Mikes 2.0 Gls

[bigmitch]

Flush the system again sounds like crap in the heater matrix but get a compression test done
to see if the head gasket gone. this is to make sure .this happen to me

[Cavalier342]

Sounds good mate, I was thinking something similar.

[planetc]

So it's your fault then, lol.
The point is, these don't suffer with air locks usually, you fill the system and it just works. In most cases if you are getting air locks it is because the head gasket is leaking and putting gas into the system. Even more likely if it has been cleared and returns. Just keep an eye on it, that's all I'm saying, I spent the whole time they were in production in a garage working on them remember.

[Cavalier342]

Not saying your advice isn't right, always glad to listen to proper advice rather than make my own up.

[Gaz]

ive never had an issue with airlocks on vauxhalls normally run them squeeze pipes keep it topped up, wait till fan kicks in and your done.

[planetc]

....I'll be the first to admit I am not always right. I don't have the car in front of me and can only go by what you guys have told me. My conclusions are based on the fact that I have been told it has had repeated problems with air in the heater circuit, along with unexplained temperature fluctuations.

Compression testing will not necessarily show anything for a slight leak from a head gasket, it's not sensitive enough. I have had plenty over the years that show no outward signs whatsoever apart from something subtle, like the air, or maybe an increase in temps on uphill stretches.

Exactly my point Gaz, thankyou.

[bigmitch]

Then only way is the sniff test for hydrocarbons the best is use a
gas analyser at mot centre just get them to check air above the
coolant tank this will tell if HG gone

[planetc]

Then only way is the sniff test for hydrocarbons the best is use a
gas analyser at mot centre just get them to check air above the
coolant tank this will tell if HG gone

..or a block test kit, same principal

[bigmitch]

Then only way is the sniff test for hydrocarbons the best is use a
gas analyser at mot centre just get them to check air above the
coolant tank this will tell if HG gone

..or a block test kit, same principal

Why pay for one when it's does a better job for free

[Mikebmth]

Good news indeed. You'll have to tolerate me trying to post this with my mobile. lol. RAC guy checked flow etc and did test from expansion tank, sniffer test? chemical in tube all i know. Run home on motoway temp didnt go above 94 once and conclusion was airlock in heater matrix or around there. Running nice and healthy again now but still need to do exhaust centre box. Will update properly once i have topped up my dongle. Thanks for doing update Andrei.

[Mikebmth]

....I'll be the first to admit I am not always right. I don't have the car in front of me and can only go by what you guys have told me. My conclusions are based on the fact that I have been told it has had repeated problems with air in the heater circuit, along with unexplained temperature fluctuations.

Hey matey, cheers for all the help anyhow!

Thats why I am on sites like this one, always someone who knows more than me which is most of the time but it is appreciated

[Mikebmth]

Time for a proper update!! Kind of anyway..

Well the old girl is running much better now apart from the fact I now have a split exhaust, basically the centre box has a crack where it meets the back pipe running off of it which not only means a noisey exhaust but also its lacking some GO power..

Apart from that Me & Andrei spent the day sorting the start of some of the rusty patches that are begining to appear, most of it is under the boot floor and around the rear cross member so with lots of Jenolite and some underseal and wire brushes we set to work..

I now have most of the undersealing done and sorted out the rusty areas but I have now found I have a hole about the size of a 5p in the bottom of the o/s rear door shut, difficult to explain where but its just above the sill on the o/s where the back door closes so got to get that sorted asap.

Also spent so love and affection on the old barge and cleaned the door cards and plastics then hovered it out for the first time since I have had it..

Andrei took a load of pics for me as I didnt have my camera with me and he will post them soon I hope..

Plenty more work still to do but most bar the exhaust I am hoping will be cosmetic as I want to spend some money on alloys and a decent back box etc but everytime I have money to do so something else breaks..Oh the joy of owning older Vauxhalls

[Cavalier342]

Right, as promised, here are a few basic pics of today's jobs. Thanks to photobucket, the uploads took an amazing wonderful fantastic 300000 light years Anyway here they are.

Got her up on stands and Mike climbed under and started off while I stood back and enjoyed an Export in the sun












Only snapped those for now. Good day overall though. Keeps us busy

[Mikebmth]

Cheers Andrei

[Hayward691]

I could do with some of that!!!!! LOL

[Mikebmth]

I could do with some of that!!!!! LOL

Tetraseal is good stuff mate, only about a fiver for a litre of it and you wouldnt use a litre unless you painting a truck chasis or something..

Do have to wash your car first mind you...

[Cavalier342]

I could do with some of that!!!!! LOL

you wouldnt use a litre unless you painting a truck chasis or something..

I would

[Mikebmth]

Right massive update with loads of pics so be warned!!

Aint been about the past few days as been in bed with proper confirmed flu , still suffering badly but inbetween sweating and puking up kermit the frog I thought I would try to resume normal service..

Thanx to Cavalier 342 or Andrei as he is known for doing loads of work for me again...Lol...Captain I got wood!!

***

Main job was to sort out my blowing exhaust and after much crawling around under the car the spliut was found:



After removal which condering the bolts looked fubar they came out no issues and no shearing..



The back box also needed some encouragement and an hour of grinding swearing loudly and bashing with a large hammer to release but heres the cuff of the back box now:



Heres my new exhaust with a few issues, first off me and Andrei both checked it looked 100 % the same and getting down to work.



It seems though that this exhaust was a proper bodge by the supplier as after fitting we believed the exhaust to be hitting the crossmember I decided to run down to a old mates garage nearby to put her up in the air.

Unfortunetly I forgot to take any pics but...The centre pipe had bends where it shouldnt even by a degree here or there it wasnt hitting the crossmember but worse still it was battering my fuel tank, luckily my mate managed to bend mounts and do his thing as an exhaust fitter by trade..

It now doesnt strike but I will be removing it and ordering a new one again as not happy with a hot exhaust running literally an inch from my fuel tank when I do loads of motorway miles..

Hot Exhaust & Fuel Tank Split (not yet) = Big Feckin Bang!!

Anyway heres a few not so great pics of the fit, we also had to cut down a bolt as the mounting was thicker where the new centre pipe met the Cat so new bolts were in order but then we found due to the Cats dimensions we couldnt fit the last bolt, after frinding off a coupe of millimetres it was on but obviously we didnt know about the problems til after.





Also took some pics of the rather dodgy hole in the rear inside of the arch:



Dunno how to deal with this one, presume its an MOT issue with its positioning so dunno whether its a big welding job or just some P40 fibreglass and lots of jenolite which is the white stuff you can see as it reacted to the rain..

Also Andrei did my heater bulb in the dash for me, with one set of pliers and skinny wrists it was fitted but to be honest its rubbish..Still can barely see it at night but its working now so here we go:



And to top it off one stickered up cav and my mean greeny outside andreis place..





And you know the worst part of having the Flu has been I missed all my ebay bargains as slept right through one day..

[Cavalier342]

Great pics mate Shame about the lack of sunstrip in the last 2 pics, Sodding MOT regulations... next time I'm just gonna fit 13" wiper blades so I can leave the strip on. Don't know why I didn't do it this time round
That exhaust is a pain, being altered by some twit. Well it's quieter now at least.
Catch up soon dude

[Envoy CDX]

That hole is nowt! get it cut out and welded up.

[buffkane]

nice job i had similar issues with my sri system on my TD, bought it brand new from andrew pages parts spot, removed old rotten system, compared to the sri system, barring the bore size differents which i intended on all was the small bends shape ect.

Fitted it, and for the love of god could i hell as get it to sit with out banging or catching. Got it as somthing like took it down to a friends garage. Ended up heating up the pipe that goes into the back box rebending the zorst slightly lol.

Boosh never banged since annoying as hell lol.

Keep up the good work

[Lowrider Dave]

Good progress pics. Off the shelf exhausts can be a PITA. I had one for my Escort many years ago and I spent ages faffing, cutting and tweeking to get it right, admittedly the Mk3 exhaust design was very poor and almost a last though on the design board. Ever since I've gone stainless steel and had them do by pros. May be a few hundred but it's fit and forget. The cav will get a SS once it returns from its surgery!

[cavboy180]

Very interesting just reading about your airlocks because my car never goes above the first part of the gauge, and it seems mine is full of air but it has always been warm enough for me.. i changed the thermostat and it always drives fine and the fan always cuts in, in traffic, i think the matrix may be blocked but i live with it??

[Cavalier342]

Either your matrix has an airlock in it or the temp. sender unit is nackered. Mine was running on the blue line recently, changed the temp sender, works fine now.
Andrei.

[jimmy]

Well done on even more progress fella you've put a lot of effort into this motor an you've come along way keep up the good work

I wouldn't worry to much about the exhaust my mk2 was the same had a full piper system on it an I never got it to sit right or stop banging and on replacing the back box on my newly aquired mk3 quess what it fecking knocks cause its touching the body I think eventually I'm gonna go custom s/s to hopefully solve the issue!