April 2013
Been a very busy and massively stressful few months for me so not really had time to have updated the project but since last time I wrote a lot has changed and ultimately for the better now. Basically made redundant from where I've worked from when I was 17 but got things sorted and ended up getting 2 job offers before end of my contract with old workplace so every cloud has a silver lining, and thanks to family,friends and an amazing girlfriend I took one of these offers and begin a new chapter in my life.
Coolant Temperature Issue
Typical, week before I was due to go to interviews little red had started to develop an issue with coolant temp. Basically if left idling all was ok but as soon as you started moving the temperature would drop slightly (not to the point where the cold map would kick in as it drove fine) Pretty certain this was the Thermostat not closing properly as the temperature gauge seemed fine so sensor fault was unlikely but got onto phone with
Colin at Wests Renault, £
44.64 lighter and few days later I had brand new thermostat and temperature sensor along with some Type D coolant I ordered from an ebay seller. Many thanks to Colin for such quick service.
DSC02927 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Temperature Sensor
DSC02930 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Had look on here to study and familiarise myself with where all was and then a Sunday afternoon I got onto changing them both. Had renault type D coolant in there already so didn't need to flush out which saved a lot of hassle.
Let engine cool down and then out with the airbox and got the temperature sensor out and new one in without any issues
DSC02931 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Next onto the Thermostat, which I was expecting a lot of coolant to go everywhere so pair of scissors to and icecream tub
DSC02937 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Didn't loose 1/4 as much coolant as I was expecting with myself and one of my brothers working like a well oile team
Greeted to what I was expecting with the inner seal slightly distorted and not sealing properly.
DSC02936 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Glad I found something so tightened all up, topped coolant back up, ran engine up to temp and bled the system. Jobs a good 'un. All sorted for the critical week that lay ahead of me.
DSC02941 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Good news recieved from interviews as I had new job few weeks before we were off on gardening leave from work so had chance to relax so my girlfriend and myself went for a drive on the doorstep to Betws y Coed.
Rhaeadr Ewynnol / Swallow Waterfalls outside Betws.
DSC03023 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
DSC03042 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
And day after to Black rock sands.
DSC03093 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
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KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
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KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
DSC03133 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Sidelight replaced
One of my 'not so long ago fitted' sidelights had gone, was dreading id have to take whole bumper off again but thankfully didn't have to. Wasn't impressed by fact it lasted so short a period but have had PIAA stuff before and always lasted years so i've put this down to a single unlucky occurrence.
DSC03136 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
May 2013
After a hard winter finally got chance to see to the stone chips on the front of the Trophy.
DSC03148 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
DSC03150 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Having read on detailing world about a technique (Similar to Dr Colourchips road rash kit instructions) I wanted to try this, bought some touchup kit and mixing both the colour and clear together in equal parts, using a lighter fluid coated cloth I smeared the paint over and across the chips trying to be as neat as possible.
DSC03154 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Bonnet left looking like this which was a bit daunting haha.
DSC03160 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
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KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Out with the DA (should have borrowed brothers Rotary)
DSC03164 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Eventually was left with this, still some work to do on the paintwork in general but the chips are pretty much gone now.
DSC03168 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
DSC03167 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
The marks in photo above are dust/polish.
June 2013
With myself currently having to do a 100+ mile a day commute to my new work and clocking up the miles on little red. I needed to 1. move closer but this was a pain with lack of houses for rent and cost or/and 2. buy a cheaper to run car to eat the miles up. Having failed at plan 1 I moved onto plan 2 and after looking at various cars from old BMW's to diesel clios to brand new cars I decided on a Citroen C1. Having driven a fair few miles behind wheel of these as local garage has them as courtesy cars. £20 a year tax, insurance group 1, 60+mpg, cheap servicing and running costs, relatively reliable (bar clutches) all for less than £3000. Several sold cars later and viewings I bought a 1.0l rhythm (middle of range), few dings and scrapes, filthy interior but mechanically honest and having had clutch done recently, I was happy enough.
IMG_4334 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
IMG_4332 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
New chapter
Little red will become more of a weekend and track car while the C1 will be mileage munching. Will be changing little red to a limited mileage policy to save some £££ and with the petrol saving alone the C1 will have paid for itself within 12 months. This will then in turn allow me to spend some money and time on little red and tweak it a bit more than I ever could as a daily driver and genaerally get it looking better than new as I wont have to do all work within a weekend.
The plans have always been a 'dream plan' but now will become reality hopefully and be to basically keep the Trophy a Trophy and not a modified Clio but will be even more special
With myself having decided good while ago that the Trophy will never be sold as it's worth more to me than any realistic price I'd get for it, while I was down in London after Download festival last weekend (Which was amazing if you're a fan of decent music
I popped over to Martin's (v800mjh) to pickup a spare Turini. Was in amazing condition and a great price. Many thanks mate. So got two spare now 2 to get to have a spare set
IMG_4252 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
IMG_4328 by
KeithRoberts185, on Flickr
Still got few things to sort out with other things ... house :/ but plan will be to end up with an immaculate Trophy that will be even more special and yes will still be seeing the tarmac of race circuits.