Squeezebox, I passed your Bamboo on the way home last night, but I was in my Focus (or mark 10 Escort as I like to think of it, we should continue to name Fords after porn mags) you had ANOTHER colour boot lid on. I know you don't name your cars but you should call that Bamboo Joseph - boot of many many colours.

Wow the choices, lets start at the top. I did get your email. If you text me Mr Ford's number, I will call him and beg. As long as you don't think he'll tell me to go **** myself?

There will be no chucking cars of cliffs. The local nudists like to hang out (literally) down there, I don't want bloodshed.

I shall consider all other options (tell me more about the Dyane too) if option 1 is a no go. Thanks.

Well that’s a result; the scrap merchant just gave me £250 for Olive! Only joking.

I headed out the garage this morning, leaves had gathered on the garage floor, the wind was blowing hard and grey skies were closing in, I smell winter.

Time to siphon off the fuel tank, make it feather weight ready for removal. Next, enter Phil Sayers. Phil very kindly leant me a day of his skills, knowledge and expertise. And very grateful I am too, as once Phil arrived progress was made. I was sort of Scrub Nurse to Phil’s Surgeon. I passed tools, held things in place and paid attention so I know how to do things next time.

Four bolts, disconnect a few wires and pull off the fuel pipe and the tank was free as a bird. I poured out the remaining crap in the tank, pretty murky it was.

While the tank was out, Phil pointed out that the small black piece of fuel pipe on the top of the sender was split. Luckily Phil had a spare bit of hose in his kit bag, although a little larger we held it in tight with jubilee clips.

With the tank out the way, oooooh the space under the car. Transformed the work space from Eastbourne Winter Garden to the O2 Arena. Now with both elbow and knuckle room. The brake pipe ends were told where to go with a pair of pliers. The other end of the pipes were secured down. Curly pipe was checked in the cross member, to make sure it was clear from the edges.

Next the brake shoes went on, with everything getting coppaslipped as we went.
The replacement caps that hold the spring to the shoe were rubbish as they have no holes drilled for the pliers lodge in to, so we re used the old ones.

Then Phil put Squeezebox’s (thanks again for the tool loan) brake adjustment hub to good use. Hubs and new hub nuts were fixed back on, brakes were bled, wheels on, then road test.

I now have brakes. Just need to pop my rear wings back on. Then, as the shoes bed in a little more adjustment in due course. I’ll pop out tomorrow and check for any LHM leakage, then I can look forward to just using the car again. So massive thanks again to Phil, I am totally indebted to you.

I have learnt lots during my brake pipe trauma including how kind other 2cv owners are with getting you out of a jam. Also learning when I’m out of my depth mechanically, but hey it’s the only way to learn.

Great news

Now get the engine runnin and ragthe tits of it

Good for you Ben...Glad you back on the road again, thanks for the return of the bits and a good learning time for all.

I reckon that brake adjustment hub thingy is a good idea...not mine...i hasten to add...but happy to copy or lend to others.

Phil, your mission to keep all the 2CVs in Sussex on the road continues....now...next Saturday, could we....err....

I had a lovely early morning-empty-road drive yesterday in the sunshine, fantastic Instead of resolutions for the New Year I have set my mind to what needs doing to the car.

Jobs for 2012 – About as likely to be fulfilled as a new governments manifesto.

Fit new chrome trim to gutter – part purchased at London to Brighton 2011

Fit new dump tubes to heat exchangers - part purchased at London to Brighton 2011

Actually get oil filter off this time at the next oil change, it refused to come off last time. I only managed to take the skin off my hand instead. I also purchased a Halford’s chain oil filter remover, but not enough room to manoeuvre it. – A new Purflux filter ready and waiting.

Make rear nearside door actually close properly, the lock clasps but there is a centimetre gap all around the door – very draughty this time of year for back seat passengers.

Replace rear fog lamp (which has not survived more than two years light use). My current one is a square one made by Ring, the hanging bracket loop is made of plastic, which is about as tough as Blu Tac. I have brought a replacement fog lamp (also made by Ring) with a metal bracket, which I purchased through EBay.

Fit replacement carburettor manifold. My current one has had a pea sized hole in it ever since I owned the car. It has a Holt’s exhaust bandage currently performing a very attractive repair. I have a solid used manifold kindly sourced by Mr Squeezebox.

I want some big boy speakers in the back to allow me to hear my stereo on the move.

This may be the year the straw breaks the camel’s back. This could be the year my original chassis calls it a day, there is only a few months left until its 25th birthday!

Replacement bonnet or push out the dent in my current one. The car’s nose is still Gerard Depardieu style after a crushing blow from a wayward wall unit.

And finally… I fancy a chrome petrol cap, I can’t resist shiny things.

Ben,thats a weekends work

It would actually take me a full weekend just to list all the things this car actually needs. That lot was the tip of the iceberg

Cock and indeed balls! I was happily buzzing along the other day when I lost power. I pulled in, the engine would turn over but not fire. So under the bonnet, no petrol squirting from the fuel pump. So its either:
Fuel pump dead after only 2 years.
Or
When I dropped the fuel tank for the brake pipe change, I changed the little bit of rubber pipe on the top. The piece of rubber I used was a wee bit bigger but held tight with jubilee clips. So maybe its dropped off.

Any handy hint for testing the fuel pump in situ? So I can rule that out before I go messing with the tank. I see ECAS have a deal (£19ish) on new fuel pumps so that may be good news.

Anyway I had to be towed home Footman James' local boys - good service it was too.

Oh, also, two days before the battery went low, so I had to be jump started by my brother in laws Toyota Prius. A strange experience as we had to hook the jump cables up to special terminals and not the actual battery on the Prius.

Just buy a new pump at £19 its a bargian and its always good to keep a sare!

I've no handy hint for testing the pump but it is easy enough to test that the pipe is still attached to the top of the tank. If the car is facing down a slight slope (and probably if it's on the flat too), then disconnecting the fuel pipe at the front chassis leg should cause the fuel to siphon out of the tank onto the floor. The other way is to pressurise the tank by blowing into the filler neck, the petrol will be forced up through the outlet tube and if the rubber pipe is disconnected or leaking, petrol will be seen dripping onto the floor.