What did you do today?

[R_D_Olivaw]

As you'll have seen from last month's Rarebit, I think, Casper is on the road and despite some teething issues made it to Wiscombe and back.

Not a lot has happened since then as I've been trying to get some new alloy rocker covers, with no success so far; however, one extra little job popped up that I wasn't expecting, and that was a very wet and damp boot. It turned out that water was getting in around the hinge bolts and filler cap, and with all the rain we've had lately it got quite wet in there. After thoroughly drying out the boot and sealing everything I believe that problem is solved.

Unfortunately another little job popped up that also caught me by surprise. I noticed that the cabin was smelling a bit musty and noticed a little mould appear on the dashboard and seatbelt. I've noticed this on my daily driver when I don't drive it for months, so it wasn't that unexpected. In my mind the solution was easy, I just needed to put my portable dehumidifier in the car to and turn it on periodically. When I moved the passenger seat forward to place the unit I found my rear footwell full of water. The passenger side was worse than the driver's side, but that wasn't much consolation. In addition the driver's footwell was also a little damp, not to mention a little fury in places with mould.

The car is almost back to normal now, having removed the seats, some of the carpeting, and had a fan heater and dehumidifier running off and on for the past week. I believe the water got in around the rear quarter windows where the rear part of the window is not putting enough pressure on the glass. The leak was very small, but with almost constant rain over several weeks it built up.

There's no permanent damage, and I have taken steps to rectify the issue, though I'll still need to do a little more tweaking to get it perfect.

[mike whiskey]

Well since I last did anything really substantive to the Gilbern it's been 10 years, 1 divorce, 3 house moves, a lot of building and sorting but I finally have a garage I can work in, some funds and some time.

Having a proper look after so long reminds me just how much there is to be done, but the car is 50 next year, so I really do owe it to her to get the job done this time.

I'm certain to be asking lots of questions on the coming weeks and months, so will also be fully reacquinting myself with the forums, let's start by wishing everyone here a Merry Christmas and Happy Gilberning!

[Gavin McArdle]

Happy Christmas to you and all members!
My car was 50 this year, next year it will owned by me for 50 years (that is if I survive Christmas!) so a lot of 50's in the air.
You really must 'pull your finger out' and get on with it, we are waiting to see it!
Gavin

[mike whiskey]

Well I'm right into it now.

Several things not connected or missing altogether, plus other random witing, so some detective work to do when the replacements for the broken switches arrive and I start to build the dash back up.

[R_D_Olivaw]

Hi Mike,

I admire your dedication. I'm sure there will be some low points, but you'll get there. Just don't rush it.

[R_D_Olivaw]

It seems that I haven't resolved the water leak, as on returning from four weeks away I found the rear footwell on the passenger side full, and the driver side front footwell damp. I think I removed around 3 litres of water from the passenger side.

As I covered the top of the car with a plastic sheet I'm a little confused as to where the water is getting in. It certainly didn't get in where it got in before, so I suspect it must be getting in around the door, though even that's not obvious.

It's possible that water maybe getting in through the heater which would account for the driver's side, but it was too wet over the weekend to do much. I think I'll have to sit in the car while my son waters it.

[mike whiskey]

Just took my Mk 3 for a drive round the block...

Still a few things to finish, but it's back as a functioning car for the first time in my ownership.

[JayeM]

Well done!
Hope you've got a big smile on your face!

John

[mike whiskey]

Took the Mk 3 in for an MOT today. Seems like a good idea to have a different pair of eyes look at her even though she is exempt.

I'm expecting a failure as I haven't taken her to the windscreen place yet, but to add to my to do list fuel has started weeping from around the sender.

Of course the car is full because I had to calibrate the gauge... I can see no option but to drain the tanks, remove and refit, but how to ensure no re-occurrance? What's a good fuel proof sealant?

Hoping that's all the MOT comes back with....

[mike whiskey]

She failed the MOT on the windscreen and a front wheel bearing has slackened off a bit. Brakes are good enough to pass but another bleed won't hurt.

Pretty happy with that.

However, emissions were a bit high (not a fail as visual only for the test, but somethings not right with the tuning.

As if to back this up she started refusing to idle on the way home. Turns out she has also ingested most of the air filter foam....

Teething troubles...

[mike whiskey]

I've cleared out the carb idle circuit multiple times, each time the idle comes back, so hopefully it will eventually clear, but a tune up and carb rebuild are both planned.

However today's big news is that the car made it to the windscreen fitters and back, which to this...

[R_D_Olivaw]

I spent the weekend working on the car in preparation for Gurston. The car is still running rich, so a lot of time was spent trying to fix that, with no luck; however, I have ordered a fuel pressure gauge in the hope I can turn down the amount of fuel getting to the carb, to see if that will help. In theory I don't think it should, but in practice you never know.

Everything else appears to be working as well as it normally does, so fingers crossed.