One year of ownership

[Nefarious]

Just realised that Tuesday this week was the Cerb's first birthday in my ownership, and I'm proud to say it's still in one piece and has never had a ride on a flat-bed!

Being a bit obsessive about service histories etc, I keep a list of the work I've done to the car on top of what gets done at servicing time. It's certainly kept me busy!!

Oct 07
Oil and filter change
Replace battery with Optima Red-Top
Replace big fuse with audio midi-fuse, replace holder

Nov 07
Recondition and replace starter motor (Lucas UK)
Replace all high gauge earth cabling
Add additional earth straps to starter motor, airbox brackets and engine earthing point
Replace hydraulic hose to clutch slave cylinder, replace fluid
Replace exhaust hangers
Add heat shielding to air boxes
Tidy underbonnet wiring and heat-shield

Dec07/Jan08
6k service (Mulsanne Motors)
Replace indicators and side repeaters with clear items
Re-grease steering rack
Replace windscreen washer hoses with clear poly hose
Replace rear driveshaft gaiters
Replace and rewire heater rear screen contacts
Add protective cover for rear seatbelt mounts

Feb08-May08
Replace brake fluid with Castrol SRF and bleed
Replace diff mounting bushes with Powerflex items
Replace and upgrade rear exhaust hangers
Add manual override for cooling fans and relocate wiring
Add cargo netting to boot
Add copper piping to prevent entry using the "secret" method

Jun08/Jul08
Strip all visible chassis parts, outriggers and suspension components
Treat with Kurust, cold-galvanise with Wurth Zinc 300, cover with stonechip paint, Tetroseal topcoat. Fill cavities and chassis/body gaps with Waxoyl.
Fabricate and fit rubber covers for front outriggers
Replace front brake pads with Pagid RS24s
4 New tyres (Toyo Proxies T1R)
Replace exhuast with custom sports item by ACT

Aug08/Sept08
Replace starter motor, add heat-shielding
12k service inc tappet adjustment (TorqueRVT)
Replace both throttle pots and MAP sensor
Fit uprated windscreen wipers
Replace water temp sensor and thermostat
Relocate temp gauge capillary and heat-shield

I'm sure I've missed stuff, but that's my running list. Mostly maintenance, but with a fair few improvements too.

[Tanguero]

Great writeup I am just over the year ownership too and keep meaning to document my work list as well.

One thing strikes me

"Add copper piping to prevent entry using the "secret" method"

I hope you dont live to regret doing that!!!!

[Nefarious]

It's OK, I've got my own "secret" method!

[Dirty Boy]

Good stuff, I've started a diary too, hoping I won't need to write too much in it!

Also, I note you've reconditioned and replaced the started motor in 1 year - is this common? Would more heat shielding be useful?

[Nefarious]

It was for two different problems (and still not 100% cured), but I believe its not uncommon to have heat-related solanoid problems trash a starter in less than a year.

Hopefully, mummifying the thing in heat-shield matting will help it last a bit longer this time round.

[Storer]

Are you sure it's the first aniversary. You seen to have replaced most of it.

[pies1981]

Tanguero said:

Great writeup I am just over the year ownership too and keep meaning to document my work list as well.

One thing strikes me

"Add copper piping to prevent entry using the "secret" method"

I hope you dont live to regret doing that!!!!

Secret method?, is this for cerbera owners only to know?...

[brogenville]

pies1981 said:

Tanguero said:

Great writeup I am just over the year ownership too and keep meaning to document my work list as well.

One thing strikes me

"Add copper piping to prevent entry using the "secret" method"

I hope you dont live to regret doing that!!!!

Secret method?, is this for cerbera owners only to know?...

Yup.

[Gazzab]

pies - you are being very unhelpful.

[pies1981]

how?

Edited by pies1981 on Friday 3rd October 22:05

Edited by pies1981 on Friday 3rd October 22:05

[brogenville]

Its just something that cerbera owners would rather not have discussed on a public forum, for obvious reasons.

[pies1981]

brogenville said:

Its just something that cerbera owners would rather not have discussed on a public forum, for obvious reasons.

sorry everyone, i didnt think. your secrets safe with me, i'm hoping to buy a 4.5 next year, thats why im getting my foot in the forum door now!!! i'll edit that post as well.

[FUBAR]

I gave up keeping tally on my profile after the BiL mentioned to Mrs Fubes over dinner how much I'd spent on the car

I'm about to start my second folder for the paperwork

[Allandwf]

I've had mine for not quite a year, and so far , has been very reasonable. Expenditure as follows.
£140 new spider after hitting pothole.
£130 new tyre as above.
£125 wheel bearing ( for MOT fitted myself.)
£23 frontlights ( for MOT fitted myself.)
£53 MOT.

Hopefully wont be bitten in the next two months, then 6000 service due in January.

There has been a few niggles sorted but done myself, I suppose if put into garage could have cost a few 100s in labour.

[Old Geezer]

Boy you have been busy!
Have you driven it yet?

Got mine in March.
New Toyo TR1's for front.
Just fitted Gaz Golds and a ACT "Quite" exhaust!

Bloody hell just realised that's £2k already!

Oh yes, the wife also fitted some Smiley air fresheners to the inside!

[Spawn]

Had mine since March to..


So far... a £22 bracket from as a pothole broke the top bracket holding the diff...

other than that - NOTHING!

(well... A front end respray but that was my own fault )

Going to get new tyres all round shortly and have the MOT service soon