Slow, steady car work and TODOs for all the cars

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
06/29/2020 at 13:16 • Filed to: Project Dumpster Fire, The Hot Mess, Disco Inferno, The Alfa Doesn't Have A Tag Yet, blue pill

I won’t lie, I haven’t been super motivated to work on my shit heaps project cars since finishing the overhaul of the Jag. However, with work travel looming... it is time to get back on the horse.

Probably.

Project Dumpster Fire (Saab 900)

Last weekend I dropped the tank out of the Saab as it had eaten yet another fuel feed pump and enough is enough. Dropping the tank was remarkably easy and not easy at the same time.

Due to good access and a quality siphon, siphoning out the almost full tank wasn’t too bad. All the gas was saved and my lawn mower won’t want for gas for a while now.

Only two straps hold the tank in, but due to the way it is mounted between the spare wheel well and rear axle, I had to get the rear end waaaaaaaaaaaay up in the air to allow the tank to drop out. Otherwise it just hung on the inlet port.

Weird.

With the remainder of the gas out, I pulled out the pumps, bucket, and sender. I also noted three perished grommits that feed that electrical connector for the sender, the fuel return line, and the evap line. None of these are readily available for the 8-valve, but seem to be for the 16-valve. I’m going to guess they didn’t change the fittings when they switched to the new fuel pump style, so I’m going to start by emailing my favorite parts supplier and see if they can assure fit. Either way it looks like those three grommits are going to cost me like $30 total, which is insane.

The Hot Mess (Jaguar S-Type)

The Jag hasn’t got much except driven the last couple of weeks, but that is going to change if I am to drive it 3000 miles next month.

First off is to pull the codes to see if I can clear the check engine light. I know the passenger side cat is gutted, so that is one reason, but there is something wrong with the EGR on that bank too.

Pulling the codes I get two active and two pending:

P0405 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit Low

P0420 (nice) - Catalyst System Efficient Below Threshold Bank 1

P0405 (pending) - Uhhh... same as #1?

P1000 - Just means the battery was pulled, more or less.

Ok, #2 is as expected, #1 will require more research, and #3 and #4 aren’t anything to worry about. I am told the EGR valves on these are prone to getting clogged , but before I do a tear down (they’re WAAAAAY in there) I’m going to see what I can find out from the forums.

Also concerned a failed EGR might make the car run rich and ruin the new cat before I get a chance to fix the EGR? If anyone knows about this one I’m all ears.

Additionally, thanks to all the gritting trucks on the way home from buying it , a new windshield is in my future as the crack that Safelite helpfully put in there while repairing the chips has expanded to a problematic size. That is scheduled for Thursday.

Also also driving this car in the summer is making me realize it needs a tint. I’m usually all about keeping a car stock(ish) but this car really needs some help. I just called a local recommended tint place, but they’re closed for the entire week because of the 4th. I... have questions but OK. I expect it to be around $300 but hope it’ll be less. My usual place wants $450 and is a two hour drive away. Since this isn’t a long term car I think that is a pass.

Lastly the Jag needs a new set of rear shocks. At $320 each I would have avoided it if I could but alas they were well and truly bad. Luckily RockAuto had them on sale for $50 off each, so they’re sitting in my parts pile awaiting install. Allegedly this only takes about an hour per corner, but it’ll be my first time with spring compressors so.... heh.

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

The Discover both needs nothing and needs a whole bunch of shit.

The steering stabilizer is shot and needs to be replaced.

The shocks need to be checked again as the brand I bought (Terrafirma) are known to fail within 3,000 miles and the ride has been... questionable of late.

Both rear door lock actuators need to be replaced as they have never worked and manually opening the doors is a masonic dance and exercise in contortion all in one.

The center console plastics have degraded to the point where the window switches no longer sit properly. I need to get in there and reinforce the weak factory plastic so that all goes together again properly.

It also has a worrying vibration when engine braking from high speeds. I’m hoping this is just the stabilizer, but after that is replaced I’m going to have to worry a lot more. Another common problem is driveshaft u-joints, but mine look and feel fine....

The Alfa (87 Spider)

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

I’m going to start compiling a shopping list soon, but right now the Alfa is in time out.

The Volvo (C30 Polestar)

Also needs a new windshield.

Also the leather on the drivers seat has lost some of its coloring for reasons I don’t fully understand and will need to be re-dyed. Not exactly on my top priority list.

Priorities

The Jag and the Disco are 1st and 2nd in line respectively . The Volvo’s windshield will have to wait until next month to make room in the budget.

The Saab is semi-backburnered, but I’ll make time for it. Biggest thing is going to be getting the tank cleaned.

Alfa has a tentative repair goal of November 1st.

Have a bed hog doggo.

DISCUSSION (18)

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 13:37

I am amazed at how much time you find to do things. Between all the car repairs, your road trips, and the video editing, your time management is impressive.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 13:38

That is a lot of project car for probably not much time/money/motivation. Fix the Jag’s cat first and then I’ll listen to your SAAB story. I still suggest the S Type for the long road trip.

Bummer on the windshields. How much are you quoted for for each?

TheRealBicycleBuck > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 13:43

Didn’t you post something about your homemade ramps some time ago? Maybe I’m just wishing you’d post something about your homemade ramps....

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/29/2020 at 13:49

$300 each, all in. Allegedly it is with Pinkerton glass so I’m good with it.

Jag is still my first choice too.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/29/2020 at 14:00

I’ve commended on it a couple times but never done a post haha.

I built them back in 2015 when we opened up the back of the garage to be able to take a car.

Kinja'd!!!

This is what the inside looks like. Each one is made from solid three solid 2x12s with 4x4 spacers. (And no, I didn’t remove that 2x4 before providing support. The PO did that. We added a massive header since the wall was structural.

Kinja'd!!!

TheRealBicycleBuck > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 14:02

Neat.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 14:10

Not bad.

I’m getting to a point with my Cruze where I will actually have to do something besides put gas in it. It needs an oil change, a few more rounds of headlight sanding, a good detail, tires, brake pa ds ,and a partial trans flush if I want it to hold up over time. I’m a little intimidated because I’ve been so busy with summer classes. I'm not sure how much of that I want to do myself.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
06/29/2020 at 15:01

Blush. Thank you.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 16:36

If the car knows the egr valve isn't actuating then it shouldn't compensate the mixture. Key word is shouldnt, lord knows how its actually programmed

sony1492 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/29/2020 at 16:38

Do everything besides the oil change and trans flush, both can be done at the same shop

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > sony1492
06/29/2020 at 16:40

Ok. I’ve also noticed it doesn’t smell rich anymore. Not sure what changed. UltraGauge says it is running closed loop.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > sony1492
06/29/2020 at 16:43

I also just realized a timing belt change would be prudent. I don’t the 1 other owner got it repo’d 2,000 miles after such a major expense like a 100,000 mile service.

I can do an oil change myself and I love detailing. Already got the headlight restore stuff

So I should probably leave the trans flush to the experts considering my lack of skill but do you think I should do the brake pads myself? Rear drums make it easier.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 16:47

Long term fuel trim is a more permanent adjustment that is a ffected when short term trim consistanly reaches a threshold. The car saw that it had excess fuel making its way past the cat and kept adjusting short term injector trim to max low enough that now the car starts with long term trim low. If its COP it may have each bank adjusted differently due to the missing cat.

sony1492 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
06/29/2020 at 16:54

Drums are a bigger pita then calipers, but they also need servicing less often being at the rear. Brake pads are easy so long as you don’t live in the rust belt, shouldn’t take more then a few hours. Im sure if you made a post asking for advice you'd have alot of useful feedback

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > sony1492
06/29/2020 at 17:02

120,000 miles, mostly on the highway in an 8 year old car. The mechanic said my fronts were getting a worn 20,000 miles ago when I got it and I’ve barely hit the warning screech just now . Rears should be fine but I’ll ask about them when I get the trans serviced. I’ve noticed the gearbox has intermittently been rough so I want to stay on top of that. The Cruze had a pretty fragile automatic.

Fortunately my driving style/environment has been pretty kind to the mechanicals. Not so much to the paint.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 18:16

Keep the SAAB content coming!

Just picked up mine at the local place for some maintenance and I have it booked at the local SAAB whisperer for a oil pan cleaning and general checkup. We are going from Chicago to PA next week and strongly considering taking it — how insane is that??

Since we bought it end of May I have:

Valve cover gasket

Timing chain tensioner oil seals

Transmission cooler banjo seals

Front Lower control arms

Oil change

Coolant flush

Brake flush

Trans flush

PCV grommet and check valve

Urambo Tauro > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
06/29/2020 at 19:28

ANOTHER fuel pump?!? What. Gives.

Seriously, a re there just no good quality ones available anymore, or is something (clogged strainer?) killing them?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Urambo Tauro
06/29/2020 at 21:45

Almost certainly crud in the tank that I figured would have worked its way through by now but clearly hasn’t . Hence why I’ve dropped the tank and am going to get it cleaned. :-/ No strainer on the 8-valve feed pump. Luckily the feed pump is WAY cheaper than the main pump ($35 vs $300) and the main has been a trooper through all this. Apparently the feed pump has been taking one for the team.