What Have You Done to Your Cougar Today?

Well, since she got filthy in the rain going down to Didcot last week, I decided to go for a bit of de-winterising.

First off, the wheels have suffered through the winter from not being lacquered or waxed. So a going over with 1500 grit and Autosol was required.

That done, it was time for a hot wash to remove old wax, cold rinse. Thoroughly dried with waffle cloths and inspected, (turns out I've got one of those paint "blisters" forming on the offside front sill...).

Polished trouble areas with Megiuar's Ultimate Compound, then a full coat of Poor Boy's Black Hole. Then a coat of Poor Boy's Natty's Paste Wax, followed by a double coat of Auto Glym Extra Gloss Protection. Lastly, all the plastics were treated with Poor Boy's Trim Restorer and a coat of Turtle Wax wheel wax.

I am exhausted.
 
well, since she got filthy in the rain going down to didcot last week, i decided to go for a bit of de-winterising.

First off, the wheels have suffered through the winter from not being lacquered or waxed. So a going over with 1500 grit and autosol was required.

That done, it was time for a hot wash to remove old wax, cold rinse. Thoroughly dried with waffle cloths and inspected, (turns out i've got one of those paint "blisters" forming on the offside front sill...).

Polished trouble areas with megiuar's ultimate compound, then a full coat of poor boy's black hole. Then a coat of poor boy's natty's paste wax, followed by a double coat of auto glym extra gloss protection. Lastly, all the plastics were treated with poor boy's trim restorer and a coat of turtle wax wheel wax.

I am exhausted.
pics
 
I've also been busy.

I've finally permanently fixed the No Limits grille to the cat and installed an ST200 aibox with K&N filter. I do need to find myself some ST200 bellows though as the temperature sensor is sitting between the MAF pipe and the entry to the airbox. Thankfully there's a layer of sponge between so the wires are quite safe.

During the test run something was up with the car. Seemed a little slugglish and kept bouncing off the anti-stall. While I was out, however I picked up myself a new car stereo. That's all installed too, now. Once I got home, I popped the hood and found that I had forgotten to reattach the MAF sensor plug. Massive noobgasm right there.

Went on a second run just to thrash it a bit, and there were two instances of slight hesitation. Possibly the ECU learning, but I'll go back in and make sure everything's tight.
 
Black wheels on a white car? Hnnng!
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Corsa-D Limited Edition #243,000,144

Sorry, couldn't resist. :LOL:
 

LOL I hadn't thought to take any - she doesn't really look any different than last time you saw her - but have just done so and will upload them to Imgur when I'm on my laptop later (it has a CF card reader so I don't have to use the infuriating Fuji not-really-USB cable).

:EDIT: Here you go...

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A blown headlight bulb prompted me into finally swapping my HIDs from my old C1 lights into the C2s.

The plan was to also fit the HB3 kit I bought in the last group buy, but could I get the bulbs to fit? Could I..... heck. After much swearing I eventually gave up, as I could feel myself coming perilously close to launching a precious C2 headlight across the garden.
 
The plan was to also fit the HB3 kit I bought in the last group buy, but could I get the bulbs to fit? Could I..... heck. After much swearing I eventually gave up, as I could feel myself coming perilously close to launching a precious C2 headlight across the garden.

I'll bring mine with me up north:LOL:

Chris Tiger looks awesome. Talk about a mirror finish(y)
 
Today I changed my power steering cooler for a Catfabs stainless item, using Al's excellent how-to for guidance.

This will probably seem a very modest achievement to many of the more mechanically talented folks on here, but I really am proper chuffed with my little self at having done it.
 
That's what I said at first mate, but the leak got so bad as to render the car undriveable and kind of forced my hand. It's actually not that bad of a job once you get into it, by far the most awkward part is those goddamn hateful spring clips that Ford insist on using.
 
That's what I said at first mate, but the leak got so bad as to render the car undriveable and kind of forced my hand. It's actually not that bad of a job once you get into it, by far the most awkward part is those goddamn hateful spring clips that Ford insist on using.

They are awful, but the design of them means that they don't fail all at once like a jubilee clip might. Keep on top of inspections, and they won't give you any surprises.

That said, well done. It lifts my spirits when a self-confessed n00b gets stuck in and just fixes stuff. Besides, I've worked with you before and have no qualms about your ability.
 
They are awful, but the design of them means that they don't fail all at once like a jubilee clip might. Keep on top of inspections, and they won't give you any surprises.

That said, well done. It lifts my spirits when a self-confessed n00b gets stuck in and just fixes stuff. Besides, I've worked with you before and have no qualms about your ability.
We've discussed this before, but I agree and always replace them with high quality worm-drive clips.

I find the RS supplied heavy-duty Stainless-Steel ones are fantastic, would take a sping-type over a cheap 'n' nasty worm drive though.
 
I'd have used jubilee clips if I had any to hand but, unfortunately, I didn't so had to re-use the spring clips. I'm still not 100% happy that the top one is seated correctly, but it doesn't appear to be leaking. I guess the drive down to Lancashire on Friday night will be the acid test.
 
I'd have used jubilee clips if I had any to hand but, unfortunately, I didn't so had to re-use the spring clips. I'm still not 100% happy that the top one is seated correctly, but it doesn't appear to be leaking. I guess the drive down to Lancashire on Friday night will be the acid test.


I haven't seen Mart's oil coolers in person, but is there a lump or ridge along the inlet/outlet pipes? If so, and if the clip is behind it, you'll be fine.

As for the clips, I understand why Ford used them, (as per my linked post). But if you do use jubilees, I'm sure you'll go for stainless. Worth the expense.