Eddey's V6 - The Ghost...

[EddeyDancer]

I was in the mood to do some 'Minor Detailing' recently!

So I decided to change that rubber mould, inside the Fuel Filler Cap area!
It took about 2 mins to remove, and about 1 hour to fit the bugger replacement!
It was 'Very Dirty' under the rubber mould, so at least that's something done!

http://www.vauxhall-car-parts.co.uk/aca ... 53104.html

Handy Tips:
Get the Bucket, Sponge and Chamois ready to clean the area up!
When Replacing the New Part, lubricate the connection point with Vaseline or Olive Oil
Start the fitting at the Top, and work around the sides aligning the Fuel Cap Locking Mechanism!

If You start fitting it at the bottom, You'll never get it back on!!!

[MadOnVaux!]

Liking the new filler rubber, looks great

Mine is all mis-shaped and mucky etc (Cue for a pun lol) and I thought the tank would need to come out so you could get the rubber collar round the filler neck, but seems not....might tackle it

[EddeyDancer]

I recently purchased some New 'NGK Iridium' Spark Plugs, so I curiously decided to
remove one Spark Plug just to ascertain what Brand and Type was already in there!

It was an NGK BKR6EK with Twin Electrodes, it was quite dirty and also covered in oil...
I was NOT at all surprised, considering that they were last changed back in 2004

I gave that Spark Plug a good clean, put it back in and thought nothing of it!
Later that day I went for a Drive, and there was a quite a noticeable change!

I was NOW really surprised... So I when I got home, I removed the Engine Cover
and cleaned the other 2 Spark Plugs that I could gain access to, as the other 3 require
the Manifold to be removed, and that's out of My Current Level of Skill...

I'm still shocked at how something so simple, made the drive so much better!

[EddeyDancer]

Being the Driver of the Car, I've never actually seen how these Tail Lights look from an Observers Point of View!
So I recently got a Mate to drive 'The Ghost' up and down the street, a few times so I can Observe!

I was Very Impressed with the Rear Lights in various Operational functions!
Being that the car is White, the LED's in the 'Rear Number Plate Lamps' really made an impact!

But the 'REAL SHOCK' was just how 'AWESOME' the Tail Lights look, with the Fog Lights on!

I can't wait to see how they will look, when I get the LED's put into all sections!

[EddeyDancer]

The 'Ghost Calibra' hit 170,000 Km so I took it in and had the Oil and Oil Filter Changed!

We did a Detailed Inspection, and I decided that some things were going to be done later on!
These were mainly the Timing Belt Kit and the Water Pump, and they were not due for quite some time yet...

I also had the Lambda Sensor replaced a week later @ 170,500 Km, as it was more than 5 years old (Belmore Auto Pit)

When the ECU is in O2 Sensor Open Loop Mode (for a prolonged period) You will notice a drop in Fuel Economy...
It is recommended that the Lambda Sensor, be replaced every 5 yrs or 80,000 Km

Their response often degrades over time... This results in 'Poor Fuel Economy' but may
not necessarily be bad enough, to activate the 'Fault Code' recognition conditions!

So I'll be monitoring the 'Fuel Economy' now that this is done!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 3D1&_rdc=1

[EddeyDancer]

The Result: Changing the Oxygen Sensor...

I got an extra 100 Kilometers on a Full Tank, for about 2 tanks, then back to how it was!
The Aftermarket Lambda Sensor was replaced @ 173,723 Km as I was not satisfied with the Fuel Economy!

It was replaced with a Lightly Used Bosch Part, that I scored off a Vectra V6 at the Blacktown Wreckers...
So I shall monitor the performance and progress of this, and update this Post as accordingly...

[craigyboy]

lovely looking car mate
as i know its an expensive hobby , but someone has to do it

[EddeyDancer]

Thanks Craigyboy!

I can see that You too, have a Great Sense of Style!

I'm quite pleased with the Progress so far, as I just only started Transforming this car in August of 2010...
It's taken alot longer to finish this Mission, as Importing of Parts to Australia is quite expensive and time consuming as well...
We really don't have many options for the Calibra here, as they are extremely rare and suppliers simply don't stock parts at all!

I've done the 'Major Aspects' so far, now I've just got some minor detailing left to do!
But I've got some really 'Nice Ideas' in mind for The Ghost!!!

It's sure to be a 'Stand Out' even more than it is now!

[craigyboy]

I just changed the rear disc shields this wk
due to them being badly corroded.Take it
youve not got that problem over in OZ mate?

[EddeyDancer]

No Mate... I've not had any dramas with them, or with any corrosion in general!

[EddeyDancer]

I Finally Found It...

The 'Almost Extinct' Rubber Boot, that I never had in the first place!

I was very fortunate to score this Part from a UK Wreckers, on UK ebay!
It's so rare to find this Part Listed on it's own, so I had to Enquire a fair bit!

It helps suck the Cool Air in, through the Large Flat Black Plastic Duct!
Located to the right of the Engine, it sucks air through a Duct Pipe down to the Alternator
Cooling Fan Motor. The Cool Air is flowed around the alternator body, helping to keep it cool

This 'feature' was added to help minimise premature alternator failure, due to the high
temperature environment of the V6 Engine Bay. It helps, but alternators are a consumable
item on the V6. This is another one of the noises You hear, after the Engine has been turned
off when warm. It uses the run on relay, to cool the alternator down after stopping

Now the 'Engine Bay' looks more complete to the V6 eye, with the Part fitted...

[EddeyDancer]

I'm still awaiting alot of Purchases from the UK, that will be delivered soon!
The 'Ghost' is going to be Looking and Performing, even better than it is right now!

I recently scored Myself an Original V-Grille, that is in Decent Condition!
It has now been Stripped, Polished, Modified and Badged to fit My Current Bumper!

In case nobody noticed, My Current V-Grille is actually broken in two pieces and
was simply glued back together, just untill I found a more sexy replacement!

Ahhh, the Price us Perfectionist Pay!

[EddeyDancer]

RECENT ACTIVITY:

I recently conducted a 'Basic Inspection' of the Front Suspension Components!

From what I saw, I decided not to hold off any longer on replacing the worn parts!
So I commenced with some of the work, on the Front Suspension Aspects!

The following is a List of what work was done:

1 - Front Lower Control Arms: Replaced both with Brand New Parts
2 - Outer Track Tie Rod Ends: Replaced both with Brand New Parts
3 - Front Swaybar Stabilisers: Replaced both with Brand New Parts

The Suspension takes alot of bashing, so it was NO surprise that the Bushes & Ball Joints were worn!
Being that our Cars are about 15-20 Years Old, this was an area that was in need of some attention!
I noticed the 'BIG CHANGE' as soon as I drove the car, after the work was completed!

It's funny how we get used to gradual wear, and not even notice the issue!!!

[MadOnVaux!]

Nice work on the arms etc....I did the same on mine, new arms, drop-links, track-rod ends, and i also replaced the top mount's and bearings at same time....made a hell of a difference

[Fraz]

think your next move should be to change the Donut bushs on the rear subframe as I bet they are well worn as well

nice car and good work