MoT

Passed with flying colours...!

Now all we need to do is the small rust areas around the drivers side seals and sunroof, priced fixed and will be going in early November.

Glen Loth & 41,000 Miles

In the last couple of weeks I've just gone over the 41,000 miles mark, which for this car is some milestone, especially as when purchased last November it only had 33,700 on the clock.

We took a run out to Helmsdale via Glen Loth last week, some stunning views we made that much better by having such a great car to view them from. Windy and wet, she offered ample protection, but more importantly ample room for us to enjoy the wonderful drive in comfort.

Eilean Donan Castle

Went for a drive over to Eilean Donan Castle with Petra, my friend from Germany. Weather a little drab, but in all it was a lovely day offering some great imagery between the odd shower, it was a pleasure to drive there and the time flew by with an excellent performance from Rolfie.

Eilean Donan Cast

Air Con Fixed

Got the air con fixed, job well done and everything seems to be running nicely.

Will be out and about in the next couple weeks, before minor repairs and the MOT.

Once late Autumn is out the way I'll be looking at Winter housing until next season.

Air Conditioning Pump

As promised my new pump arrived early this morning.

Great service from the Auto Air Con Parts team...!

Hopefully the garage will fit me in within the next couple of weeks to fit the part.

Air Conditioning Pump

June

After collecting her from the under seal job I thought I should fill the petrol up ready for a run out. As I pulled away from the pumps and screeching noise followed by a bang happened.

Discovering no power steering I guessed the belt snapped, it sure had so was taken back to the garage by low loader.

Later that afternoon, the phone call confirmed the snapped belt and also the Air Con Pump had seized, so I've just paid out for another, slightly cheaper than Fords wanted for a incomplete refurb unit at £500+, I got one complete for under £300.

Under Sealed

Mid June

I had the car under sealed using Dinitrol, the kit was nearly £100 but has done the job nicely according to the mechanic who sprayed her up.

Touring Holiday

My new mechanic did a fantastic job putting the oil cooler on, this enabled me to use her for the holiday in East Anglia.

In total we travelled 2,130 miles with no hassle at all. Running with the air conditioning running most days she was a pleasure to drive, performance wise for a 2.3 I think we did very well.

This last week has seen her complete a further 500 miles around the Highland region with two trips over to Lossiemouth and one to Inverness.

Oil Cooler Repair

Well the new garage I'm now using have performed an outstanding job in repairing my car through the weekend. Impressed by their commitment to doing the job asked and saddened by the fact my previous garage had given me so much bull shit.

Not only had they bodged the repair and informing me everything would be okay, the issue with the tyre that they said was a leaky valve turned out to be a huge nail embedded in the tyre and the tyre was perished too..!

So now I can use her for our holiday, must give her a wash and brush up prior to leaving though.

Oil Cooler Part Arrival

Well http://www.fordpartsuk.com/ have surpassed themselves with this delivery. Originally quoted three to four weeks, they arrived within three so well done lads.

Just need to get them fitted and hopefully the new garage will be fitting me in this coming week, so fingers crossed.

Colour Restorer Polish

Well I took some time out to apply another coat of colour restorer to her this morning, coming up nicely, just the doors to do which I hope I'll be able to finish this week.

Leather Care

After cleaning the leather after the last mechanic got in it, today I've started treating the leather with Auto Glym leather balm.

What a difference, will need to go over the leather twice I feel, but the product is superb and works quickly, let's see what the recommended 48 hours brings as stated on the bottle.

Air Conditioning

Had a chap come round to check the air conditioning, did his stuff and it's all okay, so that's cheered me up.

Call out and re-charge £60.00

Oil Cooler

Well the oil leak is the main transmission oil cooler and pipe work, the garage bypassed the cooler and said it would be fine to run. Further investigation via a friend turns this on it's head and I need the cooler as I thought, so have obtained quotes.

Main Ford agent have quoted £401 complete, the down side is the lead time for the cooler is 21 - 30 days which is no good for my scheduled holiday, so hoping for two other quotes to come back quicker for the oil cooler.

Oil Leak

Sunday was a mixed day locally but we went out for a drive and ended up heading into Inverness and buying some leather cream for the Scorpio.

Nearing home I could smell something burning and when popping the bonnet smoke was duly pouring from the compartment. It turns out to be power steering fluid and a large leak under the car confirmed this.

Now booked in for investigation I'm hoping it's just a hose, but we'll not know until she's up on the ramps, £72.00.

Wash & Polish

Over the last few weeks I've gradually been polishing all the panels, have just finished the last few panels and all I need now is one last coat of 'colour restorer' polish over her before moving on to the Turtle Wax.

It's been a while since I've polished a car of this size, the last one this big would have been the Rover SD1 2.6 I had many years ago.

First Service

Well the first service was not too painful.

• Rear Brake Pads
• Fuel Filter
• Oil Filter
• Air Filter
• Pollen Filter
• Engine Oil 4.25Litres
• Gear Oil
• 4 Spark Plugs

I'll need a new tyre before heading south, so I may get a matching pair for the front, all in all was really happy with the price of her first service at £250.82.

First 1,000 Miles

Well I finally got to drive her out today, just a circular loop Bonar Bridge, Lairg and back via Loch Fleet and Embo. The drive itself was pleasant, though the scenery was far from spectacular today, the grey drizzle coming down from the hills and mountains offered nothing for scenic travelling or viewing.

She handled well on the bends, took her through some gear changes, giving the box something to do other than idle itself in D. On the return leg I passed my first 1,000 miles, just waiting for garage to confirm when they'll sort the fluid changes out for me.

I can't see the under seal coatings being applied just yet, so as long as the fluids are done reasonably quickly I'll be happier. Have sorted the car cover out too, will be putting that on tomorrow when I get back from a brief trip out visiting some friends.