Danny Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Does every shell station in the country try force sell you chocolate/crap at the counter? Or is it just the ones near me?How easy is an engine swap in an MX5 Mike? I'm guessing access is pretty good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrayvon Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Does every shell station in the country try force sell you chocolate/crap at the counter? Or is it just the ones near me? How easy is an engine swap in an MX5 Mike? I'm guessing access is pretty good. Every shell I've been in does it. As do Nisa stores...kinda annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Engine swap is an afternoon's work if you have the tools (engine crane) and experience, probably a full day for a first time. It should last a bit longer though Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Does every shell station in the country try force sell you chocolate/crap at the counter? Or is it just the ones near me? How easy is an engine swap in an MX5 Mike? I'm guessing access is pretty good. Apparently an engine swap isn't too tricky, but that's something I won't be attempting. There's a guy that runs a VW garage fairly near me, he did work on my Leon for silly low prices, he specialises in engine swaps so I'd get him to do it. 1.6 engines seem fairly readily available so it should be OK, I'll run this one to death then get it swapped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 TF Track Day of Win can be its swan song 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) I need to get decent breakdown cover, currently I can only get towed 10 miles on my policy. Anyone familiar with decent cheap policies that will tow me home? EDIT: I also might need people to push me far enough away from the track that it doesn't look obvious too Edited February 9, 2015 by MadManMike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Rainbird Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 I won't be going back south until the following weekend - does Robin have a towbar?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinJI Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 If I'm in the 406 I do, but I'm kind of hoping I don't have to resort to bringing that! If I'm in the Scirocco (which I should be if I pull my finger out soon), I've got a towing eye and a rope, but no actual towing hitch. Seized/damaged oil control rings are very very unlikely to cause any kind of catastrophic failure. As long as you keep the oil topped up you'll be able to thrash it as long as you want and all that'll happen's that the oil consumption might get worse, it shouldn't actually stop running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Is there not a solvent that can be used to ungum the control rings? Thinking pour down the bores and leave to soak for a day or two? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Oil consumption getting worse - check. Just drove home and had to top it up again. Mine's on about 144k so I'll see if I can source a cleaner, low mileage engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Don't worry about the mileage if it's in good condition. Ungumming the rings - I'm not sure, I haven't looked into it myself, could be worth a shot though! Edit: Few ideas in here: http://www.smartz.co.uk/showthread.php?18122-Ungumming-Stuck-Piston-Rings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.M Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) I've got a towbar provided I'm not the one who breaks down! I suppose anyone's towing eye will do though. Anyone got a rope? Mike, it's not exactly super cheap but I think I pay about £85-£90 a year for AA cover. You can obviously pay monthly if you want. For that price they will take me home no matter where I am in the country. Edit: Danny, I can't post on mobile. When I click post it immediately takes me to the home page. Has something changed? Edited February 9, 2015 by Pete.M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Yeah I did some quotes earlier and £80 seems to be the going rate for that service. That's not bad really, I've broken down in the middle of nowhere before and would happily have paid £80 to avoid the shit that was involved! Like Robin says, I guess it'll be fine, just need to keep lots of oil in the boot. I'm on the hunt for a bargain engine and I know a guy that will fit it for beer tokens, so that's cool. Cheers for the link Adam, having a look now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Can't help on the pass/fail aspect of it, but presumably the section that's making contact isn't bare cable or could be cased in an outer (think MTB brake cable outer) that would cause minimal issues and/or be easier to re-route a little to avoid/limit the problem? yes it will fail. its to do with having nothing effect the ability to control the vehicle. The standard handle rubs against the seat, so I guess I'll just have to make the seat fit as tightly against the centre tunnel as possible and then rework the handbrake mounting points in order to get around the issue, the joys of fitting non standard parts eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Weird, Adrian Flux will let me fit new front seats for £13 but won't insure me if I remove my rear ones... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartMini Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 i had it before with my classic mini where the MOT tester complained about the amount of play/flex in the dash where the steering column mounted to. (you could grab the steering wheel and move it up and down.) As i explained to him, thats exactly as it came out of the factory! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Weird, Adrian Flux will let me fit new front seats for £13 but won't insure me if I remove my rear ones... "Computer says no." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dann2707 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Think my gearbox has just died. Great timing!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 It's whoever my actual policy is with that says no annoyingly. The fact they will let me swap my seats is good seeing as they don't usually allow modifications, I just claimed that the stock ones were uncomfortable and I wanted to do longer journeys. My policy ends July so I'll get all my replacement bits ready for the new policy So far I either have/have the parts to make/intend to buy: Subaru Impreza seats Rear seat delete Wheel spacers (until I convert to 5 stud wheels) Saab 9000 lower valance trimmed to fit the front 944 rear valance Rear half cage Convert front struts to coil over Vented pop up lamp cover I want to to be a track orientated car that can still be used as a daily, this means the cage may end up being an issue I really want to go wide arch but I'm trying to do the cheaper stuff right now until the engine swap happens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 (edited) I cut out the temp gauge holes in my dash speaker cover thingy, it needs posts to secure it and then wrapping in brown vinyl. Also I drilled out some bolts so I can bond in the sensor and then I'll figure out where I am going to fit it, I may make a tube with a nut welded in. One sensor is going to be coolant temp and the other I guess will just be outside temperature as that's always handy to know. Edited February 9, 2015 by CurtisRider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Found an engine in Bideford for £100. The only thing that puts me off is that it hasn't been used in 18 months. Opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurtisRider Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 If that's your only concern then go for it, just whack oil down the piston bores before starting so they don't run dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadManMike Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 I've had another offer, £100 based in Lichfield - just waiting on details as they're the same journey, just opposite directions. If it's lower mileage and described as better condition / recently used, I'll go for that instead. Looks like I have options anyway, that's cool - £100 isn't bad at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Plenty of frequent oil changes after its in and running to remove any deposits it's gained while stood and you'll be golden. A drop of oil down the bores and winding it over on the starter without plugs in to ensure there's a good amount of oil where it should be never hurts either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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