The List So Far

[wee-blondie]

Hi folks,
Recently bought my first MR2 which is a lovely wee red 1990 mk1. Having a lot of fun with it but still treating it as though it were made of glass. Haven't yet had time (or a dry day) to really inspect it but so far the list is:

Brakes (feeling a bit spongey and i have very little confidence in the handbrake)
Brake discs,suspension & wheel arches (need to take wheels off for a decent inspection)
Alternator belt (replaced 6 months ago but already slipping a bit from time to time) replacement bought but needs fitted
Timing belt ( "ticking" noise making me nervous!)
Spark plugs (feeling a slight misfire when cold - hopefully just in need of a good clean!)
Clutch (so heavy!! Master/slave cylinder?)
Slight odour of petrol inside/high fuel consumption (hoping this will be resolved by cleaning engine/plugs fully but may need some advice)

Then it's on to the "normal stuff"

T-bar leaks
Rust patches
Squeaks/vibrations
Cosmetic work: decals,polish,wheels etc

I do love the car but it is a Project!! Any/all help or advice welcome.

And yes, I know

I'll get some up when I figure out how!!!

[pistol pete]

Hello and welcome
Myep get the timing belt done but it is a non interference engine

You can't post pics until you have 15 posts

Hamdbrake cables normally stretch but quite easy to replace

If the alt belt is new it prob just needs tightening rather than replacing

The odor of petrol is block petrol tank breather lines ( do a search on here )

When doing the sparks do leads and dizzy cap too you will notice the difference!!

Squeaks etc you gotta live with its a mk1... But I bet you front drop links need doing!!

Hope that starts you off
And done forget to bring it to jae

Now get out there thrash the nuts off it and listen to the awesome age on full chat!!

[SuperRedMR2]

Hi and welcome,

The handbrake is notoriously bad on the Mk1.

Check all cables not just the two that go to the calipers. I replaced both of these and then found the cable to the actual hand brake level had stretched so badly it had snapped when I pulled it up!

Change the brake fluid and check for leaks at the front around the BMC

Change the clutch fluid and again check for leaks at the front around the MC

As Pete said you'll have to get used to the daily squeaks and rattles, but you'll soon forget about them as soon as you stamp down on the loud pedal

[un1eash]

Stripe the brakes down and give them a good clean, the sliders like to get stuck after time.

Belt could just need more tension as its stretched over time.

Clutch leaks are alot more common at the salve cylinder end. Coming from a modern car the clutch can feel a little heavy.

The petrol smell is due to the vapour trap, disconnect the pipe and add an extension that extends towards the rear of the car.

Its worth changing the plugs as there cheap enough to buy along with oil/filter and a new air filter.

[wee-blondie]

Thanks guys,the list gets longer every day!!

I'm away next week but looking forward to getting stuck in come April. Will have to look at the budget closely cos my bike is due some tlc (it's about the same age - 1992)

[PeteP]

Ha! I was just trawling over older and older threads and this one rang sounded so familiar that I had to laugh.

I'm two weeks into ownership of my first MR2 and I can relate to almost every gripe - plus a few more!

I drew up a list of things that need doing, or that I want done to bring it up to a good standard, and the approximate cost (with me doing all the work) comes out at £10 more than I paid for the car.

It's a hobby first and a mode of transport a distant second.

Or third.

Maybe fourth.

[pk_090]

With my mk1 being off the road for a few weeks lately, ive been driving around in a citroen C2. Jumping back to the mk1 i as amazed how heavy the clutch is compared to a modern car, so yes i do think the clutch is quite stiff, although i have felt stiffer clutches before!
Alex

[PeteP]

Is there any tricks to getting the clutch a little easier? I have a problem with my left knee and I'm concerned that I won't be able to do as much MR2ing as I'd hoped because of it.