It may only be February, but spring will be here before you know it. It’ll come even faster if it knows your project car isn’t ready, so earlier this week we asked what your car needs before warmer weather arrives. Today, we’re combing through just how unfinished your projects are.
Patching Leaks
Actually did get a maint item done that cropped up.
The turbo on my car has an oil sump and there is a breather line that either comes out of that or the turbo itself (not sure which off memory). Anyway that hose redirects back to the emissions stuff and it was starting to leak. hose was oil soaked at the bottom and it was finally showing up on the skid tray below.
So while not critical I did want to do it just cause well... hose leaky no likey.
Had to pull intake duct, and one radiator fan was it.
A breather line may not be the end of the world, but oil is still best when it’s inside your engine. Pro tip: Keep it there.
Submitted by: skraelingshortbus
Wear Items Really Do Wear
Volvo C30: Needs a new coolant expansion tank (mine is showing signs of spiderwebbing that look like cracks waiting to happen) along with new motor and transmission mounts. Might throw on some new shocks and struts as well.
Volvo S60: New brakes. Also needs an alignment.
Need to clean both top to bottom, inside and out. With over a foot of snow here in the past month, our roads are saltier than a bag of Funyuns.
I’m a big fan of semi-solid engine and transmission mounts, to give you more of a connection to the car. I also famously did this to a station wagon, which sort of shows you where my priorities lie.
This Might Be More Of A When Than An If
A good cleaning. Finally install 2 engine mounts sitting in my closet. Finish painting the wheels. General mini-detail and freshening in anticipation of possible sale by end of year. If car prices skyrocket and/or economy tanks, I’ll hang on to it. (appearing likely)
Haha, yeah. If the economy tanks. It definitely is not a sure thing that keeps me awake at night.
It Might Be A Little Late For Those Snows
The new to us Fiat 500 got a new thermostat to replace the failed unit and a new battery. The trunk lock still needs sorting along with windshield wipers and the driver’s side mirror. On the plus side we have snow tires on the way.
The truck and motorcycle need some minor work but that waits until warm weather.
Remember when your snow tires used to make their usefulness known in December, or even late November? Pepperidge Farms remembers. I do too, and it’s terrifying to live in a world that has a genuinely and noticeably different climate from the one I grew up in.
Impeccable Taste
The Austin Healey Sprite, just needs a pull of the choke handle and a turn of the key.
The Jeep MJ needs the transfer case output shaft bushing and seal replaced.
The Mercedes R107 needs a tune up of the Bosch KE Jetronic, it’s running very rough since swapping the injectors and fuel pump before parking it.
I know the focus here is supposed to be on the wrenching, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is a fantastic three-car garage. Fantastic both for you and for whoever’s selling you parts.
While You’re In There
The crack in my exhaust manifold is probably getting bigger so I’ll have to buy a new one eventually...and if I’m doing that, I might as well upgrade the cams, valves and springs...and since I’ll need a retune anyways, might as well finish off my bolt ons with an upgraded intercooler...
This is the exact mindset that led to me spending nearly my old Subaru’s value in repairs and mods. I cannot recommend this approach enough.
The Loathed Carburetor
Not a car, but bike. One of them, my primary summer transport, needs the annual carb cleaning, bi-annual belt change, valve clearance check, oil and fluid change. Plus ignition upgrade. And lots of time for prayers, hoping it wouldn’t self-destruct this riding season.
I have never, in my life, had a carburetor play nice after a long winter in storage. I hope your bike is more cooperative than the ATVs I had as a kid.
Bike Bits And Bobs
All three bikes need an oil change and a good wash. The Norton needs the fuel replaced as it’s a bit old. The CB350 needs new plugs and leads. The Bonneville needs an inspection.
Oh I need an inspection too, don’t I? Well, that’s going on the list to do in short order.
Add More Gallons
Install the fuel cell on my track car. 8 gallons in the old Miata tank only lasts 1/2 a track day since adding the turbo.
Sounds like you either need a 16-gallon fuel cell, or to get in the habit of going out for gas on your lunch break. Or, y’know, jerry cans.
What If You Just Throw The Walnuts Really Hard
My GTI needs the trans oil changed and rear rotors installed. Not because it _really_ needs the rotors, but because I bought them ahead of time but didn’t have the right tool to get the caliper brackets off. So I changed the pads, which were due but not urgent, and now the rotors are taking up space on my shelf. I have the tool now. Oh, and it’s due for a couple of DWS-06 when I take the winters off. It’s giving me hints that it might want a water pump, but that can wait until the VFR is back together. My condo doesn’t allow car repairs, which I interpret as no car repairs that anyone will notice behind closed garage doors. That rules out running an air compressor, which rules out walnut blasting my intake valves, which means it goes to a shop for the whole shebang.
My VFR... needs me to quit fucking with it and just put it back together. After I change the brake fluid. Which the GTI also needs. Damn.
It would take longer, for sure, but you can’t know that it wouldn’t work until you try it. If you do, please film it and send it to me.
Submitted by: alreadyforgotmyaccountkey
We Hate Fiddly Jobs Like That
I’m in the never ending process of refreshing my 98 M Roadster to “factory or better” on mechanical condition.
I have two spring projects. The first is easy, I bought a Zionsville aluminum radiator with electric fan to get rid of the final plastics in my cooling system.
The second terrifies me. I need to replace the shift detent springs in the ZF transmission. So, I have to drop the transmission, hammer out some bushings without losing them in the transmission and replace the clutch and other shifter refresh things while I’m in there. I... have no idea what I’m doing.
Turning a socket wrench is easy and rewarding, fishing out springs from inside a gearbox isn’t. Good luck, godspeed, and hopefully it goes well.
Need A New Paperweight
Wheel bearing. Right now it’s on display as artwork on my desk. No rush, it’s only mildly noisy. Oh that DMM above looks like a Harbor Freight model. Sure, good enough for troubleshooting.
You should swap out the wheel bearing on your desk for the old one and see how long it takes anyone to notice. My money is on “no one ever does.”
Strutting
Jeep gladiator....time to replace shocks. 4 new Bilstein on the way. New tires after shocks, back ones first since they have some uneven wear. New brake pads when I take the wheels off for the shocks. Just changed the transfer case fluid.
Having done struts on a Jeep before, you shouldn’t be in for too tough a job. Just remember that everything will be rustier and more of a pain than you’re expecting.
How Many Of You Have Busted Jeeps?
Jeep - motor mounts, sway bar end links - have the parts, don’t have the time.
Suburban - figure out the issue it’s got. Before its issue was staying running, now it’s just.. not firing. (hopefully this week)
The others are on the back-burner.
It has to be a non-zero number, they’re a popular enthusiast vehicle, but we’ve got two in a row here. Not as bad as the Suburban, though.
Oh Honey You Are Not Gonna Be Done By Spring
What is the character limit on this platform? I have a 2001 BMW M5.
See you in 2026, Stephen.