25 July 2012

25th July 2012 - Washer bottle/lift pump and another MOT!

LIFT PUMP
After last months poor performace issue the Allmakes lift pump was fitted (took 20 minutes) and all is good in the world :) Runs well now and with the UK being in a 'heatwave' the 200tdi is running fine on processed WVO and 10% ULSP.

SCREEN WASHER
The washer pump packed up and as getting a replacement Lucas one looked to be a bit spendy I sourced a complete bottle and pump assembly for the pricely sum of £7 delivered - off the Bay. Works fine and the old bottle one was leaking anyway so this is a win win - if you're not worried about originality?

Both of the repairs above made the 109 ready for his annual........

MOT
Trig's went in for the annual test and came back with only a few minors. Steering relay and the steering relay drop arm had some play and the brakes need adjusting up. Otherwise walked it. It shows that these guys pick up stuff that we just get used to as tightening all the 'loose' bits up has improved the steering wander no end!

BRAKES
After the pointers above I adjusted up the trans and front brakes but the back end seems to be an issue. I then remembered having issues with the cam adjusters on the rear axle so that looks like another job to get ironed out?

ENGINE/GEARBOX MOUNTS
Since Trig's has being doing a few veggy miles recently while being pursued by the aroma of fried Sprats I have begun to notice how often the trans brake clicks up a few notches after going over bumps.

Back when I fitted the gearbox and engine mounts I just used whatever I had about. Probably all Series petrol mounts of varying ages and manufacturers. So probably not the best choice? The popular choice seems to be Defender 200tdi ANR1808 on both points - also genuine ones are preferred.

So order now placed for one pair of genuine for the engine and a pattern set for the gearbox. At £10 plus tax and del for the genuine I will only stretch to one set - miser! Note one of the engine mounts will have to be hacksawed slightly to fit the Series petrol mounts. It has to be hacksawed, a 4" slitting disk will make a right mess when it hits the rubber!

After dropping the suspension a few months ago I got around to modding the log trailer so that now also levels up better on both Trig's and the Defenders tow hitches. To do this I made up a 2" box riser section for the 50mm ball hitch. It now sits dead level on the 90 and is pretty much fine on the 109 - even better when the 109 gets a load of logs in the bed!

So jobs to do at the moment......

1. Check the rear axle brake snail cams
2. New engine and gbx mounting rubbers
3. Alternator upgrade
4. Pevekoil install

PS - twin battery mod working well and fires now on a sniff of the starter button.