CharlesM Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 So, the long term project of improving my 1999 V6 Coupe begins. I believe the colour to be Dark Amethyst Pearl, so Purple Peril it is. Since picking it up yesterday I've driven about 350 miles (just back from picking up the refurbished wheels I bought to replace the really tatty ones) and had a real go through the service history. The car is really very together, everything works, handles and tracks correctly and the ride is good. For a long distance cruiser it is superb. Obvious things - it needs an ATF change and I think the cambelt could do with changing. I also think a wheel bearing or two are just starting to moan a bit. The paint needs a lot of work (a test panel just now however shows it can come up beautifully) and the interior needs a good clean. New dipped bulbs and wipers also required. I think the first obvious action is to show it to someone much better able to assess the mechanical side than I and work out a programme of things to do. For example - the temperature gauge needle sat at about one third up the dial all the way there and back today. Is this normal? I am really encouraged by it I have to say. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 14, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Hello mate, please post pics of before and after on the test panels including all swirls, marring and holograms(if any)......flawless paint work just does it for me.....did I just say that aloud? I bought 2 800w halogen lamps last year but I haven't mastered them yet to get the best results. Really look forward to the results. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Today was just one test piece as my Sonus cutting pad had just arrived (it's a bit milder than the Menzerna ones I use on the Benzes). I'll do some photos before of the sections that are worst. The paint looks as though it has been through every dirty car wash in the country, but the one panel I did was a lot lot easier to do than the Benz, as you said the paint is a lot softer. This will certainly make it easier, but higher risk. The Sonus did well but there are a few holograms so I shall try a slightly different tack. This may take some time as my leg needs rest, alas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Coupe Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 My temperature gauge stays roughly halfway between a third and a half. So far I've only heard the fan cut in about twice, but then I don't often sit in long traffic queues, and the weather hasn't been that warm yet. Nice to drive along the seafront with the sunroof open at the weekend, though. All this talk about paintwork is reminding me to get the dented front wing repaired. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Just checking - I know where the gauge should be for Benzes (about 90) and BMWs (exactly half - anything above that and she's about to blow) but wanted to check the Honda equivalent - my old BMW M535i thermostat has just gone and so it's a topical theme. Just ordered the Valvoline ATF. I've decided that has to be priority number one, I think from kickdowns and cold shifts being jerky, it needs doing. Now to find someone sensible to do it! I suffer from old car paranoia. I know they're out to get me, everyone so far has been! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Coupe Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Sometimes I worry that my Lexus and Honda are 18 and 17 years old respectively. Almost everyone else seems to be driving around in 64-reg BMWs or whatever, and I feel I must be on borrowed time, car-wise. So one of the pleasures of this forum is discovering that all the other members drive cars as old as mine and spend money on them because they intend to keep them, despite the fact that they're already older than many others that have been scrapped. Both cars are so reliable and make me feel a bit 'special' and unusual when I'm driving around in them, yet they cost so little to buy. What I paid for my Honda, plus what I've spent on it since, is less than a new car depreciates in a year. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 18 minutes ago, BN Coupe said: All this talk about paintwork is reminding me to get the dented front wing repaired. If minor denting my friend who restores W124s uses a very very good dent remover in Brighton who works wonders - I'll get his details. If too deep, he uses an excellent bodyshop in Seaford who do very good work at sensible prices (so far 8 cars put through without any complaints), R&S Motors. They will do the job you pay them for - from top quality to decent trade work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Coupe Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 Thanks. I've already had a quote of £150 from the guy who did some paint on my Lexus, and that seems very reasonable - by general agreement better (and cheaper) than fitting and painting a replacement (secondhand) wing. But no harm in shopping around. As I've said before on here, I wasn't going to bother with any cosmetic repairs to the car, but I like it so much that the dent really bothers me now. Plus I'd be ashamed to let anyone else on here see it! Mine certainly isn't the smartest example, and never will be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Mine has a dent on the swage line, not entirely sure this can easily be removed. I'm putting the majority of photos in the gallery, rather than here, but here is that photo thread. My wheel centres arrived today so having picked up the refurbs yesterday (an indifferent set but way better than existing) I'll see if my leg will let me put some on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 First brim to brim fill resulted in an average 29mpg, which is not bad for a 3 litre, although much of that was motorway, the average I suspect ruined by the back road canings I've administered! Picked up a clonk in the front nearside suspension going over speed bumps, so will get that investigated. A minor clunkette from the front o/s too. Car now booked in for ATF change next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 16, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 How many miles out of a full tank mate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 It was about 320 on the clock with 11 gallons going in (sorry I convert from litres all the time) and the gauge showed about an tenth of a tank left, so about 350ish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 16, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 As happy as I am for you it also really depresses me as I just cannot get anywhere near that!!! I'm lucky if I can get 280 out of a full tank with combined driving....im monitoring it now and will report back soon on this. Process of elimination with the help of Stu. I'm just p****** money away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 250 miles of that was motorway which I mostly did on cruise (saved my right leg), so that is most probably the reason why, plus the estimate of tank capacity left. Plus over half the tank was VPower. My experience of old cars has taught me that some engines can be better than others without any real reason why. Good luck finding the cause! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 16, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 Cheers mate.....watch this space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 I've decided to do a budget to avoid my normal problem of over-spending on a new arrival. I'm not going to cost my time or materials and I'll treat things like servicing and fluids etc as running costs. To date wheels have cost £120, wheel caps £11. Reading up on likely causes of clunks at the front, I can eliminate the anti roll bar bushes as those have been replaced. The ball joints seem a likely culprit and/or control arm bushes. I'll have a play around when more mobile (changing the wheels will give me a good chance to have a fiddle around). I suspect at 110,000 miles much of the suspension will need refreshing. Doing it all at once will probably save money but the bill might be a bit large! Cambelt also needs doing for peace of mind. I can get parts prices from ECP inter alia but is there a Honda dealer anywhere with online pricing? I'd rather buy OEM parts if I can. Also, is there an electronic parts catalogue with diagrams one can access? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 17, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 22 minutes ago, CharlesM said: I've decided to do a budget to avoid my normal problem of over-spending on a new arrival. I'm not going to cost my time or materials and I'll treat things like servicing and fluids etc as running costs. To date wheels have cost £120, wheel caps £11. Reading up on likely causes of clunks at the front, I can eliminate the anti roll bar bushes as those have been replaced. The ball joints seem a likely culprit and/or control arm bushes. I'll have a play around when more mobile (changing the wheels will give me a good chance to have a fiddle around). I can get parts prices from ECP inter alia but is there a Honda dealer anywhere with online pricing? I'd rather buy OEM parts if I can. This site gives you the costs of OEM parts http://www.lingshondaparts.com/honda_car_parts_block_selection_C30.php?mod_01=417 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Thanks Ahsy, that's very helpful, although I can't locate a ball joint in toto, just bits. However did find the cost of a cambelt as that is also on the list of things needing doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BN Coupe Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Will you be fitting the cambelt yourself? When I enquired last year (because two of the very low mileage Coupes 'with full service history' that I investigated had never had a cambelt change, not in 15 years) the cost of supplying and fitting by my Honda dealer was about £250. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Not a chance I'll be doing that myself! Things like that will be left to Honda dealers/specialists, whereas suspension stuff I can get the local garage to do. I'm keen always to get parts costs and details so I can hunt around and see if I can find things elsewhere more cheaply. Experience in restoring an old car of late has taught me that you have to be horribly disciplined about parts buying as it can all mount up to a lot. I've found aftermarket is often not as cheap as one thinks and genuine stuff often fits better (and therefore saves on labour). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators hughezee Posted March 17, 2016 Administrators Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Just a couple of things to mention Lings Honda lists genuine Honda badged parts at retail prices and since the site recent update it hasn't been the best experience for some lately getting the wrong parts sent. The OEM (original equipment manufacture) parts are available from various sources at a fraction of the Lings prices and most UK after-market suppliers get our USA built cars confused with UK built model so you can get allot parts that just wont fit Additionally in certain sections of the site feature parts listed with part numbers and RRP (linked below), also look out for our on-line store opening soon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Amusingly just got back to find a silver Accord coupe parked 50 yards from my house. It may have been here many times before, and is possibly one of the neighbours but I had not perceived it to be there before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member AhsyV6 Posted March 17, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 1 hour ago, CharlesM said: Amusingly just got back to find a silver Accord coupe parked 50 yards from my house. It may have been here many times before, and is possibly one of the neighbours but I had not perceived it to be there before! Get them to join us 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesM Posted March 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2016 Still here this morning and I think one of the neighbours. A gold 2.0ES in need, it must be said, of a bit of a detail. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founding Member Mazda Man Posted March 19, 2016 Founding Member Report Share Posted March 19, 2016 Nice, although I'm pretty sure the 'twig bumper option' was a dealer only extra. Opportunity Charles to talk coupe with a fellow owner and as Ahsy said, point him in this direction. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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