Project Spa - baton passed on. Keep reading

[j3nks79]

Same symptoms that we had at the weekend.

I think once the hubs are cleaned and timing re set you shouldn’t have any other issues.
It’s hard to say if it will happen again. You’ve clean all the solenoids and check valves. Oil flush and then oil and filter change and it should be good.
Do able at home with the correct timing info and tools.

 

[enuff_zed]

Same symptoms that we had at the weekend.

I think once the hubs are cleaned and timing re set you shouldn’t have any other issues.
It’s hard to say if it will happen again. You’ve clean all the solenoids and check valves. Oil flush and then oil and filter change and it should be good.
Do able at home with the correct timing info and tools.

This sounds promising!
So hubs off and clean them out? Petrol?
Being an optimist I am going to change the oil and run it a little bit first. always keen for a cheap fix.

If nothing else, this thread could become useful for others in the future.

 

[j3nks79]

Have a look at this
https://youtu.be/bmszP-K727I?feature=shared

 

[enuff_zed]

Have a look at this
https://youtu.be/bmszP-K727I?feature=shared

Watched that. He gets there in the end but doesn't exactly instil confidence does he?

Have you actually done this job now?
How is access in the car?

 

[j3nks79]

Have a look at this
https://youtu.be/bmszP-K727I?feature=shared

Watched that. He gets there in the end but doesn't exactly instil confidence does he?

Have you actually done this job now?
How is access in the car?

Yeah he was all over the place but gives you the idea.
I’ve done the S54 vanos but never done a N52 but doesn’t look to difficult and you can do it in situ.
Unfortunately at the moment I’m recovering from having an ileostomy so can’t do any actual mechanical work on cars.

 

[enuff_zed]

Have a look at this
https://youtu.be/bmszP-K727I?feature=shared

Watched that. He gets there in the end but doesn't exactly instil confidence does he?

Have you actually done this job now?
How is access in the car?

Yeah he was all over the place but gives you the idea.
I’ve done the S54 vanos but never done a N52 but doesn’t look to difficult and you can do it in situ.
Unfortunately at the moment I’m recovering from having an ileostomy so can’t do any actual mechanical work on cars.

Hope the recovery goes well for you.
It does look like basic nuts and bolts spannering, with a little common sense.
I am hoping my oil flush and refill, plus some energietic driving will save me having to do it.

Would you recommend new units or cleaning out the old ones somehow?
Stands to reason I'd do both while I was in there.

 

[j3nks79]

Yes do the pair. I wouldn’t think it would need new hubs.
Bolts might even be loose or broken. That’s a possibility

 

[enuff_zed]

Yes do the pair. I wouldn’t think it would need new hubs.
Bolts might even be loose or broken. That’s a possibility

I had read about the bolts and did a visual, but who knows.
Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[healeyneil]

I posted on the thread that I’d started, but I’ll repeat it here.
I think I’ve solved my problem. I bought and fitted a new oil filter cap. On removing the old one, the centre insert, with its O ring, was missing. With the new cap fitted, and a couple of spirited drives, no codes are showing.
Funny thing is, I think it’s been missing for the 5 years I’ve owned it.

 

[enuff_zed]

I posted on the thread that I’d started, but I’ll repeat it here.
I think I’ve solved my problem. I bought and fitted a new oil filter cap. On removing the old one, the centre insert, with its O ring, was missing. With the new cap fitted, and a couple of spirited drives, no codes are showing.
Funny thing is, I think it’s been missing for the 5 years I’ve owned it.

Cheers, already did the filter cap check and fitted new seals.
Just prepping it for the 'spirited drives'. 8)

 

[enuff_zed]

Had a couple of days fettling the car ready for shakedown April.
Yesterday was an engine flush and fill with new oil, plus a bit of coding. Nothing very exciting.

Today I moved the roof motor to the boot. it was working fine so this was a pre-emptive strike. At last! Something positive with this car.
The well was dry, the motor looks brand new and there was no sign of any water ingress anywhere. Maybe we've turned a corner?

Got so excited I even polished the headlights.
Just needs a clean now, then off up the highway to see what else it throws our way.

 

[j3nks79]

Nice work. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come.

 

[N4LLY]

[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], Most excellent !

Hope the test drive goes well, enjoy

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]enuff_zed[/ref], Most excellent !

Hope the test drive goes well, enjoy

Me too!
Not certain it will cure the fluctuating start though. Which will mean either dismantling all the vanos units and then having to buy all the timing rigging tools, or [ref]Wayo11[/ref] accepts what it does and maybe takes a code reader with him to reset if the check engine light is triggered.
At least after a month of use I will be able to give better advice based on my findings.

The other issue I haven't seen yet was a random occurence of a DSC fault. I think this may be the actual DSC unit itself, but the car came with a spare in the boot so if it pops up again I will be changing that.

 

[Wayo11]

Great work so far. Hope the shakedown goes well!

 

[paddy wright]

Looking good.

 

[MikeyH]

Looking very nice indeed now, great job.

 

[enuff_zed]

No extra mechanical stuff done today, other than a comprehensive check and clearance of codes (only the Vanos one there tbh)
So now I know what I'm starting with and will run the checks again after each drive.

But couldn't take it out with a month of grime on it, so gave it a quick wash.

 

[enuff_zed]

20 miles of back roads and a quick stretch of the A11. Lifter tick completely cured. Car runs perfectly. Plenty of power and smooth as you like.
Stopped for a short while and it still hunted in start up.
I think if it were mine I would live with it as otherwise the car is spot on.
Niggling feeling the abs/dsc issue may pop up again but that should be an easy fix if it does.
Not sure I want this one to leave me now.

 

[Wayo11]

Great step forward! Can’t wait to see it in the flesh