Hi Guys,

Saturday May 28th again hosts the All Ireland Italian Motor Day which is organised by the Northern Ireland Italian Motor Club (www.niimc.net). It’s a great day out to meet up with owners of Italian Cars. The last couple of years it’s been in the grounds of the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum in Cultra, but this year it’s being held in Lagan Valley Island Centre Lisburn which is easily accessible from the South with the M1/A1.

I’ve been 2 out of the last three years and I recommend it highly.

Apart from me in the LE, the were only 3 other coupés there last year. It would be great to have a better turnout from the Club this year.

For a taste of what was on view last year, check out the 2010 Pictures

So c'mon, put your names down and make the effort!!


1. daithi28- 1998 Black LE

Do you have to sign up or just show up on the day

Hi tierney,

You can just turn up on the day. Show runs from 10.30/11 til 4pm.

Hmmm I may need to try it... A matching LE twinset perhaps :-) though I could do with a paint job

Triplets you mean.....James from the NIIMC will be there with his silver LE!!
Come along. Sure if you don't enjoy it you can always go shopping in Sprucefield or in the Outlet in Banbridge!

Hi Guys,

Back on the road this week so I might get her polished up for this one.

I will have to check out a few things first but it would look positive at the moment. I have not been yet and it does look like a great day out.

Daithi, I could meet you and we head up together if that suits.

CollieD

Hi Colin,

Glad you're back on the road and glad you're going! I'll be coming from Castlewellan but I could meet you in Banbridge if you want, say at the Outlet?

Will check with you closer to the time.

Daithi,

I will have it confirmed in next few days.

Bandbridge would be fine if that is not too much out of the way for you. Where ever suits you as "I dont mind driving one bit".

Great to get back out in her.

Regards

CollieD

Hi Daithi,

Put my name on the list for the sprinty. Should be a great day.

CollieD

So c'mon, put your names down and make the effort!!


1. daithi28- 1998 Black LE
2. CollieD- 1996 20vt Sprint Blue

Can't make this sorry

Hi Daithi, are you not two years out on my sprinty. 98 she is. Ha! Ha!

CollieD

Hi Darmtb,

Hope your well. We have to get a meet with you all over the summer.

Anyone else out there??

CollieD

D'oh!!

On a completely random topic, I always thought your 'handle' of darmtb was some random expression of Darren but pronounced Darm Tee Bee.

It's just struck me that its probably Dar MTB as you're a MounTain Biker?

Am I right? It's Friday, I'm hallucinating and I wanna go home!

Hi guys - passed MOT this morning (minor miracle) and would love to have come along next weekend. Unfortunately cant.
Any ideas about lots of smoke when cold - still driving OK - smokes fades when warmed up.

Sounds like oil seals on your turbo are on their way out.

You'll get thick white smoke about 30 seconds after startup from cold. It'll clear once the engine is warmed up and you're driving.

It'll start smoking again if you leave the engine idling for a few minutes.

When the engine is off if you take off the intake pipework to the turbo and get your finger into the turbo itself and feel for the shaft (fnarr fnarr!), if you notice any play in the shaft then that's your culprit- smoke caused by oil passing through the seals of the turbo and being burned off.

You'll need a new turbo or a refurbished one. Try Turbo Technics, Turbo Dynamics or Midland Turbo in the UK. All with do refurbished units. Perhaps spend a bit more and get a 360 degree thrust bearing aswell.

Hope this helps

Yup it's a turbo. Got on from CR Turbos in uk in jan 10. Still going well was a new T28.
You'll get away with it for a few weeks but it will get embarrassing in traffic before you know it. U Shud still b able to go though 

I got my turbo from Turbo Technics in May 2008, a standard T28 replacement. They sent me on a refurbished unit first of all and then after it had been fitted, I sent back my old turbo unit on an exchange basis.

It's done 35,000 miles and it's still going strong.

Simples!

daithi - approx how much is a new/refurbed turbo - is it a (reasonably competent) DIY job?

Hi rintyh,

The refurbed turbo was about Stg£400 and was a standard T28. I'll check the exact price tonight when I pull out the service folder. I didn't go for the 360 degree thrust bearing, which I regret. I thik it was only £80 more. The price did include postage which was hefty as it weighed about 10kg.

I think prices may be cheaper these days though.

A brand new Garrett T28 will be expensive, probably around £650+ for standard and about £700 for 360 bearing.

There is a full "How to Guide" for Turbo replacement HERE!

I paid a garage to do mine.

Hope this helps

Am taking it over to East Coast Customs in Lisburn at the weekend just so that firstly they can confirm that the problem is definitely the turbo.

Well looking dodgy if I make it to Lisburn or not this weekend. The coolant system decided to overheat and piss itself driving home today. Looks like it was on the right hand side up by the thermostat section. I spotted the red warning light then looked a dials n noticed the temp clock on the rise to the start of the red sector. I pulled in and stopped the engine. Noticed some steam. Checked the oil cap n it looked clean. I relieved the pressure in the expansion tank which had some liquid still in it. Fingers crossed it aint the head gasket or I'll be majorly upset. Did I catch it in time for the head gasket not to blow? I'm hoping it's a hose around the area of thermostat... I even have a spare CHOD in the boot, but I don't think its it either. Got towed n dropped to my dealer, I'll know it's fate tomorrow....

Hi Alfex,

I hope it turns out okay and you make it up to this which should be a good day out.

CollieD

Well if you're at East Coast Customs on Saturday, you have no excuse not to come to the Italian Day, turbo smoking or not! It's only a few miles away

Thanks CollieD well good news, mechanic says I just about avoid head gasket damage. It was 2 hose failures, the CHOD (hose of death) of which I requested a check on a month ago. Luckily I bought one as spare. Will be getting a temp fix on other hose, awaiting replacement from Italy. If I manage to get it back n confident on temp hose then may make the journey.
I'd try n catch up with the coupes as a group being my first time at this, I might b shy lol.
A

Hi Alfex,

thats good news that you got it in time.

It pays to have the "coupe paranoia" and drive with one eye on the clocks and one on the road.

If you think its okay then definitely join the group and dont be shy, as we all have something in common.

CollieD

Got it back this evening and it's driving well let's not talk about the bill!
So if I make it up are people meeting somewhere to meet and arrive in force?
A

Hi Alfex,

I am meeting Daithi at the Banbridge outlet centre at ten in the morning and should be up there at 10.30 am for show kick off.

I will pm my mobile number, give me a shout if this suits or when you get up there.

It should be a good day out.

CollieD

Spot on

How was the meet?