Too the 6.9 for a RWC yesterday - given that it had a few fluid leaks, I wasn't really expecting a pass, and indeed it didn't. The bounce list was:
1) Tint too dark (is 35%, must be 5%)
2) Engine oil leak
3) P/S fluid leak
4) Shock bushes need replacing
Took it to an excellent mechanic recommended by Cam2 (thanks Cam - he is the real deal) afterwards, who joined the dots for me in tracing where the leaks were coming from. Best of all, despite taking an hour of his time and use of his hoist, no charge - outstanding.
As I'm off o/s for a few months shortly, will probably leave the car as is for now (rather than attempt to fix the issues and re-try the RWC in the 1 month allowed), and do it properly in summer when I get back.
Solutions:
1) It came with the tint, and was registered in Vic with it (but may have been registered pre-tint). I'd like to leave it, but if not, removing is a annoying but simple process. Might leave it on for when I re-try for a second RWC (different tester, as recommended by mechanic), and if they still bounce it, take it off then. FWIW, visibility is fine from the inside - no darker than what's caused by the tint on a public bus. Does anyone know how tints are tested scientifically (some sort of light gauge)? They never measured it, so they either did it by eye or managed to find out from the Vic RTA (I think they called them as part of the inspection).
2) Think this is the front main seal, but further cleaning will tell. There was also an oil leak where what he thinks is a vacuum line disconnected itself from the side of a rubber hose at the back of the RHS rocker cover. Line is re-connected, and again will clean and see.
3) Steering box is covered in fluid, presumably P/S fluid, and presumably it is the cause of the leak. Again, will clean and see where it's coming from, which will determine the course of action. Will also re-read all the recent steering box related posts on TK. I had imagined the steering box to be mechanical only, eg no fluid inside save lubrication grease - probably inspired from the Commodore (which has no power steering). PS fluid level is fine, but car hasn't been driven much.
4) Think this refers to the concertina dust boots that cover the hydraulic arm part of the shocks at the rear, and/or the little dust caps at the base of the shocks at the front (only on one side, other side recently replaced). Does anyone know if these are available by themselves? They'd better be
Are there any other rubber bushes at the base of the shocks?
In short, plan is to clean, observe, and then order parts for the mech to fit.
Car drove fairly well (not comparing to another 116, just to my expectations) - acceleration is prompt and discreet (from the inside), and it is indeed magic carpety in handling. Brakes well too - stand on the brakes and it really stops - couldn't induce a skid though.
Suspension warning light works too - thought it didn't (doesn't come on when knob set to raised), but the mech's hoist was the type that uses arms rather than ramps, allowing the wheels to drop and then the car to sit very low afterwards - all quite interesting.
There is a small kick from the auto on changes, am told there is an adjustment somewhere for this - no rush though. When flooring it from a standstill and uphill (my version of the Italian tune), the box does seem to change up too soon from a sound of the engine point of view, but again, no biggie.
Surprisingly to me, it does indeed handle quite well for a luxo barge - could happily throw it around roundabouts and corners fairly swiftly, no issues. No seasickness either.
Lukas
1) Tint too dark (is 35%, must be 5%)
2) Engine oil leak
3) P/S fluid leak
4) Shock bushes need replacing
Took it to an excellent mechanic recommended by Cam2 (thanks Cam - he is the real deal) afterwards, who joined the dots for me in tracing where the leaks were coming from. Best of all, despite taking an hour of his time and use of his hoist, no charge - outstanding.
As I'm off o/s for a few months shortly, will probably leave the car as is for now (rather than attempt to fix the issues and re-try the RWC in the 1 month allowed), and do it properly in summer when I get back.
Solutions:
1) It came with the tint, and was registered in Vic with it (but may have been registered pre-tint). I'd like to leave it, but if not, removing is a annoying but simple process. Might leave it on for when I re-try for a second RWC (different tester, as recommended by mechanic), and if they still bounce it, take it off then. FWIW, visibility is fine from the inside - no darker than what's caused by the tint on a public bus. Does anyone know how tints are tested scientifically (some sort of light gauge)? They never measured it, so they either did it by eye or managed to find out from the Vic RTA (I think they called them as part of the inspection).
2) Think this is the front main seal, but further cleaning will tell. There was also an oil leak where what he thinks is a vacuum line disconnected itself from the side of a rubber hose at the back of the RHS rocker cover. Line is re-connected, and again will clean and see.
3) Steering box is covered in fluid, presumably P/S fluid, and presumably it is the cause of the leak. Again, will clean and see where it's coming from, which will determine the course of action. Will also re-read all the recent steering box related posts on TK. I had imagined the steering box to be mechanical only, eg no fluid inside save lubrication grease - probably inspired from the Commodore (which has no power steering). PS fluid level is fine, but car hasn't been driven much.
4) Think this refers to the concertina dust boots that cover the hydraulic arm part of the shocks at the rear, and/or the little dust caps at the base of the shocks at the front (only on one side, other side recently replaced). Does anyone know if these are available by themselves? They'd better be
Are there any other rubber bushes at the base of the shocks?In short, plan is to clean, observe, and then order parts for the mech to fit.
Car drove fairly well (not comparing to another 116, just to my expectations) - acceleration is prompt and discreet (from the inside), and it is indeed magic carpety in handling. Brakes well too - stand on the brakes and it really stops - couldn't induce a skid though.
Suspension warning light works too - thought it didn't (doesn't come on when knob set to raised), but the mech's hoist was the type that uses arms rather than ramps, allowing the wheels to drop and then the car to sit very low afterwards - all quite interesting.
There is a small kick from the auto on changes, am told there is an adjustment somewhere for this - no rush though. When flooring it from a standstill and uphill (my version of the Italian tune), the box does seem to change up too soon from a sound of the engine point of view, but again, no biggie.
Surprisingly to me, it does indeed handle quite well for a luxo barge - could happily throw it around roundabouts and corners fairly swiftly, no issues. No seasickness either.
Lukas
