sj-bradley

You might think I'm cautious, but I think a long trip to Leicester in a car that is really still "running in" is a bit far. especially considering that I don't yet have any form of weather protection. As for hitting the pedal early, I found from the start when driving to the IVA that these cars can bite. I didn't spin out or anything like that, but I could feel the start of slipping tyres then. I try not to press hard until the car is pointing straight ahead and stable. The tunnel though is a great soundtrack ! The music you can hear is from some PC speakers plugged into the accessory socket with an mp3 player. Rather cheap, yes, but better than a nicked radio ! (Not that the car has been out of my sight yet when parked up I was trying to embed the video like Stewart did rather than put in a link which I know works. I then lost all communication with the RHOCar web site yet could access everything else. This morning EVERYTHING went haywire and I've only just been able now to get back online. Computers - Ain't they fun Cars - much better Simon.

Here's my first youtube video clip. Probably not the best, but at least it's short Ok, that didn't work. How DO you embed a youtube video? (I think I found it) Confused, Simon.

Also a by product of the burning gases is a large amount of water vapour which will condense inside the engine when it cools. Hence the tiny amount of white froth on the oil cap. I had a similar apperance and it eventually went away. If the engine seems to run fine, it doesn't sound like a blown head gasket. Does the coolant seem oily ? I would try taking a sample out of the coolant and leaving in a clean glass jar to see if any oil separates out - it will take some time to do this - overnight at least. Knights_templar's advice about topping up coolant has put my mind at ease as I was beginning to wonder at mine. What would be the right level for a zetec with raceline water rail? I had numerous little leaks around the filler cap area which I hope I have now sealed. Also, I know that the expansion tank will capture the coolant which has expanded and should "suck" it back in when it cools. Mine doesn't seem to want to do this and I am taking the coolant out the tank and putting it back by hand. Is there an easy way to fix this so it does it automatically? Thanks, Simon.

No problem Simon.

That's what has happened to mine. I have seen where others park the other way around and I'm not sure which is the "best" way round. Simon.

They can also be upside down too ! Like I think mine are now after seeing some others ! Simon.

Rotherham? That's like - quite close to Donny. I feel a ride out coming over me - must be the sun Simon.

That's one way to bypass the IVA and DVLA process ! Get two and sell the spare ! Simon.

Do you mean me ? I'd like to see what they do about this mess! Simon.

Dont worry - Mine didn't either. You're building the wide body version I believe then? You find that the centre and the end ones do but the ones inbetween don't. I cut a strip of aluminium to weave these together and fixed them that way until the time came to cut off the tabs. See http://www.sj-bradley.talktalk.net/ and you will find a picture explaining this. Or http://www.sj-bradle.../images/029.jpg Simon.

The Saga continues ... I rang the DVLA to find out about this "Two Tax disc" problem and they said that it must have "crossed in the post" - yeah right So I was told to write a letter and send back the extra tax disc. WHILE on the phone though, I was told that DVLA could not possibly issue a second registration with the same chassis number. He checked, and found that it HAD happened ! While writing the letter and sealing the envelope, the post arrived. Guess what ? A SECOND LOG BOOK ARRIVED ! So I suppose I must be unique with "Two Log book, Two Tax disc Hoodie" for the SAME car ! Closer inspection revealed that the VIN number had been entered incorrectly on the second log book, mistaking 22 for ZZ Makes this a most interesting car ! Simon.

Windscreen ! Yep - A right b--gg-r that was ! I also found that the rubber would NOT go in with the glass. With sikaflex (or polyurethane sealant) you will probably find that if you need new glass, you will also need a new frame too ! I ended up using silicone sealant which is not as strong, but even that will pose problems I think The rivets I had been told should not actually go all the way through to the other side so you were probably using ones that were too long. Fitting that was possibly one of the worst jobs on it so far Simon.

Nice idea except the problem is that I now have two licence plates with the SAME VIN number, so obviously I don't want them taking THAT one It will be interesting hearing what the DVLA have to say about this ! ("Would you like a refund Sir?" - would be nice ! ) Simon.

Sounds like a good idea as Sandal Cafe do some good meals too Simon.

Same as Dave above, I had to drill the extra holes but I thought they might have been M5 not M6. Simon.

Wheatley - not far away at all. So close that we could compare notes on the cars Will you go to the Area meeting at the Fox house? Simon.

Where in Donny are you? (Also in Doncaster) Simon.

Looks like a volvo http://en.wikipedia....File:B5252S.jpg Is this correct? Quote > The Volvo S60 R has a 2.5 litre turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine which is capable of generating 300 brake horsepower (224 kW) and 295 lbf·ft (400 N·m) of torque ?? Simon.

Hi, That is quite a bulge on that bell housing. I compared it with the MT75 I fitted and your starter motor bulge is quite big. If your engine mounts are equally spaced - is the engine twisted in the frame? I.e you align the geabox mounting point and the centre of the crank shaft pulley to the centre of the cross member in front of the pulley. If that is not possible because of the bulge in the bellhousing, I'm stumped for an answer I'm afraid, short of a different bellhousing or trying to modify the one you have. Anyone else? Simon.

Oh, one more thing. Make sure that the pedal when it returns will not get trapped in the "up" position. With a strong spring that is a possiblilty. Simon.

Hi, What I did to help prevent this wobble is make a large aluminium strengthener to go inside the scuttle and that helped a lot. You will remove this afterwards anyway, so any large postcard sized piece bent to shape with a hole for the bolt will do. Simon.

Solved ! Instead of a new part costing around £75 - I managed to get a used one from E Bay for about £18. It turned out to be the TMAP sensor on the top of the pipe from the intercooler to the inlet. I did a google about that part - It is *not* a repairable item It's a complicated strain gauge for pressure and combined with a temperature sensor as well. I would have to go and pick the "non standard" laguna - the 130 hp which has a different MAP sensor, different EGR valve. (Actually this one is easier to block off than the original and it is also cleaner and clogs up less than the original too ! - Except as I have now blocked this off it should be no problem anymore ) Anyway, I'm happy that it has sorted out the problem. I now have to wait for the next one .... Simon.

Ah - Now THAT's a good point ! I'll definately have to contact DVLA then about the 'spare' Simon.

Hi, You do know that the bias bar will need to be welded into a fixed position for the IVA? Adjustable ones aren't allowed. Simon.

No. You need fuel grade quality hoses or else the hose will dissolve with the fuel. Simon.