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Tom · #1 27-01-10, 23:16

As some of you know- I picked my new car up yesterday (Tuesday), and before I even got home I had even added the first mod (Will get to that shortly!).

It's a 2.6 GSI 2002 (51 plate) which I picked up for a bargain price of £1650, although already it stands me at £2080!

I've decided that the car is a 'Him' as it's got so much more power than my old 2.6 SRI had, not couldn't possible allow it to be a 'her'. Why Jeff, I hear you ask? I decided 'Jeffrey' was too long and wasn't quite sure how to spell it

Well- here's a pic from the eBay advert as I've not taken any yet:

More pics can also be found here in the eBay listing

Jeff has full service history (So much so, there's no room left in the service book!).

Apart from a few badges (Irmscher/ V6 ones), a home-made top front grill, and a Cobra stainless steel backbox- it's pretty much standard. Although I think the alloys have been refurbed/ painted as they're all in great condition apart from one which has a slight bit of damage. They look like they've been painted a darker grey than standard too- so now considering keeping them this colour! There's even a spare alloy in the boot- RESULT!

The bodywork is in great condition- no dents or major rust anywhere. Only things that let it down really are 2 small patches of paint rust (1 on top of the sill- visible when you open the door and look very closely), and iirc, a small one on a rear arch. I'll be getting these seen to in the coming months, but it really is nothing!

Had a bit of a nightmare when I went to pick it up as I parked it outside their office while I went to tax it, and when I returned about 15 minutes later there was a puddle of oil under it. I was going nuts!

So- they told me to drive it round to their garage so they can have a look at it, and hopefully fix it. So off I went, and as soon as it was up on the ramps we saw the problem- the leak was coming from the oil pressure switch. After they mechanic gave it a quarter turn to tighten it up, and cleaned around it with some rag- we waited half hour and no more oil came out.

Since it would have been the next day before a new switch arrived (And we were in Bristol), I drove the car home, stopping a couple of times on the way to check and see if it had leaked any more oil.

Today got myself a new switch and now I just need to get a repair kit (Bit of wire with the other end of the plug on) from Vauxhall- if they do one, then I'll get it fitted over the weekend.

The drive home was fantastic!

It was better on fuel than my old 2.6 SRI was! The trip computer was saying 50 miles left when I got to the garage to fill up with £50 worth of fuel, which then took it to just under a full tank, and the trip computer was reading 247 miles. Soon as I got on the motorway to come home, I used cruise control as much as I could- varying from 50-70MPH depending on the speed limits (I was sticking with my friend in his van, who gave me a lift down there incase any of us were to break down).

I managed to get the trip meter to readout 358 miles at one stage, and when I come off the motorway and back into Peterborough, I gave it a little rag to see what it had. By the time I got back home the trip comp was reading 220 miles, and I had just over half a tank of fuel left. Good stuff!

The drive was absolutely fantastic and I couldn't believe it, as it felt like a brand new car. The only thing that let it down was the steering wheel doesn't sit straight (Tracking?)... That's what I thought!

...So today I had the tracking lazer aligned by my uncle, and as soon as I left his garage, I noticed the steering wheel was still on the ****. I've got to go back & see him tomorrow and he's 100% sure it's not the tracking that's making it like that as he fixed that (Was out a bit he said but not majorly).

He's going to see what he can do. Is it possible the steering wheel has been taken off and not re-fitted properly? My uncle also suggested swapping the front wheels over to see if that sorts it out. Sounds strange to me, but he said that's strangely worked on a few cars he's had in before so worth a shot! Don't get me wrong- it drives great- It's just a bit annoying the steering wheel sitting on the ****.

There's a couple of other thing's I've noticed yesterday/ today, but nothing major (I hope!)-

Headlamp washers don't work so I'll need to investigate.
One of the fogs don't work. Had a look underneath and it's broke. However I have a spare one in my garage (In very good condition) ready to fit.
Radio/ CD player doesn't work as it's been re-coded but on the receipt they haven't noted the new code down- idiots! So I need to get it re-coded, or maybe buy an aftermarket head unit.
And this problem

Well- New car & all that.. it was time to start doing some bits to it.

OOps- Forgot... I had already modded the car before leaving the garage in Bristol lol! I had to tax the car before I could drive it away, and I wasn't paying a quid for a tax disc holder, so on went a nice shiney new Irmscher tax disc holder. Let the modding commence haha!

I also picked up some other bits today-

6x NGK Quad-core spark plugs
Pollen filter
Air filter
Oil filter
Engine flush treatment (To flush the old oil out)
Some flat blade wipers (As the ones on the car are rock solid!)

All's I've got left to get before the weekend is some oil, a fuel filter, some gunk, some paint, primer, and lacquer, then I can give it a good service and tidy the engine bay up a bit (Although it's already rather clean!). I'll no doubt end up painting the plenums while I'm at it too- already chosen my colour scheme, and have a shiny battery cover on order too, so hopefully I'll get that fitted over the weekend as well.

Only mods I have planned for this car (At the moment) are-

Irmscher upper & lower grills
Painted plenums
Swap the Irmscher carbon gear knob for a titanium one (Yes lads- you were right it doesn't look right lol!)

Whilst I'm VERY tempted to stick a Pipercross Viper induction kit on it- I'm rather reluctant at the moment as know how delicate the MAF's are on the 2.6's, and since it's had a brand new Bosch one fitted very recently (Have receipt), I'm rather reluctant to do it at the moment so maybe go for the 3-pipe mod.

Things are having to be put on hold at the moment though as I'm rather skint- I think my money tree only grows at certain times of the year lol.

I'll update this thread with more pics of Jeff after I've gave him a good 5 day wash & detail

, and I'll also post details/ pics of how my weekend antics go as soon as possible.

Let project Jeff commence!

Leeky · #2 27-01-10, 23:25

I still cant believe how cheap you got this.

The alloy spare is because your car is fitted with 308mm front discs, and as such the usual steel wheel wont fit over the caliper/discs - Hence why they were included.

I have the relay for the headlamp washers somewhere as well - And next time your over I'll have a wee look at your stereo problem if you want.

The steering wheel out of allignment could possibly be due to the steering wheel moving slightly once clamped down in position in the car. If a re=track doesnt sort it, you could (assuming your allignment is spot on) remove the wheel and move it over a couple of splines to correct the problem.

You still dont have the problem link in red working!

Tom · #3 27-01-10, 23:31

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by Leeky I still cant believe how cheap you got this. The alloy spare is because your car is fitted with 308mm front discs, and as such the usual steel wheel wont fit over the caliper/discs - Hence why they were included. I have the relay for the headlamp washers somewhere as well - And next time your over I'll have a wee look at your stereo problem if you want. The steering wheel out of allignment could possibly be due to the steering wheel moving slightly once clamped down in position in the car. If a re=track doesnt sort it, you could (assuming your allignment is spot on) remove the wheel and move it over a couple of splines to correct the problem. You still dont have the problem link in red working!

Yeh I know mate and despite the bits that's wrong with it- when you see it I'm sure you'll still feel the same way as it's a very clean car.

The steering wheel- yes my uncle said he needed to see if it's on a spline of a hex bolt before he could say for sure about adjusting it to center up, but thanks for confirming it's on a spline

I'm also positive like he is- that it's not the tracking that's out as it's sitting in the same position it was before the tracking was even done.. about 1.5 inches out to the left.

Red link- jesus this thread's just took me ages to write but I'll go write a new thread for the other problem now lol.

Leeky · #4 27-01-10, 23:37

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by Tom Yeh I know mate and despite the bits that's wrong with it- when you see it I'm sure you'll still feel the same way as it's a very clean car. The steering wheel- yes my uncle said he needed to see if it's on a spline of a hex bolt before he could say for sure about adjusting it to center up, but thanks for confirming it's on a spline I'm also positive like he is- that it's not the tracking that's out as it's sitting in the same position it was before the tracking was even done.. about 1.5 inches out to the left. Red link- jesus this thread's just took me ages to write but I'll go write a new thread for the other problem now lol.

I cant remember the size of the nut on the steering wheel column, I think its 21 or 22mm or something like that. You will need a GM steering wheel removal tool to remove the steering wheel from the spline. Do not use anything else (including brute force!!) as you will damage the steering wheel or the steering column if you do.

If you get stuck I have the tool you can borrow.

LOL, I thought you needed to do another thread! chop chop then!!

Tom · #5 27-01-10, 23:42

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by Leeky I cant remember the size of the nut on the steering wheel column, I think its 21 or 22mm or something like that. You will need a GM steering wheel removal tool to remove the steering wheel from the spline. Do not use anything else (including brute force!!) as you will damage the steering wheel or the steering column if you do. If you get stuck I have the tool you can borrow. LOL, I thought you needed to do another thread! chop chop then!!

Thanks Lee- I'll drop you a PM regarding the steering wheel tool shortly

..and the link's now added to my original post lol

Leeky · #6 27-01-10, 23:56

	Quote:
	Originally Posted by Tom Thanks Lee- I'll drop you a PM regarding the steering wheel tool shortly ..and the link's now added to my original post lol

Ok....But why Jeff?!? LOL