RobDon's Leon -

[Gooner_Mike]

That's what you would call good customer service!

 

[RobDon]

OK, one downside to venting the breather to atmosphere is the smell! When sitting at idle you can smell the fumes coming into the cabin, so after using my brain a little I came up with this to see if it would help.

Take one old spray paint can lid:

Cut a hole in it to push-fit onto the base of the filter:

Perfect fit! It extends beyond the end of the filter and allows room for it to breathe whilst hopefully shielding the fumes and forcing them downwards:

Fitted back onto the tank:

How it looked beforehand:

I am pleased to say it has made a big difference, all I get now is the tiniest of whiffs at idle, compared to before it is very slight - so it's a success!

 

[Indy]

I received the part I was waiting on, so now I can get under the car and do the oil cooler and this Powerflex steering rack bush at the same time. I'll change the gearbox oil as well.

.....................
Caring company - a rare thing these days!

Powerflex cought fire around Christmas and I believe part of their machinery was distroyed therefore the delay.

 

[RobDon]

I know, that's why I said: "I knew Powerflex had a fire so was happy to wait"

 

[Gooner_Mike]

Hope your mod does the trick mate! I have seen one where the bloke runs a tube to the rear of the car for it to vent well away from the cabin.

 

[RobDon]

Yeah seen that too, that's plan B if this doesn't work - seems to be working so far, can't really smell it anymore, but if I do I'll do that.

 

[buch bdm 400]

i use to get this smell. it use to do my head in loads of headaches. now ive got the hose that the filter was connected to extended so it sits right at the bottom of the engine under the car next to the exhaust.looks nice there to

 

[Ibiza125]

Yeah those smells aren't very good for you Rob! Hopefully your idea will work (very good one at that!). I have just bought a metre of vacuum tube big enough to fit so that will keep the fumes well away!

 

[RobDon]

Got my oil cooler fitted today, wasn't too difficult really. After a few trial fittings and cutting some metal and plastic to get enough clearance for the hoses, it's all in (image below is of a trial fit, I cut some metal away above the hoses so they don't rub now.):

Fitted and finished:

Old OE coolant heat exchanger and long threaded rod:

New sandwich plate fitted with short threaded fitting, VW part:

I'm working on a new centre grill made with honeycomb and no S badge, so that will complete the front end. Can't really get any shots of the thermostatic sandwich plate, hard enough getting at it with hands and spanners, never mind take pics!

 

[CupraMVR]

great work rob. would you move the oil cooler to the middle of the grille when you have it made so its getting better cooling

 

[RobDon]

Quite possibly yes.

 

[Willie]

Looking good Rob, what cooler did you get?

I read somewhere that some models need the dampened fittings to reduce vibrations.
I don't think it was the Mocal ones, it was another one.
What do you have to read oil temperatures?
Where is the sensor located for this?

 

[RobDon]

Serck Speed cooler, seems to have a good name, got it off Ebay brand new for £25! I have rubber washers between the steel bar and the cooler to absorb vibration yes.

http://www.mmsport.com.au/Serck_Oil_Coolers.php

One of my Defi gauges is an oil temp, sensor is in the block in the same place as the oil pressure sensor, an adapter takes both sensors.

 

[RobDon]

Well I am very pleased and happy to report that the oil cooler is doing a great job, after topping up the oil and coolant and checking for any leaks (none found), I went for a blast and the oil temp is lower and more stable than before, no problems on a sustained run. The oil takes a wee bit longer to come up to temp because it is not being heated by the coolant any more, but it's nothing drastic, maybe 5 mins longer.

I popped the 'S' badge out of the centre grill for now for max. airflow to the cooler, until I've made a honeycomb badgeless centre grill - which I am making this week.

Got some parts coming back this week that I sent off to be mirror polished by LMR - Liquid Metal Refinements.

 

[RobDon]

Well I signed myself up for a welding course at my local college, hopefully once I've done that I can make up my own intercooler pipes or anything else needing welded.

I made a honeycomb centre grill over the last couple of days, looked good until I realised I had to cut a bit out for the bonnet release catch - doesn't look as good now with a bit missing!

 

[RobDon]

Parts came back from Liquid Metal Refinement after being polished:

Cost £85 to have these polished, they've done a great job.

http://www.liquidmetalrefinement.co.uk/

 

[Juddster]

Nice!!!

 

[wayne lcr]

i see you got the fr honeycomb top grill for the lcr bumper was this easy to fit and top work mate

 

[RobDon]

Yes, I found it very easy to do the top grills, not much to it really.

 

[Phillc]

I made a honeycomb centre grill over the last couple of days, looked good until I realised I had to cut a bit out for the bonnet release catch - doesn't look as good now with a bit missing!

Lets have a look then