Yolo the story so far

[Yolo]

I just haven’t had the time which is why it has sat so long. I also thought I’d get the timing belt done which may be just a bit too far for this amateur. If he can sort that for me then the rest of it’s back to me.
Hopefully have a sorted car by the weekend. I’m just getting a kick start buddy.

[Yolo]

The car is back running and ready to go. MOT passed and just trying to sort insurance and I’ll be legal again.

Question: I bought a new battery and it needs vented where do I get the hoses to connect up as the vent pipe is vey short and the vent holes in the battery are very small

[blackyb]

In the past I have used air hose from an old aquarium pump.

Don't know if it will work on your battery or not.

[Mazda Mender]

Sounds like you are also missing the Y piece connection and the boot floor plastic connection?
M-m

[Yolo]

I have one piece coming out of the floor but will need something to connect into it. The place I bought the battery appear to have tubes that will hopefully connect into it so I might get one of those but the aquarium tubing is a good idea. Fingers crossed.... thanks as usual.

[Yolo]

Took the car out for a good run this weekend, it’s been far too long coming. Love it, such a raw driving experience and it keeps you awake with the iffy tyres.... need to replace those. They are good in the dry but in the wet they are way to loose any suggestions welcome.
Had the car looked over by a guy who knows them well because it’s not been driven in a while and he’s given it a clean bill of health. Need the alignment and Meisters adjusted slightly, not helping the handling, also need to look at passenger side sill as very early signs of rust on the seams. Underneath looking tidy so my treatment a few years back has helped. Keeping my fingers crossed for more time to enjoy her but I’m getting the urge to tinker again.

[blackyb]

Snap.

Finally got ours out today, absolutely what the doctor ordered.

[Yolo]

Time for an update, the car hasn’t had a lot of use this year but it has had a clear mot and a few runs out. Currently back on stands as I’m going turbo. I know most here are just for maintaining and driving them but I’ve been thinking about this for a while and this year I have the chance so have bought a kit from Motorsport electronics. I’m not going crazy boost but I miss tinkering and I wanted to learn some more about her so here’s to cut knuckles and much swearing.

Any other turbo menders out there let me know as advice is for sure going to be required.

Started tonight and the manifold down pipe etc is already off and I even got my daughter involved… AC also removed as the condenser was done and in the road for other work anyway. Couple of hours well spent, if only I could lose weight that quickly.

New kit

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Ac gone

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[Mazda Mender]

M-m

[Yolo]

As part of the maintenance I’ve bought a rear seal, spigot bearing, release bearing and crush washers. There was signs of oil so just being cautious as I’m not sure if it’s from somewhere else but as I’m under there and I’m covering all bases. Can you think of anything else?
Does the PPF need to come off completely as I’ve been seeing some issues with the bolts where it meets the diff or is this just internet scaremongering?
Any tips welcome as this is being done on the floor.

[Yolo]

Only just got back put to the car this afternoon for a hour or two. Not much achieved but the joining pipe for the ac removal has been put in so I have some air. Underneath I tried to get the exhaust bracket off the gearbox, omg is that thing glued on? Tried spraying left it 10 and then took out the new toy an impact wrench but no luck. It’s now drowned in penetrating oil and I’ll try again tomorrow.

I did get the cable clips off the ppf as I’ll probably be taking the box off so a lot more fiddling there but it’s all free.

I have the manifold off but most of the suds came out with the bolts on, do I just replace them or are there any tips on how to get the bolts off the studs as there is little room to add a bolt to work against. Currently soaking in Plus gas .
Also found a whole so something that will need attention once back on the road.

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[Yolo]

Progress is slow as normal with me but a little bit more done today.

Bumper off as I couldn’t get bolts out to set the intercooler. That then turned into a faf with some bolts deciding not to cooperate. Grinder time….

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I also managed to to get the bolts off the exhaust studs, they came out in one piece, but a few are damaged so a new set ordered.

Also at last got the bracket for the exhaust down pipe cracked free of the gearbox so happy with that result, how anyone changes a gearbox on their drive is beyond me…. Well we will see as it could happen yet

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Shorter power steering belt in place but not tightened as I need to figure that out yet.

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Small steps.

[Mazda Mender]

M-m

[Yolo]

Some photos as requested

[Yolo]

More rookie questions, is this new stud ok? A little shorter than original and I am assuming it’s the short end into the head. New stud top and original bottom

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