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Spinal's Mongol Rally Thread

Spinal said:
I think the crank seal may be leaking a little, which isn't good news as I don't have a clue how to change it. I'm guessing dropping the engine would be the easiest... but not a cheap solution to replace a £3 part!
M.
Click to expand...

Are the Micra's cams driven by chain? If so, then front pulley removal to access the seal should be pretty straightforward - unlike if the cams are belt driven and the timing gear needs to be dismantled.

Have a look at the engine/gearbox mountings. It may be possible by removing one (or more but not all) to drop that end of the engine for better access. If the drives shafts are removed - all the better, just watch for straining cables/hoses/wires.
 
They are chain driven, but there are two seals from what I can see.

One between the engine and the pulleys, and one on the other side of the engine, behind the sump, and between the sump and gearbox. The more difficult one is that one that's leaking, between the sump and gearbox.

I think, from what I saw last weekend crawling under the car, that the transmission needs to come off (or the engine block) to reach it.

That said, I found a garage near me that will change the clutch for £150+vat (labor only) and for an additional £40 will do the crank seal as well, so I'm going to be lazy and go down that route. Looking at a blueprint clutch for this.

The cv joint boots are split, and I've been in two minds as to whether to change the boots only, or assume the inevitable and change the joints as well. As they are quite quiet so far, I'm going to change the boots only, but bring a set of joints as spares. They're fairly light anyhow... and I can always sell them in Mongolia if we don't use them. Also, I can do this work myself when I change the disks/pads... so no issues there. (may even try the shocks myself... though I'll probably go down to pit start to use their spring compressor rather than buy one).

One question though - when changing the CV boots (going to use a cone and stretchy boots), should I remove the old grease from the joint as this may be filled with sand/dirt, or just leave it on? If remove it, do I just wipe it off, or should I use a solvent like WD40 to clean it entirely before putting new grease on?

M.
 
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should I use a solvent like WD40 to clean it entirely before putting new grease on?

That. No point putting new grease on top of old grease that could be laced with grit.
 
I'm hoping a fair few people still read this thread as I need some communal effort.

I'm struggling to come up with a team name, and a way to dress up a car/team. So I was thinking something that ties the three together. So maybe a 007 theme, calling the team "Drive another Day" and dressing up in a tuxedo... but then I don't know what to do with the car's decor.

So... any ideas, suggestions, etc? Something with a play on words or a pun would be good!

m.
 
Funny you mention that - I did consider a three amigo theme... but had three issues...
1- We are only two in the team
2- She has never seen, nor knows of, the three amigos
3- The hats wouldn't fit in the micra!

Going back to the bond theme, I was watching the world is not enough last night... and thinking I could put two rockets on the side of the car (somehow... like his bmw) and maybe a moonraker-esque space fin on the roof... 1m high, or something equally ridiculous. That could then easily be lost if need be without adversely impacting the car...

Something like a mix of these two...

Then I would only need to convince her that wearing a ball-gown in the middle of the Kazakh desert is a good idea...
M.
 

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Also was thinking of an indiana jones/Lara Croft theme... though I don't know where to get a giant crystal skull...
 
.

skull.jpg
 
LOL! Only you...

dare I ask why you have a bloodied crystal skull?
 
Not sure really, I bought it in a Casino in Nevada because it caught my eye.
 
Spinal said:
They are chain driven, but there are two seals from what I can see.
Click to expand...

Pretty straightforward then.

Spinal said:
One between the engine and the pulleys, and one on the other side of the engine, behind the sump, and between the sump and gearbox. The more difficult one is that one that's leaking, between the sump and gearbox.

I think, from what I saw last weekend crawling under the car, that the transmission needs to come off (or the engine block) to reach it.

That said, I found a garage near me that will change the clutch for £150+vat (labor only) and for an additional £40 will do the crank seal as well, so I'm going to be lazy and go down that route. Looking at a blueprint clutch for this.
Click to expand...

I did wonder about the rear seal given that it can leak into the clutch area and contaminate the friction plate. Changing it with the seal would be a good move. Were the breathers clear?


Spinal said:
One question though - when changing the CV boots (going to use a cone and stretchy boots), should I remove the old grease from the joint as this may be filled with sand/dirt, or just leave it on? If remove it, do I just wipe it off, or should I use a solvent like WD40 to clean it entirely before putting new grease on?

M.
Click to expand...

I'd use petrol, and try and get some of the grease residue onto paper, allow petrol to evaporate then look for metallic particles. Firstly visually (glistening under strong light) then with a magnet. Any signs of metal means wear has already occurred. Finally I'd take the residue between finger tips and feel for anything abrasive, eg grit. Any of the above found and I'd probably rebuild those shafts as the spares and fit the new shafts to set off with.

If all OK, once all petrol dried out, repack with a grease that has the highest load bearing capacity you can find (measured in Timken OK Load in lbs or kg, should be available within tech data for product on line). It will probably be a grease designed for CV joints and laden with Moly. (Don't be sidetracked by claims of water resistance or high temp - you have neither a boat or a kiln). The splines on the shaft ends will benefit from some grease also (coat the spares and wrap in clingfilm or freezer bags to keep the dirt off).

Apologies for brevity - blame Google crashing and lost previous post.
 
Spinal said:
I'm hoping a fair few people still read this thread as I need some communal effort. I'm struggling to come up with a team name, and a way to dress up a car/team. So I was thinking something that ties the three together. So maybe a 007 theme, calling the team "Drive another Day" and dressing up in a tuxedo... but then I don't know what to do with the car's decor. So... any ideas, suggestions, etc? Something with a play on words or a pun would be good! m.
Click to expand...

Cover the car in broken crockery and the team name can be 'Ceramic Jihad'
 
getting the micra to look anything but a pile of poo is going to be tricky.

For a moment there I wondered if you could paint the car brown and wear poo costumes but then I thought better of it.

Then again there's always winnie the pooh

3010848_f496.jpg
 
If you've got a snips that would do. Just drill a few holes first to give you a starting point. Or drill a complete series of holes, then snip & file.

P.s. then again for a tenner...
 
I'd like to see some pics of the car etc if you wouldn't mind sharing. My team name suggestion would be Dynamo chicken kiev - not sure why I just like it.
 
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