2006 Lagoon Blue Van Substitute!

[Cailsey]

Well, as the title says, I was intending to buy a VW Caddy van as my hobbies dictate I need a bit of room in a vehicle. I enjoy fishing, mountain biking and also do a bit of motorcycle trials riding (very badly though). I was also intending to buy something I could sleep in when away on longer distance fishing trips.
As you can see, I ended up buying, what is probably the most impractical vehicle that I could........ thinking that I'd have a bit of fun whilst continuing the search for my ideal van. I have secretly fancied an MR2 for several years. A family friend has one and I started look to see if I could find a winter bargain.
I casually bid on one on ebay and did not win it, but when the successful bidder pulled out of the deal it was offered to me at a price I could not turn down.
The car was in Chicheseter and I am in north Kent, right next to Brands Hatch, so I had an adventure on the trains to go and collect the car last Tuesday, 5th January 2016.
I was a bit apprehensive, as I had not viewed the car, but I'd had a long conversation with the owner on the phone before agreeing to the purchase and he sound genuine. So I was very relieved that the car was as described, if not better.







It is a Lagoon blue 2006 model with 81000 miles, full service history and the following upgrades;

Factory fitted Toyota GB bodykit
Interior chrome trim kit
Chrome fuel filler trim
Carbon look dash pod cover with chrome clock surrounds
Remus exhaust

Almost new brakes all round.

Other than that the car seems very original.

I'm not keen on the chrome, so that will be coming off. It also has the black/grey cloth seats that are in good shape, but I'd prefer black leather.
I hope to either buy second hand leather seats or recover the existing ones - maybe even consider some aftermarket motorsport seats.......

So far I've been really pleased with the car, although I experienced my first spin yesterday at very low speed on what must have been a diesel spill.

I shall update this thread with any modification and services that are done which may hopefully prove of some use and not be too dull or repetitive - I'm sure I will duplicating a lot of what has been done before!!

I do have a bit of a thing about saving weight where I can - It's always been the same with my motorbikes and cars. Shedding weight is a free performance upgrade. Improving both power to weight ratio and braking performance at the same time. Granted, pretty insignificant improvements, but it all adds up!
So, I shall try and make note of these changes here. Apologies if it gets boring, but I shall find it useful as a personal record!!

Right - time to get outside and polish the headlights!

[Cailsey]

I collected a few service items yesterday and managed to get a couple of jobs done today.



New Mann air filter fitted £7.10 - Have been using Mann filters for years. An established European brand.
Considering a cold air intake mod at some stage, so I just installed a standard panel filter.

Old filter - bit grubby!!!



New filter in place - a temporary fix until aftermarket intake is decided upon.



New spark plugs installed NGK BKR5EYA-11A (2526) £2.90 each. These replaced some Denso K16R-U plugs.



Head lights polished with Farecla G3 compound.
More Plusgas applied to manifold studs in anticipation of manifold swap.
Tyre pressure checked and adjusted - they were very low. 20 psi rear and 18/20 psi front.
Corrected to 32 psi rear and 28 psi front.

I bought a Toyosports decat manifold which I shall hopefully be fitting in the next couple of days. I'll oil an oil and oil filter change at the same time.

I've bought a Mann oil filter £2.90
and
Mobil Super 3000 5W30 Formula FE fully synthetic oil. 5 litres £24.99

I've got some carb cleaner ready to clan my MAF sensor too.

I really enjoy the maintenance/servicing/modifying side of vehicle ownership, and rarely does anything stay standard for long.........

[1979scotte]

Well done.

[cabbydave]

Looks like you might have caught the bug already. Enjoy vans arn't that good i've just bought a old Escort as I need a skip to move a lot of rubbish so its ideal. Having said that I used to have a mk1 caddy pick up that was so much fun slow as .. but went anywhere and ran on anything diesel paraffin red you name it it was a beast.

[Cailsey]

Well, after adjusting tyre pressures yesterday, the handling has stepped up another level - admittedly the ride is a little firmer, but the already quick turning Roadster new feels like a go-kart!
Cant wait for some fresh tyres and dry roads!
Didn't get to complete any jobs last night, but hopefully will get a couple of small ones done on night shift tonight with the car in the warehouse.
Then I have 4 rest days to do what I don't finish tonight and give it a good clean.
Considering removing anti-roll bars for a renovation as they are have flakey pain and surface rust - or do I upgrade..........

[Cailsey]

Looks like you might have caught the bug already. Enjoy vans arn't that good i've just bought a old Escort as I need a skip to move a lot of rubbish so its ideal. Having said that I used to have a mk1 caddy pick up that was so much fun slow as .. but went anywhere and ran on anything diesel paraffin red you name it it was a beast.

Hi, yes a van could be really useful, but would have to be fun to drive. Looking out for a new shape VW Caddy with the 2.0 TDi 140 engine.

[Cailsey]

Managed to get some carb cleaner and gave the MAF sensor a good clean. Was a bit black on one side.
A nice simple job, 2 philips screws, unplug and take into workshop for cleaning.

Before



I also disconnected the battery for 30 minutes for an ECU reset.
There was a good frost this morning when I left work at 6.30, so a very careful drive home.
I've woken up to bright sun and blue skies, so it's 'top down Friday' time.

I noticed from the rear, the exhaust outlets do not seem level. Further investigation found the left hand upper rubber mount is split. Replacement required.
Off to MrT to collect gaskets for manifold swap, and order (they keep nothing in stock!) new exhaust rubber mount and replacement plastic rivets for the rocker cover plastic cover that snapped when I was changing the spark plugs.

[Cailsey]

Well its a rather chilly, frosty morning, but hoping to change the standard manifold for the Toyosports decat manifold I bought. Collected genuine Toyota gaskets yesterday so fingers crossed evrything comes apart ok!!

Toyosports de-cat manifold - £115 delivered from a well known internet auction site!!

[justinread72]

What a great buy looks so nice .


Do the cam chain tensioner O ring. It's 4quid just so you know it's done and then no oil leek to worry about

[Cailsey]

What a great buy looks so nice .


Do the cam chain tensioner O ring. It's 4quid just so you know it's done and then no oil leek to worry about

Thanks for the tip!

I've a few bits and bobs to order after doing the exhaust today, so I'll add that to the list.

[justinread72]

Thanks for the tip!

I've a few bits and bobs to order after doing the exhaust today, so I'll add that to the list.[/quote]


there is a how to on here in the maintenance bit and a vid on youtube. takes minutes

[Cailsey]

Manifold swap was completed today. It took a little longer than anticipated, but a few stubborn/awkward to get to bolts can slow things down some what. Still I was in no rush and have learnt from previous experience that stubborn bolts are best released steadily rather than heaving at them and shearing them off. Fortunately they all came out intact. I did find setting the tailpipes up on the Remus exhaust rather fiddly with only one pair of hands!!
Haven't been for a drive yet as it was dark and frosty when I finished, but Ill be out in the morning to get it warmed up for an oil change.

Before



After



Whilst poking around in the rear of the car, I noticed some surface rust on the rear cross member. I shall have to deal with this ASAP.
Also, the drivers side vent is not baffled at all. Is this normal? obviously when driving in the rain, there is a constant supply of water spray straight into the hot engine bay? Perfect for the tin worm to take hold.

[1979scotte]

Please bear in mind that crossmembers rust from the inside more often than not.
Make sure its still solid.

[Cailsey]

Please bear in mind that crossmembers rust from the inside more often than not.
Make sure its still solid.

Thanks for the tip. I shall check it out. The area of rust is not in the usual (as I've read) exhaust area but on the front face of the crossmember in direct line of fire from the side vent.
I have some time off soon, so may whip it out and assess it properly on the bench.
May also refurb the rear suspension components at the same time as most of them are a bit crusty in places.
Then I'll need to find a reputable alignment centre somewhere not too far away.......

[Cailsey]

Oil and oil filter changed today. The advantage of being a 'slender' chap means that I've not yet had to jack the car up for any work yet........
I was surprised how quickly the engine warms up when I took the car out first thing to get the oil nice thinned ready for dropping.
Another nice easy job on the MR2.
14mm socket for sump plug, 11mm socket or large philips screwdriver for bolt holding trap door in the nappy shut (if fitted), chain strap wrench for filter (although may consider the K & N one with the nut on the bottom next time) and a graduated 1 litre oil jug with long flexi nozzle.
I almost bought the Laser Toyota oil filter tool which is 68mm, glad I didn't as the filter I took off (Bosch) and the one I put on (Mann) are both 64mm!!
I refitted the nappy and undertray. All bolts need a 10mm socket (with long extension on the rear undertray).
I'd left the nappy and undertray off since fitting the decat manifold as I knew I had the oil change to do.

Whilst under the car I was pleased to see all three wind deflectors were present under the front bumper.

Now I have some decisions with wheels and tyres.......
I have mismatched tyres so will be fitting a complete new set, but am unsure whether to refurb the original wheels in a different colour and fit new tyres, or buy aftermarket wheels with new tyres and sell the standard ones. If I go with aftermarket, do I then go with 17" rear and 16" fronts........
The sensible answer would be refurb the originals, but I am being tempted by something different. Decisions, decisions.

Gave the car a good clean too. Nice thing about a small car - there's a lot less panel work to cover! I've bought a soft top cleaning and waterproofing kit so will have a go with that in a few days time.

It was £23 delivered from a well known internet auction site.

[Felix_5]

Cracking thread mate, big fan of that colour!

[Cailsey]

Downloaded Dash Command for iphone on the App store for £6.99 and ordered a OBD II Wifi dongle from that well known internet auction site for £6.99 delivered.

[Cailsey]

22mm O2 sensor socket purchased. I love an excuse to buy a new tool........
I shall remove all sensors, lube threads and refit them to hopefully make life easier in the future.

[Cailsey]

Finally spare time and sunshine come together so its time to clean the soft top and give the Renovo products a go!
Car needs a clean too after attending the Rallycross at Brands on Sunday.
Looks like I had competed, even though I only drove through the car park!

[Jrichards20]

Looks really nice! Looking forward to the updates!

At least you had the spin early and slow. Get some new rubber on and it should be even better than it is now.  s:) s:)

[Cailsey]

Soft top cleaning.



One of a few area with mild algal growth



First application of Renovo Vinyl cleaner. Waited for the roof to be fully dry after the mornings rain



The kit came with everything needed, so poured some of the cleaner in the mini bucket and proceeded to paint it over the whole roof. Left to soak in for 30 minutes, then came back and scrubbed with warm water



Gently rinse it off and repeated after towelling the roof dry. During the final rinse, I scrubbed the roof again to ensure all cleaner was removed. I then cleaned the whole car to ensure none of the cleaner was left on the paintwork.

Now I have to wait for it to fully dry before applying the waterproofer.

[Cailsey]

The algae area after cleaning



Much improved!!

Next the re-proofing;



Painted the product on as per the directions. I paid particular attention to all of the seams and also the leading edge above the windscreen.
Now I have to wait for the Ultra Proofer  to dry;

[Cailsey]

Once the proofer had dried, I decided to put a second coat on.

Once that was dry, I was pretty pleased with the result. It had darkened the vinyl slightly and it looks much smarter.





I shall leave it till tomorrow and then give it a shower to see how the water sits on it.

Finished up by giving all of the glass a jolly good clean. Next job, to attend to all of the rubber - seals, weather strips etc. Some of them are looking a bit dry and grey, so they could do with a bit of rejuvenation.

[Cailsey]

Fuel filler flap chrome trim. I'm not a fan....



The adhesive it left behind!!



A bit of 'Mr Muscle', followed by some Farecla G3 compound;



Much better!!!

[1979scotte]

+1 on the filler flap not a fan either.
Turned out well thouht the sticky could have been a problem.