Cappy65

Worked on my Felicia, changing the top strut mount and bearing. Unfortunately the inner cv joint is hanging out now. I had to wrestle the coil spring assembly back in before I noticed it while looking under the car.. I'm surprised it popped out. Could I have damaged it? Can I get it back in without taking it all apart again? Noticed at 9pm and was too tired to carry on.

Go on ebay and give the seller your reg no. I did that for the parts you need and got them for about £9

Lol. Thanks for your help. I'm going to do it!! But first, the mot fails. Got some seals from europarts for £6 and will do it once it's mot'd and with an engine oil and gearbox oil change ( not the garage ). Thanks, Ricardo.

Ricardo, I'll take that advice as I've worked around things using my noddle rather than my paypal a/c on many an occasion before. How long would it take, roughly, invluding removing cam/s and ancilliaries? Do you use a woodruff key or have you devised an alternative way? Thanks. Do I have to take the camshaft off? I assume that I do because it'll be pressing on the valves. The woodruff key is something I've read about stopping the crank moving while working on it with the cam sprocket etc off. Am I talking rubbish? Thanks for your help, Ricardo.

Ricardo, I'll take that advice as I've worked around things using my noddle rather than my paypal a/c on many an occasion before. How long would it take, roughly, including removing cam/s and ancilliaries? Do you use a woodruff key or have you devised an alternative way? Thanks.

Okey dokey. Thanks.

In order to replace the valve stem seals with the cylinder head left on, could you tell me what tool I need to compress the springs? Also, do I need a specialised stem seal set of pliers or will a standard long nose pair be okay?

The garage, when I queried about resolving, said the cat was knackered. I can't remember the figure..

If I did the stem seals myself, do I have to take the head off? Can I prise the old seals off and push new ones in? I'm a bit confused. I know I'd need a spring compressor but before I consider doing it. Looks like I'd have to remove it. Just searched on that internet. Bloody big groan ensues. Thanks, Ricardo et al.

Took the car for mot. Excessive play in front offside strut top mount, failed emissions testand outer cv boot perished. £480. Sourced the parts myself. They come to 80 pounds.bought a compression tool in that figure as well and will do myself. Also sourced a new cat for 41 in that amount. For the smoke, I'll get some additive for valve seals, replace oil and filter and get it retested. I can't afford 480 - and I'll do it myself as paying someone else is plain lazy when it's just my labour. At the end of it at least I'll have a sound car and save 400 quid. I am in a quandary. The additive I mention is a waste of money and won't work; I should know better. My mot fails ( new cat, front strut topmount, and outer cv gaiter ) I can do for 90 pounds including a spring compression tool, I'm going to do myself, but I don't know if it's worth it as I'll still have worn stem seals, and I'm largely broke.

Took the car for mot. Excessive play in front offside strut top mount, failed emissions testand outer cv boot perished. £480. Sourced the parts myself. They come to 80 pounds.bought a compression tool in that figure as well and will do myself. Also sourced a new cat for 41 in that amount. For the smoke, I'll get some additive for valve seals, replace oil and filter and get it retested. I can't afford 480 - and I'll do it myself as paying someone else is plain lazy when it's just my labour. At the end of it at least I'll have a sound car and save 400 quid.

Took the car for mot. Excessive play in front offside strut top mount, failed emissions test and outer cv boot perished. £480. Sourced the parts myself. They come to 80 pounds.bought a compression tool in that figure as well and will do myself. Also sourced a new cat for 41 in that amount. For the smoke, I'll get some additive for valve seals, replace oil and filter and get it retested. I can't afford 480 - and I'll do it myself as paying someone else is plain lazy when it's just my labour. At the end of it at least I'll have a sound car and save 400 quid.

Got a better video of the smoke as I pulled up to the mot place. Thanks for all your advice; you've genuinely been a great help. Steve.

Just started it up and took a short video. No smoke for 2 minutes then water out of tailpipe and smoke. Link:

Is it a job I could do easily enough myself, do you think, Ricardo? I'm no expert but I'll have a go at most things.