the expression “like pullin’ teeth” comes to mind although it was pretty easy going once I got my head around what I had to do.
Previously we (thanks Micke) had sussed out that there was something wrong with the electrical system that had to do with the ignition. It was clear, at least to me, that someone had taken a piss/dump in the distributor before closing it. So Micke exchanged the rotor and “VOILA”, as they say in Russia, the Panda was off to a good start. Next dayhowever it refused to start again. I mean really refused! So another week went by…and another, and another, and… Inbetween there was this complete debacle with the replacement distributor that was broke on arrival and the circus with a replacement for the replacement, and… *sigh*. When an American company tries their utmost to be customer oriented it can become a bit too much… well, well, it all worked out in the end.
ANYWAY… I found a Sunday with splendid weather and time to spare so I got round to take the Panda apart, digging my way in to the distributor one more time. Once open I could see that it was wet inside… the new screws were rusty… It was wet like you could expect things to grow in there…. bacteria to evolve… fish to spawn… I mean WET. So I spend good time with disk break cleaner fluid (it’s a fantastic spray that cleanes and then evaporates… I mean it leaves NOTHING ).
Tinker, tinker for a good hour and replaced some thingie inside the distributor that looked important. Turn the key and TAA-DAA !!! Panda running. Put everything back, all screws tight and then went for a test spin but I BARELY made it back home to the yard. Misfiring all along so what was thought to be a short run took me almost 20 minutes of agony before I reached the house again.
One more time, everything apart, all covers off, straps, springs, screws… if you ever tried to reach the engine in a van you would know… it is VERY crowded. Anyhow I looked for thingies that looked important and might be involved in the making of strong and powerful electrical current for the sparkplugs. Then I saw something that caught my attention. Normally cables start at some device and then end at another device. However this one broke that pattern. It was a blue cable that stuck up from the ignition coil and ended in thin air. Part of the insulation plastic was peeled off and looking at the way it was pointing it would obviously touch the aluminium heat protection around the engine….which also touched several ground points… plus and minus on the same plate… hmmmm. So got that little cable taped up and started the engine again. This time it sounded like it should! Nice even idle, quick throttle response, smoth as silk (-ish) which meant we are back on track. The Panda lives !!!! YYYEEAAAAAA !!!!! What a blessing. So much mechanical agony off my chest and happy feelings for all !!
On the test run that followed I stopped at the gas station just to tinker around and listen for strange noises etc. No surprises there and as I was walking about the Panda a passer by came up to me and said “Your car is sooo cool, it is completely awesome and 100% unique, it makes me happy just to look at it! ” I told him thanks you and promised to relay the feedback to my son – since he is one of the artists behind the creation. (Not to forget Richard !)
Well now. I think that when it is time to pick up Black Pearl – we can arrive in style !
//Jake
Merry Christmas
