1995 N 827 Sterling

[Tenesmus]

MOT time - failed on perished track rod ends (I knew that was coming) so they replaced them. The also found a loose rear shock they tightened up that got rid of a clonk. The front tyres scraped through so I had them replaced today. Advisories on light misting of oil on rear shocks (again). Expensive last couple of weeks what with getting the bike sorted as well - but as the missus said, he's our chariot that gets us to Cornwall every year

Incidentally my buddy in the garage said an old guy had brought in a Vitesse with 30k odd on the clock that was immaculate. He speculated the turbo hadn't been exercised in a long time...

[dollysprint]

Nice one Pete, and lets be honest not much for a car thats reached its 18th birthday.

Dave

[Tenesmus]

A little collection of stuff had built up and finally I got round to getting it done (by a garage - couldn't be bothered and nowhere I can work undercover).
Driver door locking motor failed - replaced with one from breaker.
Screeching sound (randomly) and juddering from wiper mechanism - replaced with new part on offer from Rimmers, smooth now.
Oil leak from camcover gasket - they cleaned it up and used sealant (I supplied a seal but I'd been sent the wrong one).
And fix boot lock that wouldn't open - guess what? It worked just fine when they tried it...

[Tenesmus]

Left work at 3.30pm on Friday to encounter a flat. Hour and a half sat with the missus listening to the radio until the AA man arrived. Couldn't see anything in the tyre. Next day to my tyre shop and they popped it into a paddling pool - tiny stream of bubbles from too close to the inside sidewall. Oh well. At least it wasn't one of the new ones I got a few months ago.

And I fixed the glovebox that wouldn't stay shut. Anyone else have the bolts coming loose regularly on the bit at the top where the catch goes in? Perhaps I should try Loctite...

[Tenesmus]

In slow moving traffic the other day I noticed a wisp of steam... oh bugger. Couldn't see where it was coming from except it was around the rad. The next day I came out to a puddle of green dye and a tell-tale green patch on the condenser. Ah. Oh well, needed a service anyway so it's off to my friendly garage. While they were there they fixed the knackered rubber condenser mounts so it doesn't wobble round anymore.

Ran out of time to look at the (lots of) rain coming into the boot, so back in tomorrow for that. Expensive month...

[Tenesmus]

Headlights randomly turning off was diagnosed as a faulty switch by the garage. Needed it fixed as heading to Cornwall for a week so that was £180 supply and fit. Ow.

Then on the way south, what's that noise? Bet it's a wheel bearing... sigh. Took it to the most backstreet garage I've ever seen, chap took it for a rather spirited spin and complimented my ear. But he can't get a bearing until after we've come home. Still, he mentioned how he used to sell Sterlings when he worked at a Rover dealer, £28,000...

[Tenesmus]

New wheel bearing supplied and fitted - £122. Next - boot seal to stop the water getting in. At this rate the amount I've spent within the last month will equal the amount a colleague wants for his 2002 Fiesta with 60k - £350.

[Tenesmus]

Failed MOT on emissions and rust around seat belt mounts. Bugger. Back for welding and new cat on Thursday. Thinking about a "new" car now...

[Tenesmus]

Due to the custom exhaust the garage couldn't get a cat, so a bottle of cleaner in the tank, they revved the feck out of it in the workshop and got it through. They reckon the cat fitted by Longlife is too small. Anyway at least I now have an MOT and no advisories.

...and then on the way home, I realised main beam wasn't working. Pulled the fuses, nothing blown, but now it's working again. Hmmm. Also need a new door courtesy light switch (£20 - what?!) and a windscreen washer jet to replace the one chewed by a monkey at Longleat.

[jago]

I brought her from a guy in Bristol who hadn't had her for long.
Did you ever sort the heated seats?

[Tenesmus]

I popped in to see the guy that bought it as I found some extra paperwork going back to the early days of the car - and the instruction book for the stereo - and found out he's sold it to "some bloke from Didcot". He should be getting in touch about passing it on.

I don't think I ever wired up the heated driver seat - easy to do, the wiring's all there! Passenger one works - that was for the benefit of the missus...

Hope you enjoy the car. Didn't you want the original wheels? He has them (inc tyres), but they need a refurb.

[jago]

Hi pete, more history would be lovely

I am happy with the current wheels, will be rolling the rear arches to cope with the tyres etc...

I'll wire up the seat soon as the cold morning are coming soon,

loving the car, will be playing with the performance and handling though as I want a less roll and more go