Escape

Worst we had was a blocked cat that actually caught fire after about 15mins. My first rebuild in a P38 too... Luckily I had friends watching everything while I was behind the wheel. After about 10mins he could light a cigarette on the glowing cat (and gave it to me, all good fun and games), then he put the fire extinguisher closer by and when that needed to be used we decided to abandon the run-in... The cam still did fine for many miles. 😉

That's what the instructions from Kent Cams and Piper say, seems to work for us. But it can be unnerving revving a newly built engine like that, while watching for leaks etc. I always feel more comfortable when there's 2 of us.

Maybe the regulations over there are far less stringent (I'd be surprised if that was the case), over here you need wiring of at least 1.5mm² for lighting circuits, and can fuse those at 16A. I did the math when putting up the lights in the Workshop. The margin turned out to be huge, even 20 fixtures of 2 x 50W each is only 2000W, on a circuit rated to 3600W. So unless there are some really thin wires in your garage, adding 2 normal lights shouldn't pose any problem at all. Filip

Interesting graph. It also shows that the simple, cheap load testers doe offer some info: if the voltage drops too low the first time the load is applied, the battery has had it. If voltage only drops off after several cycles/hours, it's harder too test and would need something like the testrig that produced the graph. I'm quite happy with a simple tester as a quick indication of condition.

A friend needs a new battery for his RRC V8 that's only used occasionally. He kept it permanently hooked up to a cheap(ish) trickle charger, but the battery was completely dead, even the CTek wouldn't try recharging. I can't help but wonder if the not so intelligent charger might have killed the battery, it was barely 2 years old. Another friend with a Disco2 that sat idle for a couple of weeks just mailed to say that a couple of hours on the CTek (after a failed attempt to start) was enough to ensure a quick start, even on this cold morning.

It definitely makes things much easier! But it was also a life choice: I don't own a house, I only have about 20m² of office space converted to living quarters in the Workshop. Just the bare necessities, like the small student flats Leuven has in abundance. Pretty much like this, only with a smaller kitchen: I don't have a family of my own and no other hobbies worth mentioning, so this suits my way of life. And I'm very lucky to spend most if not all evenings and nights at my girlfriends. 🙂 Even if that wasn't the case, I don't think I would be willing so sacrifice the Esprit to get a bigger flat or something. I do agree completely that offroading your daily can get expensive. Wear and tear does go a lot faster and sooner or later something breaks and will need replacing. It also gets tiring having to clean the LR on Sunday evening so you can take it to work on Monday. Or just leave muddy puddles on the company parking lot. Been there, done that, and still do. But it's a whole lot easier with a back-up. On the other hand, you might be bit more responsible taking your daily out to play. Be it offroad or on track, if you know you have to drive it home you'll try harder to avoid breaking stuff, so it could tung out to be less expensive in the long run. I don't think that automatically means it's less fun. It's not just about getting to the end of the stage, you want to make it back to camp, preferably without a trailer or tow 😉. In the end it all boils down to what gives you the most smiles per gallon I think. Be it cruising without worries in something that doesn't require attention and reserving your spare time and potential savings for other projects, or trying to get the most of your driving every day and accepting that wont come for free (money, time, blood & sweat in varying combinations). Filip

In 2005 ABS/ETC was an option. I think it only became standard with the Tdci. Pop the hood and see if there's a valve block or not to be sure. I don't recall both lights coming on at the bulb check, but it's a long time ago. The amber ABS light should come on and stay on until you exceed 5mph. Filip

@FridgeFreezeryou certainly have a point. I realize I'm spoiled with toys and the Workshop. But I too started out wrenching on a driveway as the garage was too low for my Defender. And too narrow for the P38. Then when the Workshop burned down I was again limited to my dad's driveway or in his garage while he was away. While severely complicating or limiting what could be done and making the whole experience far less enjoyable, it didn't stop me. In fact, at that point in time I was only too happy to be able to pick up the spanners again. The thought of a sensible daily driver didn't really occur when looking for replacement cars. I tried a few other 'specials' but quickly decided only another Esprit would do. And while I can't deny the initial price was higher than the average LR (although most Defenders now seem to go for considerably more!) it hasn't been expensive to run and maintain at all, apart from fuel and rear tires. I'm sure many of my friends and colleagues spent far more on their boring euroboxes than I do. The biggest factor being labor of course, but that brings us back to having to do work on a car you don't even like. With P38s being as cheap as they are and parts getting cheaper as well, as long as you can do the work yourself it's not an expensive car to run at all. I can't see myself paying a few €k on a car I don't like, knowing it will be scrap in a few years. I'm often shocked when getting parts for normal cars because of the higher prices. You can get something cheap and run it too the ground, but I doubt that will be more reliable than a LR you give a minimum of TLC. As a side note, after you kindly lent us your Jaaag 2 years ago (after a certain Range Rover broke down far from home...), I did look into one of those a sensible addition to the fleet. It looks nice and classy, drives pretty good and most of all, I found little or nothing to annoy me. The V6 can be had very cheaply, but would cost me more on taxes than the Esprit. So that didn't seem so sensible after all. @ThreePointFive we opened the engine and that wasn't too bad workwise. Unfortunately the crank was damaged so we moved it on with a damaged engine and didn't get the profit we expected. Moreover we never got to try it in anger. Still glad we bought it, we live and we learn and I got to drive my first Volvo. 🙂

Some great stories, and some great cars some you have! Even if they're not running. 😉 Makes me want to chime in. My story is a bit different in 2 ways. First of, I can't imagine myself driving a normal, sensible car as a daily. Every time I do drive something modern(ish) that should be worry-free, I can't wait to get back into one of my old cars and I appreciate them all the more. So in a way that's good for motivation. I don't like the detached feeling anything remotely modern seems to offer. Even if I can't claim every journey is a nice experience, at least with my cars it's always somewhat special. And I need that, I don't want to just get from A to B, I want to live the moment. Which is the main reason I'm so in love with my '89 Lotus Esprit as a daily. Sure, it's not the easiest car sitting in traffic when coming back from work. But sooner or later the road clears, a corner looms, the turbo spools and the engine sings, and my spirits are lifted. With the good 4.6 we recently put into it, I've started enjoying driving the P38 again as well. Even if she still needs some work. I'm of the firm believe a car needs to be driven, not just sit tucked away in a garage. Even the special ones. So why not use them daily/ regularly and enjoy what you have? After all, most of us have these cars because we like them, not as an investment that can't have any miles put on it for fear of decreasing the value. The downside of running such a fleet is regular attention is needed and things can go wrong. I for one can't see myself paying someone what is often a lot of money for often not that good a job. So I do everything myself (as above, usually with the help of some good friends). Even if it might not actually save me much money, I'll still get the priceless reward of knowing I've done a proper job myself. Like the first start of an engine after a rebuild. Or worse case, I walk away a wiser man, determined to do a better or smarter job next time. I need that kind of satisfaction, if only to compensate for my boring dayjob. I sometimes try to convince myself I'm getting to old for this sh.. and should just buy something sensible. But I know I'm gonna hate it. And/or will start tinkering with it. What else would I do? Go from one screen to another, sitting on a couch watching mind-numbing, spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing effin junk food into my mouth, rotting away at the end of it all, pishing my last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, effed-up brats I could have spawned to replace myself? I chose life! (sorry, got a bit carried away there, credits to Trainspotting, no drugs, I promise! 😁). So most of the time I'm very happy with my old cars, and I wouldn't want it any other way. It also means on occasion having 2 cars just isn't enough. So when the clutch on the Esprit went and parts took a long time to arrive in November, and the Range Rover started overheating due to a blocked radiator I just didn't get 'round to, we resorted to taking my dad's '73 450SLC for a trip with my better halve for her birthday. Traveling in style. 😎 I should probably add the Merc was only with me temporarily, while my Lotus Excel was stored at my dad's place. That one got some long overdue attention at the beginning of lockdown and is now a hoot to drive as well. And it's nice to know there's always a back-up, and it's not sensible either. Then there's the project cars... A '73 Lotus Elan, that died on me exactly one year ago while on route to the Brooklands New Years Day Classic Car Gathering. After a first glance and refresh of the ignition system, it was pushed into a corner of the Workshop. Plan is to pull the engine and gearbox (it lost 1st on the day I bought it) and sort it. Deadline was last week... Next to that sits another P38, the one I want to build up for offroading and traveling, as detailed in my build thread. 2 years in, not a lot has happened. Ladoga 2021 (if it happens) should be the next deadline. I'm already dreading the wooshing sound it will make when it goes by. Which brings me to a second important point. About 10 years ago I decided to start Escape's Workshop and work on other people's cars as well. Because I enjoy mechanics. And because it pays for my own cars and the Shop. But it also brings stress and takes up a lot of time. As does maintaining and outfitting the Shop. Which means I often don't get 'round to my own projects. I try to say 'no' from time to time, but with most customers sorta being friends, I don't want to let anyone down so try and help them all. Even if I don't really need the money. This year, with a lot of time on my hands (or so it seemed), I got tempted into buying and fixing some cars to sell on: a couple of Spitfires, a Volvo 850 T5, a P38, 2 more P38s stripped for parts and now a Disco TD5 with brake issues. Which all takes a lot more time then expected, flippin' bangers rarely goes as smoothly as one imagines when buying them. Still, some fun was had, some lessons learned, some money made, some well-deserved beers drank. But on occasion motivation is completely gone and it all feels like a chore. If I then spend a couple of days at home (like today) I usually can't wait to get back out to the Shop. Not that I'm always that productive when I get there mind. A good tip I got from a friend was to try and to do at least one thing for myself every time I'm there. Even if it's just tidying up a bit. I also realize I should count my blessing that a have such an understanding better halve, who doesn't give me a hard time about spending all that time working on other cars. I guess it's better than sitting at a bar looking at other women. 😜 For 2021 I'll try and works some more on my own projects, increase efficiency and don't take on too much at the same time. That should go a long way to getting things done. I wish you all a good time in 2021, either behind the wheel or with spanners in hand. May you finish what needs to be done, and leave just enough to dream about and look forward to in the future. Filip

I know that's what John meant and I can't deny it's a good idea. But coming from the other side, I wouldn't feel comfortable helping someone while being filmed. So yes, it does change people's attitudes, just not always for the better...

We just bought a running TD5 D2 for €1800, needs the brakes fixed to get through MOT and some tidying to be presentable, but looks like a decent motor. @jason110 I'd offer it to you, but being a LHD and in bhellgium probably makes it less of deal. Filip

I don't think I'd be too happy to tow someone who had a camera or phone pointed at me... If they don't deem the situation serious enough and still have time/ attention to spend making a video, they're obviously not in urgent need of my help.

That does look properly built, could be decent value for money.

Good idea about the rollers! It's wrapped 3/4 around anyway on the V8, so should work. Wish I had thought about using extra rollers on the TD5 instead of going to a chain drive.

Me and @elbekko had some good fun towing out cars stuck in the grass field converted serving as a parking lot for a festival with rain pouring down most of the weekend. Most people we helped rewarded us with some beer tokens, which made the weekend even more fun. But we did have a few instances when things didn't go smoothly. Like a cyclist trying to pass between 2 cars, despite there being a tow rope. Or people unable to find their towhook, let alone fit it (left hand thread on a lot of cars apparently). Best was an Oodi driver without patience, who started waving money in front of me to get us to help him first. Or another Oodi, a quattro this time, taking a huge run up just to make sure he'd get properly stuck in the ruts dug by Landies towing out cars. He made it pretty far, part of it just on momentum with all wheels free. And it took a Defender with a snatch strap several attempts to get him out. I had just returned from the last show of the night, sitting in my car having a drink before hitting the sack and enjoying the show. 🙂 More on topic, I'll gladly help anyone who needs it and asks for it in a respectful manner. And have done so repeatedly in the past, including towing a car with a woman and child from the center lane of one our busiest highways. May not have been without risk, but definitely the right thing to do, but for those people and to avoid more chaos and accidents in the increasing traffic. But some very good point about liability, something I'll keep in mind in future. Maybe if you live in an area where there's a good chance to asked to help stuck cars, you could keep a standard form in the Landie for them to sign. If they're of good faith, there shouldn't be any objections. Filip

A 14cc gear pump mounted on an electromagnetic clutch, rated to 5000rpm so should be fine when driven by the serpentine belt of the V8. I just hope the bigger pump doesn't cause slippage under low revs/high load conditions. Luckily pumps are cheap and easy to swap as long as you stay in the same group.

I didn't realize Nissan shared a designer with LR. That Armada/ Patrol could be another Range Rover variant, just slap on the badge...

It's actually in my Range Rover, not decided on the Esprit yet. I was quite happy with the Nightbreakers, but got a tip from a mate who tried LED H4 and H1s in his Esprit. So I got the same ones, from www.classiccarleds.co.uk. Very good light, I do need to check adjustment as it doesn't seem very sharp. Could be one is still set for RHD, which will give a strange pattern when combined with a LHD lamp body. The big advantage for me is that you retain the standard look. There are LED-assemblies available for the Esprit as well, excellent light, but I'd be ashamed to use them as it would look like a Porker. 😛 Filip

Still gonna try and finish the Range. Got some more goodies this week, including a new hydraulic pump with clutch. Fingers crossed! Filip

It should, but that's a bit hard if you can't park inside over night. 😉 I replace the timer relay with a standard 4-pin relay on all P38s. That way the EAS is only active when the ignition is on, so wont wake up to level when parked. Helps prevent loss of air and makes it easier to check for leaks as you'll know which corner drops (as @elbekko said). Do keep the timer relay in the car, as you'll need it to connect diagnostics. Unless you manage to cycle the ignition in exactly the right way to put the EAS into diagnostic mode. Filip

I did the test with a 2Ah and 5Ah in my (old) DeWalt impact, and could not find a difference. Nuts done up as tight as posible with the 5Ah could be undone with the 2Ah. Both freshly charged of course. The 5Ah battery I used was a few years older than the 2 Ah, I haven't tried it again with the new 5Ah but don't expect to see much difference. Filip

Maybe you should look again at the cheap bluetooth things. I don't like modern technology and don't even use a smart phone. But I do have an old smart phone and a cheap OBD dongle (€20 or something + a free app) in the Workshop to be able to do basic diagnostics on non-LR cars. I find it very easy to use, just plug it in, start Torque (or another app) and you're off. In fact, I find it easier to use than either the Hawkeye or Lynx LR systems. Still prefer my old Rovacom to everything else, but that can't handle modern(ish) stuff. Filip

I do hope you have made an access hatch under the rear seat, so you don't have to drop the tank again...

You could put a T in the return from the radiator and plumb the return from the heater core to that. Or in the smaller pipe from the reservoir (it's often easier to find a T-pieve with equel diameters). As you probably know, on a 4.6 the thermostat is in an external housing and the return from the heater core goes there (as well as the bypass hose). Filip

I've recently upgraded my 5-year old cordless DeWalt impact to the latest DCF899. As discussed in another thread about impacts. So far it has managed to release everything I threw at it, including suspension bolts on a 20 year old Range Rover that had been sitting outside for some years. Bolts on a Micra wouldn't worry me. It's not cheap, but as I already had batteries and a charger, I found £150 for the bare tool a good investment and have been very happy with it. Even better, I sold the old one on for £90. 🙂 Filip