Bournemouth Girl in need of assistance!

[Vikface]

Hello.... I am a recent newbie but have spent the past month odd reading the majority of the posts on here and although I now know how to fix some of my problems, I neither have the skills, strength or tools to do them  s:-( :-( s:-(

Ok, from the top.... A few weeks ago I brought a 2001 Yellow '2' (I posted in the 'New members' bit), 74k miles, no mods but the usual leather seats etc.. I am totally in love with her but as a novice (and a girl! haha), I need some advise on how to do things/fix stuff/general advise please...
Before I got her I notice a very small tear about 4mm long on the hood, halfway, by the bars. The Trader got this repaired by a specialist but I have a great big puddle behind the passengers seat and the damp goes all the way along the passenger side. Now I'm hoping that it was just the tear letting water in and once I have got rid of it (?) it will go away. Kitchen towel just got soaked so I'm going to try a couple of bath towels and have the heater on the floor tomorrow, I have all just ordered some dehumidifier stuff and today I cleaned out the air vents (god I was pulling some faces trying to get the side grills off!!   s:) s:)  But they weren't as clogged as I thought they would be if it wasn't the roof hole letting water in. But I did drive about this afternoon with the top down and I will do same tomorrow if weather ok.
Anyway, I am going to hose her down tomorrow and check no actual leaks as I get a huge amount of condensation all on the glass. After reading on here I bought some rain x and will try that soon and I will blast it with cold air and open window when I leave.... Hot, muggy air and a puddle of water I know is not good plan!
I have checked the seals and have ordered some Rubber Rejuvenator, but to be honest I dont really know what I'm looking for.. It all LOOKS fine!   s:? :? s:?  
The is no water anywhere else in the car, nor down by the sides of the removed air vents, or the frunk or in the cubby holes so I'm gonna hope its not a leak, just the now-repaired roof.

The roof, is the original and its in good nick, but I'm sad enough to have requested some Autoglym for Christmas so I'll be getting that all clean, healthy and lovely looking - hopefully!   s:D s:D  As it's very stiff at the moment (  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ) and very creaky so I'm treating it with some TLC... haha
The tyres are all Roadstone so I'm taking corners very careful and will look to get some Toyo's on there ASAP!
And I've yet to spray some wd40 type stuff on the wing mirrors in an attempt to be able to fold them in, so I imagine there will be more face-pulling antics when I do that! (my neighbours could be laughing at me!! haha)
So other then the next two bits, I think she is lovely.. But then again, what do I know!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:    s:D s:D  

My plastic yellow small spoiler has faded and I wondered if anyone could advise what sort of price to get it same colour as the rest please?

And last but in no way least... I'm gagging for my Pre cats to get done..!!
The bolts at the top are rusted so looks like they've never been checked and for the last seven years it was owned by a girl (too!). But I dont think she loved it the way it deserves to be... (and respected!)   s:D s:D  
Anyway, I'm going to ask the local Mr T's and I've asked my car trader to ask about and I think my only stipulation is that they've done it before - I dont want some monkey just giving it a shake and blowing it! haha

Any advise of how much for those darn Pre Cats (local to Bournemouth) and any other general advise/help/guidance would be much appreciated   s:) s:)  

Many thanks and sorry about the essay!! Haha

Cheers,
Vicky

P.S will post some pics soon

[mrzwei]

Hi
If there is water in the car then you will get condensation inside (this weather even if there is no water inside).
If there is still water in the vents then you can usually hear it 'sloshing' around. Did you poke around with a bit of wire?
I think you are probably right and that the tear in the roof let water in and has caused the problem so getting that dried out is the right thing to do now and then see what happens.
The de-humidifier is a good idea anyway.

Personally, I would avoid Mr T for the precat removal. They won't admit to a problem in the first place.
Others may be able to recommend a garage in your area that will do it.

With regard to the stiff roof, it will be in the cold so take care when lowering it. You need to give it a helping hand by pressing down on the glass and easing it backwards and forwards a bit at the same time  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:    s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  . I think the manual says be very careful under 5c (not certain about that).

[Vikface]

Hi, I've not heard any sloshing about but I also cant get to the vents in the cubby hole. Im going to see what I can get up with a towel and maybe if I have the guts I'll try a garage vac   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:   But I'm not sure I'll be able to get the carpet up and I cant/wont remove the seats!
And there are no mats so once its dry I'll put in the black with yellow trim ones I've ordered - least it might make it more cosy/less slippery by the pedals.
I wouldn't normally go to a main dealer but I thought I'd get a price from them and maybe one of the guys down there has done it before!  :-) :-) :-)
Cheers

[Stephster]

The vents are not in the cubby holes, they are under the parcel shelf, so the best way to get at them is to half fold the roof down (more up than down). We had to find mine whilst they were under water, and you can actually locate them by touch.

[2 of the left]

 s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  With regard to your spoiler colour - use " Back to Black" Any car shop stocks it - Don't be put off by the word Black - it will bring life back to the original colour of your spoiler - although in Winter you'll end up applying it once a month!!

[Vikface]

:wink: With regard to your spoiler colour - use " Back to Black" Any car shop stocks it - Don't be put off by the word Black - it will bring life back to the original colour of your spoiler - although in Winter you'll end up applying it once a month!!

Ooo thanks... I did actually think it only turned stuff back to black! haha
I thought the sun has faded it though as its a lighter colour then the main body and would need a respray, but cool, thanks.. I'll give that a go   s:D s:D

[2 of the left]

I found a garage in Gosport area who are willing to remove pre-cats but admitted that they had never even heard of them!! Anyhow armed with a "print out" of "How I did it" (You'll find it on this Maintenance Page)I convinced them they exist and they are happy to go ahead and remove on the understanding that no liability  comes to them

[loadswine]

Don't forget , if you post apppropriate pics we can be morre helpful wiith our advice.

[uktotty]

If you post inappropriate pics, I will drive down and help you myself  s;) s;)

[2 of the left]

If you post inappropriate pics, I will drive down and help you myself  s;) s;)

Oh dear!! Can you adjust to the sea air? !!

[Vikface]

If you post inappropriate pics, I will drive down and help you myself  s;) s;)

Of me or my banana buggy?.... Or both?! Hahahaha   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[loadswine]

I just knew Russ would emerge and take the thread to new , and much lower levels. ( head in hands at this point! )

[Chris H]

Hi vicky,
           at this time of year,cold temps,try putting your heater
on full with the centre dash vents facing up to the roof,once
nice and warm your hood will be nice and supple and easier to
fold down.....  s:P s:P

[Stephster]

Loadswine - bless him though....
Re: Dampness in car. Try leaving a tray of cat litter in the footwell when you park her up for the night.

[loadswine]

Yes Steph, i love Russ really. ( He knows I do) OMG said the wrong thing!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  
Good idea on the pikey dehumidifier, could work a treat!   s:) s:)

[uktotty]

Or silica gel packets, that will soak up some stuff.

Cheers Nige, lub you too!

[Vikface]

Thanks Chris, I'll try that... Cheers
I can see me Autoglyming it, weather permitting it, ASAP! The material is looking a bit tired   s:( s:(  

I suspect the girl that had it before me since 2004 looked after it in only a half hearted kinda way... Unless she thought Roadstone were a 'good' make of tyre and would keep her safe!!

Good plan on the cat litter though, my boys go outside so I think I'll be popping round my mates to chuck a couple of scoops in and Ive so silica gel stuff on way so fingers crossed   s:D s:D  

Also, on one of the roof strips between the bars there are some white/grey mould spots.  Ive read bicarb of soda on here but is that the only choice? Would Mr Muscle Mould and Mildew harm the inside material?   s:? :? s:?   Cheers

[Vikface]

Oh, and I'm going to replace the front badge with a Midship Runabout one.. And possibly put a yellow MR badge on the steering wheel.. And I'm only slightly interested about painting my calipers too... Haha   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:    s:D s:D

[Wabbitkilla]

If you go have a look over at Spyderchat one of the guys does the Midship runabout badges in whatever colour you want, a few people have bought from him and are not disappointed. Like the kitty litter idea ... I'd never thought of that   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Welcome to the club

[Stephster]

I was the bicarb person ! It is cheaper, quicker, less toxic and won't harm the material. Plus, it is anti-fungal and bacterial so you won't get regrowth.

[Vikface]

I'll try that Stephster, how exactly did you do it though?

I've just ordered some of the Dev's keyhole covers and cant wait to make a start on her! haha   s:D s:D

[Anonymous]

If I left my other car on "recirculate" instead of "fresh air" it always steamed up in damp weather.

[Stephster]

Buy a pack of bicarb, make a strong solution. Use a flannel or similar to dip into the mix and then rub away the mould. Really easy and takes minutes.

[Vikface]

Thanks.. (and I'm clearly being a tad thick here) But did you do a 50/50 solution with water? Cheers

[Stephster]

Not that thick, as you have to make sure it's all dissolved. I can't really say how much, I just sort of mixed until it was a strong solution.