Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Off Topic Subjects => Topic started by: dakazman on Thursday,March 21, 2024, 05:44:03 PM
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I admit I’ve been slacking on getting a few dozen honey-do’s done.🥱 however then the proverbial s*** hit the fan .
Spring came and opening the pool is a must along with pressure washing everything. Then just when finished with that, my pool pump died. Replaced it and on to the next job of expanding the dog run with fencing all around. Then a driveway gate to keep people out. Then a brake job on my van and while that was ongoing, my tiberon wipers died, motor good but the entire gearing and rod’s needed replacing. Luckily Dorman had the assembly.👍👍.
Then back to the van with a few problems that had no codes, speedometer at 100 and only moving about 40. Then engine dies and trans not shifting. After a tuneup same problems , a vss on the trans no help . Then I got a code nbr 3 cyl. Replaced plug which looked Fouled did not fix it so I checked the distributor cap only to find nbr 3 open from contact to plug . It was brand new . No running good but still doing 100 . Back in I went cleaning grounds and checking for more chewed up wires.
Since I was in the car I decided to fix a few other things that they don’t sell parts for . NLA is the theme on my cars. Funny thing was since I spend time looking for parts I found a deal on rear shocks that I needed for my EL Camino 😂👍 that job only took two hours to install a new set of air shocks in the rear .
Then rebuilding an Pella awning window the rotted out 2k to replace but with 150$ of wood all better now.
I hope this is it but I’m old enough to realize it’s probably not.
Dakazman
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:)
At least you have good weather ! Can you send some of those blue skies over here please ?
Brian
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I’ll try,
It wasn’t all that bad , I got to go to a car show but sadly without my car.
Here are some pics of some beautiful cars.
Dakazman
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Another minor job turned into a all day affair.
a simple ground cleaning with a power antenna module swap-out turned into a nightmare.
Sorry, I have maybe some pics of the area that I can post, but I just wanted to complete this job. To get the antenna out the battery needed to come out, no problem until the hold-down bolt snaps off. then I remove the tray that holds it down and find everything rotted out. No problem ,I remove the tray... :FUNNY: then I have to make up a plate to hold the battery in place. Two hours later everything going back together , Maybe. The universal fit antennas mask is to short and its wiring is not anything like OEM. anyway its back together except for the connections to the radio. tomorrow is another day.
Dakazman
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Who would have thunk it.
The cause of my 1998 GMC van stalling maybe even shutting down at 40 MPH was the instrument cluster .
The airmotor provides a signal to the ecm provided by the VSS . my speedometer would bounce around and peg out at 100 mph when only doing 40.
after talking to a GMC parts person they said they had tons of problems with this. I ordered a complete cluster from a salvage yard and was skeptical it would fix the problem. the individual 'Stepper motors '( now called airmotors)were more expensive.
Even my 2012 sonata wanted some maintenance. I brought her to the dealer. @ repairs done for free. I even get to park it back in the garage...But dont tell my wife.
Well now I have all my cars running again, now to put them on the road.
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:beerchug:
Now that you got those other cars out of the way, it's time to get the Lotus on the road!! :)
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Absolutely BDA , besides I needed the van to pull a trailer and to store the lotus . 😁👍👍
Dave
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I just about finished building and awning for a window. Piecing it together with aluminum screen enclosure material and a metal roof. Topped off with my wife color of choosing.
Then I’ll need to hang it on its hinged top rail which will be supported by two steel rods.
Then back to the Europa.
Dman
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I think I’m done with the honey-do’s.😂🙏🙏🙏
But then there are my daughters list.
While waiting for some new instrument light socket bases and some bulbs I knocked out o few jobs. The canopy to block the morning sun.. done then making something to hold thes antique mirrors to the wall. I cut some plywood and will glue the mirrors to but first attaching a wire hanger wire. Then is another project, she acquired an all electric Vespa that has a battery problem, so her,” Dad can fix it ,” idea came out .🥱 So I need to go pick it up and fix.
Then I got to be a grandfather and read stories to my granddaughter. Fun time.
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Got to clean up the lines in the graphics. I did it freehand and will nib sand till I get it perfect, then reclear the entire panel. I love making people bring out the magnifying glasses 😂
I doubt this will be attached to my car but I’ll try my best to keep the JPS theme alive.
Dakazman
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Looks really nice, D’man!
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I also finished my daughter’s beveled mirror backing, and a new handle for my favorite knife.
Oops I didn’t take o pic of the backing. Used all the windscreen adhesive to hold those mirrors on a piece of 1/4 plywood. It's still a work in progress.
Dakazman
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Just when I thought I was getting back to the Europa, my daughter picked up a stray.
Needs a complete set of 12v 20 ah 6 each batteries. All the ones in there were swollen so bad It took forever to get them out.
Then she wants a full paint job.
Dakazman
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Nah, convert it to run on GAS!
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That’s what I said but … that would take longer. Got it de cowled, needs brakes shoes and some fluid . I found the batteries on eBay for about 250$ for all six 12v 20ah lead acid . I’m still hunting around for something that will fit using the charger limits suits for 72v20ah. The batteries that were in there were 6-DZF-20 Lead acid. \
Then my other daughter is looking at a sailboat :huh: :help:
Dakazman
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I hope ;) ;) it’s at least not an electric sailboat! ;)
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I pulled a lower back muscle and haven’t been doing much in my garage. The point is the bombshell look is still there. After doing days of paperwork I’m off to the dmv to register 3 of my car antiques and get some plates to drive them once I clean them off. 😂
Dakazman
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Very nicely done!! Very pretty!!! :beerchug:
Now put the scooter back together and get back to the Lotus!! :)
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So, a Smurf bomb went off in your garage? ;D
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Good one Kendo,
The pink was terrible. 🤣.
Then my other daughter sent me this car she thinks I would like.
About 1 hour drive away .
https://www.facebook.com/share/E64bW3ktwxPcwBgo/?mibextid=79PoIi
Please save me!
Dakazman
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“Hello. I am a gearhead and can’t help myself”
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A quick look on BaT showed a nice looking running example for $15,500. That one is too much of a mystery for $15,000 IMHO. You shouldn't be tempted! You have a Lotus to finish. FOCUS!!
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BDA,
I don’t have room at my house or theirs.
Hopefully today I’ll get back into the garage.
Dave
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Good! Lack of space is a motivation killer for such a distraction that's as good as any! :)
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All most finished putting together my granddaughters electric scooter. I transformed it from a putrid pink to a bright blue beauty. I may have gotten carried away a bit but I know I’ll be working on it in the future.
It has a sequence to assemble or else your going to do the job again.
Dakazman
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I like the blue!
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Turbo, The blue is definitely an improvement 😁
Now just adding the batteries and the handlebar covers and console gauges, bleed brakes .
One setback is the seat lock retention spring clip, I’ll have to fabricate it out of some spring steel sheet. The normal lock clips were to large.
Dakazman
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I have a few more small tasks to accomplish, bleed brakes and trim but all in all she’s finished
Getting the batteries connected and the plug and play harness connectors were a little bit of a PIA.
Then my granddaughter came by and gave her stamp of approval. It’s my older granddaughter who’s going to get this on July 3 rd.
It was a fun project that I wish I had more time to learn about the motor assembly housed in the rear rim. I’m sure I’ll be the mechanic of choice down the road . 😂
Dakazman
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Don't forget to tighten the nut in the last picture!
Does this mean you can get back to the Lotus???
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Yes BDA ,
I’ve been working on the shift linkage adjustment and that is when I found I’ve developed an electrical vampire. I’ve been charging the old battery from one of my other cars for awhile. A trip to the auto parts store should take care of it permanently.
Dakazman
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What a day.😔
Started by bleeding brakes on the Vespa and then going for a ride. I even coached the wife I don’t need to start it, just sit on it and turn the throttle. She did great.
Then I tried to start my El Camino, no dice . So I went around to find I’ve been using 2028/19 /20 and the newest in my vette 2022 . I went to autozone and purchased another battery thinking I’ll buy 2 … well at $260 a piece I elected one.
So the elky is up and running …yes and no I broke the driver’s side window alignment pin . I did manage to drive around block and enjoy the ac.
Then I tried to start the vette. No joy, so charger came out and I had a nice bone ac ride around the block. Pulled in the garage and tried to place the driver’s window up … no way
Can it get any worse, I stumbled through the rest of the day without breaking anything and have a shopping list for tomorrow
Dakazman
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Ummm… D’man, you’re supposed to be driving the Europa not the El Camino or the ‘vette! Focus! :)
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BDA,
Now I'm at 66 2/3 with these three.
No Antique left behind.
Vette window fixed but I wasted alot of time at the gas station after filling up. The vette doesn't like to start with shitty gas. I filled her up with 93 octane but what was in there was Ethanol free, with no additives. so after a 10 minite cool down it started right up. I forgot about this little quirk its been doing lately, hopefully running these daily will help.
Elky ran around the block perfectly, so another 10 min loss . I found the cause of its window failure, so Ill be researching it. I just bought it 4 years ago when I installed new glass in the new doors.
Europa, DEAD BATTERY I pulled the fuse for the white , Run ,circuit, since it didn't go dead before I added its fuse. Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow. I'm still sorting out what to call the linkage pieces from the manual to write about.
It goes in gear not running. Going back 35 years ago the PO mentioned he couldnt get 1st gear. so more on that later, but I do have another gearbox if needed.
Dakazman
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I found Paul Ireland’s “Classic Engines, Modern Fuel” an interesting read about this problem. He spends a bit of time working out how to keep the carbs and fuel from getting overheated
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Kendo,
Thanks , I am shopping for the book, preferably a paperback version and not an e book.
Today, I ran the car for awhile waiting for the water pump to cycle while idling. Then I shut it off as I did when getting gas and it started immediately. I think it was just the ethanol free gas I bought a year ago that was in the tank. I filled the tank with hi test 93 octane. I also noticed less misfires when idling.
I’ve been really bad with running all my cars lately. That’s going to change!
Thanks again,
Dakazman
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So with a new battery and plates on my cars it is time for some road time.
Wife wanted to drive the El Camino 😁
All went well but,.. now I have a list of,” to- do’s “ on it . She’ll have to get out her sewing machine again though.😂. The crushed velvet blue clashes with the black interior and the emerald green exterior. So the covers came off. 😡
She loves the ride!
Dakazman
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Kinda looks like a BIG Europa! :FUNNY:
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I’ve noticed that. 😂
At least I’m spreading out the love… the love of driving!
Dakazman
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Kinda looks like a BIG Europa! :FUNNY:
Rats. I was going to use that line :)
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Another diversion,on my daughter’s car . What I thought was going to be an easy radiator replacement turns into a nightmare.
To get a radiator out of a dodge Durango with air conditioning is a bit more complicated.
It’s a work in progress on a car make I hate.
Why would they??? See pic. Radiator is behind the condenser…
Dakazman
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Yep it happened again!
Another shopping spree on the wife’s account. She found this nice kitchen set for $54usd Les her senior discount… yeah, my daughter could use a nice wood table and not a glass table with swivel chairs. So a few days later all done except for delivery 😵💫.
That’s what retirement is, doing for others.
Dakazman
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You’re a good man, D’man!
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Looks great!
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Thanks guys,
Maybe now I can get back to the Europa. 😁
Dakazman
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My deadline for getting the rear lid cylinders installed is coming up. I missed a small show yesterday regretfully. They are very helpful in supporting local law enforcement and shop owners. I've been moving way too many vehicles and parts in preparation of getting the XKE back after glass bead blasting. Fixing Trailer lights on three trailers to work so that the owner won't get ticketed is my goal. Then there is reminding him to get registration tags updated.
Hopefully I will have my engine cover repaired and updated soon. Then the added back-up camera results.
Dakazman
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“ When it rains it pours “.
My daughter’s car decided to start overheating again. With 185k Time to pull the motor after finding an oil leak out of the head gasket area. I’m just getting to old for 10 projects at once.
I really have to get rid of this ,”Dad can fix it card”.
Dakazman
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You amaze me D’man! Good luck with that!
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Jim,
All most got the engine and gearbox out but I’m learning how to disassemble the harness connectors is the most time consuming part. Even the b’ nuts had a safety spring on them.
That was a first,… Dodge made things impossible. I should have it out tomorrow if the wife’s honey do list doesn’t grow.
Dave
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I really rather be working on my cars but…
Then I started tackling a job that I’ve been putting off until the weather got cooler.😁
Now that the temperature is approaching the mid 80’s , it time to take down this huge dead tree on the far corner of my lot but in range of falling on a home behind me in another development.
Most of the high stuff down just two more cuts before it’s down completely.
Then reassemble the neighbors fence.
Dman
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We decided to take down some of our trees a few years ago, they weren't dead but were 55' high and basically stopped sunshine from mid afternoon onwards - Leylandii gone wild. They were tall enough to fall either on the house, the electricity supply cable or the lane outside, in fact they were bordering the lane. I asked around and for some reason nobody wanted the job so I ended up watching Youtube videos of trees falling on houses, cars, etc and set to.....
I didn't fancy climbing up and cutting off branches like the pro videos did so I bought a lot of rope, slung it round the tree about half way and tensioned it with a couple of pulley blocks in the direction I wanted them to fall. By the third or fourth tree we'd got it down to a fine art !
Brian
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The day went as planned as I danced around the honey doo list and then turned my attention to taking down one of the most precarious piece of this puzzle. Slowly but surely the cuts were made to bring the limb to a point where it could be cracked and guided to the ground with a guide rope.
An hour later success! Clean up tomorrow, time for a few beers.
The rest can be dropped without damaging any equipment or fences.
Dman
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Good thing it’s supposed to rain today and tomorrow as I’m getting tired of adding to this pile that will get picked up on Monday. I’ll be all most ready for hurricane season.
Pulling the engine on my daughter’s Dodge journey has been a challenge mostly because of all the different sensor connectors, push this pull that squeeze and pull. Maybe today it will be out.
Dakazman
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D’man adds lumberjack to his list of skills!
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That’s been under my belt since I was 21. 😂. Now I just take more breaks,I do miss my David Bradley with a 24” blade. I still have a whole case of #10 chain new in box . Maybe I should sell it…
Engine and transmission out 😂. Now for tear down.
D’man