what did you do to your car today?

[domer94]

there is a thread like this on the volvo forum i have been on for a couple of years now. it seems so many of us tinker in some fashion on a day to day basis. Without starting a completely new thread, its a great place to share with other members your experience of what job you may have tackled that particular day , thus generating many different discussions. anyhow, i hope it catches on...

[domer94]

spent more time than i would have liked removing some pretty badly corroded swaybar links today on my 01 aero. after which i replaced my lower torque rod and did some corrosion treating / painting. gave her a good wash and applied DYNATEX silicone compound to the plastic bumper and door guards - dynatex is a hidden gem.. i suggest everybody use it on their exterior plastic and rubber seals. it re-hydrates, so to speak, all of those parts and lasts a very long time - not like the usual exterior trim dressing stuff. does not leave parts all greasy either

new swaybar links from eeuroparts. the old ones were a ***** to get out.. even with liquid wrench

removed and painted the charge air pipe to the throttle body.. and replaced ALL the 5/32 vacuum hoses back there.. my engine bay restoration is coming together... from the corroded mess it started from. next comes all cooling hoses and clamps!

[brock01]

Put in new spark plugs (BCPR7ES11) and had some fun driving in the sun today!

[domer94]

Originally Posted by brock01

Put in new spark plugs (BCPR7ES11) and had some fun driving in the sun today!

cheers to that my friend felt reeaally good. my neighbors wonder how i can be having fun getting all greasy and grunting away under a car... guess you have to do it to understand

[brock01]

Originally Posted by domer94

cheers to that my friend felt reeaally good. my neighbors wonder how i can be having fun getting all greasy and grunting away under a car... guess you have to do it to understand

Felt very good, just broke 1200 miles on the new engine and turbo. And lol your right, you do have to do it to understand

[sobstory95]

Today, I replaced the brake booster vac hose and the pcv lines. Ive been having some stalling problems (automatic gearbox btw), thought it was an electrical issue. Now I thhink the vac line that was literally filled (couldnt even get compressed air to blow out the gunk) was the culprit. Drives like a dream!
Then tried to do brake pads, but whatever place did the last brake job tightened the caliper bolts so tight I cant get them off

And its too true, my friends always ask why do I love this car so much and put so much time into it. you just have to do it to understand

On to another day.
Cheers to all
Matt

[xianbei]

Originally Posted by domer94

spent more time than i would have liked removing some pretty badly corroded swaybar links today on my 01 aero.

I hear you... I thought i was going to snap my arm off at the wrist getting those bolts off!

Today? I replaced the window rollers on the driver's door. Pesky little buggers... Thanks for the writeup 'Al's Red Wagon'!

[domer94]

got around to replacing the cabin air filter and fuel filter. started applying dynatex silicone compound to the rubber seals in and around the doors. underside of the car looks great, but my mufflers are pretty badly rusted. i may use this opportunity to pick up that OBX cat-back system.

all that junk came out of the filter housing , and i vacuumed even more out.

i think it was time... god knows how long ago this was done

used the opportunity to clean / paint the filter holder. one thing i noticed, the old bosch filter had the top joint on the opposite side of the new one.

the shop helper

[bigern007]

It's still too darn cold to do much,but I ;

Pumped up a flat tire on my idle convertible
Tried to put some primer on my 911 project
Checked the battery on the Talladega[it's shot, so now I'm 2 batteries short]
Opened the hood on the 9-3,stared at the engine/tranny wondering why it won't shift itself int 4th gear

Closed hood,closed the garage,took the dog for a walk.....Ernie...

[TyrannicalTy95]

For my '99 (156k):
1. Began the weekend by flushing my coolant. My drain plug was a PITA. The coolant had nasty brown hue to it . Took out the resevoir and washed that thoroughly while I was at it.
2. Repaired the mounts on my lower passenger side fog light after a rabbit took it out. Cleaned inside the engine compartment.
3. Vacuumed and shampooed carpets. Re-glued liners to bottom of floor mat. Treated leather and Armor-alled the dash/doors.
4. Changed my wheels to the summer tires, throughly cleaned all 8 rims.
5. Washed car, and inside door sills, trunk. Went around with Kit Scratch remover to remove oxidation and minor scratches. Touched up nicks in the paint. Finished with coat of Nu Finish.

Next weekend my Forge Dump Valve should arrive, so I'll replace that as well as spark plugs. (Can anyone tell me where to get replacement hoses for the small line coming off of the BOV?) Maybe change out my CPS too.

[valrune]

Domer94...applied DYNATEX silicone compound .

What product number did you use?

[andyc4321]

Only changed oil and filter at the weekend.

[pegasus50]

The first 70 Deg. day we've had in a month--I attempted to swap out my drivers side fog light. The old one was was held in place with silicone and one rusty bolt that might as well have been welded. Which is the reason why I broke the same bolt on the replacement unit. The passenger side was pushed in from the top but those bolts wouldn't budge a nanometer. Frustrated I hit it with some PB Blaster and I'll start round two in the AM. That is if the rain holds off.

[honkahonka]

Used a clay bar to get surface defects off my new-to-me Saab. I'm impressed with the results. The car was garaged for most of it's life so I didn't expect a big improvement. After finishing though, it did have a much better look to it. Now to find time to compound/polish/wax. That will take at least a six pack!

[sobstory95]

jus swapped to Duralast Gold Ceramics front and premium semi metalics rear. NOT A SQUEAK!!
Got to love late night builds

[keithfoco]

finally got around to fixing that bent radio antenna.

BTW-for those of you swapping out plugs, try the BCPR6ES plugs and watch your starting problems and high boost issues go away. the 7's never really worked good for very long. many cars I put 7's in didnt even work great when they were brand new. a lot of people dont know about that trick.

[Kobe Diesel]

Ok, after running 1.5 years with a CEL & knowing it was the DIC, I finally replaced it with a new 'OEM' unit purchased new on Ebay for $215 shipped. CEL OUT...
Also withthin the last 3 days:
1. Replaced the spark plugs (NGK7-S)
2. replaced the flex pipe on the exhaust (much quieter now)
3. oil & filter changed = NOTE: having used Rotella 5w-40 synth for 3 years and a steady leak, I changed to the Supertech oil 5w-30 synth (it was way cheaper) about 5k miles ago, and the engine has miraculously stopped leaking!!! So I just refilled with the same ST oil.
4. Passed inspection
5. Duched the interior of the vehicle to rid of that Winter mess. Also, relocated the mouse nest from the spare tire compartment to the shed.

Miles 135,200.

Next up, 2 new rear tyres - Conti DWS or ExtremeContacts (current)


I was seriously considering purchase of a new car, but I love this one too much.

[lesenyap]

changed the oil again ,last week ,put new number plate on front today now its ready for another mot test (inspection )that will be the fouth one with nothing major wrong ,i hope

[Saaber95er]

Changed oil (Shell Rotella 5w40 full syn) at 126,219 replaced and speed balanced all tires with a set I had laying around (to get rid of the firestone firehawks gth it had). Firestone tires are CRAP!!!!
I don't care what anyone else thinks these tires are pieces of $#!+.

[captainbeaky]

Had a good tinker with my new toy.
Got it last weekend.
Spent about 8 hours on it over the weekend.

A 2003 9-5 aero estate 2.3T auto, in gunmetal grey with beige leather trim. Mint condition 100,000 miles, full service history.

Auto box was a bit rough, engine leaked oil from somewhere, so I got down and dirty.

Drained an refilled the auto box twice.

Dropped the sump - very glad I did - it was pretty bad. Looks like I caught it in time. Cleaning sump took ruddy ages.

Put breather mod kit in, and replaced other hoses. (had to pinch the little White pcb valve off the Viggen as I wanted to get it on the road tonight).

Treated the cylinders with redex.

Changed the plugs for bcpr7es (regapped to 1.1mm)

Put in new oil filter and 10w40 oil ( just using the cheaper 10w40 as a flushing oil for the next 1000 miles)

New air filter.

Boy she's smooth and sweet now.
( got it all back together for the habitual 10.00 pm Sunday night test drive)


Have got some interesting pics to post when I am not so Knackered.
Looking forward to the drive to work tomorrow.

Now... That's the basic maintenance covered... What next?