Haven't updated this in ages, but truth be told, not a lot has happened.
Here is a recap of what this thread is missing - there's a fair chance you've seen this before though!
Issue:
Working wonders for my limited mileage policy though!
I've bought a new one.
A couple of exhaust pics:
Rockingham:
I thought i'd report back after Rockingham and detail how the car went and the issues that were thrown up during the day.
I travelled down in relative ease on Friday after packing the car up at home. I'd fiddled around with a few things in the morning but had given up on the idea of fixing in the Odessey battery as there simply wasn't time to get it all sorted. I looked at putting it in front of the passenger seat but this involves a chassis rail getting in the way. Next up was putting it in the boot, but unless it goes in the spare wheel well then mounting points become troublesome due to things under the car. Finally I thought about sticking it where the original battery is under the bonnet, but with nothing obvious to attach it to in the time that was available I left it be.
The journey down took about 3 hours and the car was fine. Only the weird random idle issue causing any trouble. It blew a rear bulb as well, thanks to the 30 people that pointed that out!
We all know that the weather was crap Saturday morning but after noise testing and Darren's briefing I ventured out for my first track laps for 2 years. I soon discovered a driveshaft knock if I changed gears quickly and came off the clutch too fast (related to suspension stuff mentioned below i suspect). I also discovered the brakes were offering no feel at all. Approaching the first hairpin the brakes were simply locking up at any speed. Fortunately I managed 5 or 6 laps and came in. Everything seemed fine with the car for a first run out. I then took Chris out for a few laps and on the back straight before the final Mickey Mouse left right left the car locked up again. Luckily there was an escape road and all blushes were saved, but it wasn't much fun at all.
Things improved along with the weather after lunch ad on went the red wheels with the 888's. Pressing on it was like chalk and cheese, but it's become apparent that the H&R stuff is far too soft and the front of the car is a bit low. With the added grip the car was leaning to much and the driveshafts were catching the chassis rail. At the end of the day when swapping the wheels back over the driveshafts had visible score marks in them. I'm in two minds whether to try and get some stiffer springs manufactured for the H&R dampers or whether to save for some better suspension. I'd appreciate the input. It took all of 2 corners following Nige to see he had far better grip than i did and his car has very little body roll - I want that!!
Regardless we has some good sessions in the afternoon and the car was as reliable as i could've wished and we got a bit quicker towards the end of the day.
When it was all finished I packed up and drove 190 miles home in one go as well. I got back into Durham at about 9pm, stopped at Tesco for a Mothers Day card and the car refused to start. I pressed the isolator switch under the bonnet and she fired first time. Something is causing this to trip as it did it at Gareths last week as well. Idle is still all over the place but apparently I need to clean the idle sensor/valve thingy and that might help.
I have vowed not to spend any money on the thing for a whole month though, so nothing will happen until May, but suggestions on suspension gratefully received (cheap as poss!)
Few pics of the day, from my friend's Loz & Chris + the excellent one Louise took and finally one of Kev's I think, thanks
-------------------------
I'm not spending any money on the car this month.
I've investigated getting the suspension rebuilt, turns out the H&R stuff is 90% Bilstein bits so it'd have to go off to them for a refurb. Quote from a guy that referred me to them: 'Beware it'll take weeks'. Not so sure i'm happy with that so further investigation shows Bilstein platforms (coilover rings) are available to buy separately. I need 4, so i'll order soon and see what I can do.
In an attempt to solve the idle (or lack of) issue i've had the inlet stuff apart looking for airleaks. I've had the throttle body off and cleaned thoroughly and the idle valve off which was also cleaned. Everything back together again the car held an idle so I took it to work today to give it a run and see how it went. I struggled to get over the carpark speed bumps for a start and the idle is still crap. At one point it was idleing at 3000rpm. The idke does settle if you blip the throttle again.
As i pulled up on the drive at home the car was stuck at 2000 rpm so i had a fiddle and it seems to be that the throttle body isn't closing properly. It's a cable type body on the phase 1 172's and even though the cable is totally slack the wheel where the cable clips into isn't fully closing - it's staying open by about 2mm. If you turn the wheel by hand you can close it fully and the revs sit at the correct idle. I played around with it and it seems the spring is slightly slack or sticky at this point and is causing the issues. I'd thoroughly cleaned this bit and re-greased so its obviously fecked. I've sourced a refurbed one from a specialist so when it arrives i'll give it a go. Fingers crossed.
-------------------------
After a bit of a wait the new throttle body turned up. Off with the old, transferred everything across to the new one, on it goes. Final task is to connect up the throttle cable. Oh, there doesn't appear to be a clip for it to fit in?
Off it all comes.
Strip it back down, inspect the plastic wheel the cable runs round. Different.
Old one goes back on.
New one is visually identical (even same part number) but fits a Megane.
-----------------------------------
After a bit more waiting i've got another throttle body. I've had time to give the other one a bloody good service though and I think i've fixed it. I've not got any time for a while to fit it.
Car hasn't moved in a month. lol.
I did clean it quickly the other weekend between showers.
------------------------------------
I've purchased a set of Ktec coilovers that were cheap to tide me over whilst i either get the H&R's rebuilt or save for something decently adjustable.
-------------------------------------
Goodwood booked for August.
----------------------
I might bring the car to FCS. Its a fair way from where we are and as we need more than the two seats the Clio has to offer It might stay locked up in the garage.