My DeLorean Journal
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
My gas gauge works now!
I got the replacement sender for my Tankzilla today. Works like a champ. I also got it to tighten down all the way for a proper seal (tank plate had a dent in it that was causing the bottom of the tank to bulge up, causing the sender to stick out the top and not get a good seal.
Im so glad I didn't have to get DMCH's "jerky" unit.
Anyways, I'm happy.
I filled that tank up all the way for the the first time and there wasn't the slightest gas smell. It was bad before. If I filled the tank up too much I would get choked out of the car from the gas fumes.
You can see in the picture that I added a connector to the Tankzilla level sender.
The sender just has spade connectors on the top of it, and they stick straight up. So to get the access cover to fit the connectors have to be bent down. It seemed to me that old ones were not making a good connection. So I decided to solder the wires form an accessory connector right to the spade terminals sticking out of the top of the unit. I then put some heat-shrink tubing on them and taped the whole thing up. Should work good now.
Anyways, I'm happy.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Carved pumpkins
We carved pumpkin this evening.
I did one to enter into the carving contest at DMCTalk.com
Check out the link, Mine is the Shifter Knob Pumpkin.
Its runnign again!
Well I got everything back together yesterday.
Tank is in, fuel lines hooked up.
Coolant pipes are back in, new hose couplings installed, added new coolant and bleed the system (its a closed positive pressure system, incase you were wondering, and trapped air is a bad thing)
Now I’m just waiting on the replacement fuel sender, I’m thinking it will get here today - hopefully.
I got it all done around midnight and took it out for a test run. No coolant leaks, fans kicked in at the right temp on the gauge. I’m happy that’s over with, now I can move on to more cosmetic stuff. (New DMCH seat leather is next on the list!)
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My 'Grained' coolant pipe
out pretty good. I got the front two pipes installed. The rest should
go quickly.
I'm hoping I can get it fired up tomorrow, I want to take it for a
drive! Its been like two weeks since I drove it and there's not much
time before winter. (It already snowed here last Sunday!)
Coolant pipe
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Little Big Helper
Charles III helped me replace the rusted gas fill bolts with some nice stainless steal ones.
My little Big helper
Monday, October 22, 2007
Coolant pipes before and after
Coolant lines before and after
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Radiator Pipe Hose coupling replacement
Well i have drained out the coolant system. It was kindof a pain, the
old rubber hose couplings were old and hardened which made them
difficult to remove. The whole system holds about 3 gallons of coolant.
I added a new set of hose couplings to my order with John Harvey at
specialTauto.com after I found that nobody stocked 1 1/4 straight
raditor hose.
Now I get to clean all the underbody spray off the aluminium coolant
pipes. It wasnt even done well -big drips, looks like crap.
old rubber hose couplings were old and hardened which made them
difficult to remove. The whole system holds about 3 gallons of coolant.
I added a new set of hose couplings to my order with John Harvey at
specialTauto.com after I found that nobody stocked 1 1/4 straight
raditor hose.
Now I get to clean all the underbody spray off the aluminium coolant
pipes. It wasnt even done well -big drips, looks like crap.
Baffle Improvement
Cleaned out the tank
of small rust flakes. Cleaned off the outside of the tank too.
I found where some of the rust flakes were coming from, there is a
steel clip that holds the return fuel line in the baffel. I replaced
it with a plastic clip and a SS screw. Pics to come...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Ordered fuel lines
I ordered some new fuel pump hoses from John Harvey at specialTauto.com because the original hard plastic line were still on my car and while I was under the car I found that the fuel lines on the fuel accumulator were also original. I can't understand why Haglin Auto did change the fuel lines when they had everything out. Maybe they wanted too much to do it, who knows.
I also ordered some new hood trim because mine doesn't stay on and it leaves sharp edges of the stianless exposed. John has it for $0.10 and inch.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I was worried, but it worked out
So I ruined my tankzilla level sending unit this weekend.
I was cleaning the shaft the float slides on and *SNAP* the little fragile wire snapped.
I was besides myself that I had been so careless. so that bummed me out on Saturday. I really didn't want to have to get the $100 tank sender from DMCH because based on the reviews I have read- they are not analog, meaning the needle doesn't move in a smooth motion it has set regions. It shows full then jumps down to 3/4 then to 1/2. I guess the new ones have like 16 set points which is better but the everyone likes the tankzilla because it keeps it reading like it should.
Anyway I found a parts place that could order a replacement (the sender is from a Saab car) doesn't cost as much as the DMCH sender. But hopefully I wont have to get the new one as I found someone on DMCTalk.com that replace his thinking it was bad but found out he had a broken wire behind the gauge. I’m sending him the money order today (half of what the new one would have cost!)
So Sunday I decided that since I would take the tank out. I was worried that their maybe some junk down in the bottom of it because of the condition of the sending unit. I know the fuel system was replaced in 2005 but I seriously doubted that the tank was cleaned out too well. and since I have to loosen the tank plate to get the sender to fit I just decided to take it all the way out. found that a dent in that plate is was had made the sending unit not fit, it fits fine when the tank is out of the car. While I was under the car I found that the pipe couplings for the coolant system were looking pretty worn out, some slight drips so I'll replace those while I'm under there (they run right by the tank so it will make it easier now that the tank's out.
I’m also going to replace the fuel lines coming out of the fuel pump because all the rubber casing has fallen off exposing the braiding.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Im upset with myself.
I ruined the fuel sender.
I'll tell you about it later.
I don't feel like talking about it now...
Friday, October 12, 2007
Found the Problem!!
Well I found the problem with my fuel level sender! In 2004 when the PO bought 5906 from the original owner he replaced the fuel system (due to the car sitting for years.) Anyway no one thought to look in the gauge sender.The float was moving- from full to 3/4. the whole bottom half was crusted with a flaky rust, doesn't make sense cus that shaft the float slides on is stainless.
You can see the wire for the warning light is broken.
You can see the wire for the warning light is broken.
I scraped off the gunk and tested it (out side of the tank) moved the float, watched the gauge- it moves! nice a gradual the zilla box really does delay the reading, Im impressed.
Still have to loosen the lower plate so I can install the sender.
Still have to loosen the lower plate so I can install the sender.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Yes Im still here
Sorry I haven’t update this in a few days.
I got my alarm system completely installed. It took so long because I wasn't just doing the alarm install- I was taping the wire harness as I went, removing the rest of the mouse piss soaked insulation, and installing sound deadening mat. I’m always doing 5 things at once!
The sound mat is done, I have taken a completed pic yet. And I still have to put in the new foam.
I’m going to get back to the fuel issue next.
I talked to Rob Grady (from PJ Grady) about the "TankZilla" fuel sender that I have. He said that he hadn't ever heard of one that was stuck like mine is (at 3/4 tank) He recommended that I take the sender apart and make sure the float isn't gunked up or that something isn't broken inside. I’m also going to try taking it out and leaving it connected and see what the gauge says and check the low gas light while I do that.
I also got the install instruction for the TankZilla so I can verify that the wire are hooked up correctly.
I also need to check under the car to check the front wiring harness. I think there may be some chewed/broken/shorted wires in it. There are a few reasons I think this is: my gas gauge doesn’t work, one of the POs ran new wires to the fuel pump (and by-passed the inertia safety switch), and the AC compressor doesn't kick on (the low press switch is on the condenser canister which is behind the right front tire.)
So I’m hoping that I can find a loose/disconnected harness connection and fix many problems at one time (what a dreamer huh?)
Friday, October 5, 2007
Sound Deadening
I decided to pull out the rest of the insulation foam from the rear wheel well/wall area. It still stunk like mouse piss and wasn't even stuck in place anymore. I took off the back wall foam also. I’m going to put some sound deadening mat back there and then put a closed cell foam over it. So that should make it nice a quite back there. On thing I noticed while I had the back off was that the trim under the rear window doesn’t cover the raw end of the fiber glass where it was cut out for the window. I haven't decided what to do yet, I'll paint it black if nothing else. I'll try to get a good pic of it so you can see what I'm talking about.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Alarm Install, Still
I worked on finishing the alarm system install.
Its still not done, the system works I just have to finish the details. i.e. Taping the new wires to the old harnesses.
Best $$$ spent so far!
I was busy yesterday!
I got my new gas struts form PJ Grady yesterday, they have the whole set of 6 for $139. 15 minutes to install and I feel SO much better about the car. Its get old real quick having to find something to prop the trunk open with or ask the person I’m showing the engine to "to hold up the louvers as I pop the hood" But not any more!
My D is able to do something it hasn't been able to do in (I'm guessing) 7-8 years: sit with all the doors, hood, and trunk open by them self. (I’m pretty sure the hood and trunk struts were original "Lift-O-Mat" struts, there was absolutely no resistance at all- I could push and pull them with no effort!)
I also got the Dash Mat cover from "DashMat" it looks pretty nice, as far a dash mat goes, its not a goofy looking carpet one, its like a suede fabric that looks nice (could be a few shades darker grey though) I'll post some pics of how it looks.
The rest of the evening I spent installing my new alarm system. lots of wiring work! I’m glad I’m doing it and not a place like ultimate electronics, who knows how they would have hooked it up. I actuality went there to buy an alarm but they don't "Sell them over the counter" like they’re some kind of Pharmacy!?!?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Parts arrived!
Fuel smell.
Not sure if I told you guys, but my D has drama with the gas gauge and getting gas.
So the gauge always reads 3/4 tank-never moves only when I turn the key on (it goes to zero). And when I fill up the tank ( let the pump click off) I get a really bad fuel smell.
So, my gauge won't tell me if my tank is empty and I can't fill the tank because of the smell.
Well last night I started working on fixing it. I took the fuel pump access cover off and was happy to see a new fuel pump boot although I found I need new fuel lines- the rubber that covers the braiding has all fallen off.
My mission was to check the hose clamp the holds the boot on the tank (per the suggestion from Mark V on DMCTalk.con) The clamp was loose some fumes might have been coming from that.
I removed the upper boot cover to check the pump, definitely brand new (knew that from the receipts the PO gave me, just wanted to double check) Put the boot back on and tightened down the hose clamp.
So the gauge always reads 3/4 tank-never moves only when I turn the key on (it goes to zero). And when I fill up the tank ( let the pump click off) I get a really bad fuel smell.
So, my gauge won't tell me if my tank is empty and I can't fill the tank because of the smell.
Well last night I started working on fixing it. I took the fuel pump access cover off and was happy to see a new fuel pump boot although I found I need new fuel lines- the rubber that covers the braiding has all fallen off.
My mission was to check the hose clamp the holds the boot on the tank (per the suggestion from Mark V on DMCTalk.con) The clamp was loose some fumes might have been coming from that.
I removed the upper boot cover to check the pump, definitely brand new (knew that from the receipts the PO gave me, just wanted to double check) Put the boot back on and tightened down the hose clamp.Next I checked the connections at the fuel gauge sender. They were pretty loose. I sanded the spade terminals on the top of the sender and bent the wire connectors tighter like I did with the power window switch.
Interesting thing happened when I was cleaning the terminals on the sender- it turned! I thought "that’s not right" I tried tightening down the locking ring but it was TIGHT. I wasn't going to remove the sender ‘cus they say you have to get a new gasket. But since it was moving I thought I would figure out why. I took it out and found some rust built up under the flange, on the side that was supposed to be touching the gasket. I cleaned it off (still need to take a wire wheel to it) when I was tilting the sender I could hear the float moving so that isn't stuck.
Next surprise was when I put it back in the tank- its too long! It sticks up about 1/8"!
Fuel smell problem?-FOUND!
I posted some pics on the message board and found out that the sender is an after market one made by "ZILLA" they were supposed to be really good ones. I also asked about it being too long. Hopefully someone will have a suggestion.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Relay pic
Fan fail light.
Something weird happened today, I was driving around after work and
the Fan Fail light came on. So I stopped ASAP and turned the engine
off. The coolant temp gauge didn't go high but I'm not for sure that
it works. I know the PO took it into the shop for it overheating and
they bleed the system. But who knows if the gauge worked after that.
It doesnt move much, that I've noticed.
Anyway after I turned the engine off and and turned the key back on I
heard the fans running. I checked under the front and found that only
one fan was running- impressive system to know that only one was
running.
So I checked the "fan fail relay" it was warm but not hot(or on fire,
which is always good) I unpluged it and saw some slight melting on the
bottom by the connector. I will be replacing that right away!!
I should have checked if both fans were running when I first got the
car. But I have a feeling that they were both running- question is: is
the fan bad or the fan relay??
My guess is the relay. We'll see...
the Fan Fail light came on. So I stopped ASAP and turned the engine
off. The coolant temp gauge didn't go high but I'm not for sure that
it works. I know the PO took it into the shop for it overheating and
they bleed the system. But who knows if the gauge worked after that.
It doesnt move much, that I've noticed.
Anyway after I turned the engine off and and turned the key back on I
heard the fans running. I checked under the front and found that only
one fan was running- impressive system to know that only one was
running.
So I checked the "fan fail relay" it was warm but not hot(or on fire,
which is always good) I unpluged it and saw some slight melting on the
bottom by the connector. I will be replacing that right away!!
I should have checked if both fans were running when I first got the
car. But I have a feeling that they were both running- question is: is
the fan bad or the fan relay??
My guess is the relay. We'll see...
Testing new feature.
I'm testing this "email to blog" feature.
This will come in handy because I will be able to update this from my
iPhone as I'm working on the car. Exciting huh?
Monday, October 1, 2007
New Background
I refreshed the background, it looks more like stainless and not just brushed metal. Click here to see the old one.
Didn't do anything on the car. I'm currently hooked on watching "LOST" on DVD- if you haven't seen it, check it out its a great show.
I did start to tear up the old rubber coated foam that sits under the carpet on the back shelf. the rubber is all cracked up and is falling apart. I have an idea for something to use in its place, I'll post some pics if it turns out.
