Out for her first run… or trot!

Getting ready for next Monday when the car is being taken away to my local garage, I wanted to try and move it into a better position, and also give it a bit of a first run, just something very slowly around the field.

Before that though, I had noticed some weeks ago, that one of the rear lights had a big crack in it, and has let a nasty amount of water ingress inside. So I picked up a pair of rear lights off eBay, and for now (in preparation for an MOT), replaced the nearside rear light.

I always like to think you can judge how easily a car can be worked on by how the bulbs and lights are replaced. I’ve had good and bad experiences of various cars, some having fantastic designs when it comes to changing light bulbs, where others are absolutely awful.

This car however, I found was in fact very simple to change a light fixture, once you get a basic understanding of how it’s being held on.

So literally after about 5 minutes, the old light was out, and the new one was in, and that was another item ticked off the list. I thought I won’t bother with the offside, as there’s nothing wrong it. But I’ve kept the light in the car boot just in case I do end up needing it. Tick.

With that done, now it was time to start her up, and (very slowly and carefully), move her from out of the wedged in parking space, and into a place where the recovery truck would be able to access her.

First however, a nice little short drive I think to get a feel of the steering, suspension, wheels and drive are all in good working order!

I’ll just casually ignore the noise from the brakes there – I mean, after 8 years, what could I really expect?

Whilst all of this excitement is great, and is really starting to show me that there’s a real prospect of this car being on the road very shortly, there has just now been a slight set back. Well, potentially.

After the car was moved from it’s initial resting place to somewhere more accessible for the recovery truck, it became very apparent there’s been an oil leak whilst it was sat. Not just a little drip leak either, this was a constant line of fresh oil along the grass whilst manoeuvring and also whilst driving the car.

Coming from the very front right of the car, it seems to be soaking the plastic under tray and then dripping onto the floor. The good news is that this seems to only become apparent just as it’s due to go off to a garage, so I’ll just let them know and hopefully it’ll be something rather mundane or easy.

So that’s it, in a week’s time the car will be once again on the back of a trailer and moved away to a garage where hopefully it will have the last stop before leaving under drive power. I’m just hoping the repair bill isn’t going to be too long or costly!