£100 + oil change = a bad day

[xedos 6]

Well chaps lots of motor jobs to catch up on....and day turn into a bloody disaster

plan of attack change oil / filter / plugs / new leads...... simple.....ohhhhhh NO

1st trip out to mazda for filter and some lubbly mobile 1 on route ££

on return and while under her found that front rocker cover has sprung a leak ....ok then



2nd trip out to mazda for gasket more ££ gone

returned again and this time found that both aux belts need replacing before trax and hols ..... ok then .....deja-vu....back to mazda...even more ££ dissappeared



now here comes the rub.........only to find on returning that the adjuster bolt is siezed and bent and has a rounded top well hack off now

3rd trip to mazda only to find that spares are shut until tuesday




So that todays bad luck finished......ohhhhhhhhhhhhh NO its not ........as I have 2 plugs that refuse to come out ...in fact one attempt totaled a brand new plug spanner........will attack it again tomorrow .....think big .....going to get a larger spanner


so what started as a simple couple of jobs turned into a non running car (aux belts cut )



Roland ......................The Spanners are Flying again

ps the leads look nice and there seems to be a big space for a filter maybe if i've got any £££ left






will update more grief tomorrow ....lovely way to spend the BANK HOLs


roland

[doorslammer]

Just a thought Roland.

It may be worth putting some copperslip on your new plugs so that you don't have the ame problem next time.

Hope you don't have any more 'gotchas' along the way.

[martyg]

Roland, I have a lovely CAI that looks like it needs to jump on that VAF of yours..lol, its in my shed right now, still in bubble wrap and the blue couplers and vac hose will match those plug leads perfect...tempted?????

Alternator belt is £8 at A1, the shop up by Ken has em in stock.

As for the adjuster bolt, let me have a think may be able to move it for you, goes to rummage in tool boxes.

Marty

[StuartMX6]

That is a bad day roland Hope u have better luck tomoz mate. 3 trips to mazda blimy one does my head in

Stu

ps spose if ur spending time and money on the beast least you aint down the boozer spending £££££sss

[xedos 6]

Originally Posted by martyg

Roland, I have a lovely CAI that looks like it needs to jump on that VAF of yours..lol, its in my shed right now, still in bubble wrap and the blue couplers and vac hose will match those plug leads perfect...tempted?????

Marty

hmmmmmm CAI lets see how tomorrow pans out first and hopfully no more grief......then I'll let you know as £££££ are vanishing and I have that Trax bar bill yet to pay ........ but hmmmmmmmm intrested

roland

[pheasant_plucke]

You did loosen the pully centre bolt before trying to turn the adjuster didn't you?

Gerry

[martyg]

Gerry right dude, pulley centre bolt needs loosening too, sounds like someone who did a change before you owned her didnt know this if the bolt was already rounded etc.

ps. if you want the cai you dont have to pay it all at once, your local so we can come to an arrangement, i owe you a favour anyways, least I can do. Also if you do im only available this morning or tommoz afternon to drop it round (better check its gonna fit ok) not this abo

m

[kenholland]

If you've got no transport do you want me to pick up the belt for you Roland?

If you PM your address I can pop down.

Ken

[Einstein]

You could always file the flats down to fit a smaller socket.. (talk about us penny pinching northerners)

and put some WD-40 on the threads... and some copperslip once it's out.

John

[pheasant_plucke]

Or if you have a welder, stick an old wheel nut or silmilar on the top of it.

Gerry

[xedos 6]

Ok guys update time took a few hours but as is well again Just!!

first of all many thanks for 1/2 pointers given above both to john/gerry and to offers of help from the local guys ....gerry's idea very nearly came to fruition as the welder did come out but for another reason !

lets start with the aduster pully aux belt (and yes I did loosen the pully wheel bolt) but looks like a previous mazda mechinic did'nt (full mazda service history ????) as the actual bolt was well bent causing the threads to cross in the holder plate.

so lets take the holder off and see what can be slavaged....more gremlins appear...to remove this you have to take off the cam covers as the top fixing bolt shaft fouls the plastic and cannot be removed with these in the way.............long story but in the end and a trip to works (on a sunday!!!!) for heat and tap/die set plus and john's cheap northern trick to the bolt...... things are now mint all belts fitted.

now onto the welder mention earlier.......2 spark plugs were a real bitch yet another new plug spanner totaled... this brings on a panic attack as should the plug collapse under this much stress visions of head off come to mind with this is praying heavely on me so..........and now with much neighbour interest this brings the welder out and fabrication begins........

short socket taken to neighbours aladdins cave workshop and drilled/ pinned/welded to a pry bar...meanwhile engine is up and running with wd 40 down the plug holes for a full 1/2hr to get the heads hot..................


hey presto lots of grunt and out they pop but was quite stiff removing them..........on closer inspection both plugs looked like they had not been tighten down correctly as signs of carbon build up along the treads was noticed so looks like some blow by caused the problem.....WTF..... this is main dealer servicing .....ohhhh by the way did I mention the was all on the rear bank

all mint now @- thou copperslip used and runnig like a bird ..... comment from a neighbour when taken for a run............ is the engine running !!!!

so thanks to all for comments / texts and emailed info


roland
now have to post somthing about my bum ??? mod

[Einstein]

Nice Job Roland.. well done mate.

John

[kenholland]

Was it previously a local car Roland?
I hope not. I would like to think Magna were better than that...

Glad you're now sorted.

Ken

PS. I remember being able to creep up on people in my Xedos and scaring the hell out of them by hitting the horn right behind them. Boy are those engines quiet.

[xedos 6]

Ken lady owner in Guildford previous and she spent £1000,s at Mazda Guildford have to wade through the receipts and check service book, dealer I got it from did change steering rack and oil but thats was about it.

who would KNOW a problem existed until next service then .....sorry sir this is going to cost YOU £££
roland

[martyg]

good job you noticed all that yourself then Roland, well done, good result.