Honda Legend Coupe 3.2l comments?

Not to mention the old by-pass hose. I could never do those.

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Nah, they built the Mini around the manifold - downpipe clamp. Speedo cables are a 30 second job in comparison!

I always used the concertina typed ones when I could, much easier to fit. Or it could be done in about 45 minutes without too much hassle - Just pop the head off.

Rebuilt a Morris Minor lump recently, decided to do away with the bypass hose completely, by using a Metro water pump. Not only is the pump more effective than the standard part, but there's no chance of that bloody hose blowing now :)

Yebbut, you have to get to the downpipe clamp then as well!

Nice.

The message from snipped-for-privacy@spamcop.net (Andy Hewitt) contains these words:

That's why they sold those cunning concertina hoses which could be compressed to fit.

Yeah, but they didn't last as long either. I worked with a chap that could do the straight one's in seconds - jealous? Me?

The message from snipped-for-privacy@spamcop.net (Andy Hewitt) contains these words:

I managed it once - flick of the wrist. Mate said "Bet you can't do that again" so I took it off to show him how to do it.

Could I do it again?

LOL, I bet not. Some of those old guys were damned good with their hands. I can still remember watching this old boy replace a set of handbrake pads in an old XJ6 in about 45 minutes. The book time was 8 hours.

Whenever possible, I'd fit an LCB, it's better in the long run than that faffing clamp. Failing that, I'd at least fit the clamp that's got 2 bolts, instead of that horrible hinged thing.

Seems to be. Only had the engine running for short times so far, still got to get the suspension on and sort the cab out, but it's lovely being able to drop the head on without remembering after torquing everything up I haven't fitted the bloody hose!

Next modification is to get rid of the cannister oil filter assembly and stick on the later type to make changes easier :)

Can't say I found either to be any better. But then I haven't got the smallest of hands either.

Yes, that's a bonus.

Blimey, never even thought of that as a possibility. Not sure I'd even bother though. There are even some engines that have gone back to the canister style. Certainly a lot of motorbikes use it still.

Jeez I'm so tired of seeing this...it's a £400 job at a specialist these days incl. all belts, tensioners and a new water pump. Had mine done at 48k.

Coops go for peanuts because they are reasonably expensive to run, but then I can't think of a 155mph coupe that isn't.

..oh and it has the Fiat stigma, even though it wasn't built by them.

A

Are you absolutely sure they've done the job properly, as, AFAIK, the bodge of doing it with the engine in situ means you _can't_ replace the tensionners because you can't get to them.

We did the same as a main dealer though, although that sounds rather cheap to do the lot. Even with the workaround it's a long job in comparison to other belt changes.

No, I alwasy thought the Coupe was actually a pretty good motor, it's probably the most reliable car in the Fiat family.

Yes, you can, although it does mean you have to almost remove the engine, but there's still enough work left to save almost a days work.

I'd still be slightly concerned at anyone who reckons they've done all that for £400, though - especially given that that's the sort of money you pay for a cambelt and all the bits on an Alfa 16v TS engine.

Even my tame mechanic would have struggled to do one for £400.... and he only charged me £25 / hour.

Yes, I have to agree, although there are the odd mechanics out there that genuinely do a good job at a good rate.

Actually the £400 isn't so bad, if you take you £25/hr, and charge at 8 hours, add about £150 for the parts, you're not far off. I have seen just the belt and tensioner being done in about 6 hours.

It's all to do with the mechanic you use in my experience. On the Integrale I was regularly quoted upto £800 to replace cambelt / balance shaft belt and clutch, which was a pain because they all last about 18000 miles and tend to need replacement at the same time. Eventually I found someone who'd do the cambelt for £125 and the clutch for £400. Always did a top job, and only used the best quality parts - Gen Lancia belts and AP Racing clutches.

100% sure...watched him do it in fact - quite a few custom tools involved but he's done hundreds before. if anyone is interested, he does all Fiat's - based in Essex.

Cambelt & tensioner kit is around £150, £30 for the water pump...rest is labour. Reckon it took him around 4 hours, was done in a morning. I think the non-aircon models are slightly cheaper even as it's one less belt/tensioner to f*ck about with.

A

Good man...have to agree. You can definitely tell it wasn't built by Fiat. It does suffer from a few oddities as a lot of it was apparantly hand built, not two are the same etc... but generally a solid and very nice car to drive. Have to watch that oil though!

A

Indeed, as with the Alfas, and indeed quite a lot of newer cars now. It's something that is catching out a lot of people.

Heh. My 155 seems to be running a total loss lubrication system..... I think I've replaced the entire contents of the sump in the 10k miles I've owned it.

Secret seems to be to let it fall right to the low mark on the dipstick, then top up to the max mark..... checked it this morning and the oil still looks quite clean.

Suppose I should really change the filter soon, though, but oil changes look to be redundant.