Apologies....
I sometimes get a bit paranoid about what gauges and displays tell me.
(Remember about the 10 pages of this WIP with me faffing back and forth because I got hung up on my digi-dash oil pressure gauge.)
A bit of the same here...
In the days before the resto, the fuel computer used to tell me that my consumption at stand still and at idle was normally 0.3 gallons per hour.
Since the resto, the same gauge has been reading 0.4 gallons per hour.
So an inferred 33% increase in consumption.
--------------------------
Okay - todays antics.
I got some new plugs for fitting on Sunday.
(Hopefully).
Some NGK BPR6EK - twin electrode items.
(I thought it was BPR6ES but hey ho.)
My local factors is an avid fan of the Cavalier especially with the eight valve lump fitted.
He was keen to assure me that these should be the only plugs used on my engine.
I don't know / care as long as they work well.
I know that Troy was distinctly NOT a fan of the twin electrode jobbies.
I was going to get some oil, until I saw the price.... I nearly cried when I saw a price tag of £44....
Last time I bought oil, I cringed at £26 for 5 litres. That is the problem of remembering what you used to spend in the nineties.
Duckhams Hypergrade was only £12.99 for 5 litres.
It seems rediculous to penny pinch on oil when you've spent nearly £7k on a restoration.
It just caused me to nearly have a panic attack - ha ha.
Now then Rob, stop waffling...
Progress.
Bit of a clean and copper grease evening...
1 - I have had a gummed up ignition lock from all the resto dust, meaning that I could take out my key, but the barrel would not lock the collumn. A liberal spraying with contact cleaner soon had the lock working smoothly. It will get a dose of WD40 on Sunday.
2 - I have had a really stiff gear change.
Initially I blamed it on the clutch being out of adjustment. I looked under my gear lever gaitor to see a very thick blanket of dust on the gear stick and selector shaft as it disappears under the dash.
Another liberal spraying of contact cleaner and then an even coating of copper grease on the selector shaft and the gear stick is now moving easily and smoothly.
3 - I ventured into the engine bay to give the throttle cable attachment and associated linkage on the throttle body a good clean and then a smear of copper grease.
Again the linkage has now freed up beautifully and snaps happily back to it's resting point when released.
4 - Cleaned and copper greased the bonnet release mechanism, pin and catch.
5 - Next job... I put some copper gease on the driver's door check strap.
I could feel it scraping a bit with an associated creaking noise when I opened and closed the door.
Hopefully it will soon become quieter and smoother.
6 - My one-touch sunroof stopped working on the way home... it would only retract back into the roof cavity.
Hmm - what gives I thought.
Then I remembered - I had pulled fuses 12 and 17 a few days ago in a bid to sort a temperamental central locking issue that had just resurfaced with the arrival of warm weather.
Only the driver's door, hatch and fuel flap work off the alarm remote and doorlock.
(Another story for another day).
So back to the sunroof.
Yes I had pulled the fuses and thought nothing about it when I refitted the fuses.
Silly sod - I hadn't synchronised the windows.
Close the windows and keep the close / lift button pressed for a further five seconds.
You will hear the relay trip out after a second or so.
Hey presto - sunroof now fully working, including full closure off the alarm remote.