#1: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:02 pm ---- Current Task List
01. VVT Solenoid removal / cleaning / replacement ✔
02. Engine oil flush and replacement ✔
03. Change spark plugs (for the hell of it) ✔
04. Check the coil pack is a Pug one
05. Look at why steering seems to have gone a bit 'stiff' ✔
06. Check / replace fuel sender
07. Swap the 'red' and 'yellow' wires over for the stereo!
08. Replace the cheap wipers
09. Re-hang the exhaust, replacing perishing rubbers
10. Replace the 'faded' SP fuel cap
11. Check / replace discs and pads all round ✔
12. Investigate slow coolant leak
13. Replace O/S front drive shaft
14. Sills?
The journey began here...
It's always been in the back of my mind to consider picking up a GTi. Only about 6 months ago I'd been talking with Sim, and Mrs VorTechS, about potentially replacing the 1.6 with a GTi 138, as there was the potential for me to be able to pick one up at their going rate and it'd give me a chance to work on something new.
Low and behold, various factors / suns / moons have aligned that have meant I suddenly had some money to make use of, and so I set about looking for a car - not with the intention of really buying one.
Until I saw an add on GumTree for this:
It's a GTi 180, 63k miles and pretty much as it was out of the factory.
The advert made a few bold claims:
Seller wrote:
EXCELLENT CONDITION INSIDE
EXCELLENT CONDITION OUTSIDE
IMMACULATE RECARO WING-BACK SEATS
NICE PAINT WORK, NICE WHEELS, WELL LOOKED AFTER
NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO ISSUES
DRIVES 100% - LOTS SPENT INC ;
CAMBELT KIT FITTED THIS YEAR @ 62K, WITH INVOICE
FULL 'SCORPION' STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST
RECENT OIL CHANGE
NEW KONI LOWERING SPRINGS (-30MM) SO SITS NICELY
NEW BRAKE LINES THROUGHOUT (ADV. ON LAST M.O.T)
FULL SERVICE, INC. COOLANT FLUSH / FRESH COOLANT
AIR - CON RE GAS AND ICE COLD
RECENT FRONT DISCS & PADS
FULLY WAX OILED UNDERSIDE
GOOD TYRES ON ALL 4 CORNERS
NEW HEADUNIT, FOR AUX INPUT (HAVE ORIGINAL ALSO)
2.0 16V, 180BHP ENGINE, VERY QUICK & LIGHT LITTLE CAR! ALL THE USUAL '180' EXTRAS, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT AND EVERYTHING WORKS, NOT A SINGLE THING BROKE, DAMAGED, FAULTY ETC. A CREDIT TO ITS PREVIOUS OWNERS / KEEPERS, AND ZERO RUST OR ROT.
THE CAR STARTS, DRIVES, PERFORMS AND STOPS - AS IT SHOULD. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE FROM SUCH A LOW MILEAGE, WELL CARED FOR EXAMPLE - NO KNOCKS, CLUNKS, BANGS, UNWANTED NOISES ETC.
So, I arranged for the seller to hold the car until I could come and view it as I'd had bad experiences over the months trying to get a 138, to find sellers had sold a car when they agreed to me going to view it!
In honesty I was wary of getting the same treatment, but having spoken to the seller and outlining the reason for my interest in buying and my ties to here (the forum) he seemed genuine. And he had a valid reason for selling too.
Better still he'd already taken calls from people wanting to buy the car just to break it! (Thankfully he didn't sell it to them!)
I mentioned the potential purchase to a couple of 'insiders' (one of which was our very own Sim), and all agreed it could potentially be a great buy. Sim even decided he'd like to come along for the ride, as he already had some business to do in Tamworth on the day of viewing anyway.
And so we (including Mrs VorTechS) set off on yet another 206info adventure from the rainy grey duldrums of Gloucestershire, to the sunnier climbs of Darlington up North!
And what an adventure! Last edited by VorTechS on Mon May 21, 2018 11:49 am; edited 2 times in total
#2: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 1:44 pm ---- The journey started out for us (Mrs VorTechS) at 9am, and first stop was to pick up Sim at Tamworth, a journey time of 1hr 40 minutes.
From their we continued up North, until hunger set in.
As always, no 206Info adventure is complete without a trip to our 'favourite' eating establishment:
...it has become somewhat of a tradition over the years.
It took another 2 and half hours to get where needed to be. I'd asked for the engine to be left cold, so we check around it without fear of burning ourselves, although that proved a bit harder than it sounds. Even though I'd taken some good old Halfords matting with us, I'd forgotten I'm the size of 'Big Daddy' (without the height) so getting under the lowered front was nigh on impossible.
Checking the oil, and it seemed a bit black for 'Recently changed' and there seemed to be a small drip around the filter. There also seems to be a bit coming from the drain plug. There was nothing around where the car had been stood to suggest anything sinister. (Yes, when the car moved it had clearly been sat around as the discs/pads clunked a bit where they'd settled, so there's no reason to doubt anything untoward)
There was a trace amount of camber on the rear axle, nothing heavy. The body work, to be fair, is in immaculate condition for the age.
It's not perfect, a couple of 'chips' where the car has obviously been 'opened' into walls and a bit of repair work evident on front/back bumper strips. Clearly at least one of the doors has been changed (the blue door hinge gives that away, and the lock doesn't work on it with the keys).
At the right angle, Mrs VorTechS happened to notice a dent in the passenger door which the seller admitted to not knowing about.
The Exhaust (backbox) was hanging a little low, and off-centre, but the rubber is looking a bit worse for wear. So easy fix that one. The sills are in reasonable condition, the alloys have 'acceptable' kurbing wear on them. The tyres are all good.
Inside is immaculate. The seats are not only clean, but show minimal wear. The drivers side folds down and moves as it should.
First thing we did, plug Peugeot Planet in.
...of course these issues could be quite old. So I cleared them, and fired her up. I left the engine ticking over for a good amount of time, just to check its idle temperature and make sure there we no signs of gasket issues. I'd already checked there was no white mayo in the cap, no oil in the coolant, no white smoke.
Electrics all seem fine. There's no warnings, the MFD works. The climate control works. The cluster works (or appears to). The electric windows work. The indicators work, lights work, wipers and jets all work. (I didn't test the cigaretter lighter)
Then I took her for a test drive.
No scrapes, whines or clunks. Well, a little noise from the discs but given it's been sat around for a while not a major problem. The gear change is smooth, it's perhaps a little lumpy around clutch bite for my liking.
(Although hugely compared to the 1.6!)
It accelerates well, and the grumble from the Scorpion exhaust is 'grown up' (as Mrs VorTechS described it).
Once back, Pug Planet plugged in again, and it's all clean.
All in all. This is indeed is a decent little car. While I was gone, Mrs VorTechS had apparently been talking 'money' with the seller... and a price agreed.
The car was up at £1750. I'd had £1500 as an offer rejected, but the final figure of £1550 seems to be very reasonable.
So the paperwork was signed, money handed over and then it was off to the local Asda round the corner to get some petrol and last minute paperwork sorted.
Just seen this after commenting in your introduce your self post.
I'm pretty sure 180's in this colour are getting "rare"
It looks pretty clean.
Congrats on it.
Pez
#4: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: macj, Location: EssexPosted: Sat Dec 09, 2017 5:24 pm ---- Good purchases young man
#5: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: rytona4, Location: midlands EnglandPosted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 9:20 am ---- Good write up on checks to make. Many thanks. Enjoy .
#6: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 12:46 pm ---- Keep going. Would be good to see a really good example of a 180. They are becoming quite rare now. I'd have one if my garage was big enough.
#7: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:03 am ---- Thanks for the comments all! I haven't mentioned everything we checked, we did give it a thoroughly good going over.
The journey back home, was, let's call it 'eventful'!
We'd pre-arranged the travelling arrangement so that I'd sit behind Mrs VorTechS and Sim (in the 308 GTi) on the way back and flash once for low fuel, and flash lots of time for anything problemmatic.
There was just under half a tank of fuel, and we started our way off... and everything was going swimmingly. Still no clunks, rattles, whines or rumbles. Just the sound of the wheels on the road. The fuel gauge was dropping and was about to hit the point where I was thinking we should stop at the next fuel station to top up, just in case the one after was some considerable distance away.
Sure enough, on the very busy M1 we pass a sign that the next fuel station is 10 miles away. We're in the middle lane, and I flash to indicate the we'll take the next fuel stop. And then, the engine seems to drop into what I think mught be limp mode, and then just stops running. At EXACTLY the point I did the flash. No warning lights, no fuel light, just dead. I quickly flash rapidly to indicate a problem and somehow, under the rules of gravity, manage to get the car not only to the inside lane, but also into a lay-by.
I cannot stress how precarious a situation this was. It was 5pm on a Sunday, the M1 was exceptionally busy and being followed closely by a truck once I got into the inside lane was just a little bit of a 'brown trouser' moment. Thank <insert appropriate deity> there just happened to be a lay-by so close to where the car cut out!
I explain what's gone on to the guys, and try to restart the engine. It turns over, but doesn't fire. The fuel gauge indicates we should have at least 30-40 miles in the tank. To rule out anything sinister, we plug planet in and give the diagnostics a run through and the old girl gets a clean bill of health. Mrs VorTechS suggests it's out of fuel. Surely not?
This wasn't a situation we'd planned for! But, as we have little to lose, Sim and Mrs VorTechS head out to a petrol station to get a jerry can and some fuel. As luck would have it, just a few hundred yards down the road there's a turn-off and just around the corner is a petrol station! Better still, from the petrol station it's possible to come back up the other way and out just a few hundred yards behind where I'm stranded!
So that wait was literally only about 10 minutes, and once the rescue party returned Sim poured in the petrol and I turned the key.....
....*vroom*!
So. A new problem to add to the list, already! Clearly there's a problem with the fuel sender. Perhaps it's just been sat idle for so long and gunk has settled in the bottom of the tank...?
So, armed with this new knowledge, we set off again... and of course stop at the closest fuel station to top up! Next stop Tamworth to pick up Sims car, hopefully without the fuel running out this time!
Everything went nice and smoothly, there were no further problems with car and we arrived back at Tamworth in one piece....
....only to find Sim's car had been locked in at the retail park it had been left!!!
After an attempt to see if there was anywhere to escape / get the car through, we eventually settled on taking Sim home and then I'd get him where he'd need to be in the morning, at whatever time. Sim parked his car up a bit closer to the exit, and we were just getting ready to head out when a security guard popped out from around a corner.
He'd been watching, no doubt with some amusement, and after explaining our predicatment he let Sim out! As was evident from the general road noise around the estate, the park gets locked up because there are a lot of 'boy racers' that used to use it for whatever boy racers get up to!
Luckily, the rest of the journey home was un-eventful and we eventually walked through the front door at 10:30pm to a lovely cooked roast dinner made for us by my step-daughter!
#8: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:25 am ---- I've been driving it for a week now. The plan is to keep driving it. So far, even with the low temperatures, it's fired up every time. The seats are soooooo comfortable. Far more comfortable than the SW seats I have in the 1.6. Having the climate control is pure bliss! No more fogged up windscreen!
The 1.6 is going to go and sit somewhere in the new year while I decide what to do with it. I've had it since 2003, and I'm reluctant to resign ito the scrapheap, and in general not particularly keen to let it go where it'll be abused. It is old, the paintwork is suffering... but other than needing a new clutch kit... the engine is just bullet proof. It's never missed a beat in the 14 years I've had it.
But I'm in a dilemma.
Do I keep this GTi in as much 'OEM' style as possible?
Or should I, as Mrs VorTechS suggests, store the original parts and 'tart' it up with the 1.6 parts...?
Parts that would get changed:
Alloys (for the new ones I bought in the summer)
Front lights (black masked Crystals)
Side-Repeaters (black masked)
Rear Lights (black, there's a theme!)
Fog Lights (surprise surprise, masked!)
3rd Brake Light (guess what colour?)
SP Grilles
If I decide to do the tart up option, I'll also consider:
Swapping hoses in the engine bay for something fresher
Braided brake hoses
At the moment I'm quite liking the fact that it's OEM. As is the bank balance for the change in insurance costs, which has literally halved.
#9: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 12:58 pm ---- I would definitely keep the 180 standard looking. The aftermarket lights won't make it unusual. Standard look is unusual and always looks better long term.
#10: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 9:23 am ---- I'm inclined to agree ...
#11: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 8:17 am ---- So it looks like I have some work to do on the old girl!
Having had a look at Pug Planet last night with Timon, it seems the P0011 code is back - the EML isn't throwing though, so it's clearly early stages. Looking at the error and the potential symptoms from looking over the car when / after being bought, it's pointing to a VVT solenoid.
[He says confidentally, as if he knows what this is - which now I sort of do, having researched it]
I was looking at Pug Planet to check if the fuel gauge should be working properly, so using the gauge and the warning lamp illumination actuator tests (under Instrument Panel).
Both tests passed. The fuel gauge rose in increments from it's resting point to the top, and below the resting point to zero in the first test, and the low fuel warning light came on in the second.
So, time for a list of things to look at as soon as I can:
01. VVT Solenoid removal / cleaning / replacement
02. Engine oil flush and replacement
03. Change spark plugs (for the hell of it)
04. Check the coil pack is a Pug one
05. Look at why steering seems to have gone a bit 'stiff'
06. Check / replace fuel sender
07. Swap the 'red' and 'yellow' wires over for the stereo!
08. Replace the cheap wipers
09. Re-hang the exhaust, replacing perishing rubbers
10. Replace the 'faded' SP fuel cap
11. Check / replace discs and pads all round Last edited by VorTechS on Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:02 am; edited 4 times in total
#12: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Jamerz, Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 4:58 pm ---- Great buy, seems a solid, tidy looking car!
#13: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 8:04 am ---- Yea, despite her little foibles, I'm liking her!
#14: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Timon2210, Location: PalestinePosted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:41 pm ---- What a beautiful car my friend..Keep it stock as much as you can and enjoy it,the service plan is very good,and about the fault code you got it's either a faulty solenoid or the timing is done,but not done right.
Try to flush the engine and get a Mobile 1 5W/30 oil and a good additive to restore the engine horse power and compression in the pistons.
What a beautiful car my friend..Keep it stock as much as you can and enjoy it,the service plan is very good,and about the fault code you got it's either a faulty solenoid or the timing is done,but not done right.
Try to flush the engine and get a Mobile 1 5W/30 oil and a good additive to restore the engine horse power and compression in the pistons.
I'm not discounting that the timing is slightly out. It was recently done alledgedly, but not necessarily very well. So I think ruling out everything else would be the best place to start as that's all well within my remit to do!
#16: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: MattyP, Location: PlymouthPosted: Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:46 pm ---- Bargain mate especially for a 180 in red!!
As Sim will agree, these just a smile on your face, had mine for 4yrs and was the best car i've ever owned
#17: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2017 8:11 am ----
MattyP wrote:
Bargain mate especially for a 180 in red!!
Interestingly, I found a piece of paper in the car from the owner prior to the guy I bought it off, and it was previously sold at just £975.
But, it does still seem like a bit of a bargain despite the obvious work that needs doing to it.
MattyP wrote:
As Sim will agree, these just a smile on your face, had mine for 4yrs and was the best car i've ever owned
I have to say that despite being to many a meet ,and show, this is the first time I'd actually been in one. There's definitely something about that engine when you give it a little acceleration.
Granted, it's no 308 GTi (which never fails to bring a smile with the sports mode activated), but still pleasing none the less.
#18: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: MattyP, Location: PlymouthPosted: Tue Dec 19, 2017 10:42 am ----
VorTechS wrote:
MattyP wrote:
Bargain mate especially for a 180 in red!!
Interestingly, I found a piece of paper in the car from the owner prior to the guy I bought it off, and it was previously sold at just £975.
But, it does still seem like a bit of a bargain despite the obvious work that needs doing to it.
MattyP wrote:
As Sim will agree, these just a smile on your face, had mine for 4yrs and was the best car i've ever owned
I have to say that despite being to many a meet ,and show, this is the first time I'd actually been in one. There's definitely something about that engine when you give it a little acceleration.
Granted, it's no 308 GTi (which never fails to bring a smile with the sports mode activated), but still pleasing none the less.
That is a bit strange but then a year or 2 ago they were going quite cheap but as more and more get broken for parts or written off they are becoming rarer and they are underestimated imo!
It's because they can rev quite high like these newer cars, my 207 Gti can't rev anywhere near the Gti180 and that's what makes it more enjoyable
#19: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:43 pm ----
VorTechS wrote:
At the moment I'm quite liking the fact that it's OEM. As is the bank balance for the change in insurance costs, which has literally halved.
Hang on a minute, the premium, or the balance?
MattyP wrote:
As Sim will agree, these just a smile on your face, had mine for 4yrs and was the best car i've ever owned
What a machine! And the ways it went of getting back to VorTechS'! Will never forget, and would do it again any time of day.
Either of the GTis is worth preserving, and the joyride is very much so!
#20: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:16 am ----
Sim wrote:
VorTechS wrote:
At the moment I'm quite liking the fact that it's OEM. As is the bank balance for the change in insurance costs, which has literally halved.
Hang on a minute, the premium, or the balance?
Hehe, the premium. So much cheaper to have a standard GTi than a modified 1.6. Although Adrian Flux didn't seem to think so, which is why I am no longer insured by them!
#21: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Mon May 21, 2018 11:40 am ---- Time for an update!
VorTechS wrote:
01. VVT Solenoid removal / cleaning / replacement
02. Engine oil flush and replacement
03. Change spark plugs (for the hell of it)
04. Check the coil pack is a Pug one
05. Look at why steering seems to have gone a bit 'stiff'
06. Check / replace fuel sender
07. Swap the 'red' and 'yellow' wires over for the stereo!
08. Replace the cheap wipers
09. Re-hang the exhaust, replacing perishing rubbers
10. Replace the 'faded' SP fuel cap
11. Check / replace discs and pads all round
Thanks to Sim and the guys at Unity, we've been tweaking things forced mainly because I let Mrs VorTechS use the car while I took the 308 on a jaunt to London, and got back to her having broken the clutch!
So. Out of the list above, where are we at:
01. We replaced the VVT with the known working one from Sim's GTi and there was no difference whatsoever on the lumpy idling.
02. No flush, but the oil has been replaced. It came out as black as it looked!
03. Spark plugs. Removed the coil pack and started to pull them out, and my heart sank as the first one was freed and I discovered that it was the dreaded NGKs in there. One was as black as the oil where it hadn't even been fitted properly and I could almost remove it by hand! (If my fat fingers could actually grab it properly)
04. Didn't actually check this, but since the sparks were changed, there's been a drastic improvement
05. Two slowly deflating tyres caused this. No signs of a puncture either on either. I'm going to temporarily replace the alloys with the new ones from the silver one... and have a 'daily' and 'show' set of wheels.
06. Still to do
07. Still to do. Previous issues with the old stereo potentially causing a short have put this on the back burner, although the kids are going to want music when we go on holiday, so definitely something to be done over the summer when I resurrect the Kenwood Keg.
08. Embarrasingly, not done yet!
09. This is part done. The exhaust is still sitting too low, but I can't seem to find the right size hanger!
10. Easily done, although not yet done. Should be done over the next week or so, with the one from the silver bullet.
11. Done! Albeit with a typically stuck one that Sim kindly drilled out. Also, all of the discs only had a single screw in and so I've replaced them all now with aluminium hex ones which hopefully will make life easier come next service time!
But that's not all!
We had to replace the Clutch Slave Cylinder that was leaking, a rear brake hose was also leaking. The ABS failure previously reported was down to the ABS ring on the N/S front splitting. So the driveshaft was replaced and now there's a nice shiny ring! The O/S front is in a bad state too, so will need to be replaced soon. And also, one of the front bearings had gone and needed replacing.
Slowly she's gone from something that sounds tappety and feeling under-powered, into the RAWRing machine that she should be!
#22: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Mon May 21, 2018 10:45 pm ---- The pleasure is all ours, not many 180s are left out there, even more so in red. Great to see one kept on road, alive, and kicking!
03. The loose spark plug most probably gains its darkness from the exhaust fumes backfiring through it.
07. So the fuse has never blown since you've unhooked the radio?
09. Keep reminding me to take a photo of the Scorpion setup on mines
pRRAWR!
#23: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Timon2210, Location: PalestinePosted: Mon May 28, 2018 7:48 am ---- Well I'm glad to see that this project is going nicely,and the car tuning is almost there,it's a nice car,and deserves the full service so that it stay alive for more years to come,keep it going my friend
#24: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:24 pm ---- With VorTechS kindly handing over the care of the car, I'm happy to join her preservation society
Unsure if that's ever happened here, when another member trods on the same project.
The car had been sheltered from the rain, yet receiving the best of British winds to keep any moisture out
All that's until my missus said it'd be cool to buy back the GTC VXR, as she'd like to drive something sportier than her 1.6 CC (hearing that from someone who two years ago was petrified at the mere idea of driving anything, makes me smile from ear to ear:) -- that and also needing to get my fix for finally driving around in a 180 again!
Well, I couldn't buy the VXR, but now I had two 180s to choose from: Blue Jay being mechanically sound but with ominous noises under the cambelt cover, or this Red one, which had its belt changed recently enough.
I'm still building up to the timing belt in an engine bay setup as tight as 180's, and would like to put that fun aside for the long and calm winter nights.
So it was time to get the Red out and give her a good lookin' over!
First bringing up to temp, cooling fan didn't come on on any of the speeds, and that's where I found the powderised power cable <- click there to see how I got the high speed back on. But that kicks in only at 110℃.
It seems the thermal resistor was also a dud, which engages the low speed circuit.
Thankfully my trusty 1.4 HDi could donate a working one:)
With the risk of cooking the engine out of the way, the Red began its 50 yard journey to the unit.
Alas soon enough as I maneuvered her into the bay, the steering became stiffer and I knew far too well the pressure sensor gave up on this one too (trying my best to keep the double entendre at bay here). Shut the engine off immediately and started mopping up the spillage.
As I am a glass-half-full type of person, could comfort in thinking that hydraulic fluid spillage will prevent the engine bay from rusting:))
Seems the new PAS pressure sensor has a replacement part number of a reworked design, no wonder why!
There was however a distinct reason why this blowout had happened: the low pressure piping must have gotten mangled somewhere in a recent past, and made the overall pressure too high in the system:
Capt Hindsight says one shouldn't steer the wheel left-right-and-centre when some dubious pipes are hanging off the car (when I only glanced at them once, didn't occur to me they might be bent, thought they were just unclipped..:))
What was an experimental way to straighten them back, was to warm the engine (and PAS fluid), then ask a mate to keep steering the wheels from full lock to another, while blowing a heat gun into the bends, and slowly working the aluminium back to where it should be. Here's the result:
Now just to clip them back in, and start a mileage counter:))
All that said and done, I'm gonna leave you with a riddle for what's to come next:
P.S. VorTechS had them Vortices replaced with Nimrods back in a day All will be well:))
#25: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: MattyP, Location: PlymouthPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 6:38 pm ---- How's the paint on this one?
#26: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Thu Oct 12, 2023 9:41 pm ---- Plastic parts such as rear bumper have the dreaded lacquer peel:
Capt Marvel or Spidey colour theme?:] Anyhoo, deep paint correction will be needed:D
Those parts are being prepped for a re-lacquer (I hope not to ruin it this time:)) including the boot trim
Looks like it's been ages since I washed a light-coloured car, which'd sat for months. The difference is uncanny just after soaking in chems and a bit of pressure washer (the bottom part of the photo):
Really chuffed how she cleaned up
Can't wait for the paint do, but that's been postponed for several weeks:/
Lots of work been going on nevertheless, so watch this space.
P.S. Any takes on the riddle from the previous post?
#27: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: MattyP, Location: PlymouthPosted: Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:01 pm ---- Yeah it's the same with mine but also the roof is showing a lot of lacquer peel, I got a front bumper in better condition to go on but trying to find other parts in the same colour is like trying to win the lotto
#28: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Mon Oct 16, 2023 11:59 am ---- Indeed, VorTechS managed to source a set of KKN bumpers from I think MrWhite, I now swapped the front one over too, looking much better than the rears.
I decided to spray the rear bumper in situ, because taking it off may lead to snapped bolts under the arches (they both look like jagged ends of icecream waffle cones, split one in half already on the CC...)
And since both rear bumpers I've got here are looking sorry for their clearcoat, I'd rather not touch the k-rusty bolts just yet (because they are not removable from the main chassis...)
If my crazy plans for the makeshift spray booth succeed (and the paint-do holds water), you're very welcome to drive up and get e.g. the roof sprayed at our unit here in the West Country:) Got a litre of Rouge Aden too that I won't use all of it up I bet.
#29: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: iainlovatt, Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2023 4:02 pm ---- Nice write up! I'm looking to do the same. Just something about 180's.
#30: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:12 pm ---- Cheers Iain! Indeed there's something about Mary ... er ... EW10J4S, especially when it comes in small packages (our Pugs:) Looking forward to your write up.
Out with the old, in with the old!.. Plans are to refurb one properly in the near future, as this one might be on its last legs (or arms) too
This marks my 4th swap across three 206s (if you're that bothered, read all about it here, here, and here:).
This time I've learned from the past mistakes, and managed to not bend any brake lines as I maneuvered the still-umbilicated calipers and handbrake cables around the arms of the replacement axle:)
'twas a good time to adjust the exhaust (since it had to be removed anyway), and tick one off VorTechS' checklist (#09 actually, the hangers were of the right size, it's then the clamped joint that sets the orientation)
This very old clamp fell apart while giving a stab at undoing it (expected):
And here comes another hint to the riddle puzzle at the end of the earlier post, this is with the replacement rear axle;)
#31: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2024 11:22 am ----
VorTechS wrote:
14. Sills?
14. Sills!
Here's what happened when I placed an axle stand in prep for swapping out the rear beam last year:) Both car and I had a sinking feeling to the slow crunchy sound The main jack-point support started bending, because the other layers of metal were no longer existing to support it
(Don't be alarmed about the incorrectly replaced stand -- to minimise pressure I simply aimed to increase the contact area that was still somewhat held by the rust:) And took precaution not to sway the car off of it;)
Good job we have our friendly garage panel beater Jimmy, who dealt professionally with the matter at hand(s)
What's been hiding under the paint (or rather what was not there anymore:)
The thickest support only had surface rust, thus gotten straightened back
All waffle-y crusty bits were chopped off around the area
Fabricating the outer body panel part of the sill (he's trying to get by without the sheet folding machine!)
Next steps for the outside will be to obtain a new nylon clip (7136 A5) for pennies from the dealer (original got butchered by Mr Jim during an intrusive cleanup:), then primer, base coat, and clear lacquer.
And yes, it's always good to know both sides of the story:
And of course, all restorers use AutoCAD (Automotive Cardboard Aided Design)
Kurust ahoy
Standing on her own 4 feet again
HB Body Pro Auto Seal Brushable Seamsealer, applied generously with the brush around all the welds.
Then I got advised that the factory-look underseal finish can be achieved by mixing paste-like seamsealer with thinner, until it can be sprayed out of the 5mm airgun. He did it to his classic Merc, and it looked the part.
It looked great ... for the first few minutes. What we didn't realise is that the primer underneath will react with the thinner, and the sealer just sagged
I did my best to repair with the brush, and it cured to something that's certainly not a factory look:D It didn't happen to his Merc, because he used a 2K primer... Well thanks for saying that now:D
Notice how there is an intended gap between the metal skins for the drainage (left of the photo). Well whoever sold this car to VorTechS praised the "FULLY WAXOILED UNDERSIDE", where in fact it was the black underseal generously applied into all of the drain holes, so sills were probably full of water most of the time... Heard horror stories of water sloshing when car brakes, and water trickling down for hours after drilling a hole in a sill.
Getting there, closer to the final painting weekend:)
#32: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: VorTechS, Location: Gloucestershire, UKPosted: Fri May 03, 2024 1:57 pm ---- Nice to see her getting the attention she deserves! It's a shame the house move meant I couldn't keep her. And with Faye's health deteriorating since the move, the only Pug we have left now is the daily 2008.
God I miss that 308 GTi!
The PAS issue is a bit odd. I know I nudged her a bit, but there was definitely not anything hanging down.
I did do some work on the coolant system, which is where I spotted the dreaded fan wires were rusted and fitted the donated fan, after having to hack it apart because it wasn't a straight swap. I'd have noticed something hanging down I'm sure!
Perhaps it got caught when you stored her away (knowing where you stored it away to start with!)
At some point, I shall have to come buy the unit. I've got a tub full of little bits (trim clips etc) and a spare Ecsta tyre which is basically brand new, but got a puncture within a week of buying it, which has been plugged. I can bring those with me. Might even be some SP stuff lurking....
#33: Re: The "Sexy Beast": GTi 180 Preservation Project Author: Sim, Location: West CountryPosted: Thu May 23, 2024 11:33 am ---- No worries pal, she's in good hands:) (I'm speaking on Jimmy's behalf here:))
It's possible PAS pipes took the beating when loading her onto the beaver-tail. At any rate, will keep an eye out on those:)
You're always welcome at the unit! Gimme a shout and we'll sync up on that:)
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and enjoy it,the service plan is very good,and about the fault code you got it's either a faulty solenoid or the timing is done,but not done right.
All will be well:))
