Project Cheapskate has left the building

[enuff_zed]

Today I felt a bit masochistic, so I decided I'd move the roof motor.
Set myself a new record by actually having it out and ready to tidy up in just over 20 minutes.
But my god! The stink! The well was full to the brim with water which of course found the quickest route to my armpit as I lay in the boot.
The motor itself was not too bad; sat in sodden insulation but not actually full of water itself. Quick clean up and it's purring away in its new home.
So yet again the lesson is there to learn. Just because I discovered the drain bungs were already removed does not mean the escape route is clear. By reaching through into the well I could pull out handfuls of detritus.
Then wiggled an old wire coat hanger down the drain hole from the top and watched the flood emerge from the bottom.
This made me think about the other side, so I got my arm down in there too. Dry as a bone! Typical!

 

[Neens76]

I think I may be on borrowed time with my roof motor relocation task. Seems to work fine, hardly rained since I’ve owned it, and I have the roof cover on, and the car was garaged most of its life, but you know, Sod’s law and all that…

Loving this project, Martin.

 

[enuff_zed]

I think I may be on borrowed time with my roof motor relocation task. Seems to work fine, hardly rained since I’ve owned it, and I have the roof cover on, and the car was garaged most of its life, but you know, Sod’s law and all that…

Loving this project, Martin.

Happy to help with yours if you can get over here?

Thanks for the comments by the way.

 

[Neens76]

Very kind , Sir. Let’s see if we can fix a day I can dodge responsIbilities

 

[enuff_zed]

Very kind , Sir. Let’s see if we can fix a day I can dodge responsIbilities

No problem. If we can get at it while it's still working it saves all kinds of complications.

 

[Neens76]

Very kind , Sir. Let’s see if we can fix a day I can dodge responsIbilities

No problem. If we can get at it while it's still working it saves all kinds of complications.

it’s working fine, as far as I can tell, but yes, soon if we can

 

[enuff_zed]

What with the breaker and a holiday to sort I realised I'd not touched the 'cheapskate for over a month!
It's been sat with the front wheels off and the knuckle bolts doused in diesel for all that time so today I decided enough was enough and swapped the front suspension. Phew! Both bolts came out without any dramas and I ran a tap through the holes before fitting new ones.
Found the headlight levelling sensor was cracked almost right through, so a new one on order.
Getting close now.
Lick of paint on the callipers and hubs, then see what an MOT throws up.
Even with a couple of unforeseen expenses it still owes me less than £3k.

 

[Zedebee]

Found the headlight levelling sensor was cracked almost right through, so a new one on order.

This is supposed to be Project Cheapskate. What’s wrong with a bit of superglue or a plastic staple?

 

[enuff_zed]

Found the headlight levelling sensor was cracked almost right through, so a new one on order.

This is supposed to be Project Cheapskate. What’s wrong with a bit of superglue or a plastic staple?

Standards dear chap, standards! :roll:

 

[enuff_zed]

Bit of a thread resurrection as, tbh, I'd forgotten I'd started it. :roll:
Life here at Norfolk Zed Rescue has been hectic. You know how it is, every time you want to fix your own car someone else asks for help.
Anyway, nearly there now!
Elsewhere I have discussed in much detail the issues with the failing DME which [ref]bigwinn[/ref] helped me sort with a newly coded module.
Took the car for an MOT last month and it went through with one advisory for slight signs of wear on one tyre. I'd robbed the wheels off a previous breaker so inherited that issue, but it's hardly noticeable.
Took it for a Hunter alignment prior to sale.
He called me over to have a look. Original 149k nuts and bolts don't like being adjusted!
Took it home and despite turning the front tie-rod into a small sun with the blowtorch it wasn't budging. £50 and a few hours later I'd fitted new inner and outer tie rods at the front.
I also invested in new eccentric camber bolts for the rear. Everything is now ready to adjust and it's booked in on Friday.
While waiting I also finally did the Vanos seals. It's purring nicely now.
So in summary, it's had new shocks, top mounts, bump stops, front and rear. Vanos and Disa overhauled/upgraded. New boot rams. ICV removed and cleaned. Plugs and coils replaced. EPS motor repaired (lifetime ECUTesting warranty). Broken centre storage cubby door replaced. LEDs in the interior lights and boot. Roof motor relocated, drain bungs removed and drains cleared. DME replaced (throttle body was also replaced during the fault finding process). New front light levelling sensor. Scuttle panel replaced and all the crud removed from under it.
Plus lots of little tweaks, trim clip replacements etc.
It's taken a lot longer than planned but by this weekend it will be ready for a new owner.
In total I've managed to keep the whole project a smidgeon below £3k.
I'm no bodywork expert and in the interests of keeping the costs down it still has a dent in the front bumper by the LH fog light. My reasoning was that I couldn't find a better bumper cheap enough for me to break even.

It's been fun and even with 149500 on the clock I think it would be a decent car for someone.
I want it off the drive now so I can start all over again.
Look out for an advert in the next week or so. Just looking to get my money back plus a few celebratory beers.

 

[inkey$]

Fine amount of work there and will be a great purchase for somebody.
Another Norfolk Zed reenergised!

 

[Usel]

Nice work Martin

Had my eyes peeled for you for a bumper for the cheapskate but only seen ones in worse condition or they're £300. :x

 

[FunkyGBrown]

Gutted to not be in a position to take this off your hands but based on the work that's gone into it and seeing in the flesh someone is in for a right bargain.

Also good to see how much value is in these and with the right discounts and knowledge can be given a new lease of life without breaking the bank.

 

[enuff_zed]

Gutted to not be in a position to take this off your hands but based on the work that's gone into it and seeing in the flesh someone is in for a right bargain.

Also good to see how much value is in these and with the right discounts and knowledge can be given a new lease of life without breaking the bank.

Cheers. Still got you in mind if it hangs around. Just let me know if it's a definite no.

Nice work Martin

Had my eyes peeled for you for a bumper for the cheapskate but only seen ones in worse condition or they're £300. :x

I know. If someone wants to find a Black sapphire bumper I'll fit it for them, but as you say, for that money it just pushes the base price of the car too high.

 

[paddy wright]

Brilliant work to save a wee Zed

 

[enuff_zed]

Brilliant work to save a wee Zed

Thank you.
The fact I did it on the cheap may put people off, but all I've really saved is labour costs and being prepared to wait for Autodoc to hit the big discounts.

 

[matcarter]

It may be called 'project cheapskate' but it reads more like a light/medium restoration! For me cheapskate implies rattle can blow overs and cable tie repairs!

As a natural born cheapskate however looking to dip a toe into Zed ownership, I would certainly be interested when you do put it up for sale....

 

[inkey$]

I agree. Definitely needs renaming.

 

[Usel]

It may be called 'project cheapskate' but it reads more like a light/medium restoration! For me cheapskate implies rattle can blow overs and cable tie repairs!

As a natural born cheapskate however looking to dip a toe into Zed ownership, I would certainly be interested when you do put it up for sale....

Hope you have the next one lined up Martin because I think you going to need a few more projects!

 

[enuff_zed]

It may be called 'project cheapskate' but it reads more like a light/medium restoration! For me cheapskate implies rattle can blow overs and cable tie repairs!

As a natural born cheapskate however looking to dip a toe into Zed ownership, I would certainly be interested when you do put it up for sale....

Hope you have the next one lined up Martin because I think you going to need a few more projects!

Indeed, and I'm very sorry [ref]matcarter[/ref] but I have a viewing Saturday morning and I think it'll go. If not, I'll let you know.
Having bolted on the new tie rods and rear eccentric camber bolts I went back to my friendly ex-Lotus development engineer to get it aligned. The mile up the road was entertaining to put it mildly. I'd not bothered too much with adjustments as it was such a short trip. Well the steering wheel was 90 degrees right and the Steering Angle Sensor got in the huff, lit up the dash and tried to simultaneously operate ABS and traction control.
However, a couple of hours on the Hunter kit and I have to say it is now the best handling, best sounding and 'most likely to lose my licence' zed I've had so far. :evil:
The guy is an absolute perfectionist. When he rang to tell me it was done he told me he'd run out of adjustment on the right rear camber so had made the left match it.
Look at the results for that right rear camber. That is his 'failure'. :roll:

Trouble is................... now I want to keep it.