Ryan's Micra Blog

[flyboypuoi]

New front wipers as the old ones were beyond their useable life.
I can already tell that these are worth their cost, the cheapest I could find. Still, they work fine for now.
Trying out the spoiler on the right one. Didn't think I'd want it initially but the more I see it the more I like it. Doesn't really work much though.

New 42-LED bulbs for the air controls box. Finally falling apart since I partially broke one.
I've got some more goodies on their way too.

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[flyboypuoi]

Bought myself a decent deal at Halfords!

Can't wait to try these out. First though, some pretty shots.
Symmetrical reverse lights!

And the fancy fog lights.

Got my new fuel filter today as stage 1 for the fuelling repair. It's quite a lot bigger!
Interestingly when I pulled off the cover on the top after fitting it on the bottom, a load of air blew out/in.

It still fits and the bracket holds it more or less.
When I first started the engine it was idling at like 500RPM, so weird. I guess while the fuel lines repressurised. Didn't like throttle input for a few seconds but then kicked back to life. New filter successfully installed. Without even catching fire or exploding!

Thought I could take apart the donor some more. I got this far and realised I should really drain all fluids and AC gas before continuing.

Also was making Snapchat videos for fun.

 

[flyboypuoi]

Been out driving a lot today! 3 hour journey there and again back. Some great roads through Wales though. Horseshoe Pass was incredible.
I was there buying a wrap-around spoiler from a fellow member! A nice SR there with those rims that I love.

There it is! Not fitted yet, just placed there to see how it is.
I'm going to Halfords again to see if they can make me some paint. I'm going for the body colour, and while I have some, I can repaint my donor's fuel flap (the keyless one) and take that too!

Nothing else to report other than a whole bunch of stuff suddenly isn't working. Will fix at some point.

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[flyboypuoi]

I've begun painting. Not too bad of a job to be fair. Not perfect but it'll do for me. First I cleaned and sanded the spoiler. I also ground off the remains of the screws

Next up was primer.

And then time to have a go with this colour that Halfords mixed for me. The colour is BW3. Named "Tornado Green (metallic)", though I've always known it as Tornado Grey.

Looks pretty good!
I then fitted the fuel flap.
This took quite a bit of fiddling. The remote lever is difficult to work with. Got it working in the end though. Had to make a bracket for the boot release. Fuel flap opens every time and the boot opens most times, I'm happy with that.

Now I just wanted to see how the spoiler looks on the car.

Later on I realised that as I had put barely any lacquer coat on, it was rough and didn't shine.
So I added it to both the fuel flap and the spoiler.

Looks a bit patchy, I know. It's been a bit windy today. Also the paint is quite thin on the lower right. But. It'll do.
Here is the comparison between the two European spec spoilers.

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[flyboypuoi]

Took the air intake from the donor and put it in Cassie. Used my old filter, the donor had a K&N cone but it looked pretty rough. I can now use the throttle from the engine bay! Sounds better now too.

Just trying out orange bulbs in the sidelights.

Random picture.

My new indicators arrived. From Taiwan, land of the Super March. Though these are just aftermarket, I think.

Test fit in the donor.

Some people say they don't fit. They are bigger with the rubber seal, and the rear is bigger. But they fit. Good luck getting them out though.
The connector is different, so I just used the old ones with orange bulbs, and put it in with tape.

So. This year's failed MOT consisted of the usual holes in sills, and this time a leaky fuel filler, and exhaust blowing & failing on emissions (just about).
Fuel filler has been giving me many problems so it was good to replace it. Got to use all my new kit too.

The old one... geeez.

Fuel came out... quite a bit. None on the donor car though.

Comparison between the one on the donor and Cassie's one. Oh dear.

So used to seeing half a circle there!

Looks good.

Cleaned up pretty well. And with the new keyless flap, everything here is better. Notice the inside is still silver.

Thought while I could, I'd repaint the rear brakes a bit as they'd lost their paint again.

Also, took a wheel from the donor to use as the spare. So much more tread, also not brown. I did put some paint on this too.

Suspension lowered... yet raised.

Found the hole in the filler, after pushing my thumb into it. The whole thing is soft.

Found this badge in the donor. First facelift? Looks much nicer, more retro-style. Will replace at some point.

For now though, I'm getting around by bike (had to go fetch from my old area. Hadn't ridden in over a year).
Until I can get my sills patched!

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[flyboypuoi]

Haven't posted in ages because I've been using my bike alone, and I've been abroad. Thought I'd share my new car that I bought over there.

Shares many parts with the K10!

Anyway, I've finally started doing stuff again.
Removed this panel from the engine bay. It's summer time here and hot, a much more direct flow of air to the engine should make sure it doesn't get too hot. Also weight reduction.

While I was there I added the horn from my donor. Now there are four. I like to be heard.
I took off the second facelift badge, not so fond on the font or chrome.

Comparison...

And there it is. Superglued on.

I then went to the shop and bought glue for the spoiler. Sanded and painted it (and the fuel flap) too so it's a bit better.
Was a little messy getting it on, but not bad overall. Some of the white glue was showing, so most of it I removed, the rest I coloured with my touch-up paint.

Next time I'll hopefully do what I was planning on doing in the first place: Fixing the footwell lighting, adding a front ceiling light, removing the unused superlock wiring and putting the fog light on the dash back in place.

Considering putting a diode between the high beam/flash and front fog switch, so they come on together (but highs don't come on with fogs)

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[LiamC]

Haven't posted in ages because I've been using my bike alone, and I've been abroad. Thought I'd share my new car that I bought over there.

Shares many parts with the K10!

Anyway, I've finally started doing stuff again.
Removed this panel from the engine bay. It's summer time here and hot, a much more direct flow of air to the engine should make sure it doesn't get too hot. Also weight reduction.

While I was there I added the horn from my donor. Now there are four. I like to be heard.
I took off the second facelift badge, not so fond on the font or chrome.

Comparison...

And there it is. Superglued on.

I then went to the shop and bought glue for the spoiler. Sanded and painted it (and the fuel flap) too so it's a bit better.
Was a little messy getting it on, but not bad overall. Some of the white glue was showing, so most of it I removed, the rest I coloured with my touch-up paint.

Next time I'll hopefully do what I was planning on doing in the first place: Fixing the footwell lighting, adding a front ceiling light, removing the unused superlock wiring and putting the fog light on the dash back in place.

Considering putting a diode between the high beam/flash and front fog switch, so they come on together (but highs don't come on with fogs)

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Really nice car, haven't seen it for a while so it's good to see its still around. Just wondering what light you are going to use for your front interior light, I have a p11 primera one that looks like a perfect fit

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[flyboypuoi]

Really nice car, haven't seen it for a while so it's good to see its still around. Just wondering what light you are going to use for your front interior light, I have a p11 primera one that looks like a perfect fit

Sent from my SM-G903F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Hey LiamC, thanks
It's actually the boot light from the donor car. I've cut away all of the excess stuff, so all that's left is the flat lens. I've got an unused interior light (that doesn't fit anyway) that I've put together, and will go where the little plastic clip is in the middle at the front.
I've done a test fit in the donor, it's not too bad.
I've actually had the whole setup ready to install for ages. Hopefully it doesn't look too bad!

 

[LiamC]

Hey LiamC, thanks
It's actually the boot light from the donor car. I've cut away all of the excess stuff, so all that's left is the flat lens. I've got an unused interior light (that doesn't fit anyway) that I've put together, and will go where the little plastic clip is in the middle at the front.
I've done a test fit in the donor, it's not too bad.
I've actually had the whole setup ready to install for ages. Hopefully it doesn't look too bad!

Ah OK, make sure to update when you do it. I've never seen anyone put in front interior lights so I think we are going into unknown territory. The primera one looks like it's going to fit in perfectly anyway, just need to find the route of the wires from the centre light. From what I can see they go down the b pillar. I think we are kind of going down the same routes of modifications as well, the useful subtle mods style. Anyway, all the best with the car for the future

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[flyboypuoi]

It rained most of today, but it's my only day off so I just fiddled with my car and got soaked.
A test for for the new front ceiling light, a hand-modified boot light. It sticks like velcro.

And held in with the light wired up as a test.

That's the light fitted. The wires go to the left A pillar, with all the rest. It's not held in, the lens does that. It's very tight for space there.

As I had a spare LED strip, I stuck it to the inside of the bonnet. Found an old switch (the old sport light switch) and wired it all in and glued bits. Works really well! The switch doesn't seem to mind water (heavy rain at that point) and the strip itself is waterproof.

And there's the ceiling light. Just held in with a bit of glue.

Finally fixed the broken footwell lights, and replaced the right side as it had snapped.

The fusebox and relays got even more light this time. Excuse the crappy wiring. It's hell down there, I'll sort it out some day.

Another shot of the engine bay light, as it's a bit darker. The camera doesn't really show it well though.

Still more to do when I have time.
Bought brake shoes for the rear. Just need more sill welding and then it's MOT time.
I also want to repaint all the black bits and repaint the wheels some time soon too.

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[flyboypuoi]

Ah OK, make sure to update when you do it. I've never seen anyone put in front interior lights so I think we are going into unknown territory. The primera one looks like it's going to fit in perfectly anyway, just need to find the route of the wires from the centre light. From what I can see they go down the b pillar. I think we are kind of going down the same routes of modifications as well, the useful subtle mods style. Anyway, all the best with the car for the future

Sent from my SM-G903F using Micra Sports Club mobile app

The interior light wiring goes off to the left, and the forwards, down the front left A pillar.
Probably because it's much easier to pop off the trim there rather than the B pillar. And it goes straight to the loom there. (There isn't much wiring on the left actually)
Make sure to be gentle bending the ceiling fabric, it can crease and leave nasty lines.

Keep me updated, it's very interesting to see how you do it!

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[flyboypuoi]

Have some early morning shots.

Engine bay lighting works really well. I hope it stays that way.

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[LiamC]

The interior light wiring goes off to the left, and the forwards, down the front left A pillar.
Probably because it's much easier to pop off the trim there rather than the B pillar. And it goes straight to the loom there. (There isn't much wiring on the left actually)
Make sure to be gentle bending the ceiling fabric, it can crease and leave nasty lines.

Keep me updated, it's very interesting to see how you do it!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Yeah you were right, they go down the a pillar. I just though they might go down the b since they are nearly lined up together.

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[flyboypuoi]

Had a go at fixing an issue, where the passenger door wouldn't trigger the interior light. In the donor, there were separate wires for each door switch going into the locking box. I just reverted it back to being the same wire, and hey presto, it works again. But, I was expecting to lose the nice fading lights (when the doors close), but it still works, now on both sides!

Quick repair job on my front fog warning. It is still just a loose LED taped into place.

I then had a go at tightening the handbrake.

But I realised it needs to be released in order to tighten. Out of curiosity I took the whole casing apart. Nice and tight now! Also was a great opportunity to clean those panels properly.
Potential future mod, USB charging port(s) behind the little compartment at the back..?

Brakes are on the way, and I'll soon get a new battery. This one is finally dead. Have to bump start nearly every time.

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[flyboypuoi]

I changed the rear brake shoes. They were not fun to do.
They actually seemed to have an acceptable amount of shoe left on them, but the left side seemed to be replaced at a different time to the right.
Still need to work on adjusting the handbrake, otherwise it's there.
The cylinders did both leak a little fluid, only because they got a bit crushed. Seemed to hold the fluid otherwise though. Guess I'll replace them some day.

I now own a drill!
So now is the time to start on those popout rear windows. I still need some stuff, but I have put the rear pocket panels in already as the rest goes on over.
Complete with small LED strips inside for rear lighting.

Will begin cutting the clip holes soon, possibly tomorrow.

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[flyboypuoi]

Night shots!
Looks great with the fading lights when the door closes.

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[flyboypuoi]

More progress towards the popouts. Got the panels in. Had to use my new drill and borrow the dremel (to use like a tiny angle grinder) to make the holes. I initially used masking tape to make a copy of the holes from the donor, but it was a little too inaccurate.
I found it was much simpler to just put the panel in place and let the clips leave scratches where they're meant to be. Luckily those areas are covered by the panels now, so it didn't matter how poorly I had done it.

Found the spare wheel in the donor, looks brand new! Also has an unused Dunlop tyre on there. So again I swap my spare for a better one.

I have unfortunately lost one of the little panel clip things somewhere in the donor, and really can't find it. Think I might just try to get one from someone...

Anyway, this is as far as I go for today. Just waiting on the pack of rivnuts in the post for the windows themselves, then they're going in!

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[flyboypuoi]

Pulled more of the donor apart. Most of the engine bay wiring, the fuel rail, and undid a bunch of things to make sure the screws and bolts aren't seized. Surprisingly, none were, even on the rocker cover!
At the base of the windscreen there you see the original (blue injectors) fuel rail and the upgraded (red) one from the turbo kit.

And now, something I've been meaning to do for ages. ADM style sidelights. I've drilled into the light units from the donor car and poked in a pair of orange LEDs on each side. Front and rear view:

The wiring block.

Fitted

Pleased with how it looks. Nice and subtle.
Good to replace the right headlight too, as it had that huge chip in the glass, and the chrome was worn from where I had touched it. (The chrome is ridiculously thin in the lights. Don't touch it too much.)

Night shots coming later.

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[flyboypuoi]

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[LiamC]

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Loving the look of that, been thinking of doing it to mine for a while now and seeing what it looks like I think I'll give it a go

 

[flyboypuoi]

I had a go at painting the centre console satin black. Looked good! Especially as it matched the switch at the bottom and the power socket.
I was also not really enjoying the messy switch I put on the other.

My car is soon to be back on the road! Welding complete on the sills.

Sadly I ended up messing up the centre console and had to revert to the one already there from the donor.

Today, I got a new battery. Saved almost £10 by having the terminals the other way around! Not kidding!
I had to pull the cables through a bit, it's a little tight but they reach.

Preparing for the MOT, I temporary placed incandescent T10s in the number plate lights as one had water damaged.

Now, hear me out on this next one. Definitely one of the wackiest mods I've done yet.
I don't really like how the inside of the air controls box has two little white plastic things in two corners to reflect the light, it's very cheap and crappy.
My Sunny has a proper reflector, at least.
So I grabbed some foil...

And made strips, and fitted them with the electrical tape I had at hand. And hey, it really does reflect!

Hard to tell by the picture. I took a video of it, it's substantially brighter than the interior lights without the cover.
Two new lights in there too, again 42-LED T10 clusters. Mainly because I broke one. They're actually a bit brighter than before and more pure white.
Here with the cover...

Crazy bright! And with the panel, which I'm now glad is silver...

And with the knobs.

The interior is looking awesome. I can't wait to get her back on the road and spend time in here.

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[LiamC]

I had a go at painting the centre console satin black. Looked good! Especially as it matched the switch at the bottom and the power socket.
I was also not really enjoying the messy switch I put on the other.

My car is soon to be back on the road! Welding complete on the sills.

Sadly I ended up messing up the centre console and had to revert to the one already there from the donor.

Today, I got a new battery. Saved almost £10 by having the terminals the other way around! Not kidding!
I had to pull the cables through a bit, it's a little tight but they reach.

Preparing for the MOT, I temporary placed incandescent T10s in the number plate lights as one had water damaged.

Now, hear me out on this next one. Definitely one of the wackiest mods I've done yet.
I don't really like how the inside of the air controls box has two little white plastic things in two corners to reflect the light, it's very cheap and crappy.
My Sunny has a proper reflector, at least.
So I grabbed some foil...

And made strips, and fitted them with the electrical tape I had at hand. And hey, it really does reflect!

Hard to tell by the picture. I took a video of it, it's substantially brighter than the interior lights without the cover.
Two new lights in there too, again 42-LED T10 clusters. Mainly because I broke one. They're actually a bit brighter than before and more pure white.
Here with the cover...

Crazy bright! And with the panel, which I'm now glad is silver...

And with the knobs.

The interior is looking awesome. I can't wait to get her back on the road and spend time in here.

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You've done a good bit there. Those heater control lights in the picture without the knobs look like they've just come out of tron

 

[flyboypuoi]

You've done a good bit there. Those heater control lights in the picture without the knobs look like they've just come out of tron

Hahah, yeah. Loving those right now.

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[flyboypuoi]

Today was the day! The rivnuts arrived!
I got the rear windows out, which wasn't that easy. In the end I just deliberately destroyed the seals from the outside and pulled them out. Didn't take long once I knew how to do it.
There was a lot of rust damage hidden behind the left side seal! I grinded the rusty bits down and painted over them. Not just to stop the rust but because with the new windows open, it's much more visible.
Now... I couldn't use the rivnuts. I'm sure it would have been okay with the appropriate tool, but as you probably know, I generally don't have any.
So I went for plan B, which I thought up ages ago...

Yes, plan B is the ghetto solution, but it's probably better than using self-tapping screws, which I've heard someone say they used.
In case you can't tell, I've cut rectangles out so that I could slip a nut into the pillar, and screwed it in by that method.
For some noise suppression, I stuffed them with some leftover high-density foam from lining the doors.

In the end, it all went together just fine!

Here's the left side. Just fixing up that nasty paint bubble.

I had to cut the rear panels slightly in order to slot them in, due to the ghetto method.

I added foam at the back and topped it with regular black foam to hide it a bit.
I forgot to put foam on the front left (hinge) holes though!

I also painted the rear window caps (where the bit screws in) as they looked bad. Will do the front two on each side soon too.
So pleased with this! Seems water tight, just have to wait now until I'm on the road so hear if it's much louder.


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[LiamC]

Today was the day! The rivnuts arrived!
I got the rear windows out, which wasn't that easy. In the end I just deliberately destroyed the seals from the outside and pulled them out. Didn't take long once I knew how to do it.
There was a lot of rust damage hidden behind the left side seal! I grinded the rusty bits down and painted over them. Not just to stop the rust but because with the new windows open, it's much more visible.
Now... I couldn't use the rivnuts. I'm sure it would have been okay with the appropriate tool, but as you probably know, I generally don't have any.
So I went for plan B, which I thought up ages ago...

Yes, plan B is the ghetto solution, but it's probably better than using self-tapping screws, which I've heard someone say they used.
In case you can't tell, I've cut rectangles out so that I could slip a nut into the pillar, and screwed it in by that method.
For some noise suppression, I stuffed them with some leftover high-density foam from lining the doors.

In the end, it all went together just fine!

Here's the left side. Just fixing up that nasty paint bubble.

I had to cut the rear panels slightly in order to slot them in, due to the ghetto method.

I added foam at the back and topped it with regular black foam to hide it a bit.
I forgot to put foam on the front left (hinge) holes though!

I also painted the rear window caps (where the bit screws in) as they looked bad. Will do the front two on each side soon too.
So pleased with this! Seems water tight, just have to wait now until I'm on the road so hear if it's much louder.


Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Micra Sports Club mobile app

Welcome to the popout window crew, and having good ventilation without the noise. And rivnuts are very handy when you can borrow your dads rivet gun, otherwise they dont really work

 

[flyboypuoi]

Cassie has been welded once again, ready for the 4th MOT attempt.
The sidelight circuit fuse kept blowing, and after fiddling around and testing (and blowing like, 6 fuses) I found the problem.
It was the wire that feeds the boot light. It was getting crushed by the rear seat hinge, and as the wire was showing, grounded on the seat bracket. Luckily I could find the issue by listening to the door chime and when it stopped.

I replaced it and improved it so that it never happens again.
While I was fiddling with stuff, I "foiled" the boot light. Crappy cream-white plastic. I wonder how the original lighting even illuminated anything. The unit even had loads of gaps in the back so a lot of light was just illuminating the inside of the panels.

While I had the foil I added some to where I missed in the air controls. I also tested some other T10 units I had.
This yellow pair is to go into my bike headlight.

This green pair is to go into my Sunny air controls.

I also have flat green ones for the dash. Might put them in Cassie's indicator warning lights too, as they're so flat. I think they're T10.
Next up, I want to "foil" the hazard light switch as the light in there is awful.
And I found a use for the red switch inside. I'll wire it to the brake lights, to toggle them on and off. Good for testing them, for photo opportunities, and anywhere where I might need to be seen in an emergency.
Plans for the future too; I'm interested in getting new seats. Preferably black and grey, and fabric.
Also want to get the steering wheel controls working.

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[flyboypuoi]

Fourth MOT attempt, and finally she's back.
The garage once again moaned at me for the welding quality, but a pass is a pass. Even if they reluctantly say "barely".
I think next year I'll go to a different MOT place.

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[flyboypuoi]

I've painted the remaining popout window screw cap things, admittedly not that well, but it looks much nicer.
Got around to wiring the brakelight toggle. Works as it should. An interesting side effect is that it lights up the switch when I brake.

The original setup for the hazards button. Luckily this time I was able to pull the face off first instead of taking the whole thing apart (not recommended).
Quite easy to see why it barely lit up.

And after "foiling" it.
Looks worse in the picture. A fiddly task! It looks better, not incredible though.

I then finally cleaned the interior. It had gotten so sloppy since it was off of the road. The seats look alright in the picture but they're really dirty. A steam clean would do them good, but they're getting worn, and I want new seats.

Rears look pretty good still though.

Just had a look at the foiling in the dark.
At some angles it's not hugely different, but at others it has become quite a bit brighter, certainly matches the switch next to it more now.

I'm thinking of sticking in some red film (like from a chocolate wrapper) on the heater controls (on hot) as the now crazy-bright backlight has made the red appear a bit pink.

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[nissan boy]

looking good, maybe worth looking at se or the nicer se+ seats with the split rear with head rests! or some higher spec models

 

[nissan boy]

those are what i got in my inspiration (managed to get matching ones ) those are fairly nice and seem abit softer but fairly handy cause they split
also on a older topic on the terrano wiper stalk , yeah they do work in facelift dizzys and im using primera one with is almost the same

 

[flyboypuoi]

those are what i got in my inspiration (managed to get matching ones ) those are fairly nice and seem abit softer but fairly handy cause they split
also on a older topic on the terrano wiper stalk , yeah they do work in facelift dizzys and im using primera one with is almost the same

Cheers, I'm actually quite fond of not having rear headrests, and having a full set without the line, though I did consider having the ones out of my donor car. Too dirty and they have this rough-feeling pattern on them.
Didn't know you could get rear headrests on those first facelifts!
I've thought about some SR seats maybe, I'd like to maybe even change the fabric so suit the colours and look smarter.

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[flyboypuoi]

Today I went under the car again.
I repaired a half-assed temporary thing so hopefully the exhaust doesn't rattle at low RPM now. I also wirebrushed some nasty rusty bits and painted over them, a temporary treatment.
There was also a load of dried dirt hiding in some pockets that I removed.

Onto the side, I did the same thing and tidied up some small things.

I also painted over a couple of spots in the engine bay. Nothing big.
Thought since I had the paint out, I'd repaint the grille.
It had worn away and was showing bits of silver.

End result looks quite nice!

I also tried to have a look at the oxygen sensor in the manifold but I couldn't get a spanner in there (none of mine seem to be big enough anyway), and the heat shields that cover it are held in by bolts that are insanely corroded.

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[flyboypuoi]

Since making the air controls box so ridiculously bright, the red dots have lit up quite pink. So, I went and bought some Quality Street and put the wrappers to good use. Even used a blue one. I'll get to see how that looks later when it's dark.

I've also finished cleaning the interior now. It's lovely.
I also did some exterior cleaning and shining. Glass cleaner on the inside and out and headlights and mirrors and stuff, and tyre shine to my rather brown looking tyres.
The grille paint held up pretty well despite it raining all night, now I just need less wind and more paint to do the rest of the black bits.
I also want to repaint the wheels, the previous owner was actually preparing to do so, so they have some sanding marks.
They could do with some chrome wheel nuts too, finally.

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[flyboypuoi]

Chocolate wrapper technique worked well, didn't lose much brightness and the colour is excellent.

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[flyboypuoi]

My folding mirrors are beginning to shudder as they open. This happened not long ago on the right side and went away with some oil, but they're both doing it now regardless. I know very few people have these mirrors but any help would be appreciated.
In addition, a strange squeal was coming from the rear right wheel last night. I identified it to be the brake, as it became louder with brakes on, particularly with the handbrake on. It would also go for a while if I pulled the handbrake enough. I couldn't see any problem, but the handbrake does feel spongy. Again any help welcome.
All I did was clean the brake a bit and put some paint on some dull areas.

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[flyboypuoi]

I've just got a bunch of pictures from last night and this morning in the fog.

Unfortunately, today my front right indicator bulb fell out!
I must've loosened it while putting in the Big Mac Lights™. I seem to recall the right side flashing quick for a split second since then.
Need to remove the headlight glass again, which is annoying. Especially as I don't want to take off the light because of the ADM wiring.

You can see the bulb sat at the bottom of the indicator...

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[LiamC]

I saw the exact same thing in my friends corolla a while back. Good luck getting that out anyway. Also that is a some serious rear lighting situation you have there

 

[flyboypuoi]

Got the headlight glass off without removing the headlight itself, and fixed the loose bulb. Unfortunately I cracked the glass in the corner!

But it's back in there at least.

I finally removed all that glue that was on the boot from that crappy March badge, had to buy nail polish remover that contained acetone. Wasn't that easy.
Added a new sticker, if you get the reference then that's awesome.

Added some nice new wheel nuts. Proper tapered ones now too.

I have paint for the wheels to go on at some point. Want to get some degreaser first, and more sandpaper.
Had one sticker left, put it inside.

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[flyboypuoi]

Quick wash, best time of day for pictures.

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[flyboypuoi]

Did a road trip, 350 miles, loaded with three people and luggage and many large hills.
Cassie seems to be wanting more care and attention.
Clutch needs changing (still), thinking I'll do it when I change the engine.
Got some squeaky and creaky noises coming from the rear, rear brakes are occasionally making sounds, handbrake cable is really stretched, windscreen wash pump is dead...
Lots of work needs doing.
I'm thinking of new suspension components, and possibly even putting a disk brake rear axle on.
Also I've looked for some nice retro Recaro grey fabric seats but they're rare and expensive.
Think I'll do as originally planned and grab some SR seats and give them some TLC.

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[flyboypuoi]

3 years since I bought Cassie!

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[LiamC]

Congratulations, I'm just coming up to a year now myself. Did you buy her anything to celebrate

 

[flyboypuoi]

Congratulations, I'm just coming up to a year now myself. Did you buy her anything to celebrate

I guess you could say the wheel paint I bought like a week ago but still haven't used was a gift..?

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[LiamC]

I guess you could say the wheel paint I bought like a week ago but still haven't used was a gift..?

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I'd say that's good enough as a gift yeah. Keeping the wheels silver are you?

 

[flyboypuoi]

I'd say that's good enough as a gift yeah. Keeping the wheels silver are you?

Yeah, they just need some new paint. They look a little rough.

 

[flyboypuoi]

Started hearing a very unusual noise suddenly so I stopped and checked.

Turns out the exhaust backbox threw out all the silencing in a nasty mess. Severely handicapped the power on the way home, so the next morning I tried to see if I could pull all the wire out.

Had a feeling it'd be too much hassle, so I just removed the backbox for now. It didn't do too badly for a spare found in the donor car boot.

I'd be interested in a higher quality backbox next, nothing Max Power or cherry bomb, but something nice and subtle that will give a nice purr.
Also really really need to change that engine soon. Need an engine crane. And some help!

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[flyboypuoi]

Turns out the windscreen wash pump isn't as hard to get to as I thought!
Managed to peel back the arch guard and pull it out.
Like I guessed, the pump was totally dead. Too bad the reservoir was almost full, and with proper windscreen wash for once, because it's now all over the floor.

But still, it's very very good to have the wash working now, because winter has rapidly started approaching and following any car kicks up dirt.

I had a go with some degreaser (meant for my wheels before painting, really) in the engine bay. With a wipe with a rag, it looks so much nicer! Probably hard to tell in the pictures, but colour is actually visible in the bay now. Annoyingly it seems to have thinned off small amounts of paint, mainly where I painted over some rust, and slightly on the rocker cover. Still looks fine though. I didn't even realise that some parts were body coloured! All reservoirs and their caps look so much nicer now.

I continued to wipe down after this, it's hard to get to most areas though. So many screws and bits snagging the cloth.
Off-topic slightly, I replaced my bike's rear caliper before this, so now I have some experience with brake fluid. Very handy.

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[flyboypuoi]

Today, I treated some underside bits. Cassie is getting rustier by the day, luckily I bought some wax rust sealant. I got wire-brush drill attachments (starting to actually get some tools now!) and grinded some stuff, painted, and coated in sealant.

While I was doing this, I thought I'd finally have a go at painting wheels!

And while that was drying, I thought I'd have a go at repainting the trim at the back.

The wheel started looking good!

Unfortunately it started to rain a little while the black paint was still fresh. I had to kind-of cover it up a bit.

Thought I may as well paint another wheel so it looks less mis-matched when they go back on. Here's another one before painting (bottom). The new paint is darker.

Primer on.

Luckily the rain was quickly gone, and a couple of coats later, it looked better.

Both of the wheel wells painted and coated.

Back is looking great! I love it when the trim is freshly painted. It really needed it too from when I added the fog lights, it left a lot of scratching and stuff, and the foglight screws were rusted.

Both wheels painted, they look great!

Always looks funny with wheels missing.

Final result is great. I oversprayed a little, mainly on the contact surface so that'll wear off immediately, a little more on the rear tyre, but its so old, it'll be replaced soon. Tomorrow, I'll polish the wheels up as they aren't very shiny.
And I'll paint the other two, and do more anti-rust work.

It's really hard to notice the difference in the pictures, the wheels were really crappy before.

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[flyboypuoi]

The work begins on the other side.
Lots more rust to treat on the sills and rear suspension, front looking better though. I also grinded and painted the rear left arch lip, as it was rusting quite badly.
Noted that a couple of areas are beginning to form paint bubbles too, which I'll sort at some point.
I also began painting the wheels!
This side seems to be in worse condition, here's one of them after cleaning and sanding. It looked much worse before that.

Arch lip cleaned up.

Front tidied up too.

Did a much better job of covering the tyres this time, as yesterday I oversprayed a little.
Sadly I only had enough primer for one coat.

Meanwhile, the sills and arches are getting a touch-up.
I also cleaned the glass and wipers, and polished the fuel flap and spoiler after giving them a 2000 grit sand.
I also polished a few rough bits up, and the wheels on the other side.

Wheels are done, and looking good.

But still I managed to overspray! Annoying. But tyre shine seemed to remove most of it.

Looking great now, cleaned the brake calipers and everything.

Hopefully this winter will be less rusty.

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[flyboypuoi]

Bootleg Nismo oil cap acquired.

And fitted. Looks much better than the stock one to be honest.

Unfortunately the logo is just over a quarter turn too far when tightened.
The next morning, more tat arrived!

Again, it looks much nicer than stock. Even if it's crappy Chinese stuff.
It also came with a couple of fancy washers and bolts. Probably for the actual tie-down but mine can't use them, so I put them on the headlights.

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[flyboypuoi]

It snowed for the first time (properly) in many many years, which was awesome.

Unfortunately this seems to have damaged a seal somewhere (windscreen, or around the roof rack bits), and I had water dripping down the inside of the windscreen.
This also shorted my front interior light a little as it's always very slightly on now. Wiggling it around effects how on it is.
All I've really been able to do so far is air it out.
I'm having the heater on the windscreen all I can and I've now removed some trim so the roof liner can hang a bit.

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[flyboypuoi]

Been driving around with the heater set to windscreen only, windows open a bit and some trim removed to air out and dry the inside of the roof.
Seems to have worked, it feels dry but the light is sometimes still shorting on the roof slightly. I've stuck a packet of silica gel in there too.
For now I'm going to have to leave it like this to air out, I'll soon look for the cause of the leak.

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