So I'm Borrowing A Stock BA For A Few Weeks...

[project.r.racing]

From my future bother-in-law. It's a 95 with 127,XXXkm on the clock.

I walk into the garage and the 1st thing I notice is the front right tyre looks half flat. I get in and start reversing out of the garage, and notice the handbrake light is still on also.

I drive it home while the handbrake light is on all the way. But stopped at a servo to put air in the tyres. They had 21, 25, 27, 27psi in each of them.

I get home and pop the bonnet. I think my heart nearly stopped when I saw the horror before my eyes. He's what I found:-

Brake fluid 1cm under low marker, (no wonder the hand brake light was on!)
No/zero/nil coolent in the radiator reservior tank, (the Sahara Desert has more water in it.)
Power steering fluid 2mm under low level.
Both strut tops cracked.
Oil extactly on low marker.

I think he should sell it and take the bus instead...

[Rix]

Good luck with that:P

is that cause yours is being rebuilt?

[Cosmo Dude]

I'm surprised you didn't check under the hood at the servo.
Give it a thorough service if only for your safety.

[project.r.racing]

I was suspect that the brake fuild was low cause of the hand brake light. But I had good brakes, so I thought it be okay to drive home on. Just didn't realise it was that low.

All fluids had been topped up before starting this thread.

Problem is though, the brake fuild was full 3 months ago. So I'm assuming brake booster leak.

Buggers me though where the water is going, it was full 3 months ago also. I thinking water pump as I cannot find and leaks around the radiator or pipes. I doubt the water pump has ever been replaced, so maybe considering the age of the car.

[maztech]

check clutch master for leaks ( look inside car above clutch pedal) and also check the slave cylinder as well . brake fluid can be going down due to these things if the car is a manual. check under crank pulley for water leaks from the water pump . hope this helps

[project.r.racing]

all tomorrows jobs. ta

[Cosmo Dude]

Also check the brake pads. Your BIL may be riding the brakes and causing premature wear.

BTW people the things that stop your car are brakes not breaks!

[project.r.racing]

brakes pads were replaced 3 months ago. that's why i knew the fluids were full at that stage. and its only driven 50km-ish per week. as the tool/BIL lost his license for blowing 0.99 on his Ps.

it's lucky if it has done 1000km, so the leak must be big.

[project.r.racing]

a pic of the barge i am driving.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e189/deejayryry/SDC10305.jpg

[project.r.racing]

funny how the thing drive compared to my car.

clutch feels like its not even their, as it's so easy to push.
brake pedal feels the same to push, but requires more push to stop.
accellerator pedal feels soft.

steering is like a boat. response is shocking. steering feel is the same.

2000-3000rpm it is lower on power, struggles to be honest (weird?)
3000-4500rpm slightly better on pulling power
4500-6000rpm it takes so long to get to 6000

[marcs_sp20]

looks the bumper need's spraying (very dull)

[Madd_Maxx]

funny how the thing drive compared to my car.

clutch feels like its not even their, as it's so easy to push.
brake pedal feels the same to push, but requires more push to stop.
accellerator pedal feels soft.

steering is like a boat. response is shocking. steering feel is the same.

2000-3000rpm it is lower on power, struggles to be honest (weird?)
3000-4500rpm slightly better on pulling power
4500-6000rpm it takes so long to get to 6000

I would have said the EXACT same thing going from my mums KJ laser to my BG

Both had same oils, fluids, yada yada, just the mechanicals that make all the difference

[Rix]

Lol Ryan that sounds a lot like my car but take the clutch out of the situation:P

[project.r.racing]

found the leak for the brake fuild. the clutch master is leaking. look up under the dash about the pedals, and there is sh!t everywhere.

found a busted cv boot also.

still cannot find the coolent leak.

[Rix]

Sounds like your brother in law is getting a free service out of u:P

[maztech]

check radiator tanks for cracks and the seals on the radiator cap - easy way fill radiator and overflow bottle to full line and take for hard drive then check for leaks. good to see you found brake fluid leak

[project.r.racing]

check radiator tanks for cracks and the seals on the radiator cap - easy way fill radiator and overflow bottle to full line and take for hard drive then check for leaks. good to see you found brake fluid leakyup done that and cannot find it.

since the car has only done 2000km since he brought it. fluid levels have all dropped excessively, and above 5000rpm the engine rattles inturnaly, i'm thinking it either has overheated before or been run on too little oil. i do not think the previous owner ever serviced it. i just get that feeling from it. either main end bearings on their way out or warped head. or both?

i have recommended that he sells it and cuts his losses.

list of stuff that need fixing:-
coolent leak
clutch master
motorized antenna
intake pipe
both front strut tops
r/h cv + boot
r/h rear door central locking

i also have a sneeky feeling that the power steering rack is on the way out. the sterring is heavier than my car, but i have the wider and heavier rims...

[project.r.racing]

Sounds like your brother in law is getting a free service out of u:Pthat was part of the deal of borrowing the car.

[maztech]

head most likely stuffed they crack fairly easy if overheated rattle hard to say without hearing it sounds like good option to get rid of it or cost big $

[70NYD]

damn sorry to hear bout all the problems, i allways put these engines on a pedistule, as you see some pre 90's BPs driving around with 300K+ and no problems.. damn
hope you put it out of its misery quietly :p
kinda feel bad for the person that buys it...

[maztech]

they are a good car thats why i got one but same old stoy if ya dont service the car it will die sooner or later

[mike_d87]

found the leak for the brake fuild. the clutch master is leaking. look up under the dash about the pedals, and there is sh!t everywhere.

found a busted cv boot also.

still cannot find the coolent leak.

Mine loses coolant. No external leaks and compression tests shows upper end of standard specs. Sometimes s*** happens.

[maztech]

if a car losses coolant all the time there is something wrong
and it needs to be checked properly

[project.r.racing]

yeah - i've added 500ml to mine in 7 years.

but with this one, if the reserve tank is completely empty in 2000km, i'd worry.

[Cosmo Dude]

if a car losses coolant all the time there is something wrong
and it needs to be checked properly

No **** Sherlock... If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem!

[70NYD]

No **** Sherlock... If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem!

well someone is sitting on a grumpy chair 2dai... :p

[Rix]

He must of been sent to the naughty corner:P

lol i've never seen cosmo that grumpy lol

[Ky_88]

We all have bad days...

Sorry to hear about the car. Just fix it for now so you don't kill yourself and keep suggesting he sell. Best option in my opinion. Someone will want to build one up somewhere.... surely?!

[Ghoru]

No **** Sherlock... If you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem!

cosmo, maztech is a mechanic...for mazda... he was just offering a free proffessional opinion no need to get your panties in a twist

[project.r.racing]

it hasn't lost any radiator fluid since.

i replaced the broken front speaker and rewired the RHF speaker wire.

gonna replace the intake pipe between the afm and throttle body now. it's held together by stikaflex with tape wrapped around it.

[maztech]

Easy fix then --- might have had a air lock somewhere good to hear that it not losing any now.....
How the rest of the red machine going is it a weapon of a BA now

[project.r.racing]

it's totally stock. does good rallying on gravel. but don't tell the owner that. lol

[maztech]

Love it what they dont know wont hurt em---- what you end up doing to the motor in the other car

[project.r.racing]

other motor on workshop floor. i keep staring at it, getting evil thoughts.

[70NYD]

heres a thought, bore it, stroke it to 2L, low comp forged pistons (8ish) forged H-Beam rods, longer duration cams and about 20psi - 25psi of boost :)

[maztech]

I like that idea

[70NYD]

thats my plan eventually :D but on straight direct injection LPG ;)

[maztech]

? LPG keep it on petrol IMO

[70NYD]

lpg octane rating = 118 i think or 126

[maztech]

yeh i know octane rating higher but LPG is still a big stuff around and you got a tank in ya boot with trims cut to fit it in use avgas or preiumn with octane booster

[Cincinnatus]

stupid suggestion.

if you are losing coolant ever thought it's coming out the exhaust pipes?

Blown head gasket might be driveable but will still deplete your coolant. CHeck your oil and see if theres any grey spots in it.

You'll know fast enough.

Lots of white smoke but not necessarily.

[70NYD]

but LPG is .50 per liter and avgas is like 16 dolla haha :p i was thinking geting a donut shaped tank under the car with a .5 in gauge bash plate under it :)

[marcs_sp20]

Like this?
http://www.bluelpg.com.au/images/intetnal3.jpg

http://www.bluelpg.com.au/index-12.html

[chrisw]

i don't mind LPG on modified cars, I do remember a nice little turbo sigma in hot/fast 4's i think it was, on LPG, decent numbers and good emissions.
... still it was a sigma.

[70NYD]

yeah something like that :)

[marcs_sp20]

Theres a TD Gemini Coupe on ozgemini thats running a 1.6L turbo, efi and running straight gas that makes 160kw's on 12psi!!

http://www.ozgemini.com/forums/non-tech/viewtopic.php?t=129

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d133/sheel2/My%20Coupe/ZGemini10.jpg

[chrisw]

im not a fan of kermit cars... but that gemmy is hot!

[marcs_sp20]

Ahem... I use to own this one... :rolleyes:

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/6599/1010018ms4.jpg

I was king of kermit back in the day :p

MAN, I soo want another bad :(

[project.r.racing]

stupid suggestion.

if you are losing coolant ever thought it's coming out the exhaust pipes?

Blown head gasket might be driveable but will still deplete your coolant. CHeck your oil and see if theres any grey spots in it.

You'll know fast enough.

Lots of white smoke but not necessarily.already checked long ago. none of those symptons are present.

[chrisw]

marcs, did you attend a few car cruises/public shows with that gemmy? and how long ago did you sell it. I used to do photography for events and i SWEAR ive seen your gemmy once or twice, usually with a gemmy club.
edit: I just noticed your in QLD... so thats a no. I still swear ive seen it with that plate though.