What did you do to your Marina today?

[MarinaCoupe]

If the belt has snapped it suggests that the regular maintenance has been poor. I would be tempted to change the oil and oil filter, check the plugs and points and with winter coming flush the cooling and add fresh antifreeze.

[Kilroy]

Actually - I would suggest a slightly more specific approach.

Fanbelts do not often snap - so it is possible that there may have been some situation that it found impossible.
I would make sure to check that your water pump and alternator turn freely and do not have any excess movement in their bearings.

It sounds as if you narrowly avoided cooking your motor - take heed of the warning shot and do not just assume that replacing the belt is enough.

Not wanting to be the prophet of doom - just want to save you from any unnecessary damage.

[Kilroy]

Hey all.
My red estate has been suffering from the condition of the post-earthquake roads here.
It is hard to describe, but the road surfaces are extremely random and holes can develop in the course of 1 day - so on the way home there is something that was not there this morning.
Because they are working to repair so many roads, there are streams of trucks moving about, and often they toss large stones out from between their dual wheels and these create havoc.
So far I have lost 3 headlights, 2 tyres, and 1 windscreen to the carnage.
Except for 1 tyre, all of these have been on my red estate - as it is my work vehicle and has been on the road every day since the earthquakes happened.
I was very fortunate that it had a laminated screen when the rock hit - I think I would have had a face full of glass otherwise.

So.

I took it off the road about 3 weeks ago.
Stripped and rebuilt the front suspension - the left trunnion was throwaway.
Repaired quite a few rust spots along the top of the front sills in the door openings.
Had some major rust repairs in front of the rear wheel arches.
Had a few rattle cans made up from the colour of the petrol flap. The match is absolutely amazing.
Have repainted both sides around those areas.
Havn't cut it yet...





Today I was mostly removing the broken windscreen. Came out very easily although it broke even further in the process.



I was absolutely thrilled to find what was under the screen rubber after cleaning up..





This vehicle has now covered 250,000K and is almost ready to hit the next 100,000.
These Marinas are so durable I can't believe it.
This car has one of my 2 litre conversions, and I am missing the extra poke it offers over a standard 1700.
As soon as the screen is fitted it will be straight in for a wof and back on the road.

Love these cars.!
Cheers.

[MarinaCoupe]

Prepped the Pickup for the winter, fresh antifreeze, checked tyre pressures, the battery is newish, the oil and filter new, gearbox and rear axle oil checked. Wipers checked.

Went for an hours 'test drive', luvvin the little car more and more.

Only problem is the heater motor isn't working. No time to investigate today, but I'm going to need it to demist the screen, so more investigation next weekend.

[Number 63]

Thats looking great for the miles and abuse it has taken Kilroy.

[Kilroy]

Right you are number 63 - I am pleasantly surprised.!

I have also taken care of a few small toxic areas that were troubling me - had not previously thought that I could do so myself - but having read the exploits of all you lot over there - I was encouraged enough to give it a go.

What I have just reaffirmed - is that nobody else will ever give as much care and attention to your job as you will yourself. Whilst any paid establishment must be mindful of making any given job pay - doing it yourself means that you persevere until you are happy with the finished product.

Different game altogether.

If I were able - I would pay Frank absolutely millions to do for me the level of stuff he shows us on this site. Unfortunately - a. he is too far away, and b. I don't have the millions just yet.!

I'm not kidding here - I value Marinas enough to spend a large portion of my money on them. They do everything I require a car to do, plus they please me immensely every time I drive them, plus they are a more unique choice of vehicle these days than a Bugatti Veyron.
Check the numbers if you dispute that.!

Oh - I could go on....

[locost_bryan]

Oh - I could go on....

Please do....

It's always a pleasure to read your musings on Marinas. My favourite "muttering rotters" have always been the ones who infused their writing with their passion for the automobile (especially the quirky and characterful ones).

[crashbang]

Fitted a new rear anti roll bar to the back with better rubbers in and not bent. not Shaw how I bent the bar but I think it was when I was over taking a car and the back wheel bounce over a tree root now it's back to working I can start driving the Shit out of it

[locost_bryan]

Fitted a new rear anti roll bar to the back with better rubbers in and not bent. not Shaw how I bent the bar but I think it was when I was over taking a car and the back wheel bounce over a tree root now it's back to working I can start driving the Shit out of it

Should we dare ask where you were overtaking that had big tree roots? The M1 through Nottingham Forest?

[PHUQ]

Today we went on a little, somewhat unplanned, adventure...

This involved a friend's Land Rover and trailer:


And a trundle down the A46, to what passes for the Big City 'round these parts. A meander around a rather hectic industrial estate on the east side of "Brizzle", followed by some rather natty trailer reversing skills from my driver revealed something of interest.

My (very tolerant) young lady was kind enough to assist with loading..



Having successfully escaped from Bristol (biiiiig hill + tired Land Rover + loaded trailer = a long slog!), we headed North with the new acqusition:



And managed to get it offloaded without a.) seriously annoying any neighbours and b.) it going dark.







I know there was some interest in this on the forum, but I went to have a look last Saturday mostly 'cos I was nosy, and we fancied a day off from working on my friend's Dolomite that provides most of our entertainment. Buying it was certainly an option, but not an intention. However when we looked at it, it was so good that I really felt I should at least discuss the money situation...



My friend was under strict instructions from both myself and (more importantly) Laura not to let me buy it unless it was both very, very good and vaguely sensibly priced. He told me I'd be silly not to buy it, so I did

I apologise to those that were watching/ planning to bid on/ already bidding on the auction, not something I'd normally do but I hadn't heard anything definite on here (or Facebook) and having seen it couldn't risk it falling into the hands of a banger or whatever (or not meeting the reserve, and them recouping their outlay by hoiking the rest of the running gear, suspension etc off). And anyway, I had permission

[vermillion]

Thanks for stealing it out from under my nose. And I didn't need permission. Just biding my time. Never mind, at least it's been saved. Well done and I hope you get all my enjoyment out of it.

Gary.

[PHUQ]

I paid a damn sight more than the "less than the starting bid" you were prepared to pay Gary. I actually went down and had a chat to them instead of pontificating online (yes, location helped) and there's no way they'd have sold it for that- it's brakes and suspension would be on their parts shelf, some trim bits on ebay and the rest in a cube. The reserve was quite some way above the start bid, and they wanted it collected this weekend or at the very latest next as they have a very full yard.

[Kilroy]

I listed it for sale..!!

I hope you will read the text.
It suddenly occurred to me while I was polishing it today - the best answer yet for the Clarkson set...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 407256.htm



Sad to see it leave.

Cheers.

[Retroreject]

Changed the front brake discs for the first time. Been putting it off but got stuck in today despite
sporadic rain!. Removed the exhaust downpipe clamp, cleaned up and re-sealed as it had started
to blow from the join and had actually started to effect performance. Adjust tick over as it was running
a bit slow and its a lot more perky now The mini in the background is my mates. After checking for lack
of power..the verdict is It's decided it wants a new head gasket



Next for the Marina is a steering rack change. The bush on the passenger side end has long given up the ghost,
resulting in a pronounced clonk every time you go over a bump. Might have a go next week if I can sum up the enthusiasm!

[ado28]

Changed the front brake discs for the first time. Been putting it off but got stuck in today despite
sporadic rain!. Removed the exhaust downpipe clamp, cleaned up and re-sealed as it had started
to blow from the join and had actually started to effect performance. Adjust tick over as it was running
a bit slow and its a lot more perky now The mini in the background is my mates. After checking for lack
of power..the verdict is It's decided it wants a new head gasket



Next for the Marina is a steering rack change. The bush on the passenger side end has long given up the ghost,
resulting in a pronounced clonk every time you go over a bump. Might have a go next week if I can sum up the enthusiasm!

I have minis in my garden too lol

Today Reynard got a bit of attention. I Resealed the exhaust where it joins the manifold. I really need to try and make up a new steady clamp as it doesn't have one and constantly breaks the seal. Next job on Reynards list is front disks and pads. Got the bits in stock but the minis are eating up my free time at the moment.

Sean