#1458 update (long)

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi All

Well, here's what's been happenning since #1458 and #2727 arrived. I've
been working hard trying to get #1458 driving in time for the NEC show
this weekend. Unfortunately it was not to be and if you read my previous
message, and Dave Swingle's reply, you'll know why.

First off, We finally got to the point of turning the key to start her
up for the first time in an estimated 4 years last thursday evening.
With a new fuel tank, new fuel pump, pump boot, feeder hoses, pickup
filter, fuel filter, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs plus
approximately 9 litres of petrol and two bottles of injector cleaner, I
jumped in and turned the key....

After cranking for a while (obviously all the lines were full of air)
she spluttered to life. She stalled every time I took my foot off the
accelerator, so after three attempts, Jason (the mechanic) just told me
to hold my foot there and keep her at between 2000-3000 rpm. She was
really rough and this is what came out the back...

http://www.delorean.co.uk/pictures/DCP02268.jpg

We weren't too worried given the high concentration of injector cleaner
and oil Jason had run down the cylinders previously, but unfortunately
once warm, she stalled and refused to start again (lets jump forward a
day and point out this WASN'T the accumulator)

We left her until the following day when we discovered she wouldn't
start AT ALL. Having read up on the "hot start" quick fix, we tried
that, and she fired up and would idle, but would stall with any
throttle.

We tried EVERYTHING... Having #2727 sitting behind let me play with
swapping bits - I tried the CPR, the Cold Start valve, the frequency
valve... they all worked fine.

Eventually, I rang PJ Grady and was told to check the plunger in the
distributor. I also rang the Renault dealer down the road and pretended
I had a Renault 25, same suggestion (after a lot of ideas that weren't
relevant to the DeLorean). Sure enough it was stuck fast at full
throttle. We freed it up and reassembled everything.

Playing with all these fuel hoses loosened them up a bit and I had no
fewer than three seperate leaks, but the engine started and ran
beautifully!

Now back to the problem I mentioned a few days ago. It looks like my 5th
gear nut HAS come loose and drilled its way through the case. I have no
5th gear and 4th is only just meshing (it grinds when you throttle
back).

Interestingly, I've rung around a few Renault parts places and ALL were
familiar with this problem, though it IS rare, it's a known problem.

Jason's not a gearbox man, but he's pulling off that back cover to see
if it's a simple fix, if not, the box is off to a specialist...

On a side note, the 2-mile test run we did was an experience! Driving my
D for the first time - scaring Jason by driving too near the centre of
the road (first LHD car I've ever driven), having people flash me coming
the other way (never see a D on the roads here!)... I'm looking forward
to having her running properly!

Brakes are really spongy too - a couple more hoses getting changed.

Also if anyone is interested, I picked up an EXACT replacement rear-view
mirror from a scrapyard for £5. I'm also going to perform Hank's Saab
mirror-switch conversion having effectively destroyed mine getting the
damn thing out. My window switches weren't working, but a squirt of
Servisol10 in each one fixed them perfectly. My drivers window
continually falls off its track at the front - looking at that at some
point in the future. Replaced the broken door handle on the drivers door
with one of DMC Houston's remanufactured units, and discovered my
drivers side door lock is completely knackered - won't turn at all.
Still, at least the central locking module is easy to fix - I've found
some nice mini 10A relays from Maplin for £1.49 each - should replace
the stock ones nicely.

All the best

Martin
#1458
www.delorean.co.uk