12000 mile report

[chris_cussen]

Well that is 12000 miles clocked up since October 2009 when the Cabrio first hit the road.

Things that have happened:
1. Engine re-build. Fully documented elsewhere on MAKC but in essence I had worn valve guides and had the head re-furbished, and fitted to a block supplied by Cabrioman.
2. Total failure to start. The crankshaft position sensor failed. No Sparks!
3. Front disks. These developed a wobble under braking and were replaced.
4. Front ARB bushes replaced with polybushes. The original Sierra (c 1986) bushes had perished.
5. Two new rear tyres. Enough said. I had the rear end tracking checked and it was within the limits of a standard Sierra.
6. Manifold to exhaust system come loose (twice). Second time was despite having spring washers under the nuts.
7. Tax disk blew away when doing 70ish on the M4.I didn’t stop and go back for it. A replacement cost £7.
8. I had to revise the cooling system slightly. I had a filler neck and standard 14lb cap in the top hose and a Metro expansion tank mounted higher up. The filler vented before the expansion tank so I would gradually lose water. I blocked the over-flow in the filler neck and used a cap that did not vent. Not used any water since then.

Average MPG has been just over 32mpg.
0-60 is about 8 seconds.
I’m still smiling.

[Mike]

Re: 12000 mile report

Well that is 12000 miles clocked up since October 2009 when the Cabrio first hit the road.

Things that have happened:
1. Engine re-build. Fully documented elsewhere on MAKC but in essence I had worn valve guides and had the head re-furbished, and fitted to a block supplied by Cabrioman.
2. Total failure to start. The crankshaft position sensor failed. No Sparks!
3. Front disks. These developed a wobble under braking and were replaced.
4. Front ARB bushes replaced with polybushes. The original Sierra (c 1986) bushes had perished.
5. Two new rear tyres. Enough said. I had the rear end tracking checked and it was within the limits of a standard Sierra.
6. Manifold to exhaust system come loose (twice). Second time was despite having spring washers under the nuts.
7. Tax disk blew away when doing 70ish on the M4.I didn’t stop and go back for it. A replacement cost £7.
8. I had to revise the cooling system slightly. I had a filler neck and standard 14lb cap in the top hose and a Metro expansion tank mounted higher up. The filler vented before the expansion tank so I would gradually lose water. I blocked the over-flow in the filler neck and used a cap that did not vent. Not used any water since then.

Average MPG has been just over 32mpg.
0-60 is about 8 seconds.
I’m still smiling.

This is a great running commentary on Cabrio ownership, particularly the last line!
Out of interest, point 4: did you notice the difference with poly bushes fitted? Handling, noise,vibration?

Mike

[chris_cussen]

Re: 12000 mile report

Hi Mike,

Before the new bushes it seemed to pick up a bit on white lines/grooves in the road and also wiggled a bit under heavy braking, although it never seemed to be very serious.
After the bushes it seemed to be more precise and turn in to corners more crisply. Some of the previous uncertainty seemed to be removed.

The most telling point is on a fast bend with a dip in the middle and a crest on the exit, it seems to be more stable through the whole bend now, where as it felt like there was a small amount of bump steer under compression and then over the crest.

I haven't noticed any difference in the noise level. Maybe something to do with the speed and roof down-ness

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: 12000 mile report

Hi Chris
I also have a Cabrio Sierra based with a DOHC engine. Point 4 is interesting my car seems to have the same characteristics as yours before you fitted the ARB poly bushes. I was about to look some replacement poly bushes if possible could you let me know
what I need to get, I have found Powerflex bushes on internet search are these the items you used?. Somehow my tax disc managed to fall off on a rare occasion I was driving with the hood up. Mpg and 0-60 seem similar to my car.
Regards
Dave

[chris_cussen]

Re: 12000 mile report

Hi Dave,
I got my bushes from Powerflex direct. I didn't replace the TCA inner bush as it was relatively new (it came with the kit), but I replaced to ARB to TCA and ARB mounting bushes. You need to make sure the ARB mounting bushes are the correct size as the vary from Sierra to Sierra.

Chris

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: 12000 mile report

Thanks Chris
I was not aware about different sizes I will check mine and get the kit from Powerflex shortly.
Regards
Dave