What have you done to your car today?
- Thread starter Perfect Balance
- 6,673 comments
- 392,177 views
I've changed my wheels (winter to summer) and got myself a new portable car cover. Since we're slowly getting back to work at the office, might as well go on to keep my car clean as it can be!
- 7,689
- Michigan
- Rallywgn81
I looked at items needed to repair the Mazda 3. While we aren't putting mad miles on the explorer, it would be nice to drive something with over 30 mpg.
But... the issue I n keep running into is that fixing it so it lasts will cost more than the value of the car. MI roads suck, and my driving habits in the 3 means that most suspension bits are toast within a year of install. So I am looking at a set of four Bilstein B8 or B12 shock/spring kit. I think I'll also just pick up some kits for the front and rear steering/alignment stuff. There doesn't seem to be any solid, strong aftermarket replacement kits. Just expensive, custom jobbies.
I also need to get a new shifting cable, or pull it and clean/grease it if possible as the left right motion is quite bound up. One of the 2 parking brake cables needs replacing as well as that broke one winter under spirited use. Also need to have the tires unmounted, the valves rebuilt and the tire recounted and balanced.
After that, its almost a new car right? Thats really only a couple thousand bucks and a solid long weekend of work to accomplish. We would probably get a few more years out of it then. Except... the body is got the Michigan cancer. The left wheel well on its way. Both rocker panels, the drivers door and rear passenger doors have the rot under the stickers covering the window frames. The front of the hood is quite gone as well. Getting to the point that it will need to be replaced or the latch may just let go. The 3rd gear synchro is gone and either the head gasket has weakend and is allowing oil in to one of the cylinder chambers, or a piston ring or two are worn out as it is consuming over a quart of oil every 3k. Ultimately, I just don't k ow that it isn't worth saving a few more grand and getting a better car.
But... the issue I n keep running into is that fixing it so it lasts will cost more than the value of the car. MI roads suck, and my driving habits in the 3 means that most suspension bits are toast within a year of install. So I am looking at a set of four Bilstein B8 or B12 shock/spring kit. I think I'll also just pick up some kits for the front and rear steering/alignment stuff. There doesn't seem to be any solid, strong aftermarket replacement kits. Just expensive, custom jobbies.
I also need to get a new shifting cable, or pull it and clean/grease it if possible as the left right motion is quite bound up. One of the 2 parking brake cables needs replacing as well as that broke one winter under spirited use. Also need to have the tires unmounted, the valves rebuilt and the tire recounted and balanced.
After that, its almost a new car right? Thats really only a couple thousand bucks and a solid long weekend of work to accomplish. We would probably get a few more years out of it then. Except... the body is got the Michigan cancer. The left wheel well on its way. Both rocker panels, the drivers door and rear passenger doors have the rot under the stickers covering the window frames. The front of the hood is quite gone as well. Getting to the point that it will need to be replaced or the latch may just let go. The 3rd gear synchro is gone and either the head gasket has weakend and is allowing oil in to one of the cylinder chambers, or a piston ring or two are worn out as it is consuming over a quart of oil every 3k. Ultimately, I just don't k ow that it isn't worth saving a few more grand and getting a better car.
- 3,599
- Connecticut
- SPhilli
- SPhilli911
I drove it. 
This whole quarantine thing/ working at home has severely reduced my driving since I have no commute. I've maybe put 500 miles on my car over the last 4 months. However, I took a week off from work and tomorrow I am finally installing new, sporty, shocks and springs and heading on a mini-road trip for a day. 👍
This whole quarantine thing/ working at home has severely reduced my driving since I have no commute. I've maybe put 500 miles on my car over the last 4 months. However, I took a week off from work and tomorrow I am finally installing new, sporty, shocks and springs and heading on a mini-road trip for a day. 👍
- 4,616
- SoCal
- GTP_MooCow
My car has been inoperable since march.
It is currently at 98,550 miles.
View media item 65023
One of an engine components failed, but I was not completely sure what... I had to research it and for the past 3 months been trying to ensure and narrow down the issue, AND plan for all the laundry list of things I could do at the same time, since I have been pretty much stuck home since April.
Finally a couple of weeks ago, I decided to dive it, order all the necessary replacement parts and took my car apart.
View media item 65022
Here is the laundry list of things I was able to accomplish and just finished putting everything back together as of last night...
1) Eccentric Shaft Actuator/Motor for the variable valve timing system.
2) Replaced the seals and gaskets on the High Pressure Fuel Injectors.
3) Verified conditions of all the spark plugs. (#4 was soaked with unburned fuel, while the rest were dry).
4) cleaned the engine bay and engine to remove all oil and gunk accumulated, so that I can more easily detect any leaks right away.
5) clean all the air intake valves and the whole air intake system (air intake manifold, throttle, replaced all the necessary seals and gaskets, cold side charge pipe, intercooler)
View media item 65021
6) added an Oil Catch Can
7) cleaned the engine header and valve cover, and replaced all the seals and gaskets.
8) Replaced the air filter
9) order 4 new crossed drilled and slotted brake rotors/docs, but they won't be available until September
10) was going to drain and replace the engine water cooling system, but the lifetime coolant seems still clean and working, so despite having ordered new BmW blue stuff coolant, distilled water, thermostat, I have not replaced any of it, saving all my available spare parts for when the system fails.
11) bought replacement TPMS
12) just got brand new tires Delinte D7 all around.
13) Fixed my driver's door external handle.
14) I think I have forgotten a few more things... It is getting late now, I will add to the list editing later when I remember to go back to my notes.
View media item 65024
Tomorrow I will go have the car aligned and Smog Check.
It is currently at 98,550 miles.
View media item 65023
One of an engine components failed, but I was not completely sure what... I had to research it and for the past 3 months been trying to ensure and narrow down the issue, AND plan for all the laundry list of things I could do at the same time, since I have been pretty much stuck home since April.
Finally a couple of weeks ago, I decided to dive it, order all the necessary replacement parts and took my car apart.
View media item 65022
Here is the laundry list of things I was able to accomplish and just finished putting everything back together as of last night...
1) Eccentric Shaft Actuator/Motor for the variable valve timing system.
2) Replaced the seals and gaskets on the High Pressure Fuel Injectors.
3) Verified conditions of all the spark plugs. (#4 was soaked with unburned fuel, while the rest were dry).
4) cleaned the engine bay and engine to remove all oil and gunk accumulated, so that I can more easily detect any leaks right away.
5) clean all the air intake valves and the whole air intake system (air intake manifold, throttle, replaced all the necessary seals and gaskets, cold side charge pipe, intercooler)
View media item 65021
6) added an Oil Catch Can
7) cleaned the engine header and valve cover, and replaced all the seals and gaskets.
8) Replaced the air filter
9) order 4 new crossed drilled and slotted brake rotors/docs, but they won't be available until September
10) was going to drain and replace the engine water cooling system, but the lifetime coolant seems still clean and working, so despite having ordered new BmW blue stuff coolant, distilled water, thermostat, I have not replaced any of it, saving all my available spare parts for when the system fails.
11) bought replacement TPMS
12) just got brand new tires Delinte D7 all around.
13) Fixed my driver's door external handle.
14) I think I have forgotten a few more things... It is getting late now, I will add to the list editing later when I remember to go back to my notes.
View media item 65024
Tomorrow I will go have the car aligned and Smog Check.
- 5,670
- Ulricehamn
Changed an ignition coil, replace a window power motor, replaced the windshield washer pump.
Not yet.
- I should but I have other things on my mind and washing cars is not as "attractive" as it was. Other things like finishing my race cockpit so I can finally start to play race sims again.
- Taking care of my father.
- Making lunch
- get foot (groceries store)
- etc ...
Thanks for reminding me, I really should wash them.
- 5,670
- Ulricehamn
Push-started and are now charging....
- 2,833
- Colorado
- GTP_Cyborg
I've been working on converting my wagon's automatic transmission to a manual. I got the clutch pedal in and the wide brake pedal swapped out for the smaller manual one, the master cylinder with its remote reservoir, and a shifter assembly from a 4th-gen Prelude.
I can't install the linkage yet because two of the aftermarket Delrin bushings I got for them don't fit, so I'm waiting to hear back from the manufacturer about remedying that, but I couldn't help mocking up the center console to see what it's going to look like buttoned back up. That's an OEM DC2 Integra Type R shift boot, a weighted knob, and an extender to put the knob closer to the steering wheel.
And yeah, the carpet's disgusting. Swapping it out for black is probably going to be the first thing I go after once the car's driving on its new engine. I'm really starting to love the maroon color, but the monotony is killing me. I sat staring at the car's interior for a good while tonight, thinking about how to pull off a tasteful two-tone, and I think I've figured it out, so I'm excited for that.
I can't install the linkage yet because two of the aftermarket Delrin bushings I got for them don't fit, so I'm waiting to hear back from the manufacturer about remedying that, but I couldn't help mocking up the center console to see what it's going to look like buttoned back up. That's an OEM DC2 Integra Type R shift boot, a weighted knob, and an extender to put the knob closer to the steering wheel.
And yeah, the carpet's disgusting. Swapping it out for black is probably going to be the first thing I go after once the car's driving on its new engine. I'm really starting to love the maroon color, but the monotony is killing me. I sat staring at the car's interior for a good while tonight, thinking about how to pull off a tasteful two-tone, and I think I've figured it out, so I'm excited for that.
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- 5,670
- Ulricehamn
Tire changing to winter tires today.
- 2,516
- Caerphilly, SW
- [-_-]MILO[-_-]
- RYAN-31
MOT'd my Ford Focus today. I was expecting some expense because it cost me a couple hundred last time and had a few advisories. To my surprise and joy it passes completely clean with no advisories. Either my car can magically fix itself or Kwik-Fit are lying good for nothing scumbags.
I'd definitely go with the latter. I couldn't use my local independent garage last year because they are very popular and i left it too late and couldn't book a test in time along with certain other reasons. I wont be making that mistake again
I'd definitely go with the latter. I couldn't use my local independent garage last year because they are very popular and i left it too late and couldn't book a test in time along with certain other reasons. I wont be making that mistake again
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Nothing so far!
But ...... I want to chiptune my Fiat 500 Twinair. I don't know if chip tuning, if done correctly is bad for certain parts of the car, like the clutch, wheel axle shaft drive thingy (or whatever it is called).
+ 10 hp and + 45 Nm (32 lb ft).
It is stupid but it must be fun to drive with this light, little car and having 95 hp and 190 Nm (140 lb ft).
But ...... I want to chiptune my Fiat 500 Twinair. I don't know if chip tuning, if done correctly is bad for certain parts of the car, like the clutch, wheel axle shaft drive thingy (or whatever it is called).
+ 10 hp and + 45 Nm (32 lb ft).
It is stupid but it must be fun to drive with this light, little car and having 95 hp and 190 Nm (140 lb ft).
- 450
- Louisville, Ky
- ZXR-Racer
if transmission shifting pressures are adjustable then yes you could potentially harm something to that effect if set too high.
but really the only real risk with a chip tune is it may start using a little bit more fuel and depending on the tune coould run into problems with your local emissions regu(if you even have them in your area)
other than that the potential also exist to cause extra fuel burn aswell as tire wear, and attention from local speed enforcement agencies because your just out having fun with it
but really the only real risk with a chip tune is it may start using a little bit more fuel and depending on the tune coould run into problems with your local emissions regu(if you even have them in your area)
other than that the potential also exist to cause extra fuel burn aswell as tire wear, and attention from local speed enforcement agencies because your just out having fun with it
- 23,995
- It/It
- GTP_TheCracker
MOT'd my Ford Focus today. I was expecting some expense because it cost me a couple hundred last time and had a few advisories. To my surprise and joy it passes completely clean with no advisories. Either my car can magically fix itself or Kwik-Fit are lying good for nothing scumbags.
I always go to the local MOT centre just down the road from my work. They just do MOT's so have no vested interest in failing a car. I made that mistake of taking my car to have it's MOT at a well known 'high street' garage chain a few years back when it needed a set of tyres too. Never again. They failed it on emissions, pointing out a hole in the flex pipe by sticking a large screwdriver through it whilst it was up on the ramps
It was booked in for a service anyway at the VW Group specialist that i usually have it serviced and they retested it and passed it. It's just passed it's 5th MOT since then, having clocked up another 30,000ish miles, and emissions have never even cropped up as an advisory. Nothing has been done with the exhaust in that time either.
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