I'm going to stick him through an MoT and just drive him about while I decide his fate +++

The engine bay is the dirtiest I've ever seen :rolleyes:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556022905

A broken front sping to deal with - this and a torn balljoint boot on the lower front arm on the same corner are the only mechanical issues. Maria at Prestige sorted out a replacement spring of the same spec for me before the long weekend +++

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

Ugh. We all know what this is http://www.corradov8.com/pics/banghead.gif That is not getting fixed before the MoT! :p

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

The 3.7 has an additional oil cooler for the gearbox, as well as the standard one in the radiator. Lots of silly plumbing in this corner because of this.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

Factory towbar +++

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

Well, this is the source of the dampness in the cabin :( The driver's side carpet is utterly soaked, despite being dry on the top

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

I spent quite a while squeezing the water out of the foam like a sponge, then mopping it up with a towel. Its amazing how much it can hold under the carpet

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

I got out as much as I could by hand and then left the dehumidifier running overnight. Its going to take a few days of this to dry it out.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1555922260

I dealt with most the mechanical stuff today (next post) and will start cleaning up the interior tomorrow / Wednesday.

There are a bunch of electrical issues to sort as well since the moisture has got in to quite a few modules. The folding mirrors have a mind of their own, the column clicks but doesn't move, and the speedo and fuel gauge are both intermittent.

The drains probably all need cleaning too :rolleyes:

Can you detail what products you use and how you go about mould removal and carpet cleaning in the interior when you do it please Michaela?!

Can anyone else see the images MJ linked to in post #11 above? I noticed the links in the email notification, but they don't appear to be working.

Oops http://www.corradov8.com/pics/banghead.gif

I know what happened there. I'll fix them at lunch time +++

Fixed :)

Images now showing :)

Looking through the MOT history, it seems the car has had the absolute bare minimum maintenance for most of its life. There are failures on tyre tread depth and a number of issues that are advisories one year then failures the next.

I get the impression that, if it wasn't for the MOT failures forcing the work to be done, the owner would've just continued to drive it until something fell off.

Not unusual for a 19 year old barge to end up on banger economics for its last few years. It can be hard to justify spending money on a 2nd or 3rd car in a household when it’s not worth a lot.
In it’s favour, it has small miles for it’s age and a rebuilt autobox.
Certainly has a good bit of life left in it in the right hands.

The MoT history is an interesting contrast to the actual condition of the car actually. The owner probably never even lifted the bonnet, but the garage who looked after it since 2005 actually did a pretty good job, and used mostly genuine or good quality parts as far as I can tell. The oft-mentioned front CV boots are either genuine or Lobro, fitted with the proper clips. All four brake discs are genuine. I suspect it probably went for an annual service and MoT at the same time since it only did 5-7000 miles a year, so the garage just fixed what was necessary.

I suspect when the gearbox 'failed' a second time the rebuild was out of warranty so they just gave up on it and sent it for scrap.

I've taken 6 litres of water out of the interior so far :rolleyes:

Supported the upright with a strap while I swapped the strut and lower arm over

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

I keep a spare flange nut to use as a drift in these occasions so I can hold a socket on it and give it a solid hit with the lump hammer to pop the taper loose

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

Boot deteriorated, and most definitely no longer 'preventing the ingress of dirt' :rolleyes: I replaced it with a good used one for now.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

Looking quite good from here :)

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

A hose on the end of the shop vac can reach underneath the heater to suck all the debris out of the drains

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

With the passenger side output flange heat shield removed I can just get my hand to the drain outlet. I use the same green hose but this time attached to the compressor so I can blow any remaining debris out of the drains.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556051144

The list is growing :tuttut:

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

These are the last ever genuine D2 air filters :(

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

Does anyone recognise this logo?

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556051128

OE rear discs cleaned up enough to bed in some dirt cheap pads . These discs will be replaced if I keep the car

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

The front discs are also OE and in pretty good condition so I put some TRW pads on these

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

Lower the front end on to axle stands so I can tighten the suspension bolts with the weight on them

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

This is the extent to which you have to go to dry out wet carpets. I took about 3 litres out with towels, and the dehumidifier has taken a litre per night out and is still going.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1556050538

I'm really hoping it can take the remaining water out overnight so I can put the interior back together tomorrow, since the MoT is 08:00 on Thursday...



.

The quantities are oh so familiar, but your methods are more brutal than mine. +++

I knew I had a real problem the first time with my wonderful old PF when water started spraying out of the rear vents behind the armrest...…. :eek:
Since then I've just got more accepting of the inevitability of it all and "just deal with it" as necessary. :(