Last month, at the Dirleton GTG, I mentioned to Trapperjohn and Druk that fifth gear had become ever more reluctant to engage. (722.5) Druk confirmed the fluid was clean and at the correct level. It had been changed 30k miles previously in 11/2007. After monitoring the situation for another week or so, the problem was getting worse although just as randomly intermittent.
Derek advised me to take the car to Merparts at Port Glasgow (also recommended by Pontoneer, and many others).
Paul and Stef Mazzoni certainly know their stuff – but, unfortunately rather too well.
To use technical jargon, the loom is knackered. Whilst not in total disintegration, sufficient damage has been done to the ECU and is the most likely cause of the loss of fifth gear and surging at idle. Needless to say the car appeared to perform faultlessly on the run through to Port Glasgow, but after being put on the ramp and running diagnoses on a hot engine, readings confirmed the worst.
View attachment 42815
Worst of all is no car for three weeks.
124s and 129s are now in the ‘classic’ category and parts have rocketed in price and can take weeks if not months to be delivered. (4 – 6 months for 129 exhaust, £1000 for 107 headlamp)
On and ever upward...
Derek advised me to take the car to Merparts at Port Glasgow (also recommended by Pontoneer, and many others).
Paul and Stef Mazzoni certainly know their stuff – but, unfortunately rather too well.
To use technical jargon, the loom is knackered. Whilst not in total disintegration, sufficient damage has been done to the ECU and is the most likely cause of the loss of fifth gear and surging at idle. Needless to say the car appeared to perform faultlessly on the run through to Port Glasgow, but after being put on the ramp and running diagnoses on a hot engine, readings confirmed the worst.
View attachment 42815
- New loom £762 plus vat
- Air Mass meter £263 plus vat
- O2 Sensor £195 plus vat
- HFM ECU £1183 plus vat
- Spark plugs £18 plus vat
Worst of all is no car for three weeks.
124s and 129s are now in the ‘classic’ category and parts have rocketed in price and can take weeks if not months to be delivered. (4 – 6 months for 129 exhaust, £1000 for 107 headlamp)
On and ever upward...
Last edited: