It's been a week since it had it's epic Migweb South Central visit.
It nearly didn't happen, as it dropped me about 3 miles from home, stuttered, stopped, no restart. After about 1/2 hour waiting for a recovery truck, I decided to give it a go, and she spluttered back into life. A mile further down the road, and Dippy was fine again. So, I took the decision to run it to the SC meet rather than turn back, and it made it fine. The cause? When I changed the Camshaft rear seal, I'd damaged it - oil and distributor caps don't mix. With the aid of Pete, it was soon changed for a new undamaged version.
Whilst taking the dizzy and leads off, this happened..
Oh dear. With an XE lead lashed in, she'd be fine to get me home, where the GTE gladly provided replacements (the bonus of having 2 NE's!) whilst new ones were on the way from the web of things.
So, onto its day. It got some ramp time where the oil and filter was changed.
Pete had a good old root around under the car to look for all the usual Cav rot points, and declared it in quite good shape. A couple of areas to treat (rear spring seats) before it gets worse, but nothing major. He also adjusted the exhaust which was contacting the heat shield on high revs. Its a lot quieter when pushed now.
Dan (Mig's very own Astra Dan), Pete and I decided to have a look for an an elusive connector under the bonnet, found hiding behind the engine fusebox, the last piece of the yellow plug puzzle.
Plugged in an outside temp sensor to it, and fitted to the factory fitted hole in the bottom of the bumper.
Pete then stripped the centre console, and replaced with one from his Dippy, with the button set already mounted.
This adds the white plug to the large connector under the console.
All finished.. Poverty spec clock replaced by.. Shiny Trip computer.
It's currently got an LET chip in it so the range and consumption are all screwed up. With a little help from someone Pete put me in contact with, it should be all programmed up for an NE soon..
For the Afternoon, Dan showed me how to do something I've never done before.. A timing belt. When I bought the car the guy very helpfully told me the belt had been changed 40,000 miles ago. What he didn't mention was that 40,000 miles ago was in the year 2000! Although a 15 year old belt snapping would have no consequence on an NE, I'd rather it was done. So, the belt was replaced, as was the Pump and Tensioner.
Yes, that is Bathroom Silicone Sealant around the old pump! Once again, Billy bodger had been here..
Coming home, with the new Belt and waterpump, I made sure that it was fully bedded in, with a couple of visits to the rev limiter in 2nd..
Since home, it become evident that the few spots of oil it was dropping has become more of a dribble, and the oil that's appearing is nice and clean on the mating face between the block and head. So, the suspicion of head gasket is confirmed, I guess I'm going to have to call on the very kind SC guys again, and take another step into something I've never done before.