Leeroy Log, bronto's custodianship
10-30-2012, 02:10 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Leeroy Log, bronto's custodianship
Leeroy is safely "home", insured, smogged, transferred and tagged.
For those that asked, credit those who helped, and document for future custodians, here's what needed to be done.
Preparation...
I contacted Mark about a month ago about using Leeroy while my car is getting a repaint. For those that didn't see it, my fender got crunched when I went to see the Munck auction in Filmore in September. It was damaged when I went to go leave, and there was no note. Big bummer, but it pushed me over the edge away from trying to keep a "patina" on my '79, and completely redo the original silver metallic exterior. Mark was helpful, got me basic information for insurance and title purposes, and had his son drive Leeroy around for a few days prior to Sharktoberfest when I planned to "take delivery". In the meantime I paid a visit to the DMV to deal with registration issues and make sure it was legal to move. It hadn't been driven since Brendan finished with it in January of 2010, and it hadn't been registered since then. Title was still in Brendan's name. I added Leeroy to my existing insurance policy, paid for back registration fees and penalties ($360), and managed to procure 2 1-day transport permits from the DMV. For those of you outside of California, CA is very strict about registration and if you are 6 months out of registration your car will get towed if you are caught. Smog certification is required, so I couldn't transfer title right then (and didn't have the pink slip anyway).
Sharktoberfest....
Jeff (Speedtoys) was nice enough to give me a ride down to Sharktoberfest on Friday.
Just after lunch on Saturday I got Leeroy's keys and took it for a spin. Everything was great except the Stop Light warning light was on. Back at 928 International, I checked the lights and sure enough they were inop. I borrowed a voltmeter and confirmed that no juice was getting to the bulbs. Jim Bailey was there and suggested that the usual fix was to swap wire connectors on the 2 pressure switches on the master cylinder. That gave me pause because some dissembly would be needed to reach the 2nd switch and it was already approaching mid afternoon. Starting a project seemed risky, but Jeff (speedtoys) and another guy (sorry! can't remember his name) dove right in. We got electrical schematics from Tom; I've read schematics before but it always takes me a while to decipher, but these other guys read them like a book. It was a frustrating experience because the readings on the voltmeter weren't making sense. Eventually we found that it's battery was dead, and soon after everything came together. The diagnosis was that BOTH pressure switches were dead. Mark supplied 1 fresh one and a couple of bulbs, and we were in business. Other than the car battery being dead by this time and needing a jump start. It was late afternoon by then and the trip back to the hotel was uneventful.
Jeff and I drove it to the Amazon BBQ for dinner for additional shake down. On this trip, the central warning light was flashing and it wouldn't go off. Also noted some burning oil smell. Other than that, no problems.
The central warning light was flashing on the trip back to the hotel as well.
Next day it became apparent that Leeroy is VERY cold blooded. Rough running until well warmed up. Central warning light still on. I had a wedding to go to in Anaheim at 2pm. Left on the trip back to Santa Barbara at about 5. Other than cold running issues and the central warning light, the trip was uneventful. For 228k miles on the odo, Leeroy drives very well. Oh, and it has an aftermarket steering wheel that doesn't cancel the turn signal.
Legalities...
I had an appointment for getting smogged Monday morning. I do what I normally do for getting smog; let my mechanic manage it. The last thing I want is for Leeroy (or my own 928) to get flagged as a polluter, and after sitting for 20 months I wasn't certain what would happen. Schneider Autohaus does 928 work and knows the cars. They test the car as if it's being smogged, and when it passes they take it across the street to the actual smog cert shop and get it passed. No surprises that way.
Well, Leeroy had some issues. Maybe the smog stations in Santa Barbara are especially tough but Schneider's was very worried about the visual inspection, as the dashpot had been removed, and a tube had been fabricated to run between the oil filler and to the exhaust just behind the cat. They noted a big glob of silicone to try and staunch the flow of oil from a cam tower that wasn't working. I had explained previously to Schneider's what Leeroy is and it's purpose, but I don't think they really "got it" yet, and were advising me that "I didn't want this car".
More discussions, explanations, getting Mark and Brendan involved, some parts shipped from Mark and progress was being made. Leeroy was running very lean before the breather hose was disconnected, and then afterwards running very rich. Chris (the mechanic) was concerned about compression, and when he pulled the plugs to check he found that they were fouled. Rather than continue with the compression checks he ordered new plugs. New plugs in, the numbers were good and smog was passed! $370 including cert.
Chris noted that several times the engine flooded, and that was probably the cause of the fouled plugs. Due to the immediate goal of simply getting it smogged, he didn't investigate further but suspects that the injectors are leaking.
While waiting for the smog issues to be resolved, I mentioned to Mark the flashing central warning light. He suggested disconnecting the battery to reset the computer.
I picked up the car on Saturday and got it home. Disconnected the battery to reset the computer, and yes, the central warning light is now OK. DMV appointment today, title transferred, $65. Done.
Status...
So, issues that Leeroy has remaining, or MAY yet have remaining.
Possible leaky injectors (time will tell I guess)
Oil leaking from cam tower. No drips on the floor yet, but always a smell of burning oil.
Turn signals don't cancel
My understanding is that Leeroy had great point at first, however at this point the top surfaces are pretty oxidized.
Driver's seat leather is disintegrating
AC isn't cold.
The above is not a complaint, I am happy. Just a note of it's status. If something gets to be a problem, it will need to be dealt with but I hope not. I will drive it a couple of days a week for the next few months during my repaint, and probably take a Fresno road trip or two for the holidays.
I would like to do some simple improvements during my term as custodian. Maybe bring the paint back to life. Brendan said he has rattle cans that match the paint, they can be used on the bumpers which have faded a bit from the original color. I might donate a decent original 3 spoke steering wheel to get the signal cancellation back.
I think in the future, smog should be done in a less strict locality than Santa Barbara. We probably should have gotten it done in Fullerton on Saturday. Maybe if the leak becomes bad, we could do a wrench day in So. Cal? I don't think Schneider's wants to see it again
Also, this car shouldn't sit. Plans should be made to transition to someone else who WILL drive it when a custodian is done with it. Or alternatively a custodian should keep it until someone else steps up. 20 months sitting isn't good....
For those that asked, credit those who helped, and document for future custodians, here's what needed to be done.
Preparation...
I contacted Mark about a month ago about using Leeroy while my car is getting a repaint. For those that didn't see it, my fender got crunched when I went to see the Munck auction in Filmore in September. It was damaged when I went to go leave, and there was no note. Big bummer, but it pushed me over the edge away from trying to keep a "patina" on my '79, and completely redo the original silver metallic exterior. Mark was helpful, got me basic information for insurance and title purposes, and had his son drive Leeroy around for a few days prior to Sharktoberfest when I planned to "take delivery". In the meantime I paid a visit to the DMV to deal with registration issues and make sure it was legal to move. It hadn't been driven since Brendan finished with it in January of 2010, and it hadn't been registered since then. Title was still in Brendan's name. I added Leeroy to my existing insurance policy, paid for back registration fees and penalties ($360), and managed to procure 2 1-day transport permits from the DMV. For those of you outside of California, CA is very strict about registration and if you are 6 months out of registration your car will get towed if you are caught. Smog certification is required, so I couldn't transfer title right then (and didn't have the pink slip anyway).
Sharktoberfest....
Jeff (Speedtoys) was nice enough to give me a ride down to Sharktoberfest on Friday.
Just after lunch on Saturday I got Leeroy's keys and took it for a spin. Everything was great except the Stop Light warning light was on. Back at 928 International, I checked the lights and sure enough they were inop. I borrowed a voltmeter and confirmed that no juice was getting to the bulbs. Jim Bailey was there and suggested that the usual fix was to swap wire connectors on the 2 pressure switches on the master cylinder. That gave me pause because some dissembly would be needed to reach the 2nd switch and it was already approaching mid afternoon. Starting a project seemed risky, but Jeff (speedtoys) and another guy (sorry! can't remember his name) dove right in. We got electrical schematics from Tom; I've read schematics before but it always takes me a while to decipher, but these other guys read them like a book. It was a frustrating experience because the readings on the voltmeter weren't making sense. Eventually we found that it's battery was dead, and soon after everything came together. The diagnosis was that BOTH pressure switches were dead. Mark supplied 1 fresh one and a couple of bulbs, and we were in business. Other than the car battery being dead by this time and needing a jump start. It was late afternoon by then and the trip back to the hotel was uneventful.
Jeff and I drove it to the Amazon BBQ for dinner for additional shake down. On this trip, the central warning light was flashing and it wouldn't go off. Also noted some burning oil smell. Other than that, no problems.
The central warning light was flashing on the trip back to the hotel as well.
Next day it became apparent that Leeroy is VERY cold blooded. Rough running until well warmed up. Central warning light still on. I had a wedding to go to in Anaheim at 2pm. Left on the trip back to Santa Barbara at about 5. Other than cold running issues and the central warning light, the trip was uneventful. For 228k miles on the odo, Leeroy drives very well. Oh, and it has an aftermarket steering wheel that doesn't cancel the turn signal.
Legalities...
I had an appointment for getting smogged Monday morning. I do what I normally do for getting smog; let my mechanic manage it. The last thing I want is for Leeroy (or my own 928) to get flagged as a polluter, and after sitting for 20 months I wasn't certain what would happen. Schneider Autohaus does 928 work and knows the cars. They test the car as if it's being smogged, and when it passes they take it across the street to the actual smog cert shop and get it passed. No surprises that way.
Well, Leeroy had some issues. Maybe the smog stations in Santa Barbara are especially tough but Schneider's was very worried about the visual inspection, as the dashpot had been removed, and a tube had been fabricated to run between the oil filler and to the exhaust just behind the cat. They noted a big glob of silicone to try and staunch the flow of oil from a cam tower that wasn't working. I had explained previously to Schneider's what Leeroy is and it's purpose, but I don't think they really "got it" yet, and were advising me that "I didn't want this car".
More discussions, explanations, getting Mark and Brendan involved, some parts shipped from Mark and progress was being made. Leeroy was running very lean before the breather hose was disconnected, and then afterwards running very rich. Chris (the mechanic) was concerned about compression, and when he pulled the plugs to check he found that they were fouled. Rather than continue with the compression checks he ordered new plugs. New plugs in, the numbers were good and smog was passed! $370 including cert.Chris noted that several times the engine flooded, and that was probably the cause of the fouled plugs. Due to the immediate goal of simply getting it smogged, he didn't investigate further but suspects that the injectors are leaking.
While waiting for the smog issues to be resolved, I mentioned to Mark the flashing central warning light. He suggested disconnecting the battery to reset the computer.
I picked up the car on Saturday and got it home. Disconnected the battery to reset the computer, and yes, the central warning light is now OK. DMV appointment today, title transferred, $65. Done.
Status...
So, issues that Leeroy has remaining, or MAY yet have remaining.
Possible leaky injectors (time will tell I guess)
Oil leaking from cam tower. No drips on the floor yet, but always a smell of burning oil.
Turn signals don't cancel
My understanding is that Leeroy had great point at first, however at this point the top surfaces are pretty oxidized.
Driver's seat leather is disintegrating
AC isn't cold.
The above is not a complaint, I am happy. Just a note of it's status. If something gets to be a problem, it will need to be dealt with but I hope not. I will drive it a couple of days a week for the next few months during my repaint, and probably take a Fresno road trip or two for the holidays.
I would like to do some simple improvements during my term as custodian. Maybe bring the paint back to life. Brendan said he has rattle cans that match the paint, they can be used on the bumpers which have faded a bit from the original color. I might donate a decent original 3 spoke steering wheel to get the signal cancellation back.
I think in the future, smog should be done in a less strict locality than Santa Barbara. We probably should have gotten it done in Fullerton on Saturday. Maybe if the leak becomes bad, we could do a wrench day in So. Cal? I don't think Schneider's wants to see it again
Also, this car shouldn't sit. Plans should be made to transition to someone else who WILL drive it when a custodian is done with it. Or alternatively a custodian should keep it until someone else steps up. 20 months sitting isn't good....
10-30-2012, 07:49 AM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Cam tower is a cheap fix more labor intensive than cost! I wouldn't worry about the turn signals not canceling and concentrate on the mechanicals.
As a Michigander I'm glad I don't live in CA with all those fees to get a car on the road, wow!
As a Michigander I'm glad I don't live in CA with all those fees to get a car on the road, wow!
10-30-2012, 01:14 PM
#4
I replaced the barn door MAF. Maybe it's bad again
10-30-2012, 01:54 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
That said, it's single stage paint, the paint doesn't look thin, so I think it will buff out really nicely. I have access to a buffing machine so I will give it a shot. It's not the prettiest color in the world, but there's no reason it shouldn't shine.
Trending Topics
10-30-2012, 05:08 PM
#9
11-09-2012, 01:27 AM
#13
Drifting
Thread Starter
The flashing central warning light has become a regular thing. Disconnecting the battery even momentarily corrects it, but it comes back pretty quickly. My casual observation is that it happens with a sudden drop in revs down to idle. When it's dark, I've also observed that in this same situation the headlights and dash board dims for a sec. So possibly it's reacting to a low voltage situation? I believe Leroy has had the Delco alternator swap done. And it's never been short of battery to start the car after initially going dead at 928 International while fixing the brake lights.
11-10-2012, 09:19 PM
#14
Yes, a solid delco was put in.
