"KIMI" - The RPM 1st Gen S2 (with bits of S3...)

[Will66]

The problem we\'ve got is that the plug isn\'t in the best shape and I\'m concerned that if I start swinging on it like a loon that I\'ll round out the plug and we\'ll be stuck.

[captainbizzaro]

Give it some heat first.

[Will66]

I\'ll bring my blowlamp!

[Arnie_O]

May be a job for the hammer again Will, It worked on the gearbox filler plug, but i would say your going to need to get a proper fitting sump plug adapter first

[Will66]

We\'ll try the hammer and if that doesn\'t cut the mustard we\'ll go for some heat.

[Casey]

Thinking about sealant in the bath...as yer do.....I used \'Ozotite\' to seal the diff on my car, (it\'s a gasketless joint), applied with a toothbrush. A little of that dabbed onto the damaged tube might be as good as locktight if not better.

Thanks Dave, I\'ll check that stuff out.

The drain plug is best \'attacked\' with one of them universal drain plug spaners, you know the things, 8 tapered drives in a cast steel cruciform shape, double ended - 4 each end. Get Will on it, he\'ll not pussyfoot around with it.

Maybe a lump hammer needed as well, plus a block of wood to drift against the spanner.

OK, I hadn\'t seen these tools before, but see my local Halfords has them in stock for about £6, so looks like another useful tool to add to the collection. I actually phoned Halfords yesterday, whilst we were doing the job, and asked if they had a suitable "socket". The guy went away to check and said no, but didn\'t offer the universal tool, despite describing what we were trying to do!! I\'ll get hold of one of these and try the "lump hammer and piece of wood". If that doesn\'t work, it\'ll have to be the blowlamp (must invest in a new fire extinguisher first :o )

[seanp]

Sounds like a good time was had? How did the rust treatment etc. otherwise go? Any more pictures?

[David Nock (RIP)]

The problem we\'ve got is that the plug isn\'t in the best shape and I\'m concerned that if I start swinging on it like a loon that I\'ll round out the plug and we\'ll be stuck.

If that were to happen and there was just a bit of external thread showing, you might just be able to get a 2\' or 2\'6" Record Pipe wrench to bite into the threads? Need to stop it spinning off downward as you apply pressure though.

[Casey]

Sounds like a good time was had? How did the rust treatment etc. otherwise go? Any more pictures?

Hi Sean, I hope the trip Portugal was good!

Yes, we made some good progress with the mechanical side. The electrolytic "rust removal" bath process was a bit messy, and a little slow as my ancient 12v supply was only able to deliver about 100mA through the bath. However, there is no doubt the process works, as much of the rust has been removed on the small piece I tried. Hydrogen gas was clearly being produced and the bath is a lot dirtier than when it started - see pic!

Will and I attacked a small area of surface rust on the rear valance with my new angle grinder and a flap wheel. Rust was removed with little effort and very quickly. We sprayed on some Hammerite "anti-rust" primer to protect the fresh metal. I don\'t plan to do any more rust removal until the POR15, plus the prepping chemicals arrive - ordered online from "Frost".

Another few pics are attached that Ian took of "work in progress" - note good use of the Haynes manual in one shot!

[Casey]

V5 update - letter from DVLA arrived today. As David Nock suspected, the DVLA have picked up on the chassis discrepancy and have said my application "is being delat with". I immediately phoned to get more information, but the person dealing with the case was not in the office :Hammer. However, another helpful lady said the V5 for this vehicle had been reissued twice, and she suspects the one I returned was not the latest one. The V5 I signed appears to have a datecode of Dec 2004, well after the chassis change, and still has the wrong number (as does the most recent, 2010 MOT). The GOOD news is that she found the CURRENT chassis number did exist on their system, so it looks as though, maybe, Mr Odd did declare it after all, and I have an old V5. If that is the case there shouldn\'t be a problem. Worst case, I\'ve got to get the car up to Ipswich (20 minutes away) to get the local office to inspect the car. I\'m told there is no charge for this. However, it might delay things as I\'ll have to get the MoT and insurance sorted, plus get DVLA authority to drive to the local office without road tax on the car - could get complicated......

Oil seal - rang Rotechniks and spoke to Gary Marks. He has offered to get a seal, but will have to import it - 3 days, to maybe a couple of weeks. Price is ~£4+VAT . His mechanics thought there might be a difference between the seals used S2/S3. I\'ve ordered the part number that looks correct from the parts catalogue for a non-vented disk back axle (and I can\'t see another part number anywhere), but Gary has said if they are the wrong ones he\'ll happily take them back. - on that basis I\'ve said go ahead and get two. Murphy\'s law suggests if one seal has gone the other one might be on it\'s way or, the first attempt to replace the failed seal might not stop the leak due to the collar damage and a 2nd attempt might be needed....

[shaunwil]

I got the wrong seals the first time round too, took a couple of weeks to get as well for mine. Not good on a daily. The FD got some good use.

The car body looks in extremely good condition. You still have the bottom of the doors too which is exceptional. Definately looks like alot of fun !

Shaun

[Casey]

^^^ Yep, bodywork looks remarkably good for her age (the car I mean :chat)

Small update;

1. Pack of POR15 and the two prep chemicals arrived yesterday, so I can spend the odd hour touching up whilst she is still on the axle stands.

2. Tim at RX Motors said he has the correct oil seal in stock :wiggle - just paid via Paypal for him to ship us one! I\'ll leave the other orders in place (Mazda dealer and Rotechniks are importing seals for us) until we are sure it\'s the right seal. They are cheap anyway, so we\'ll probably start our spares collection going when they arrive!

Speaking to Hypothermia last night about the axle seal seating damage - he has a Dremel tool which we will use to try and reduce the high spots on the damaged area before putting the new seal in place, plus a smear of some sealing compound (I\'ve had a quick look through the Loctite range - mind boggling!)

[Casey]

Great news on the V5. I\'ve just spoken to the very nice lady at the DVLA and she has confirmed everything is in order and she will be sending out the new V5 this afternoon. Apparently, Mr Odd did register the chassis change to the DVL; it just appears he kept the old V5 as well as the new one and his wife must\'ve located the old one to sign over to me.

Relief, no VOSA inspection required

OK, just awaiting the oil seal now, as the car can be made roadworthy again fairly quickly once that job is done.

[CHC (RIP)]

Now that\'s what I call a result - back of the net, good to hear :Party
Now you can continue without worry guys.

[David Nock (RIP)]

Super news...

Those of us who\'re getting on a bit and \'control\' the domestic paperwork maybe need to take a lesson from this? Leave a tidy paper trail for the Missus to follow?

Or is it just me who needs to do this?......Gulp.