The end of an Era - Cavaliers are going to the scrapper!!

[Robsey]

Totally gutted!!
Finally had to admit defeat on my two Cavaliers.

The Mk2 has been in storage for about six years and that rust just ain't going to be repairable...

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My Mk3 that I did the total dash conversion is going aswell.
My mechanic who I've known and trusted for years told me that there is simply too much to fix, and I cannot afford the time and money to do it!
If I had a garage that may have been a different story!, but my car lives on an exposed communal car park (no shelter from wind and rain).

My car has a leaking front end bearing seal, water leak at the rear of the engine, possible blown head gasket, split fuel lines, weaping tank seam, blowing exhaust, split CV boot and rotted outer sills.

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[Squig]

Downer mate... esp after all the work on the dash. Why not re-shell?

edit... re-read the description... what do you mean front end seal? everything other than the sills is a "quick" fix situation or why not get that CDX if it's still going?

[Colorado]

Might be worth offering your Cav Mk 2 as spares on ebay? or cavmk2.com. If you do have to move on from these 2 cars there are still some decent mk3s about for sale

[Envoy CDX]

that sucks man breaking a cav at the moment too - only thing I couldnt help out with really is the sills.

[Robsey]

My wife has said dig my heels in and fix the Mk3...
after all I bought if for her for Christmas in 1995, she then gave it to me in 2005 when I bought her a Vectra C.

I'd really like to do it back up, so I will just have to talk the mechanic into doing it..
The front seal is the crank shaft end seal (flywheel end)...you may have the correct term for this.

I plan therefore to have the minimum necessary done to get it through the mot, and then spend the next 12 months doing a proper job of the engine, fuel pipes and new full sills etc..

Got a welder etc, just nowhere away from the weather to do it...until spring / summer maybe.

The mk2 is totally rotted though so way beyond repair

[Squig]

leaking front end bearing seal; what engine again?
water leak at the rear of the engine, possible blown head gasket; not to difficult DIY job,
split fuel lines; where and they can be done to MOT standard for not much
weaping tank seam; see A1 rad repairs (call 0161 3709612) fixed my rad, two leaks, for £30
blowing exhaust; patch the crap out of it then drive at as low revs as possible until after the MOT
split CV boot; £15 DIY from partco at the outside.

Generally a flywheel end crank seal thing can be replaced without engine removal... it's just a bitch.

Seriously consider doing several of these jobs yourself as you'll save a bleeding fortune, if you need a hand just shout (have to wait until I'm done with mine, tomorrow or tuesday at the outside )

[Squig]

what engine is in the mk2?

[Robsey]

The Mk2 is a 1300 base model with masses of extra ventilation in the rear inner arches and drivers side rear door frame.
The engine is the 13s with electronic ignition...not been run since 2002
Gave up on the idea of fixing this when some scrote pulled the wing mirrors off behind my house...was showing off to his mates and their girl-friends.

20 years ago I was more willing to lie on a cold concrete floor, nowadays I find it too easy to be a squeak and come up with some reason not to work on cars outdoors...

The Mk3 is an C18NZ (1800 Central Fuel Injector) - LS model.

I have asked the garage to do the minimum necessary to pass the MOT and to be safe. I shall work my way through it properly in spring and summer.
The bearing seal is just a bugger to get at...oddly, Vx decided to fit a Callibra type pot fly-wheel which really confused the garage when they replaced the clutch a few years ago.
Only started leaking oil when I cooked the engine a few months ago.
Got all the necessary tools including a small mig welder, so just a matter of getting my finger from up my backside and getting it done!!

Thanks for the encouragement to do it...although I think a swift kick from my wife also helped.

[Envoy CDX]

Squig, go give the lad a hand. I would if he was nearer.
If you still have tax on it and can get it up here can swap the tanks and fuel lines over off my 2litre if you want.

[Squig]

the offers there, but once mine runs else I'm going nowhere

[Robsey]

It's in the garage as we speak...
Just be glad to get back in and drive it again...

[Robsey]

Woohoo...
Mechanic says that the car will pass it's test now...

After he fixed the fuel line, he was able to run the car fine.
Only extra work, was a "burst brake line"...

Will get the cav back next week..

[Squig]

Good news fella

[Robsey]

Yeah, can't wait...

Also might pop over to MacDonalds on Sunday to say hi to the lads n lasses...just have to go in wifes vectra-c.

Huh...tough call eh!!

[Envoy CDX]

Good news

[Robsey]

Well I'm due to pick the Cav up before weekend..
New fuel line, new brake line, new cv boot
Now street legal

There was another Cav being scrapped next to it in the garage in Nautilus Green, reg something like M644 VMB I think...
If this belonged to anyone, sorry but this one will not escape the crusher on Friday.
I was able to get a few bits off it for mine...so it didn't go completely to waste.
Sadley the exhaust and fuel tank were as goosed as mine, so they were no good to me.
The garage have agreed that these can be done in the spring when the nicer weather comes!!

On a sad note the Mk2 Cav goes to the crusher tomorrow

[Envoy CDX]

Hope the MK2 got a good send off

Glad to hear your MK3 passed.

[Robsey]

Mixed Blessings.

Got the car back on Friday, but mechanic said your water pump is P***ing out.

Great I thought. More expense!!

Anyway fitted a new water pump today despite one bolt refusing to come out...this took two attempts before it stopped dripping.

Fired up the engine to let it warm up...water is still coming out!! but
From the two water hoses at the back of the engine near the cam shaft sprocket...big hole in the one that loops from the back of the inlet manifold.

Cut two inches off the endof the hose and refitted it...

We are finally drip free...my only thought is.."was my water pump truly tatered or was it the top hoses all along".?

Now for more good news...blummin tax disc is due tomorrow...bummer!!!

[Gaz]

Joys of older cars, when they are working they last forever when they arnt they are a pain.