Whitesands

Cleaned off the film that I always get on the body panels around the tailpipe, this was the result of 1,300 miles.

It looked worse on the car than in the photo.

megaelf

Went from -1/+1 to -4/0 (cold) on my -89GT. Will do dyno later in spring...

Thank's Roger and PorKen for the excellent tool!

aaddpp

I test cleaned a spare piston using Berryman's Chem Dip solution. The piston, with rings in place, was soaked for 24 hours. Most of the carbon on the sides and rings washed off with a few up and down dunks in the Berryman's can. To clean the piston top I rubbed the carbon very lightly (took almost no pressure) with my double-gloved finger. The Chem Dip had turned the carbon into something like a gel or runny cream. I used a soft bristle toothbrush to clean the valve cut outs (not sure if thats OK on this material). Finished off with a water rinse and a compressed air to make sure no water remained.

The piston BTW is not really as green in the after shots make it look - my white balance was off on my camera.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6837125883/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841085039/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6837127005/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841083227/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6837145353/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841087615/
Close up of the ring lands - before / after

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6837143045/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841104091/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841088927/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841090741/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51967142@N00/6841090109/

BSnyder

Replaced the broken dome light with the VW replacement (and wiring harness from Roger) Installation took about 5 minutes. The new light's trim is not an exact fit as seen in the first photo, but with the visors in their standard position, the difference isn't very noticeable.

fraggle

First drive after re-installing hvac box, blower, dash console, and pod.

Steering wheel is off one spline.
Runs rough, but with fuel from Thanksgiving and brains unpugged for months, I'm glad it starts at all.
No dash lights.
No radio.
No blower.
Volt gauge zeros below the bottom of the gauge and only runs at 10V.

Looks like I got work to do tomorrow.
Heater is kicked back on in the garage, should be a nice 65F in there tomorrow.

911tracker85

fuel pump, filter, hose, strainer

next up?
headers (sending to jet-hot), MM, OPG + some general maintenance.

hb253

- cobbled up lumber to allow use of my low profile ramps without scraping the spoiler
- cleaned ground from engine to chassis
- adjusted alternator belt tension
- removed battery to clean posts, date sticker shows May 1999, voltmeter showing 12.1 volts, charged it, letting it rest to check voltage in a few hours, most likely I'll be buying a battery later today.

911tracker85

forget, OT.

full intake, fuel lines, injectors cleaned/rebuild

MBMB

Bob, what coating are you getting on the headers, and about how much is it costing?

fraggle

Dove back in!

Dash lights are back, the rheostat plug in the pod worked loose.
Radio is back.

Blower is still MIA. I believe that one of the connectors to the AC controller (NOT the head unit) is improperly seated. Everything else tests out when I jumper a relay here and there, it's just the head unit isn't getting any power.

Which also means I cannot test any of the switches and actuators! Argh.

I'll pull the console again once my new leather one shows up. At least I REALLY REALLY know how to test everything before buttoning it up.

dr bob

Found replacement wiper refills at a nearby CarQuest store. Most everybody expects you to replace the whole blade, but then I wouldn't have that wonderful high-speed air deflector wing on the new blade.

While installing the refills in the parking lot, it sprinkled a few drops. Got it all buttoned up in time to make it across the San Gabriel Valley from the morning PCA gathering without actually having to use the new blades. Whew! Too cloe for comfort!


Car is running perfectly, as usual.

MBMB

Installed oil pan studs.

polecat702

Washed & smog tested today. Can't figure out why one backup light is brighter than the other. Peplaced both bulbs at the same time. I'll be installing new motor mounts, rack bushings, oil pan gasket, and trans service when I return in 3 weeks.

SanDiego928

Drove down to the big city. Bought a new golf club for my son (bday) and raced home to see the GF. Cruises very nicely at 110. Hard to pull back in the garage.........

laneskelton

I replaced the faulty "new" alternator with another new one and drove it around town with my 3 year old daughter.