gordonjcp wrote:

Still, I'll have at least 2 more engines to work on once this one is done for the other 2 RR's at the workshop... I probably won't do full build threads on them, but I can send you photos of shiny engine parts direct to your inbox.. maybe I could set up a subscription service for it...

Pay-per-view streaming video. Hmm, revenue stream for the site... :-D

Good idea! can I come along when you visit some reference sites? :)

The gasket test came back OK :) No exhaust gases in the coolant \o/
New rad tomorrow and the heater matrix will be bypassed as long as I sign a disclaimer (whut?) in case I crash due to a misted screen.
I explained that it's a temporary fix until I can see a specialist who does Audi style heater matrices ;)
So @martyuk I hope your work trip goes well and you come back dreaming of Range Rovers.

MMmmmmmm shiny shiny engine parts with lovely machining and all slathered in lube...
I'm sorry, I think I just....
Bye!

I knew I should have taken a photo, it's gone now - but we topped out at 1 whole degree C today :/
(and sleet)

Thanks Orangebean!
I've caved, there's no way I'm going to DIY this in the snow. Also I can get the coolant sniffed first to eliminate the headgaskets. I'm hoping this was my gypsy's warning because it behaved perfectly after I stuck 4 litres* of water in it :O The priority here is get a water/pressure tight cooling circuit and then we'll have to revisit the heating. Thank God the windscreen still does the demist thing.

I'd better get the oil changed at the same time, I've been topping up with 10/40. FFS.

*Yes 4 litres... I really should have learnt by now that my wife has many excellent qualities but she's totally incapable of looking under a bonnet on a regular basis :/

I think that's been on the market for a while, there was one that colour knocking around when I bought mine, but I doubt there are two of them!

I had the same problem when I limped to a local Indy. They didn't have a press that was up to the job and would only swap the whole hub.
IIRC I got this one http://www.island-4x4.co.uk/front-assy-allmakes-ftc3226g-p-27883.html

More fun!
I came home late from work and noticed a familar vehicle parked up at the entrance to the village. Uh oh. The Range Rover has decided to release its coolant, not sure if it's all coming from the rad, but the slam panel had a good coating of coolant and the little plastic stub for the expansion bottle is still leaking. My Wife parked it up within a hundred metres or so of noticing the red light come up on the dash (She's not sure if it was temp or level, no beep) and the temp gauge was in the red. She had checked it a mile before hand at it was fine.
So, hoping it hasn't popped a head gasket....
I'm going bypass the leaking heater core and replace the radiator. I've had good results with Nissens in the past, are there any specific recommendations for P38s?

@Marty - guess it wouldn't have reached you anyway!!

Damn, 20/50? how loose are these engines?

I'm thinking about this: http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Main_Page
It started out really small but has grown over the years.
I miss my E30 :( I think I need to scratch that itch again sometime!

Dave, I do agree with you. A wiki just makes the editing/controlling easier. You can also separate the moderator permissions from the wiki editing permissions so you don't have to have the same "team" doing both jobs - not a problem right now of course but something for the future perhaps.

Morat wrote:

You can't go wrong with window stickers, discreet ones :)

RAVE is a wealth of knowlege but it's not exactly light reading. Or that easy to search IMO.

Gordon, if you're feeling feisty on the server front would you consider a Wiki? Sticky threads are all very well but they soon get cumbersome, lose their photos etc.

Even me, and I'm crap!

You can't go wrong with window stickers, discreet ones :)

Go for it Gordon, we're being tracked everywhere else on the internet if you're just doing it to build the site then good on you.

That's a good sound, isn't it :)

Seconded, even my Jeep has an oil pressure gauge and that's 1980s tech!

145 rpm! it make a rover v8 look racy! :)
Great noise though, love it. I spend a lot of my spare time messing about in canal boats, some of them have some great old engines, but obviously nothing like 1750HP :)

It's good to have an ally :) The only problem now is that Marty's workshop is at the end of a filthy track so there's very little point cleaning anything there!
Anyway, the point of $seasoncamp is to fix the nasty oily bits :)

MHT wrote:

Yes I steamed the leather - I tried a few different ways but the best method seemed to be by using the little brush attachment that came with the steamer. I soaked, agitated, steam with the brush (only a bit bigger than a toothbrush) and then wiped. On the front seats it has exposed the cracks in the leather a little more, but seeing as it was basically dirt plugging the holes I wasn't too concerned. Plus, I plan on filling and dying the leather over the damaged sections so will remedy this down the line.

That's sounds ideal. I'd never considered steam cleaning leather before but it obviously gets the crap out of the cracks without the risk of causing further damage by scrubbing too hard on a weakened area. Nice one.