1994 Cavalier LSi C20NE (was C18NZ) Work-horse

[chrisp]

Certainly both my 1989 and 1993 Cavaliers had/have metal petrol tanks and the replacements I sourced were metal also. Maybe later ones went over to plastic

[Robsey]

The tank for Calibra and GSi and 4x4 is a different part to the other Cavaliers. (They have independent rear suspension).
As far as I am aware, all standard cavalier tanks are steel.

[iangsi]

The tank for Calibra and GSi and 4x4 is a different part to the other Cavaliers. (They have independent rear suspension).
As far as I am aware, all standard cavalier tanks are steel.

Yes they are positioned differently as well they are right at the back of the car tucked up under the boot floor.

[James McGrath]

Yep, all cavaliers with independent rear suspension (GSI, 4x4, Turbo) have a plastic fuel tank under the boot.
The mounting points for the trailing arms and the differential take up all of the space where the standard steel fuel tank would normally sit.

This is the reason why those models have a smaller/shallower boot... And that's the reason that not all cavaliers came with independent rear suspension... that and the extra weight.

[Robsey]

Had a quick check tonight, to see if my fuel hose fix had sorted my non-start issue.

Thankfully, the old girl fired up - as soon as the fuel had made it's way to the engine.
A bit groggy at first, and smelling very rich... but not bad after sitting dormant for 16 months.

No picture means it never happened.
So here is a picture -

[Envoy CDX]

[Robsey]

I managed to give the car a bit of love...
First was to test wire up the central locking.

Connected up the battery - alarm chirped twice.
Pressed the disarm button - alarm chirped once.
After that, the alarm did not respond to the remote.
Bugger - probably flat fob batteries.
Next on the shopping list... some CR1616 batteries.
Two per fob.

Then I looked at how sad and tired the front end looked.
Cobwebs, moss and a few rust stains.









I removed the headlamps, indicators and radiator grille to give them all a nice clean.

Also did a bit of localised rust treatment.
And a minor bug-bear - those headlamp rubbers.!!
I finally fitted the rubbers properly under the hesdlamps.

Looking a lot better now, although I could do with a pot-brush to clean the indicators properly

[Envoy CDX]

Looks loads better just doing that, little steps Rob

[iangsi]

Keep at it your be driving it again soon.

[chrisp]

Both the headlights and the indicators look to be non standard (and very nice!). Are they aftermarket HIDs or maybe even LEDs? Are these still available as bolt-in replacements for the standard front lights?

[Robsey]

They are the facelift equivalent of Morrettes.
Angels Eyes (side-light halos around each light).
Mine are the cheap Depo units. FK are the better quality but more expensive versions.
I have not seen either version available for sale since late 2016, when I bought mine.

They are all standard bulbs... no LEDs or HIDs.

But you could try Google'ing "Vectra-A Angel Eyes".
They are not RHD / LHD specific.
That is controlled by a moving beam-bending plate in the back of the unit.

Unfortunately neither LEDs or HIDs are legal fitments for road going cars in the UK that were not fitted with them (either originally or as an option) from the factory.

[chrisp]

Thanks Robsey. I did try a search for Angel Eyes and they are still available for the Vectra A/Cavalier Mk3 from a Dutch vendor and a German vendor. Prices range from 180 to 200 Euros, plus carriage (and no doubt import taxes now we've left the EU). So I'm struggling to justify the expense! Amazon and eBay also apparently have them for sale, but when you click the links you get the "currently out of stock" message.

[Robsey]

Some good and bad today.
On the good side -

I finally sorted my dodgy horn. I have the two-tone fanfare. After a bit of testing, I found that the higher-pitch tone was not working.
In true Robsey style, I had a spare set of Vectra-C horns.
They have the later moulded plug connectors, however they had been supplied with approx 6" (15cm) of loom attached. Crimp on four male spades and fit protective sleeving, and they were ready to fit.



Next job was to replace the nearside front fog-lamp bulb.
The usual H3 type.
Just one No2 philips screw to get to the bulb.



Here we go, all working.





Neither good nor bad - just meh!

Refitted the Scorpion alarm and tested direct central locking motor driving.
I could hear the motors whirr, but nothing happened.
Hmm head scratching time.

And then the bad.

I had planned finally to fit the catalytic converter and the gear selector linkage that I fitted new bushes to a few years ago.

Jacked up the car, and the stiffener strut on the jack buckled, causing the cup to tip forwards.

Oh joy a dent in the sill and a dodgy jack.

I could not hammer the stiffener straight, so decided to abandon todays frivolity.

The buckled jack stiffener...



Ah well. Two steps forwards and another back.
The joys...

[vexorg]

Did it just go? or did the jack get twisted? never seen a jack fail like that

[Robsey]

It just buckled without warning.
Tipping the lifting cup towards the centre of the car.

Of course - I was not under the car...
And I had an axle stand under the front subframe just in case.

[Envoy CDX]

Crikey! That's a bad failure, at least you're OK though! Sill will fix.

[Robsey]

Yes I was fine.
The stiffener had been weakened a few years ago, jacking the van up ready for moving to Troy's unit.

I had done a pretty decent repair, but it would have needed a new stiffener really.
Just a matter of getting a new stiffener for an obsolete trolley jack, or laying out for a new jack.

Loads of recent wet weather have put paid to any further work recently.
He says whilst looking out at the sunshine from the office at work... typical.

[Envoy CDX]

Yes I was fine.
The stiffener had been weakened a few years ago, jacking the van up ready for moving to Troy's unit.

I had done a pretty decent repair, but it would have needed a new stiffener really.
Just a matter of getting a new stiffener for an obsolete trolley jack, or laying out for a new jack.

Loads of recent wet weather have put paid to any further work recently.
He says whilst looking out at the sunshine from the office at work... typical.

Typical sadly

[ilovedmymantas]

It just buckled without warning.
Tipping the lifting cup towards the centre of the car.

Of course - I was not under the car...
And I had an axle stand under the front subframe just in case.

Sound practise
Maybe time for a new jack?

[Envoy CDX]

It just buckled without warning.
Tipping the lifting cup towards the centre of the car.

Of course - I was not under the car...
And I had an axle stand under the front subframe just in case.

Sound practise
Maybe time for a new jack?

For the price of them, and the effort required to fix that one, I'd be going that route too... Or getting Mandy to find one at boot sale

[Robsey]

It will get sorted...
I think the Catalytic converter is possessed or cursed.
It simply does not want me to fit it.

And the gear linkage...
Not an MOT item, but it would be nice to tick it off the list at the same time.
(When I can get the car jacked up).

With the 40mm lowered suspension, I cannot get my bottle jack under the car. - lol

[Robsey]

Hmm - I have been wracking my head over the car.

It has not moved for nearly two years, and it is in need of attention.
I am beginning to wonder whether to keep the Cavalier or to let it go.

It needs two front cross-rail reinforcers at approx £150 for the pair.
It needs the old ones cutting out and the new ones welding in.
Plus all the prep and faff.

It still needs the gear linkage sorting and the catalytic converter fitting.

And then a general underseal titivation and some rust treatment due to being stood in all weathers.

I am not sure I can justify the cost to give the old girl a third lease of life.

My head says let it go - you've had your fun, and lack of funds mean call it a day.

My heart still wants to bog about with various projects, which would be daft unless I got the car fully fixed and sorted.
There is something that just draws you in with a Cavalier.

To be honest, I haven't given the car much thought at all, until now - when potentially I may regret getting rid.

Thankfully, it does not cost anything to SORN the Cavalier. So maybe I can put off any major decisions until the summer (2022).

[Envoy CDX]

This makes me sad, but I know the mental argument well. It's certainly too good to scrap. It' just needs a little more, but when is a little more too much?

[Robsey]

I am not sure why I posted.
The answer will always be, to use your head.
And some will say "it is just a car- and only an LS hatch at that"

But after spending more on restoring the car in 2017 than I did on buying it at only 15 months old in 1995 there are two trains of thought.
"You have come too far to give up now" or
"Throwing good money after bad".

It all comes down to money.
Faffing with older cars costs money.
Spending un-necessary wedges of cash messes up the bank account.
Messing up the bank account messes with your stress levels and mental health.
And that ruins the enjoyment of keeping the car.

But when things go well with the car, there is nothing like the enjoyment of driving the Cavalier or the achievement of solving another riddle or creating a new "upgrade".

The battle 'for now' continues.

That said, the bank breaker is actually the wife's van. But therein lies a whole different tale..

[cavalier1990]

It will get sorted...
I think the Catalytic converter is possessed or cursed.
It simply does not want me to fit it.

And the gear linkage...
Not an MOT item, but it would be nice to tick it off the list at the same time.
(When I can get the car jacked up).

With the 40mm lowered suspension, I cannot get my bottle jack under the car. - lol

You boy racers never think of that when you lower your cars Seriously though, I do feel your dilemma, I was so close to breaking my LS as well, remember a while back I had a post up here, but I'm glad I didn't. Despite it "only" being an LS, I do really enjoy it, even after all the cash and hours and weeks of toil just to keep it on the road, if I drive my omega any way spirited it guzzles the gas, and but the cavy I can fling it around town (within the law of course) or on the back roads here and I know it, and the fuel guage, will forgive me.

It still feels a prety solid car despite it's tatty looks, almost feel like it's started a new lease of life with all the work I've done on it, and all the work I've done on it (Mainly welding) that needed done again, I've done it to a much better standard, so I'm eventually doing less and less big repairs on it!