What have you done to your car today?

After about 3 years of procrastination, a skill I have made into an art form, I WASHED old faithful. It now needs a polish as some of the paintwork has started to fade. Pity I don`t have a garage for it. Now an interior clean, probably using a shovel, followed by a headlight clean then she`ll be like new. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Just don`t look at the odometer.
 
Geez, mate. I think that the last time Roo2 had a bath was even longer ago than that.

It's now a toothbrush job ...
 
Busy day and it`s getting harder for my aged arthritic bones.
Gave the old faithful bus an engine oil and filter change (and a can of oil seal leak stopper!!).
Made a temporary repair to the driver`s side outer CV joint boot which is weeping grease from a small, but soon to get bigger I suppose, crack. My repair method is to check that no dirt or moisture is around the boot generally and crack area in particular and wrap a (toughish) plastic bag around the whole rubber boot securing with tape and a couple of the very useful cable ties. The theory is that while the boot will eventually disintegrate the plastic will keep the joint from rubbish ingress. Hopefully this will last until the next service in about 5000 kms. I have tried this technique in the past with success.
Next task is to rotate all 6 wheels and clean a very dirty sump guard. I also note that the, original, exhaust system is looking a tad ragged so perhaps a new system, maybe a free flow type is the go. If it doesn`t go at least it might sound.............
 
Ratbag said:
I've just done the headlights. They have come up very well. Some before and after photos:

View attachment 4255

View attachment 4256

View attachment 4257

View attachment 4258

View attachment 4259



View attachment 4261

Just a rub back with RePo cutting polish, then finished off with Porzelack carnauba wax polish.
Click to expand...
Just did the headlights again for both cars, so nearly three years between cleans.

Also washed both. Three to four years since I last washed Roo2!
I originally thought that my back injury was going to be temporary. It looks as if its permanent ... :( .
 
Ratbag said:
Just did the headlights again for both cars, so nearly three years between cleans.

Also washed both. Three to four years since I last washed Roo2!
I originally thought that my back injury was going to be temporary. It looks as if its permanent ... :( .
Click to expand...
Nothing worse than a bad back. A day working on the car is followed by several days of pain
 
tek1975 said:
Nothing worse than a bad back. A day working on the car is followed by several days of pain
Click to expand...
Agree. I take opiates (Targin 10/5) and valium twice daily. This gives some respite.
When I wake up, I'm like a pretzel. All my lumbar discs and facet joints are knackered.
 
Just can`t help myself, rotated the 6 wheels and tyres. The rears yesterday and fronts this morning. Getting harder and harder though but I can which is really why I do. The hardest task is lifting the spare onto the rear carrier rack. Lining up the wheels onto their lugs on the brakes is relatively easy with a spade to assist, but lining up the exterior spare is another story.
Referring to the prior comments on backs. I consider myself extremely fortunate in that, so far, I have NEVER had a back issue. Long may it remain so.
 
Last edited:
Wired up Engine watch dog to cylinder head., Spotted some oil on the plastic bash protector removed it. And degreased the bottom half of the engine now waiting to see if the oil leak is coming from the head gaskets, And how bad it is
 
A tiny oil leak will leave what looks like litres of oil on the engine bay protector.

Our SH uses about 0.5L every 10-12,000 Kms, yet you would swear that it was leaking like a sieve!
 
Yeah I am crossing my fingers that the leaks are only very minor. I'm almost certain it's the head gaskets leaking. It is not using coolant will be taking it for a decent drive today and checking afterwards. If the head gaskets are weeping oil slowly is it best to get the heads done straight away or just wait until it gets worse ?
 
tek1975 said:
is it best to get the heads done straight away or just wait until it gets worse ?
Click to expand...
Well, ours has been weeping very slightly for about 5-6 years, and around 30,000 Kms, give or take.

When our usual mechanic (Ross) mentioned that it was unroadworthy, I reminded him of the test applied. Steam clean engine, run for about 20 minutes, check if there is any noticeable oil leakage. He agreed that using 0.5L per 10-12,000 Kms would not show from this kind of test, even though the plastic engine guard was disgusting.

Like blood, a little bit of oil goes a long way!
 
@tek1975 Check for oil or frothing in the coolant, and any emulsification inside the oil filler cap. If neither, just check your oil and water weekly/monthly, whichever is reasonable for your vehicle usage.

Modern vehicles require so little maintenance that it's easy to get out of the habit.
 
For the second time in its life I inadvertently red lined my Forester this morning in first. It amazed me how easily it revved to electronic cut out. I was on a local major road drawing away from a traffic light around a gentle uphill corner. It is always a challenge with me to try to, legally, get to the next set of lights which I reckon are programmed to go orange about 150 metres prior to being reached. Everything has to be perfect to achieve this without exceeding the speed limit.
Today obviously wasn`t.....
Was on E10 as well.
 
Last edited:
I red line mine in first inadvertently all the time. It gets there very, very quickly.
Not so often in second, but not infrequently ...

In second, low range, the red line comes up extremely quickly.
 
It’ll take it @ateday many more times than twice without issues ;) ;)

Just keep the oil changes regular with quality oil - something I’m sure you’re already doing so it’ll be fine.

Cheers

Bennie
 
Had the dpf of my 2014 diesel Outback cleaned finally. Mechanic has told me next thing is to clean the junk in the manifolds...quoted about $800
 
^ it does build up more with diesels for sure!

On Tuesday had myself all set up for a complete brake pad swap as I was sure they were needing replacement - got the front wheel off and still plenty of meat left so checked the others and they were also good. Although, as the other pads are difficult to see, I did ponder how to estimate pad depth without taking the other wheels off and so decided to rub some chalk on a flat blade screwdriver and placed it beside the pad backing plate with the tip against the disk then rubbed it back and forth a little to remove some chalk. I then compared it to a new pad to determine depth - worked great.

Yesterday I changed brake pads on a friend's Renault Master van; a real PIA compared to our Subies!
 
DPF`s.
I often wonder what the DPF in the "Palace on Wheels", 2.4 turbo diesel, looks like after 105000kms. It gets an annual service and the service fellow never comments on the DPF and a charge for cleaning never appears on the invoice.
It seems that as it is rarely used for a distance of under 150 kms this is sufficient to keep it clean enough even though the engine rarely exceeds 2500 rpm. Having said that I drove up a very steep local hill a day or so ago and needed 4000 in first gear to maintain momentum to get to the top.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top