Sparky

Blimey! A catalogue from SJ came with my Esprit and I was quite impressed. Put together a fair shopping list in anticipation of being able to get through to them. There's a fair few negatives about them here though. Any recent good experiences with them? On a bright note, superdave may have a result for me - just waiting to hear...

Definitely up for it - header tank permitting.

Oooh - I've come over all unnecessary. Hope he caters for carb models!

I'll give it a go - right after I finish the other 4 motors queued up! It's all brakes this week.

Thanks - I'll give Allisport a go tomorrow. Not sure if it's weldable Dave - a runoff pipe (only about 6mm dia) is split where it joins the neck of the tank, and it's all in a pretty weak state. Since I had nothing to lose, I did a running repair with liquid metal, but it gave out in minutes. Hmmmm - SJ not a good bet then, it appears...

My Esprit is poorly (needs a header tank) and I've tried to contact SJ Sportscars via email and telephone all this week, to no avail. Does anyone know if they've been open yet this year? I'm starting to suffer dreadful withdrawal symptoms. They're quoting the tank at

Gulp. I can see myself changing out all cooling system components in quick succession...

Iain - yes, but mine looks a bit different. I'll get a piccy tonight. Dave - cheers matey. I'll whip it out in January and see what the overall condition is. Not good, I suspect! Meanwhile, I'm going to rustle up a bit of liquid metal. I'll be well miffed if she's off the road during the holidays.

Good and bad news - found one split coolant pipe at the rear of the cylinder head. Simple replacement. Ran the engine to hot and found another problem! The small pipe at the neck of the header tank is cracked (coincidence? I hope so). Frankly, the whole tank is looking a bit tired, so I think I need to replace it. However, I'd like to try a repair so I can enjoy the car a bit over the next week or two. So, can anyone please advise on 2 points? 1. Has anyone had the same problem with their header, and did you try a repair? 2. Where's the best place to get a new tank? Mine's not chargecooled. Cheers

As far as I'm aware, no NAS is certified by the manufacturer as truly Vista-compliant. Unless you have Vista Ultimate, which allows you to manipulate security policies, NAS drives can be problematic. I've tried several home-market drives, and none of them have given true NAS capability to Vista machines. I'm currently running a Freecom (waited forever for their Vista patch) and it doesn't want to give read/write to more than one PC on my home network! Then again, it is an NDAS device, so I suppose I should look at some of the later protocols... Are you getting read/write on multiple machines? And is the NAS attached to a PC or your router? I'm all ears for a solution.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh no! Please, not the water pump. I was seeing a steam jet from RHS rear of the engine, so hopefully just a hose/connection. Leak stoppers are quite clever, but I've seen them do a lot more damage than good. They'll close a leak, but they'll also have a go at the thermostat and the heater matrix, for example. Halfrauds, hehehe. Like it. I'd rather stick needles in my eyes than inflate their coffers! I'm going outside now. I may be some time...

I had her on my mate's ramp the other day, and ended up scribbling down another dozen to-do's. The list is growing at quite a rate! Just got to prioritise now. How are your fans playing up? And yes - really must take some pics...

Anyone know of a NAS that is truly Vista-compliant yet?

Can't get enough - had to go and give my baby a good thrashing again today. Did about 30 motorway miles. Within about 2 miles of returning home, I saw the coolant warning flicker once or twice, then watched the temp gauge doing strange things - fluctuating rapidly between 80 and 90. Pulled up at home and left the engine running - lots of steam, and a puddle rapidly forming! Turned it off and had a quick look around. It seems to be coming from the right hand side of the engine, low down. If this was any of my other motors, I'd be cursing. But I find it curious that I'm actually looking forward to getting under the Esprit tomorrow to fidure out what's up. Anyhow, the pleasure/pain equation is roughly balanced so far. Every time I get a grin on my face, the car tries to wipe it off! Couldn't care less, still loving every minute.

No worries! Given recent form, it'll get lost along with my bank details, my younger daughter's name and address, and my middle daughter's learner driver records...

New tyres (Toyos) fitted today. Amazed at the change in handling! I've never experienced such an improvement due to tyres alone. Might have something to do with the N/S/R outer sidewall - it was abysmal, and Simon was right - I was verrrry lucky to get away with it.

Stopped the Esprit on a double yellow today, just for a minute or two so my missus could jump out and grab something, and along came a traffic warden. "Not stopping, mate - only be a minute or so," I said, trying to smile nicely. "Don't worry - I wouldn't dream of putting a ticket on a beautiful car like that," said the warden, walking away. Cool. Mega. And all those other archaic words. I can't believe the effect this thing has.

Tangfastics. Mmmmmmmmmm

Tish, pshrew, hey nonny nonny. Or is that going a bit too far?

Fair comment, Simon - hadn't thought of it that way. Historically, the missus has stabbed me, split my lip, and laughed like a drain each time I've broken a bone. Maybe I've missed a couple of subtle clues? New kitchen was part of the Esprit purchase deal, unfortunately. Kitchen units arrive in 3 weeks. And then all the appliances which, by incredible coincidence, she tells me are all in need of replacement! They all worked last time I was in there (maybe a few months now). And she has the front to moan about a couple of tyres. Since you've collectively convinced me that a) I was very lucky; and b ) it was probably spousal sabotage, maybe I should figure out how to launch a culinary retaliation. Muhahaha New tyres will be fitted Wednesday. No doubt it will rain incessantly thereafter.

Don't think so. Drive to road is smooth with no lip, and it definitely wasn't flat on the way to the gas station. But I suppose it could have done as you suggested pulling on to the forecourt. I'm more annoyed at losing a nice drive than blowing a tyre! At least it's forced me to get on with ordering new rear tyres. Looking at Black Circle - don't know what to go for...

Woke up this morning, opened the curtains - fantastic clear blue sky. Wife was at work, so thought I'd give my new toy a serious spin. Drove up to the gas station, slammed in a few quid, and drove off... Bugger. Lurching from side to side, and that familiar rumble. Pulled off the road as best I could, dinking a bloody wheel in the process. N/S/R tyre flat! I debated invoking my breakdown cover, but as I was only a third of a mile from home (and convinced I must have a puncture), I nursed her back. Got out the compressor, inflated the tyre - perfect! No pressure loss. Can't figure this out. I definitely had pressure in that tyre when I was putting gas in, but 3 minutes later it was flat, and the car wasn't out of my sight for even a second. Sidewall's pretty trashed now, so no playing. Fortunately I was pricing new rears only last night as they're close to the limit. I'm just a tad miffed because I lost a glorious sunny day. :crazy:

No worries! Might slam one on eBay for a laff.

Ian - do you still need a DS? IF all goes well, I'll have 2 from California in a couple of days...

If you have a few spare minutes (I actually spent a couple of hilarious hours), visit www.quatloos.com , and look for articles by Brad Christensen. He takes on these scammers and plays them at their own game. It's a hoot.