303 replies to this topic

[nev_payne]

Back from Uni after 3 months :)

 

First free day to have a proper look at SirD, after giving him a roll back and forth yesterday to get him off the flat spots on the tyres. All tyre pressure had dropped 5-6psi so all pumped up and left the battery on a trickle charge overnight.

 

This morning I disconnected the injectors and spark plugs so I could prime the oil before firing up properly. SirD understandably wasn't happy about being left cold for 3 months and the turnover was akin to a spitfire on a cold start. The spark plugs themselves show 1 and 4 cylinders are running lean, 2 and 3 seem to be fine. Tappets and gaps need checking but unfortunately my feeler gauges are no where to be found

Going into the garage this Friday for the MOT and having the NSR idicator light looked at, as no ammount of faffing by me seems to get it to work. Will also probably change out the coolant while I'm home as it's looking a bit grim.

[nev_payne]

Update - MOT passed 3rd year in a row without any advisories. Great news. New plugs in as well and the tappets have been adjusted. Engine sounds much smoother, and is certainly pulling away when pressed.

Had 1 note from the MOT station, that being the outer sills are getting a little crispy. This will get done next year alongside the NS A-Panel which is also bubbling. In the mean time I have a Mini for another 12 months :)

Considering changing the battery for somwething a little sturdier. The cold cranking power of this OEM Motaquip box isn't holding it's own so I'm thinking a Bosch S4 when money allows.

[nev_payne]

It's been a whole year!
 

Missed you all, life has made quite a shift towards career and radio work than Minis and tinkering. There's a price to be paid for having no where to store Sir D more locally to work (Buckinghamshire) or Uni (Plymouth), so for the vast majority of this year he's been stored away under covers in the garage.

I've made a few visits down to Plymouth and SirD even spent a week down there rolling across Dartmoor and down by the sea side.

As I mentioned before, the MotorQuip battery after ~3 years of servitude, couldn't hack it and in the middle of University campus, gave up the ghost. One expensive call to RAC later and I was on my way, first time I've ever bought anything other than membership from them. The new battery walks all up and down the bog-standard OEM lump, and Sir D turned over as if brand spankers.

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, where there's garage, Mini and dry places (and 12 months of mostly not going anywhere), mice will inevitably follow.  The remains of my server reservoir rubber cap:

 

and where it should be (for reference):



If anyone has one of these, I'd be grateful. Cash waiting (message me).

A sizeable chunk of foam has been gnawed through at the back of the engine bay as well, but that appears to be it for now. As an immediate response, I've blitzed the garage, removed all easily edible items and laid down traps.  So it is I've decided to SORN SirD until 2016. "But why?", do you ask? Money, time and utilisation. I can see no point at all in taxing him through 18 months where the chances of seeing daylight are in the leagues of blue-moons. I'll be hard at work on contract in Buckinghamshire until August 2015, then back to Plymouth until June 2016. It's more economical to hire vans and small run arounds in that time, and come 2016 I can then look to a more permanent relocation and look to sourcing a new home for SirD nearer to home and work post-graduation.

Don't worry, I won't be far and those that know me well know I'm always around to catch up.

Until next time x

Edited by nev_payne, 30 December 2014 - 05:34 PM.

[nev_payne]

Hi there

 

So this month marks 10 years of Knightsbridge ownership for me. Half of that has seen SirD in deep sleep while I've rebuilt him/gotten through Uni, but now that's complete, it's time him back on the road and revamped a little.

 

 

 

 

Since the last update, some 18 months have rolled by. What I've noted so far:

 

• NS A-panel's bubble is bigger. Time for a chop.
• Small bubble on OS-Top of windscreen seal, and OS Wing.
• Rear valance is the worst of it all, needs a proper do-over.
• Hammer chip on the door from a couple of years back.
• Spotlight mounts could do with a sandblast and lick of paint again.
• Mouse stole my brake reservoir seal cap (the black rubber bit). Have ordered the new-type as a backup till I can source an old type.
• CD Player died in a rainstorm. Thanks, window seal.
• OSR and NSF tyres have very slow leaks and all tyres are now 5 years old. Getting a bit crusty round the edges.

 

So a few bits all done, SirD's had a full oil and filter change, collant checked, clutch and brake bleed too. Also fitted a new CD Player with DAB, figured an update was needed, and a very nice barely-used sony unit popped up on t'bay of e.

 

 

With the exception of BlueTooth, the unit has everything I could ask for. Seems to produce sound far clearer through the standard speaker than the old unit could. So far, so good.

 

With a full tank for clean fire-juice, it was off to the garage for le MOT:

 

 

 

 

Next week it's off to the body shop to get a look at these panels and sort out a price. Would ike to get some use out of him before I disapear around the world for 2 months.

That's it for now, hope you're all keeping well!