16/08/2016
So we had a look at the car last week, bearing in mind it has not run since 2012... We fired it up and it ran on 3 cylinders, barely
So we changed the plugs, drained and replaced the fuel, attempted to fix some of the oil leaks and change the injectors for some other ones that came with the car. Worryingly the car seemed to like knocking the gear linkage off, upon climbing underneath it turns out someone else feels they need the bolt the ties the gearbox to the cross member more than we do... Luckily an easy fix...
So after changing out the expired fire extinguisher we have a beer on Saturday afternoon as she looks good for a shakedown on Sunday, load up and off we go...
We arrive at Hampton Downs late as per normal for us on Sunday morning and unload the car, we hold our breath as we send the car up to scrutineering, and.... It passes with the only comments being add a front tow sticker...
So buoyed by our success so far we idle the car to warm her up and we even check the tyre pressures (15psi all round is probably not ideal.) Next thing we notice she is smelling a bit hot under the collar, so up goes the bonnet to discover a burst radiator hose, damn it, so the boys pop off to Repco Huntly for a replacement while I organise coffee and try and find some air for the tyres
Unbelieveably the Huntly Repco does not carry and radiator hose for a 1992 Pug 106 XSI... So we skillfully modify one with a craft knife and away we go, its our first lap ever around Hampton Downs and wouldn't you know it she is still huffing and puffing, back to pit lane for us to add more water and let the weapon cool down, we also hard wire the fan on so as to not have a cooked french Pug, its at this point we realise the starter motor is offended by being hot and will not work, the rest of the day involves pushing and crash starting...
Back out for driver number 2 and this time we get a full lap before she splutters to a slow crawl out of the final turn, back to pitlane for a pie and a discussion about a solution, Fuel surge is the decided culprit so we fill the tank and prepare to re join the action
After our morning of drama the afternoon is a hoot, the car is fun and does not miss a beat for the rest of the day, we set a lap time of 1.28 and head to Rangiriri for a beer to talk about how great we were...
Next stop Lemons...
