New 1997 460 GS owner saying hello with questions :)

[billofdurham]

Ah, a fair weather mechanic.

I can't think of anything else but it is a good deal. I have heard of that company and they do seem to be very good.

If you are ever stuck for parts new or used try Parts Gateway. They don't sell parts but will send your requirements to several vetted dealers who will contact you with price and availability. They cover all makes of car, 4x4 and van. I have used them several times and the service is first class.

Bill.

[nifton]

Ah, a fair weather mechanic.

Just sensible and maybe a tad nesh

cheers for the parts site, I mentioned them to a friend who says he has yet to be let down by their part finding skills.

Picking up my parts in a couple of hours, thinking of using the snow as an excuse to get back to Sheffield early to get them all fitted.

[nifton]

Brilliant, figured out why the Knock cable didn't reach, the idiot who had it before me had knock cable plugged into the coolant sensor, I should've realised, but not knowing the car, took it's current condition for granted and never double checked the basics. ECT is still not reading right on the multi meter, so going to change it out anyway now I have the parts.

Dreading what else i'm going to find, that's that issue, and the poor fluid maintenance so far.

[nifton]

Had a chance to get under the car properly now weather has broken.

Work so far;

Front caliper overhaul and new pads, including new front left carrier bracket as the lower guide pin had lost its boot and had corroded solid, it sheared whilst trying to extract it. Getting the bolts off was a nightmare, had to resort to finding a garage with an impact socket, which promptly rounded them off, had to re file to the next size down. (Bracket £16, pins and rubbers £25, pads £16).

Backbox replacement. Backbox dropped a few inches after the bad weather due to splitting rubber, gave up the ghost on the road so had a friendly exhaust specialist cut it off with a torch. I'd spotted a leak hence the backbox i had ready, but when i had it off, it looked like terry wogans collection of tupes were hising in there, hole the size of a fist!
Refit that evening with new rubbers, clamps, back-box and tailpipe. (Fire gel £3.99, backbox £28, clamps rubbers and tail pipe £4.50).

New spark plugs, from NGK (a little glazed but not to bad condition) to Denson U-grooves, (£14).

Air flow to filter including coupling of IAC to filter box, looked like it had never been connected, very tough to get the clips to sit over the connection, crow bar job! (New ducting £3).

Horn re-insulating.

ABS front sensors overhaul.

So aftr all of this work, I've cleared all fault codes bar the 'no-signal from setting off' 211 code for front left, previous to the overhaul, it had three codes for the front left, all for signal about of range between certain speeds.

the ECT and IAC codes have also stopped.

So, on my to do list I still have;
MAF overhaul.
Fuel degunk and then filter change.
Oil and Oil filter change.
Full hydrolics bleed.
Tranny fluid check, though can't do that myself as i have no way of raising the car level.

Then, and only then can i rest at night

[billofdurham]

You have been busy. Here's hoping our highly inaccurate Met Office has got it wrong about loads of snow this weekend and you may be able to get a good sleep.

Bill.