indicators now, probably another 1k or so left in them. This means they will have lasted 10k miles in total - not bad for one hundred and eight pounds worth of Ovation VI388's!
Will probably replace with the same as I've had zero issues with them, noise, grip, balance, wear or otherwise, despite the TC button being off as often as it is on!!
Cleaned and treated a few brake pipes that were looking a little rusty, adjusted the handbrake and removed, greased and refitted the front drop links with an extra washer to take up the compression in the rubber bushes that was giving a little play.
Also tweaked a heat shield that was just touching the exhaust ever so slightly - just enough to give a little rattle now and then. Suspect the exhaust rubbers had settled slightly since fitting. A touch of percussive adjustment soon resolved that!
A fresh 12 months ticket duly obtained today, just one advisory for front to rear brake pipe corrosion, so I obviously missed that one!
Not advised on the MOT, but the rear tyres I fitted in July '14 are starting to get close to the wear indicators now, probably another 1k or so left in them. This means they will have lasted 10k miles in total - not bad for one hundred and eight pounds worth of Ovation VI388's!
Will probably replace with the same as I've had zero issues with them, noise, grip, balance, wear or otherwise, despite the TC button being off as often as it is on!!
Yes it's going well, thanks.
Commuted today and it's amazing how much difference two small washers to tighten up the front droplinks and a bit of a tweak to a heat shield can make.
I wasn't really aware of any tapping or knocking from the front and the rattle from the heat shield was only occasional, but honestly it feels so much tighter and quieter today, it's like it's done 100k less!
Commuted today and it's amazing how much difference two small washers to tighten up the front droplinks and a bit of a tweak to a heat shield can make.
I wasn't really aware of any tapping or knocking from the front and the rattle from the heat shield was only occasional, but honestly it feels so much tighter and quieter today, it's like it's done 100k less!
Managed to clatter a huge pot hole this morning, covered by a puddle on a single track road. Was only crawling along as the surface was terrible anyway but it was still a violent impact (nearly hit my head on the side window!!)
Tyres were still up when I reached the client's premises half a mile further on, so thought I'd got away with it.
Tiptoed back to proper roads where it became apparent that I haven't. Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface.
Not crawled underneath as a) I'm in a suit and b) it's piddling down but guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
Tyres were still up when I reached the client's premises half a mile further on, so thought I'd got away with it.
Tiptoed back to proper roads where it became apparent that I haven't. Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface.
Not crawled underneath as a) I'm in a suit and b) it's piddling down but guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
99t said:
Massive vibration at 50mph and at least one wheel (feels like it might be a rear) feels decidedly less than round when moving slowly on a smooth surface...guessing one or both offside wheels are buckled on the inside.
Got the wheels off this afternoon.Front not too bad, slight damage to inner sidewall but not through to cords and a slight mark on the rim.
My MOT man had a look and said the tyre is ok so will get it re-balanced and see how it goes.
The rear though...
Yup, that's pretty f
dWill see if the local wheel repairer can do anything with it...
Five years of Monaro ownership today! Time really does fly when you're having fun!
Thanks to a very decent PH member who contacted me asking if I needed a wheel, Millie is now roadworthy again. Cheers mate, just the job
Stuck another pair of Ovation VI388s on the back - they lasted 12k in the end and wore totally evenly which gives me some confidence that the rear suspension isn't actually in too bad condition.
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 233k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
Thanks to a very decent PH member who contacted me asking if I needed a wheel, Millie is now roadworthy again. Cheers mate, just the job
Stuck another pair of Ovation VI388s on the back - they lasted 12k in the end and wore totally evenly which gives me some confidence that the rear suspension isn't actually in too bad condition.
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 233k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
And yet again the big blue heap has passed its MOT (without any prep. whatsoever )
Couple of advisories but the only one that raised an eyebrow was an imbalance on the front brakes - I've not been aware of anything whilst driving and having swapped both front calipers for lower mileage examples (split seals had resulted in at least one seized piston on each of the originals) the brakes have actually been feeling better than they ever have!!
) Couple of advisories but the only one that raised an eyebrow was an imbalance on the front brakes - I've not been aware of anything whilst driving and having swapped both front calipers for lower mileage examples (split seals had resulted in at least one seized piston on each of the originals) the brakes have actually been feeling better than they ever have!!
E36Dan said:
Glad to see you've still got this, and that it's going strong. The rear tyres are raising eyebrows though, is this a case of you've found a "budget" that works for you, and you don't give a toss what anyone else thinks?
I am pleased to say that I am reaching an age now where I really don't give a monkey's what anyone thinks of my vehicular decision making! I'm sure that some of my friends and colleagues genuinely believe I am certifiable!That said, the Ovation VI388 is a budget tyre that I genuinely rate as punching well above its price. They wouldn't suit everything though.
The Monaro originally came with a pair on the front, but the loadings through the front end were too much for them, resulting in rapid shoulder wear. I swapped them to the rear where they were much happier, wearing evenly whilst providing plenty of grip in all conditions.
When they finally died I replaced them with another pair a few years ago and got about 11k out of them. For the price it seemed rude not to do the same again this time!
It is quite possible that other, more expensive tyres would provide more ultimate grip, but I find these nice and progressive and they certainly never feel like ditchfinders!
Plus, of course, they are cheap enough that if I feel the need for the odd hooligan moment now and then, the moths in my wallet don't get upset!
99t said:
I've purchased an oil analysis kit (i.e. a plastic tub and SAE x 2) for amusement value - now at 234k it will be interesting to see how much of the engine's innards are finding their way into the sump...
Changed the oil the other week at 5k miles and around 18 months. Duly sent away and the results just came back
I'm no expert but it looks ok and seemed to compare well with some other LS1 reports I found via Google.
Comments / observations very welcome...
MarvinTPA said:
Confirms my suspicions that at 108k my 04 Cv8 is merely run in.
I would say that's a fair assumption.The LS1 seems to be such solid engine with few foibles in standard form. There were some early oil pump failures (98-01 'Vette and Camaro) but these appear to have been resolved by 2004.
Provided they don't spend their life bouncing off the rev limiter and manage to avoid obvious engine killing events like low oil or overheating they should almost go on forever with just basic maintenance.
In this case I suspect it will comfortably outlast the rest of the car!!
Time for a moan.
I sent a sticky front brake caliper away for repair a little over three weeks ago.
The original quote was £40 for a basic un-seize and repair plus return postage. Any additional work to be advised as necessary once the caliper had been assessed, fair enough.
I then received an email confirming receipt of the caliper and that it was being assessed, at which point it all went quiet.
After seven days, having repeatedly failed to contact them by telephone, I emailed for an update, and was ignored.
A few days later I finally managed to get through by telephone, to be told that both pistons were unsuitable for reuse and NLA, so new stainless ones were in the process of being made. The total cost would be £186 all in...
I thanked them for keeping me advised of the extra costs involved prior to commencing work (slight sarcasm alert), and they were apologetic and offered £20 off the price as a goodwill gesture. Although tempted to tell them to shove the caliper somewhere, in the interests of getting the car back on the road fairly quickly versus having to source a good replacement caliper, I reluctantly agreed and told them to go ahead.
Another week passed before I received an email advising that my caliper was ready and to let them have a contact number to arrange payment. A contact number that they already had. A frustrating few days then passed with me emailing a contact number repeatedly whilst also trying and failing to get through by phone.
Finally managing to get through by phone, I was advised only one new piston was needed - apparently my other piston had magically repaired itself to reusable spec. The bill had dropped to £113 and a long guarantee offered so I paid up.
The caliper arrived safely a couple of days later. I was expecting one new and one used piston. What I received was this
Of course, now I have been unable to make contact again and don't know if the old piston(s) have been refitted in error or whether the whole "new pistons" saga was just a load of bull to justify delays and upselling? Guess I'll find out when I fit the bugger...
I won't name and shame the "brake caliper specialist" involved in this sorry saga as that would be against the rules, I'll just say, if you are thinking of having similar work carried out, make sure you check the recent Facebook reviews of anyone you consider before proceeding. Unfortunately I didn't.
I sent a sticky front brake caliper away for repair a little over three weeks ago.
The original quote was £40 for a basic un-seize and repair plus return postage. Any additional work to be advised as necessary once the caliper had been assessed, fair enough.
I then received an email confirming receipt of the caliper and that it was being assessed, at which point it all went quiet.
After seven days, having repeatedly failed to contact them by telephone, I emailed for an update, and was ignored.
A few days later I finally managed to get through by telephone, to be told that both pistons were unsuitable for reuse and NLA, so new stainless ones were in the process of being made. The total cost would be £186 all in...
I thanked them for keeping me advised of the extra costs involved prior to commencing work (slight sarcasm alert), and they were apologetic and offered £20 off the price as a goodwill gesture. Although tempted to tell them to shove the caliper somewhere, in the interests of getting the car back on the road fairly quickly versus having to source a good replacement caliper, I reluctantly agreed and told them to go ahead.
Another week passed before I received an email advising that my caliper was ready and to let them have a contact number to arrange payment. A contact number that they already had. A frustrating few days then passed with me emailing a contact number repeatedly whilst also trying and failing to get through by phone.
Finally managing to get through by phone, I was advised only one new piston was needed - apparently my other piston had magically repaired itself to reusable spec. The bill had dropped to £113 and a long guarantee offered so I paid up.
The caliper arrived safely a couple of days later. I was expecting one new and one used piston. What I received was this
Of course, now I have been unable to make contact again and don't know if the old piston(s) have been refitted in error or whether the whole "new pistons" saga was just a load of bull to justify delays and upselling? Guess I'll find out when I fit the bugger...
I won't name and shame the "brake caliper specialist" involved in this sorry saga as that would be against the rules, I'll just say, if you are thinking of having similar work carried out, make sure you check the recent Facebook reviews of anyone you consider before proceeding. Unfortunately I didn't.
To be fair the caliper seems to do what it is meant to do without issue. I just need to query the price charged with them now, if I can ever make contact... 
Because the caliper took so long to get back, and I hadn't been using the car much prior to sending it away for repair, when it came time to start the old girl up for a test drive, the battery was pretty flat.
I had bought one of these on a whim a while back.
So I decided (in a moment of extreme optimism) to give it a try before breaking out the jump leads.
Why extreme optimism? Well the small print suggests it is only suitable for engines up to 1.6 litres or so. Thus a 5.7 might be pushing its design spec a tad?
Well it only went and started it! Not the fastest the engine has ever cranked over, but good enough to fire
Half expected the jump pack to be a smoking ruin afterwards but other than a bit of angry beeping, all appears well with it. Still shows a full charge too!
Because the caliper took so long to get back, and I hadn't been using the car much prior to sending it away for repair, when it came time to start the old girl up for a test drive, the battery was pretty flat.
I had bought one of these on a whim a while back.
So I decided (in a moment of extreme optimism) to give it a try before breaking out the jump leads.
Why extreme optimism? Well the small print suggests it is only suitable for engines up to 1.6 litres or so. Thus a 5.7 might be pushing its design spec a tad?
Well it only went and started it! Not the fastest the engine has ever cranked over, but good enough to fire
Half expected the jump pack to be a smoking ruin afterwards but other than a bit of angry beeping, all appears well with it. Still shows a full charge too!
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