Got myself an 850 GLT

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Started the car today for the first time since 30th September last year. For some strange reason it had a very noisy hydraulic tappet which it never had before when left over winter. A few minutes later it was all quiet again and back to normal

A little disconcerting but this is a normal trait for these as a lifter or two can loose pressure over time. If it's standing for long periods you could turn it over by hand a few times to bring up the oil pressure before starting via the key.

Originally Posted by 4x4

My plan for today was to not start the engine but when I looked underneath the car I noticed an oil leak coming through the sump cover splash guard, so I decided to put the car on the lift to investigate. It turned out to be the sump plug was weeping slightly, I did an oil change last year and fitted a new washer, but it decided to leak. I've tightened it up a bit more and I'll keep a close eye on it as the oil has only done about 1400 miles and I don't want to remove the sump plug just now.

I always wrap the threads close to the washer with PTFE tape, a practice formed from my 480 years, just to prevent such weeping.

[4x4]

My plan for taking Val for an MOT in better weather never quite went to plan, but at least there was no salt on the roads this year which is a bonus. Storm Kathleen decided to arrive during the night so it was a very wet drive to the MOT station this morning with the temperature at only 2°C





The car had a straight pass with no advisories, then off to visit a mate and then over to East Kilbride to do a Volvo estate thing and fill the boot with freshly powder coated wheels. Back home and the car will need to sit outside until the underside dries off before I put it back in the garage

Some beading porn when the car was brought in from the street to the MOT station after sitting outside for an hour

[El Padrino]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Some beading porn when the car was brought in from the street to the MOT station after sitting outside for an hour

Nothing wrong with a bit of beading porn 4x4 I hope to see some beading porn on mine too if she gets caught in the rain. Waxed her last weekend with some Bilt Hamber wax. Congratulations on another flying MOT pass.

[4x4]

Before my dinner tonight I came up with the bright idea of washing the 850 in the pouring rain (something I've done plenty of times as it helps prevent scratches). My thinking for this action today was, the car has been sitting in the garage for the last 6 months and had a layer of dust over the paintwork so if I were to dry it off when the rain stopped it would be full of scratches.

At around 9:20 tonight the rain stopped briefly so out I went and fired up the compressor and blew the worst of the water off. A quick towel dry and put the car in the garage, doors opened, the carpet snail turned on and the car should be completely dry by tomorrow morning

[4x4]

So far Storm Kathleen hasn't been as bad as the forecast warned us although I believe that tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be the worst of it. The weather is dry here at the moment and Val spent last night indoors with cold air circulating to remove any water and is all nice and dry now.





Service light came on yesterday morning when I started the car to go to the MOT station so this morning I did a Service light reset and that's it for another 12 months

[BorderVolvo]

I love this car, it's an absolute belter !

[4x4]

Had to run a few errands today and the sun was shining so took the 850 for it's first proper drive of the year



Once home I decided to sort out my show mats and put the obligatory stripes on them



Finished off by giving the original 28 year old mat a wash (no dressing on this as it is the one I use and I hate slippery pedals)

[Baffler]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Finished off by giving the original 28 year old mat a wash (no dressing on this as it is the one I use and I hate slippery pedals)

Man after my own heart. If I ever meet the chap who invented Son of a Gun there will be blood


Looking fab, 4x4, absolutely fab!

[4x4]

Thanks Liam, she's not too shabby for her age.

Following on from my untreated rubber mat as above, I was given the name Koch-Chemie Gummifix Guf for rejuvenating rubber mats so I bought a bottle and it arrived today. I've just applied it and let it dry and can confirm it isn't slippery although you can feel a little more movement under-foot. I've not driven the car yet but I think it might be a good product to keep rubber mats looking good

[4x4]

First car show of the year at the Riverside Museum.

Mine is outside near the centre of the window...


The sun shone all day so when I returned home I decided to get the other car out to allow me to clean the winter aftermath off the garage floor.