Yolo the story so far

[Yolo]

Hi all I have been on here for a while now and learnt quite a bit from you guys, mostly through hijacking other peoples threads and asking questions about what they are doing so sorry about that …. and its the reason I am now starting my own thread (you can get your own back now) .

I also thought it would be a great way to share my mistakes and problems as I go along in the hope that others avoid the same problems. It hopefully is also a way to encourage others to have a go because everything I have done is coming from a complete amateur status with no spannering experience whatsoever in fact I had to buy the spanners to start with so hopefully that puts my background into context.

I hope any new members take some hope from the fact that if i can do it then anyone can and after all we (as in the real mechanics here ) are here to help you through it and I am more than happy to share my limited experience with anyone that cares to ask.

I guess I should give the story so far. I bought my 92 silver Eunos 1.6 in March 13 and got hooked straight away, since then I have gotten my hands a bit dirty.

To date I have done the following

Full fluid change oil, diff and gearbox
oil and air filter
Thermostat replaced
new coolant
CAS O ring replaced
Rocker cover gasket replaced
heater vent seals replaced
Mk1 suspension swapped for Mk2
Mk1 seat changed for Mk2.5 leather
Suspension bushes replaced
heater hoses replaced
replaced the dash lights for LEDs
Radiator hoses replaced
1.6 to 1.8 brake upgrade
front calipers replaced
brake hoses replace for braided

I have have enjoyed and been frustrated by these jobs in equal measure but there is nothing like the feeling you get when something is complete and you did it yourself so folks if you feel nervous about getting your hands dirty then please take some comfort in the fact that I started from nothing and still managed to come out the other side.

Whats next

I have to do another service and there is a clutch slave cylinder and fuel filter sitting in the car to get sorted so watch this space but right now I am working on the interior.

I just got 3 mtrs of fake leather and plan to recover the door cards as well as the centre console. The first door card is off and stripped and my good lady is quilting the cover for me while I play with a jig saw and make new cards. things look ok and I hope to be in a position to test fit the new card tomorrow. pics to follow.

This leads me to my first question

Now the door card is off I plan to grease the windows (tips welcome) but want to know if anyone has any idea how to clean that black gulp off the door as its everywhere (the previous owner has been in there before me) and what do I use to replace it when I put new plastic back on?

[Li5]

I like that question, will wait for the answer as need to do mine.

My problem is being even more of an amateur I have to borrow the tools!!
I do a good line in sheering bolts so can help you there

[Mazda Mender]

Why do you want to remove it to replace it for the door membrane seal ?
As for greasing a good Lithium grease is good for the wheels/cogs on the window mechs, as for the window channels a good clean to remove the dirt ( we use Waynes wipes ) but some baby wipes from home and bargain etc will do , while you are out shopping call at Halfords and get a tin of their own brand silicon lube spray ( red lid/ silver can) start the roadster up as they are not the best with out her running ( if you have electic windows if not then there is no need to start and run), start with the windows up and spray the hell out of the rubber channel and then bring the window down, spray the top have of the window channel with the lube ,bring the window up and down again a good number of times to get that lube worked in, while you are at it spray the lock and latch which will free it all up and also add a barrier for winter frost.
M-m

[Yolo]

Liz I have sheared a few myself....

Wayne I only want to clean it up as its a mess and you can't touch anything without getting covered in the stuff. I have some decent gauge plastic that can replace it but just wondered what to use as the non permanent sealant.

Pics to follow.

[Mazda Mender]

It needs to seal otherwise it will let water past,it is worse when it is warm, at this time of year with it being cold it is a bit easier to work with, i tend to pull them apart and use a sharp knife and cut inbetweeen the door and membrane through the goo to seperate as it becomes neat and not everywhere , if you really do want to remove the black goo , take off as much as you can and clean the rest with a rag and .....WD40 will do it.
But unsure what i would use in place of it buddy.
M-m

[Yolo]

Thank Mm maybe I will try to remove as much of the excess as possible and leave the rest. Will let you know how I get on.

[Yolo]

Hi all I finally got round to getting the spanners out and thought I would start with the fuel filter that I bought a while back. It was shown as a genuine mazda part for a Mk1 but it looks nothing like the one that's on the car.
Can I make this fit?

Fuel filter

image.jpg (174.41 KiB) Viewed 17503 times

Another quick question how the hell do you get the rubber hoses off? It feels like they are glued on....

[Yolo]

Anyone any tips on the hoses?

[Mazda Mender]

It is a OE one, we have a handy little tool that helps break the seal on rubber hoses which is in this very handy cheap kit...
(third one down if the bigger tools)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141360577717? ... EBIDX%3AIT

This are a very handy set to have in the kit to, which will come in very handy for many things including the fuel filter change on a MK 1...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fluid-Line-Cl ... 2a4c290fb9

But this should come in handy...
viewtopic.php?f=157&t=2445
M-m

[Yolo]

Thanks buddy, I am struggling to get the hoses off. I figured everything else out and it is just sitting there looking at me. I figured some sort of a hook would be needed but wasn't sure and I didn't want to tear the hoses...

[Yolo]

Quick update to the fuel filter, an easy job by most standards, I think I may have messed up a bit. I got the hoses off and used a golf tee to block the fuel line (my father in laws not mine don't judge).

Got the filter in place and took out the golf tee, my problem is it was coated in a fluorescent paint which has dissolved in the fuel line leaving a nice clean tee..... Do I take off the rubber hose and replace it or take the chance and hope it burns off?

[Mazda Mender]

Yeah take it off to clean i would not chance the paint blocking the injectors,just block the filter so the fuel does not come running out.
M-m

[Yolo]

Ok so a quick update. Yesterday I took it to get a underbody wash before I give her a clean before MOT in a couple of weeks.

When it was on the ramp I was able to have a good look and found the start of some rust.

Never having had to deal with this before I have no clue where to start so here are a few pics.

On ramp not looking too bad for an old girl

image.jpg (127.96 KiB) Viewed 17472 times

So my questions
Is this an MOT fail?

Is this a job for a pro or can I get a local with a welder to have a go?

What about the surface rust on the arch and front wing is that a case of grind back the paint treat prime and paint again?

Wha tools? I used a grinder and a heavy cup brush to take back what you can see now. Anything I should use or see?

All advice welcome

[Mazda Mender]

The arches are save able but the sill section needs cutting out and the inner sorting before the new outer section is fitted, don't cut corners on a proper repair other wise it will come back worse and bite you in the ar*e.
When you do have it correctly done make sure the inner and outer is sealed tight to stop it coming back again.
M-m

[Yolo]

Mm does it need taking back to the seam with a bought repair panel or do I just need it cut back to clean metal, the inside cleaned and treated, then a new square of metal welded on the outter skin.

Want to make sure it gets what it needs and not a fudge.

Something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MX5-Eunos-Mia ... 1014290934

Thx.