New kid on the block!

Good afternoon ladies and gents,
My names Rocky and I live in Colchester. I bought my 20v turbo nearly 18 months ago, drove it for a few weeks, and then put it into storage and it’s been there ever since! I took her to Roger at Power Italia for a comprehensive health check and there is a fair few jobs that need doing. I am going to start on them in the next few weeks, once my car is moved around in the storage unit, as it’s at the back of a row of about 15 cars in front!
As a complete noob to this (and no mechanical knowledge whatsoever!) is there any parts that I should replace as a must that are prone to failure? I would like to get most of the stuff done as it needs an mot at the same time.
I’ve added the list of jobs that Roger found need doing ASAP and/or for car to pass mot.

Welcome Rocky, yes number one would be oil cooler pipes which I'd be able to supply, bad of me to push my business I know but tbh mine are the only ones that fit properly, ask Roger as he buys them from me

Next brakes, new comp vales I stock and the springs, then get those horrid Apex springs off as they're shite!

The rest of the list is pretty straightforward.

Welcome Rocky, Great that you have joined the fold and have the luxury of some space to work with / on the Coupe. You have a good starting point with your list from Roger and am sure you will get some great tips from the guys and girls here.

From my experience first and foremost will be to establish how much of a corrosion issue could be lurking and to address that as thoroughly as possible. Hopefully it will only need minor work but sills, rear quarter panels, boot floor seams and inner arches are prone.There are how to guides here to help where to check, Given the car has been stored a while it seems there are already-sticking brakes / handbrake gremlins and the fuel could be in need of replacing.
Cambelt, tensioners and water pump will need sorting if has not been replaced in last 5 years / or mileage over say 60k since last changed. Cooling hoses are also worth checking particularly the “CHOD” as it’s known at the back of the engine.

The Crankshaft sensor would also be worth swapping as I found out myself recently.

There is plenty of support here and am sure you will get a list of jobs and ideas for suppliers in your area who can help

Hope you are able to enjoy the coupe on the road soon and by the way club membership has some benefits that could prove helpful

Ashley

I'd be looking at changing the cambelt unless you have evidence of it being changed within the las 3-4 years. Do the auxiliary belt as well as if that goes it can take out the cambelt with disastrous results.

Hi Rocky and welcome to the forum, as you see there is no short shortage of good advice on here

Pics are always welcome!

Thanks for info about the pipes, let me know how much as I need them! I bought new brake compensator from Euro Car Parts for £40 in one of their rare 80% off sales, instead of the £240+ they normally charge. Got the spring also but from eBay so not sure if it’s right. Apex springs are definitely going, it doesn’t handle nice at all, and seeing as the top mounts have been put in the wrong way round by previous owner, it’s bouncy as hell and uncomfortable!!

Hey Ashley
Thanks for your message. My plan is to get it through an MOT before the summer and enjoy before winter sets in and then start a full resto through the winter, with the engine out, bodywork done etc. I will be looking for someone who can do the bodywork in the very near future so I can get that organised for the winter time.

I have paid membership as of yesterday so just waiting for the approval from admin ☺️

Hi Pete I have no proof of it being done and it’s on my list for the winter when I do a complete resto with engine out, that’s going to keep me stressed over the cold months 😂

I’ve added photos to photobucket but can’t get the share link to work as per the how to! I hope they can be viewed below by clicking on them.....



https://app.photobucket.com/u/johnsonrocky365/p/654c3eef-72be-43ea-8929-8d183ce55fb4

https://app.photobucket.com/u/johnsonrocky365/p/7bb0bb51-15ff-47d2-bc5c-f2b96852722d

https://app.photobucket.com/u/johnsonrocky365/p/5406e564-37fd-40c4-bf8d-a265f124edfc

Would be worth checking the carpets around the front footwells too for sticky/smelly dampness (esp. driver's side) which might point to a leaky heater matrix.

Also have a look at your bonnet release cable for fraying where it loops around the front rh bulkhead - shine a torch in the slots there to see it. You don't need that failing on you at the wrong time...

For some reason my heater box has been wired to permanent live so I have to leave it disconnected, otherwise it will melt itself even with the engine off! I have checked the foot wells on both sides and appear dry. I do need to check the bonnet cable, although it works currently. What I really need is to have someone check it over again, so done who is somewhat obsessive about detail like me haha

If you have no proof they've been done, don't wait for winter before changing the aux belts. The cam belt can wait, but if the aux belt breaks the cambelt often eats it and then the cambelt eats the engine...

Neil

Thanks for the clarification, will get a price to get it done. My bill to get it ready just for the summer is getting higher and higher by the minute

Someone knows more about cars then they're letting on as not many understand the mounts are handed

I wish I could say that I am modest of one’s knowledge, but I honestly have no clue on mechanics. It was Roger that noticed them on my health check with him. He said either the previous owner was stupid enough to put them in wrong, or they done it to give the car a ‘coil over’ bounce and stance to the car. That along with Apex springs just makes for a nasty drive!!

What colour is your Coupé? I've just moved to Colchester so will keep an eye out for it

I'm laughing at your sig pic Ryan, you've been at Joe's too much

Great plans from the sounds of it Rocky. Glad you’ve joined the club and look forward to sending out your membership pack

As that sorcery I witnessed at Joe's worked on Bumblebee, I'm going to try it on Snoopy

Swearing at them does work

Sorry for late reply! It’s dark red (not sure on colour name!) with tan leather. It spends most of its life in storage but when it’s out maybe we can organise a local meet 😉

Thank you and looking forward to eventually meeting other owners and learn some knowledge on these amazing cars!