Russ's 2.1 SED Auto now in Mandarin

[russ92xmsed]

Chris, thanks for the tips for testing the possible drain.

The battery had a good old charge up Friday and Saturday. I put it back in the car yesterday afternoon. It started incredibly well. The best that car has started since getting it. But then there isn't a relationship with that as its on another engine! But it's back to how that engine used to start. Anyway, I also replaced the inhibitor relay. It was just a hunch, and most likely has made no difference, but did it incase. I took it for a good drive just to make sure everything was fine. Went like a dream.
Will see if the good starting continues. I'm inclined to think John was right, it was a bit flat when I got it and just assumed it was all fully charged and fine. Clearly it wasn't. Then with the lack of use, sudden cold weather and short journeys, not a good recipie for prolonged battery life.

[russ92xmsed]

Took it for another decent drive this morning just to keep it going! Went brilliantly. The odd delay on startup, turn the key and nothing happens then it suddenly connects four and starts, has gone. Hoping that's because of the inhibitor relay being replaced.

I checked the sunroof to see if it's still working, all is well there. You never know after months of not using it....
The ride is quite floaty again now. Can I delay in new spheres for a bit? Probably not! One thing I have noticed, is when rising, I have to turn the steering wheel to kick the FDV valve into action to quicken up pressurising. Otherwise it sits there for ages doing nothing! That I think might have to be swapped with the Mandarins original unit at some point. I know it hissed plenty when in the grey XM. I expect it needs rebuilding.

I'm just desperate to wash the poor thing. Every weekend recently just seems to be rain, wind and freezing temps.

[russ92xmsed]

Ho hum.... Went out this afternoon to check the bottom rad hose was okay. I noticed it had a tiny drip from it the other day. All was dry. Fine, but another green fluid has escaped and in a certain unique pattern! A line up the bonnet insulation, front to back, spots everywhere, back of the headlight, on the engine mount.... Yep, the hydraulic pump has finally given up. It's leaking from the main driveshaft, it's most likely a main seal. Would probably explain its weak priming.

Anyway, glad it was found quickly and the replacement is off the other engine ready to be put on. I didn't tackle it today, too freezing here. Lame excuse I know!

[Dean]

It is a lame excuse but its one i would share, was out this week late into the evening with the lexia having a poke around mine, -2c is not really what i would call comfortable conditions to be sat on the floor doing nothing but feeling your extremities going numb.

At least you have a spare and its a nice easy fix to a long running problem. Spring wont be long now, only a few more weeks of cold and darkness

D

[russ92xmsed]

Mission complete. No matter how careful and how many rags you use, you still end up with LHM everywhere!

All seems well, it pressurised and rose fine. Quicker too. When you rotate the drive wheel of the old pump, it makes quite a racket side. Where as the spares do not. So I think it was pretty tired.

[cxprestigeauto]

Good, quick fix

Rob

[MTXM]

Well done Russ and a replacement pump can make a big difference as I have also found! Regards, Matthew T.

[russ92xmsed]

Thanks Matthew, it's definitely an improvement. Took it out this morning and it was fine. Much better.

Next issue, my concern about the ignition switch has returned. It might be something else or course, but from what John said they tend to show up odd behaviour when they start to fail. I noticed this out of the corner of my eye a few days ago. The rev counter needle decided to go to rise and drop and flicker a bit. Thought nothing of it.. Then today it did it again and shot round to full revs. This is without the engine on but with glow plugs heating both times. Yesterday I was greeted with a big fat nothing when I turned the key and then it kicked into life. The blower has been a bit off and on too. So it's time to replace it I think. Sooner the better too. Unless of course some LHM has got on the earths. But it didn't look like it had!

[Dieselman]

LHM in earth connections isn't going to cause any electrical issue, if anything it will stop corrosion.

[russ92xmsed]

Had a delivery today. Suppose that makes me 2.1 committed!