OK, so my speedo wasn't working.
"The cable has probably snapped" said the ausmini forum.
Easy, I go buy a new speedo cable, put the car up on ramps, get underneath, but I can't budge it and I can't get a spanner or anything in there.
"It's easier with the radiator out" said the ausmini forum.
Thanks guys
. I'd been meaning to get a new radiator anyways, so I ordered a new radiator and fan from karcraft. I take the radiator, fan etc etc out and I can finally get to the speedo cable. I get it undone no worries. Yep, sure was busted. I pull the busted bit out and grab the new one. It's slightly longer, but looks ok. I manage to get it on eventually and all done up. While the radiator cowling and stuff is out I clean them up and give them a nice coat of black paint. Then I have to put the radiator back in. Takes freaking ages due to the difficulty of getting the bolts in confined spaces. I fill with coolant, start her up no worries and wait till the thermostat opens so I can add more coolant.
Everything seems to be working fine.
Test drive time. Reverse out the driveway, speedo doesn't move. "Maybe that's normal", I think. Drive down the street, speedo doesn't move.
"$#)(*" I say.
At least its running cooler with the new radiator and fan. I drive to a netball game on the way I hear some weird squealing when I'm idling, but no time to check it. After the game, I start the car, no squeal. I drive for 5 minutes and glance at the temperature gauge. It's off the scale. I have visions of the engine bay on fire and pull over. I turn off the engine and check under the bonnet. All looks ok, no steam, radiator doesn't feel that hot. Turn the ignition on, and the gauge sits on 0. Start the engine and its still on 0, except now the squeeling is back. I give the guage a tap and it goes off the scale.
"(*&$@(*&%" I say, and check the engine, looking for steam. Can't see any, coolant seems to be flowing and it sounds like the generator which is making the squeeling.
I think bugger it, and get back in the car and drive home, temperature guage still off the scale. I turn the engine off every now and then to cool it down. Halfway home, the guage drops, its still overheating but its less. Then it goes back off the scale, then it drops. I give it a tap and it drops to normal operating temperature.
"You #&%" I say to the gauge.
I get home and park the car. It's still squeeling when its idling and I'm still not sure what that is.
I'm bound to find out when I take everything apart to check the #(*@ing speedo cable.
Current list of things wrong with my car:
Squeeling generator or something
Need to install bump stop kit
Handbrake doesn't work very well
Needs Cooper S wheel cylinders to match front disks
Steering is slipping
Speedo doesn't work
