Greg_Tchilinguirian

Looks like 40k+ miles of mobil1 deposits on fresh parts surrounded by old parts that lived a "conventional" life first. Any sign of socket marks on the rod bolts? Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

It is clear (to me) that my wife overpacks. Too many outfits for everyone.. I had to leave the collapable fishing poles and tackle at home. I think bringing the cooler full of food could have been omitted as well. Food prices near the cabin were reasonable. Next year.. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Fitting that TV and transporting it home without breaking it is impressive. I will say that having so much weight in the trunk does adversely affect the cars handling, though not as much as I would have expected. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

I did have those items with me as well as some solder and spare bulbs. I put together a "greatest hits" toolbox of stuff based on suggestions and experience. It even included a spare turn signal assembly and hazard switch. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

I figured I would close the loop on this thread and let everyone know how the trip went - Following everyone's advice I did all of the little things prior to the trip, culminating with a brake shoe, parking brake adjustment and oil change the night before with my 5 year old. We set out the following morning and before we got to the gas station to fill up, the speedometer went haywire and snapped off its needle. I filled up the car, went home and swapped it with a spare (took me 20 minutes). We set off afterwords and everything was fine, the speedometer cable had been noisy since I installed it with the 5 speed last winter and still was. It was sourced from IE and only had 1000 miles on it before we left. It did come back to haunt us eventually... The car was stuffed to the gills, with my kids backpack stuffed under the front seats: We made it to the cabin in Hague NY without issue. This is the less commercialized area of Lake George, very peaceful and picturesque. The roads in this region are beautiful, challenging and well maintained. Having lived at sea level my whole life I had never really experienced mountain driving and learned pretty quickly how important it is to use gravity when you can if you have ~100HP and a car filled with occupants and stuff. I was quite happy we adjusted the brakes before departing. We took a few day-trips. One required the 2002 to climb one of the highest mountains in the area (Prospect Mountain). We had no issues and the car did quite well. I did tweak the idle, mixture and ignition timing early in the trip. I was pleasantly surprised to find non Ethanol 91 octane at most pumps. Later that day on our way to the market the speedometer started to go crazy again, but it was reading low not spinning wildly this time. It eventually quit completely. When we got back to the cabin I removed the cluster and determined that the cable had failed but the speedometer was fine. The cable was one of the newest parts on the car and it came from a reputable vendor (when I did the 5-speed I shortened the shift platform, linkage, support and driveshaft myself). It was routed properly and lubricated when installed... Should have bought OEM. Cleaning the graphite of off my hands I resolved to make lemonade and disassembled my cluster to fix my occasionally jumpy fuel gauge. I spent the night working at the kitchen table re-flowing non-ROHS solder... I love vacation. The next day I used my phone's GPS figure out how fast I was going in each gear at a given RPM and used the Tach + gear method to finish out the trip. It was probably more accurate anyway. We went to a re-created Star Trek original series set (my kids are fans!) some die hard fans were dressed up like characters. The trip was otherwise uneventful, the 02 performed admirably and got close to 30 MPGs on the return trip, maintaining speeds around 70 MPH with the vent windows open wide. In 1000 miles the engine consumed almost no oil (maybe ~1mm on the dipstick). Thanks to all for the suggestions, thankfully I needed none of the items I bought and packed, and yes, the tool box I brought was mostly dead weight (the factory tool roll could have sufficed for the carb tweak and speedo operation, I suppose). It was worth the piece of mind.

That stuff (ether) is kinda hard on the engine I think. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

I get this just driving around locally but not the touching part..thankfully. It is annoying (especially the offers to buy it or to get me to work on their car..) but not enough to keep me from taking it on vacation. Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Hi Robert, Yes, abosolutely interested in touring in the Fall. Good to hear from you! Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Yes I do. My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I drove down in a caravan. We met the group at a rest area on the NJ turnpike. Are you the gentleman who bought the house and got the car with it? Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I've replied to them below, so far: JSNPPP: Hoses were checked or replaced recently and the block and radiator were flushed (last year). Oil change was a two months ago, just installed the 5 speed with fresh oil last Winter and did the diff fluid last Spring. New accessory belt was installed last Spring, new spare belt already in the trunk (I always carry one). DLACEY + COLOINCAALPINE I just ordered a new Bosch condenser per your suggestions and have a new cap and rotor on hand. A matchbook to set the gap is in the glove too. I'll toss some fuel line in the kit, good suggestion. TOBY: I have the other half of an Accel v8 plug wire set, will make up a couple of spare wires and a primary. I'll add a roll of Gorilla tape. I have zip ties in the glove already. MIKE: Since the 5 speed OD install and the return to 13" wheels the highway manners are great, it makes an awesome cruiser for sure. My car does not have AC.. too bad... we will have to survive on "highway air" (not a big deal). The "greenhouse" is the biggest plus for the kids, they enjoy the scenery instead of upholstery or LCD infotainment which we have in other cars. 2002III: Tire gauge is always in the car, as is a 12v air pump and a can of fix-a-flat (so I don't have to use the jack). Warning triangle is already in the trunk. Fire extinguisher in easy reach.. a really good idea, I'll grab one from the garage and bring it with us. First aid kit is always in the glove. Fuel filter can be cleaned.. its a reusable type. Points are new. ME: Brakes are fairly new and bled last Fall. I'll give them another look before I go (I have a set of rotors, pads and shoes "in stock". MANY: I am an AAA member, hope not to need it though. Both of my kids (and wife) love the car and I can't imagine a more appropriate way to enjoy it as a family. Thanks Again, Greg

Hello FAQ, In nearly 18 years of ownership and close to 100k miles of driving I've never taken my 2002 anywhere on vacation. I've driven long distances (Mid Atlantik 02 fest in '01 from NJ) and used it for work and school for long stretches DD activity. All were day trips. This summer I would like to take it and my family to upstate NY on vacation. The Cabin is booked and we are all in agreement that taking the 02 would be way cooler than the family hauler. Other than a weeks worth of stuff for people, what kind of stuff should I bring for the 02? It gets frequent exercise already but this is 5 hours up and back plus day trips etc. So far I've accumulated: Spare coil Spare fuel pump, rod and spacer Points (just in case my fancy optical trigger box goes) Tool kit (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, wire, terminals) A jack Fuses and relays Quart of oil Gallon of distilled Thats it. To date the car has never left me stranded and I'd like to maintan my streak. Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks, Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Same. Still on my first 1/2 a set 8 years in Greg Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

About 13 years ago I used to make and sell stainless trim clips to replace the cad-plated ones BMW used as well as plastic ones like you describe. I sold hundreds of kits to individuals and vendors all over the place (used to sell through the FAQ store as well). In the 5 years or so I ran the small business I never had a complaint about them. With respect to your issue I suppose there are a few possibilities but the most obvious would be that the clip design changed or the holes in your car are filled with paint. The nub should be pushed through the clip once you insert into the body to "lock" the clip in place. I still have bags of plastic and stainless clips in my garage so if you want to measure the ones you have I can compare the ones I have on hand. Greg

I have a '76 Speedo that failed this way. Its fixable, you'll have to dissassemble some delicate bits like the ball bearing pressed in to adjust the end play. With mine, once I got it apart it seemed that lubrication broke down, something started to bind in the odometer and the worm portion drove itself into the housing causing it to lock up completely. You'll probably find some metal bits in there from a shreaded gear. I was able to repair it with some careful work. The disclaimer being that my other hobby is repairing antique watches so I have tools to work on gearing smaller than a Getrag. Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

I caught this in '97, it has stunted my emotional development. [emoji40] Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk