Tighten up and a Re-Run

I started on the Alpine after some 'domestic duties' and the first job was sticking the 'M' back on.

Then I went through tightening everything. There was only a very small damp patch under the car today and it looked like oil but I did it anyway. The pipes first then the bolts on the pump. Well most of them. The bolts on the engine cover were also almost finger tight too so I did them up. It might help with the oil weeping from the top of the cover. 

The Oil and Water were fine. So next I checked the plugs.

A bit shitty/sooty as expected, which might explain the slightly rough running towards the end of the German trip. I also found a loose wire on the coil so nipped that up too.

I then checked the tyres and two were down a bit - but not the one with a leak. I pumped them up all to 34 to see how it feels. Next was trying to secure the door rubbers again. I moved the screw and stuck more back down.

Again we'll see how we get on. Finally a wet dust and packed away in the Aston Cave.

While all that was going on Grange called to say the Aston was done so that's on the collection list and I picked up a big bag of Drugs and delivered them to Harkstead.

Late PM I re-ran the errand from yesterday in the Ferrari - the roads having calmed down a bit.

Here we are saving the planet at the clothes' bank. Mind you I heard today that there are so many fabrics being re-cycled that the industry can't cope.

And lastly the Imp (and me) in the Music Video.

That Smell

A slow day punctuated by an AM passenger ride in the MK2 Golf - to collect the van. Noticed when I put the charger on a few weeks ago I'd forgotten to turn it on.

Anyway PM was a SAAB Uber run to Manningtree via the Drift - as the road is closed again at Stutton for Watermain repairs. AGAIN. Then back the long way even though they have resurfaced more od the road with gravel as before.

Later I thought I'd get the Ferrari out for some errands - avoiding the problems and the fleet of 'moderns' on the drive.

But wait ... I found the Ski slope at a standstill due to bridge closure. That's fine I'll just come back via Stutton. Oh - gravel and closed roads - so I turned around and joined the queue down the Ski slope. As I was there I popped 50 litres of petrol in the car.

And there it was - the petrol smell. So 45 mins later I was home without doing anything. At lease it hints at the filler pipe being the culprit.

Is that Rain - or Tears ?

I awoke in a bad mood - I always return from the West wondering why the fuck I bother to go there. I started TAS, warmed it up and loaded the boot. I managed to chip the paint on the rim while I was at it too.

Not a good start.

I filled up with petrol on the way as planned - with a nice XJS convertible on the other pump - and set off. There was a little flecks of water on the windscreen from time to time but it was just 'micro-rain' and not the radiator cap leaking, so I was safe and sound in the very bumpy and very dusty car park waiting for the others at Melton by 11:15. Soon Chris arrived looking summery.

The run there was fine - although the rear suspension is squeaking a bit - but we were all cold as we parked up on the field in a strong breeze and under cloudy skies.

The weather did warm up considerable in the afternoon as you can see by the picture of John's Radio Car which arrived a bit later.

It got hotter and hotter on the field so I was happy to leave about four and potter home. All in all a 50 miles round trip.

Of course that was not it - Harkstead in trusty SAAB to round off the day.

Oh well.

It Sounds like Rain

So MK7 packed up again - back we come.

If you think it looks less - that's because I forgot my shoes in my haste to get out of there. 

Swish - Swish - Swish through the rain we drove. However the noise was not wet roads but wet tar. 32+ degrees and the roads are looking wet.

We headed for Stow in the Wold - Clarkson (and ex-PM Cameron) country. Mostly populated by electric Chelsea tractors but I spotted a 'bubble car' in the car park.

It did look a bit like an electric Tike toy.

Anyway that done we headed to Chastleton House - our destination. Bloody hot day to wander around so not the best preparation for the three and a half hours drive home.

However, the run back was OK - a bit longer than I expected but I was avoiding the Black Cat roundabout roadworks. Going North to go East seemed odd too.

So all in all what next - new car or not ?

No, it's not on the Van

Grange phoned first thing - it is the Lambda sensor and it is not in stock. So I'll be popping back next week to pick the car up. Good news is that I have a spare garage for the Alpine now.

Then riding around Stroud in a sporty A3 before the duties of the day.

My turn next in the Golf to be the Uber driver for the event. I spotted a nice MGA when we parked up.

But that was the only car of interest.

The final run back and shopping trip was in the heat. It could be France we thought.

Sprucing up TAS

A quick wet clean for the Talbot as I intend to take it to Alderton on Saturday.

Not that it looked dirty - but it came up better.

Then packing for Gloucester.

Finally getting the Aston out to run down to Grange at last. Oddly when I opened the garage door the Aston battery charger was making a loud ticking noise. Then when I opened the car door the seat reverted to the old setting and I had to re-adjust it. I guess not using the car is not good for it.

Anyway we made it fine - and yes it was odd to be driving the Aston again. Back at Grange it looked good though.

So onwards to the Classic Motor Hub at Bibury to look at GO8057. I was either going to fall for it or ...

It turned out to be 'or' ... Too big, too chunky, too high and to be honest when the door dropped as Jana opened it, the car probably needs too much work. It even looks good in the picture I took but in person - not so good. Slightly deflated we set off to LV, me wondering if any 4 seat tourer was going to be attractive ? 

An hour later we were parked on the common. Umm - what to do ?

Time Slip

Not sure where the day went really. Worked on the photos from Germany - this being the best.

Then PM a Harkstead visit for tea and jobs.

Trusty SAAB for that and to free the Ferrari up but I gave up really.

Then I didn't - Ferrari out in the warm evening for a run.

Went nicely again - and no pops etc. Keen to use it more but not sure where to go ?

Well that's It

Oddly we seemed to arrive in Harwich an hour early - but no wake up call came through unless we slept through it ? It was odd looking out at home through the port hole too.

Then they said breakfast was being served, but eventually we were called down. I checked the water and again there was a little under the car and on the subframe. 

So it had been dripping from somewhere else too. We were off with no real queues and set off home - missing the exit from the port somehow.

It was a bumpy, juddery run back from the port on battered British roads. I also suspect the plugs are a bit sooty after the queuing etc. which probably explained the poor slow running. It also felt like the tyre pressures were low. But here we are home safe and sound.

So here we are 7:30 am and time for breakfast (and watching the football) before unpacking. We did about 370 miles on the dial but as we're under reading by 10-15 % we'll call it 425.

Unpacking all the spares and tools from the various cars. Imp, Talbot and E-type made me think I should build a small universal kit now though. With the missing items I have on the list.

Finally I checked the water and it was wet again under the car and on the sub frame but only on one side. I felt under the bottom hose and it was a bit wet so I nipped the jubilee clip, but I'm sure it will not be the last thing to tighten.

However just to shake me out of my reverie I got the inevitable Harkstead call - the only keys available were the MK7 so that's what went - and at 7:00 pm it was still 30 degrees too.

I check the Alpine though when I got back and I say no more water. We'll look on the morrow.

So what worked well ? The GPS Speedo, the temp sensor and the amount of cloths etc. we could pack was fine. We could take more luggage and I found another area for tools or spares. The roof also leaked less than before in heavy rain - it still leaks a bit though - oh and we used little oil. 

On the negative side I don't have enough of the right tools when there is something major to fix and the large bag I used for the E-type was superfluous. I also should have attended to the 'rattle' before the trip. I also noticed I put the UK stickers on the wrong number plates - front should have been back.

I've come home with a list of small things to fix - but there we are. So the choice is this or staying at home reading 'The Daily Telegraph' - and you know what I think of that.

Home Juergen

Well - to the Ferry anyway.

I was out early and although there was not much evidence of rain overnight there was water. That was under the car unforetuneately.

There was also some on the cross member - so it is leaking from somewhere - but not much. The good news is that it is probably leaking from the small bypass hose from the header tank. We have just over 140 miles to go - so only a little more than yesterday so fingers crossed it holds.

I nipped up the clips before we went as I could see a spot of fluid there. Also Andy G pointed out that the car is sitting a little low at the back - which can't just be the 100k of spares in the boot. So I'll add that to the list.

We were off about 11:00 with Mac's car in the lead and heading for Arnhem museum for a break on the way. We arrived at Arnhem in the rain and wondered why we were the only cars parked there - until we paid for parking - and then we knew why !

We then popped off to the Arnhem museum at Oosterbeek - bigger, better but expensive. Nice car in the 'battlefield experience' though we walked through.

Once back in the road it was a good 120k run but smooth sailing most of the way. The car was stuttering a little al slow speeds when we got to the port perhaps it was the heat ? We joined the queue and had a rest.

Loading was an uncoordinated scramble but we were lucky. This time, before I could ask we were sent to the flat lorry deck again.

Just behind a modern Porsche and in front of a Stratos (must have been a kit) but nice never the less - although the driver was almost as big as the car and laughed with us as we saw him trying to get in.

Test Drive Day

We topped up with petrol first thing and then off we went to the Inland Waterways Museum in Duisburg. The run was fine, if a little confusing and were were one of the last there.

After waking around I spotted a nice colour co-ordination.

Next was the Zeche Zollern colliery museum which was about 30 miles away. We got lost almost immediately on that run and had to stop to find where we were. 

I laughed when I spotted the colour match this time. We decided to head for the destination on the main roads at that point. We parked up and found our way in. Lots of very big machines in there - I espectally liked the generation hall - I suspect it was just like the Talbot factory Barlby Road was before they tore it down.

When we got back to the car there was a very nice Merc in the bay ahead of us.

Only a 230 SL, but I liked the cream colour - just like TAS.

It was a hot drive back - but quicker - and we did about 70 miles during the day. The car was fine at 50 mph but there was a definite shake at 55-60. However although it was a very hot 29 degrees we were still able to keep to around 30 without much stuttering.

That night I noticed the header tank had dropped so I topped it up for the run home. We also topped up with fuel and we'd used (only about 11 litres) over the day so again we'll be home on one tank.

I finished by putting up the soft top and the storm cover - as rain was expected overnight.

I checked the engine and could not see any water dripping so went to bed happy.

Well that was Easy

All we did on Friday was to removed the old water pump and fit the new. Well that was the short version.

We watched everyone leave on the run that day and set to on the car at 9:00 am - with lots of borrowed tools and determination. 

The first job was to go and get something to catch the water as it cam out - I chatted up the old chap in the petrol station next door to the hotel and we found two old 5l containers in the re-cycling. We cut one up as the catcher and I started.

Top and bottom hoses first to remove the radiator. That was off by 10:25.

This is going to take a long time I thought.

Then I set too on the water pump itself. That had four bolts, and an odd one but I had to move the dynamo to get one out as the nut on that was rounded off. All undone and - nope. Nothing doing. So I tapped it - for 30 minutes. Eventually it freed itself so by 1:15 we were done.

I phoned the German with the pump and he said he would be back at 5:00 pm so we had a rest and went for a walk.

Thomas appeared about 4:00 and after the transaction (very reasonable) so we were back at it by 16:30. This time I had a lot of help too as most people were back and other cars had groups around them fixing other issues.

Several things got in the way like the backplate which would not come off. Then the old fittings had to be transferred to the new pump – thanks to another German engineer that was done quickly. Again and again we put the pump in place but it would not fit. Eventually we had it aligned and then someone spotted there was a gap at the opposite side to me. 

After wondering what to do I spotted that the timing chain cover was bent over at the point the pump fitted. So we 'bent' it back. Actually it took five minutes of hitting with bar and hammer until the was bent back and the pump went on correctly.

The bolts were hard to align but eventually with a lot of help it was on. 16:30 time to have supper.

Back at it about eight o'clock putting the radiator back and by 9:30 pm we were done.

The entertainment was over for everyone and we went to bed.

It's the Wasser Pumpen

So having got to the front of the boat last night we were almost first car off the ferry - and through customs (with the finger prints) - and on the road. The first mistake was turning the wrong way onto the duel carriageway and having to reverse quickly.

We stopped a few miles later to put the hood up as it felt like rain.

There were lots of lorries and traffic so slow going - 50 mph most of the way with lots of slower traffic but the speed limit was quite low most of the way anyway. We stopped as planned at 10:00 at the services for a quick brake and opened the hbonnet to let the car cool a bit.

Off again at 10:15 the car going well but making an odd noise from time to time. We got up to 100k on the German roads as they were a bit quieter. We arrived at the lunch stop just after 12:00 after a good run. I looked at the rattle and it looks like it is a loose fan ... eg the water pump. Ummm. Nice back drop though.

We found the correct place as the cars started to arrive. After lunch the rain started too.

The drive back up the hotel was punctuated by heavy rain, bad traffic and a horrible noise from under the bonnet. I parked on the curb and took a look/listen after a while. Shit that's got worse. However as there was no water coming out I decided to chance the 20 miles back to the hotel and luckily it made it.

I ask around and found I had the 'uncommon' short nosed water pump. Then there was lots of helpful suggestions and lots of running around to get a replacement (don't ask the cost) which we may get tomorrow. In fact we will probably get two as I ordered one to arrive DHL express tomorrow and one I ordered from a German chap.

No Going Back Now

I did a final clean (well detail) on the Alpine first thing. 

I checked the rear tyre and it was a few psi down - so a very slow leak. I pumped it up a bit higher - put it up to 35 which should get us to Harwich and the services - if not to the hotel for the night. 

Finally I stuck the heat shield back under the carb where it had become detached. And that was really that apart from testing the packing. Then final packing. Mileage: 28090. 

So early evening off to Harwich we went - 40 on the Speedo is a nice 50 so that helped. Arriving just after 8:00 behind a Dutch TR4 - surrounded by Dutch Traction Avant's all on a tour including a rare coupe - we sat and waited as the sun went down.

I chatted to one of the Dutch chaps. He had a DS too and agreed the ride could make some people sick - in fact he said there were stories of government officials being collected from the airport and driven into Paris having to stop the car to be sick.

Loading was slow but we followed the TR4 that blagged itself a slot on the lower car deck. So did we.

So at about 10:00 pm that was that for the night. I'll check the tyre in the morning and hope the good weather lasts until our first stop.

Ton Up Alpine ?

Slow car day. 

I did pop out and put the UK stickers on first thing. The big one and the small ones onto the number plate.

Then some DIY and organisation for tomorrow - more roadmaps and instructions.

PM it was a trip for bottled gas and then up to Harkstead to defrost a freezer. SAAB for both runs.

However I was planning to take the Alpine out for petrol - looking it was obviously the 'UK' was not on strait - it took a few goes but seemed better in the end.

A bit busy but legal. I topped up the tank so we're all ready. I also noticed the car felt less 'bouncy' at the back - after I'd changed the setting for the shocks.

Finally while I was waking around taking the miles I got the Aston out and gave it a bit of a warm up.

I put the MK2 on charge again too as it's not going to be used for a while.

So checking the miles we were well down on last month. However the Alpine did 100 since we picked it up and the Ferrari is nearing the target miles with no issues surfacing.