Not updated in awhile but lots of things have gone on, a break down, crash and more repairs!
So when I last updated I was talking about a heater matrix replacement, that all went well.
![[Image: IMG_20140531_193432_zpsdqxwkhmr.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140531_193432_zpsdqxwkhmr.jpg)
I can't get over how much rust there is inside the car.
I think the head gasket is on its way out to and the amount of pressure in the cooling system is ridiculous and I think that's the reason why the matrix started leaking as it was leaking from a joint in the unit. Also the reason why I was getting a leak on the thermostat housing.
About that I made a brace to go over the housing to put a bit of pressure on the longer span of the housing.
![[Image: IMG_20140528_144628_zpsve4aryzu.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140528_144628_zpsve4aryzu.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20140528_144823_zps32fp8fum.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140528_144823_zps32fp8fum.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20140528_144934_zps2foqk6is.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140528_144934_zps2foqk6is.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20140528_181502_zpscfo6xq5r.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140528_181502_zpscfo6xq5r.jpg)
Anyway the housing doesn't leak any more. I think if the head gasket gets worse I'll just swap the engine out as I can't see the point in repairing the gasket on a high mileage engine that has been the neglected like this one.
I've fitted a new condenser and got the system vacuum checked at work.
![[Image: IMG_20140602_170208_zpsc540leza.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/IMG_20140602_170208_zpsc540leza.jpg)
It went ok, so took it to the garage to get it regassed. The automated procedure went well till the guy started the car and turned on the AC. He said he turned round to see smoke coming from the car! He thought the compressor had seize and the smoke was coming from the belt. I asked them to take the gas out so I could get a replacement pump but I found that when I now press the AC button you can hear the clutch on the pump engage and it looks like the pump is turning ok.
What I have found is the rad fans don't work at all. I think the smoke he saw was off the condenser as it was new, probably getting very hot and burning off the protective oil that came on it.
Today I got some replacement fans, I had to swap over just the fans as the cowling the replacement fans came in were broken.
I also found loads of corrosion on the plug. I thought that was the reason at first so after cleaning the connectors I could hear the relays clicking but no fans turning.
I then checked them with a multimeter and they were both dead.
I've also got around to putting some speakers in to front doors, the original ones that came with my hatchback. I think this might have a detrimental effect on the weather tightness of the car.
I've got some Alpines to go in at a later date and an amp to power them.
On Sunday some twat playing with his phone drove into the back of me. Luckily there didn't seem to be any damage to the estate but I'm going to see what it looks like under the bumper.
![[Image: caf63daa-669b-47e6-a336-cb58cf5524ee_zps8350d709.jpg]](http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/Dee_306/Cars/Estate/caf63daa-669b-47e6-a336-cb58cf5524ee_zps8350d709.jpg)
He lost a fog light, the tow eye punched hole in the number plate and bumper. He was lucky that he hit to the side as the tow bar would have made a mess of his car.
So when I last updated I was talking about a heater matrix replacement, that all went well.
I can't get over how much rust there is inside the car.
I think the head gasket is on its way out to and the amount of pressure in the cooling system is ridiculous and I think that's the reason why the matrix started leaking as it was leaking from a joint in the unit. Also the reason why I was getting a leak on the thermostat housing.
About that I made a brace to go over the housing to put a bit of pressure on the longer span of the housing.
Anyway the housing doesn't leak any more. I think if the head gasket gets worse I'll just swap the engine out as I can't see the point in repairing the gasket on a high mileage engine that has been the neglected like this one.
I've fitted a new condenser and got the system vacuum checked at work.
It went ok, so took it to the garage to get it regassed. The automated procedure went well till the guy started the car and turned on the AC. He said he turned round to see smoke coming from the car! He thought the compressor had seize and the smoke was coming from the belt. I asked them to take the gas out so I could get a replacement pump but I found that when I now press the AC button you can hear the clutch on the pump engage and it looks like the pump is turning ok.
What I have found is the rad fans don't work at all. I think the smoke he saw was off the condenser as it was new, probably getting very hot and burning off the protective oil that came on it.
Today I got some replacement fans, I had to swap over just the fans as the cowling the replacement fans came in were broken.
I also found loads of corrosion on the plug. I thought that was the reason at first so after cleaning the connectors I could hear the relays clicking but no fans turning.
I then checked them with a multimeter and they were both dead.
I've also got around to putting some speakers in to front doors, the original ones that came with my hatchback. I think this might have a detrimental effect on the weather tightness of the car.
I've got some Alpines to go in at a later date and an amp to power them.
On Sunday some twat playing with his phone drove into the back of me. Luckily there didn't seem to be any damage to the estate but I'm going to see what it looks like under the bumper.
He lost a fog light, the tow eye punched hole in the number plate and bumper. He was lucky that he hit to the side as the tow bar would have made a mess of his car.