[JohnW]

Very nice jobs Martin 👍 I must admit to missing the underbonnet view of my previous SE!

I try and keep the engine slick and span on the current diseasel: engine cover, battery box, servo etc, and assorted plastic bits get the occasional Autoglymming……

 

[98_Martin]

Very nice jobs Martin 👍 I must admit to missing the underbonnet view of my previous SE!

I try and keep the engine slick and span on the current diseasel: engine cover, battery box, servo etc, and assorted plastic bits get the occasional Autoglymming……

Thanks John, the V6 is indeed a good looking engine.

It's amazing the difference a quick once over can do. I find an engine bay left without attention often looks very unloved and doesn't paint a good picture of the general condition of the car.

I got the service all finished this weekend, engine oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter and sparkplugs so the car should be back to performing like it should. Unfortunately, the coolant, ATF and brake fluid didn't arrive in time so couldn't get those done for the moment. The automatic gearbox I hope to service next weekend all going well which should resolve some intermittent hesitant gearchanges as I can't imagine it's been done before me. The coolant I may put off until Christmas when I plan to do further jobs including the cam covers at which time, I may also remove the throttle body which connects to the coolant system and maybe even do the water pump for preventative reasons.

I'm easy on the car in that I don't do an awful lot of millage. October 2021 service was done at 66,089 miles, October 2022 service now done at 69,009 miles. I did treat the car this year to all genuine parts for the service, cost difference really was negligible except for the fuel filter but it included a replacement bracket that was beginning to become quite rusted so a worthwhile change I thought. For any interested also genuine sparkplugs C2S46895 are NGK TR6AP-13E as I thought before ordering.

 

[98_Martin]

Last weekend I completed an upgrade that was well and truly overdue and very much brought forward with the now darker nights. I fitted a HID kit that I purchased from AutoBulbs Direct after much consideration and research into which path to take on the somewhat controversial topic of halogen headlight upgrades... anyway I felt that the H1 HIDS4U Stealth 35W Xenon HID Conversion Kit was the best option for me. I opted for the 35w version over the 55w version for two main reasons, firstly I didn't want to make the lights so bright that it became obvious to certain parties that they have been modified and secondly, I didn't want to prematurely burn out the projectors. Come MOT time I'll most likely be taking the headlights back out and swapping back in my previously fitted Osram Night Breakers so that no eyebrows are raised but I'll wait and see what's said during the pre-MOT as the swap will only take a couple of hours.

The difference after driving home from work this evening was night and day (excuse the pun). The light is a much whiter output that greatly increases visibility especially on the country roads that make up much of my commute. The picture comparison below doesn't quite show the true difference to the eye, but I now feel much more confident driving in the dark.

Before:

After:

 

[98_Martin]

I got around to changing the ATF on the gearbox today. Very dark in colour and a not so pleasant smell so hopefully the fresh fluid rectifies the erratic hesitant gearchanges I've been experiencing lately. I'll put up a separate post maybe detailing the job as I don't believe there is one for the procedure I did of multiple fills and drains to effectively flush out the old fluid as a simple and safe method that can be easily done on jackstands. Here is a look at the fluid that came out on the first drain:

 

[Henry_B]

looks well used slightly burnt I'd say you caught it just in time.

 

[98_Martin]

looks well used slightly burnt I'd say you caught it just in time.

I think so Henry, £75 for 15l of ATF is a lot cheaper than a replacement or rebuilt gearbox.

I've finished the job and taken it for a test drive and the difference is certainly noticeable, mostly during kickdown and engine braking the transition is a lot smoother.

 

[JimC64]

I think so Henry, £75 for 15l of ATF is a lot cheaper than a replacement or rebuilt gearbox.

I've finished the job and taken it for a test drive and the difference is certainly noticeable, mostly during kickdown and engine braking the transition is a lot smoother.

Great job Martin, and good call on the multiple drain / refill procedure too, for essentially pennies compared to a new unit

Jim

 

[Henry_B]

I think so Henry, £75 for 15l of ATF is a lot cheaper than a replacement or rebuilt gearbox.

I've finished the job and taken it for a test drive and the difference is certainly noticeable, mostly during kickdown and engine braking the transition is a lot smoother.

Oh aye £75 is a no brainer, i'm sure it does go better with that old burnt fluid out of there.

 

[98_Martin]

Great job Martin, and good call on the multiple drain / refill procedure too, for essentially pennies compared to a new unit

Jim

Thanks Jim, for sure the easiest method to do. 4L came out so 4L went back in and repeated 3 times.

 

[Eddy_NW]

Did you warm up the transmission each time you refilled it and if so, how long did the job take?

It certainly seems like a sensible way to go, but I imagine it would be expensive if you got a garage to do the work for you.

 

[98_Martin]

Did you warm up the transmission each time you refilled it and if so, how long did the job take?

It certainly seems like a sensible way to go, but I imagine it would be expensive if you got a garage to do the work for you.

The initial drain was done with the engine warm and up to temperature after driving it home from work. The subsequent drains were done after running the engine for approximately 14 seconds to allow minimal mixture of the old and new fluid. This was a set time that I can't take credit for finding but it does seem to be to better option than driving the car around the block say as that would allow too great a mixture which would reduce the concentration of fresh fluid.

It didn't take all that long, maybe an hour or so. The most time-consuming part is filling it up due to the narrow fill plug restricting the size of funnel.

 

[98_Martin]

Treated myself this Black Friday to a new jet wash and foam gun attachment - Karcher K5 and an Autoglym Polar Blaster kit. Certainly makes the monthly car cleaning task a lot easier and safer for the paintwork. Obligatory picture of the well foamed car

 

[JimC64]

Treated myself this Black Friday to a new jet wash and foam gun attachment - Karcher K5 and an Autoglym Polar Blaster kit. Certainly makes the monthly car cleaning task a lot easier and safer for the paintwork. Obligatory picture of the well foamed car

View attachment 58608

Nice one Martin, you treat that ole girl well.

Jim

 

[PetA]

Treated myself this Black Friday to a new jet wash and foam gun attachment - Karcher K5 and an Autoglym Polar Blaster kit. Certainly makes the monthly car cleaning task a lot easier and safer for the paintwork. Obligatory picture of the well foamed car

View attachment 58608

"monthly".. you spoil that car Martin...

 

[98_Martin]

Nice one Martin, you treat that ole girl well.

Jim

I like to think she deserves it with my heavy right foot, mechanical sympathy comes to mind. I've ordered a few more parts to keep me busy over the winter with more maintenance and fixes.

"monthly".. you spoil that car Martin...

You may well be right Pete, but the more frequent the easier the job, or that's what I tell myself

 

[98_Martin]

Had some time this afternoon to replace all the gas struts in the rear after the glass hatch started falling on my head when opened. A tricky job replacing the ones for the hatch as its all done totally by feel under the headliner without a view of the attachment. I went for STABILUS branded struts as that's the OEM and it retains the black fork at the glass hinge attachment where other brands are silver which I didn't think would look right against the black. Bought them from AUTODOC during Black Friday for about £85 for the four.

The tailgate is now so much smoother and easier to open and the glass hatch more or less opens itself and no longer falls on my head!

Still got the upstream oxygen sensor to replace at some point that I'm being lazy about as I know it won't be easy but hopefully during the Christmas holidays I'll get around to it and clear the EML.

Before someone eagle eyed says it I know the load cover is missing, had it out because some stuff was in the back with the seats down and didn't want to damage it so left it in the house.

 

[JimC64]

Had some time this afternoon to replace all the gas struts in the rear after the glass hatch started falling on my head when opened. A tricky job replacing the ones for the hatch as its all done totally by feel under the headliner without a view of the attachment. I went for STABILUS branded struts as that's the OEM and it retains the black fork at the glass hinge attachment where other brands are silver which I didn't think would look right against the black. Bought them from AUTODOC during Black Friday for about £85 for the four.

The tailgate is now so much smoother and easier to open and the glass hatch more or less opens itself and no longer falls on my head!

Still got the upstream oxygen sensor to replace at some point that I'm being lazy about as I know it won't be easy but hopefully during the Christmas holidays I'll get around to it and clear the EML.

View attachment 59598
Before someone eagle eyed says it I know the load cover is missing, had it out because some stuff was in the back with the seats down and didn't want to damage it so left it in the house.

Good job Martin, onwards n upwards

Jim

 

[98_Martin]

Good job Martin, onwards n upwards

Jim

Thanks Jim, that's it! Last of the bits to order for the cooling system then I'll be onto that next also.

 

[98_Martin]

It's been a while since I last posted an update here so thought I should take the opportunity. The hopefully final transfer box drain modification iteration which I completed a few weeks has held up wonderfully with no visible signs of leaking around the drain or hose inlet, not that I doubted my workmanship . The job of refilling was such a simple job now being done up at the engine bay and only took a few minutes of injecting the oil into the hose. It folds away neatly behind the battery box as I wanted to keep some extra length to make the refilling job easier.

On Friday I stripped out the rear seats as I was driving down to my sisters at Loch Lomond to pick up the Premium Sound audio components and other interior bits that I had couriered up from London and needed the extra room that it would grant me. There was a £300 difference in it being delivered to my sisters or taken the extra 100 miles up the A9 hence for the trip which saved me a couple of hundred minus the fuel. The car remains a two seater for the moment which I find quite amusing, only because I didn't find the time today to get the seats bolted back in, although the interior modifications may just mean that they stay out for a while longer, unpractical though it is.

I'm still in the process of trying to source the connectors required for the amplifier, rear tweeters and under the dash for the piggyback loom. Every breaker I've emailed with an X-Type in stock clearly having premium sound won't entertain my request... for the life of me I don't understand why, perhaps too little a return for the work of a couple of cuts with a pair of pliers.

 

[JimC64]

It's been a while since I last posted an update here so thought I should take the opportunity. The hopefully final transfer box drain modification iteration which I completed a few weeks has held up wonderfully with no visible signs of leaking around the drain or hose inlet, not that I doubted my workmanship . The job of refilling was such a simple job now being done up at the engine bay and only took a few minutes of injecting the oil into the hose. It folds away neatly behind the battery box as I wanted to keep some extra length to make the refilling job easier.
View attachment 61358

On Friday I stripped out the rear seats as I was driving down to my sisters at Loch Lomond to pick up the Premium Sound audio components and other interior bits that I had couriered up from London and needed the extra room that it would grant me. There was a £300 difference in it being delivered to my sisters or taken the extra 100 miles up the A9 hence for the trip which saved me a couple of hundred minus the fuel. The car remains a two seater for the moment which I find quite amusing, only because I didn't find the time today to get the seats bolted back in, although the interior modifications may just mean that they stay out for a while longer, unpractical though it is.
View attachment 61359

I'm still in the process of trying to source the connectors required for the amplifier, rear tweeters and under the dash for the piggyback loom. Every breaker I've emailed with an X-Type in stock clearly having premium sound won't entertain my request... for the life of me I don't understand why, perhaps too little a return for the work of a couple of cuts with a pair of pliers.

Nice one Martin....

Firstly, I courier a lot of parts from way down South to Inverness and beyond, Aberdeen area too and know the differences between costs / delivery time to Central Scotland and Highlands, is crazy!
Feel your pain on that one.

As for bits n pieces, have you at least asked Ali Mcmillan in Motherwell?
He may be able to help, if you haven't, worth checking out

Jim