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.