PaulinhoT

So, despite it being rather cold today I thought as I was off work I would take another look at this IMRC (before I burn it).

Thankfully I was lucky enough to be able to park the car outside my house, which was going to help with what I had in mind.



I've read on a few sites about how a few of the pins solder on the pcb can crack, which can cause random problems with the unit. So I thought I would check mine out.

Basically with the car turned off, the cable that runs from the unit is slack, then when you start the car the cable goes tight, and the control arm on the end moves and sets itself. If you rev the car the unit does move. So I have been a little lost as to why each time I've had the code/light reset the dash light it comes back on again after a couple of miles.

So I took the air box off, and the hose off, cleaned the throttle body and oiled the spring on the side, but it all seemed to be working ok. I also made sure the intakes were opening ok, and not sticking and all seemed fine there. I checked the throttle cable, and oiled the spring on the end, but again all seemed fine.

I then took the IMRC apart again and took a closer look at the solder inside, all seems pretty good to be honest. Although I wasn't 100% sure on these two pins. They had very slight dark circles in the solder, but didn't look like cracks.



I thought to be safe I would re-solder them and that way I would know that the pins were ok.
I soon found out that my 25W soldering iron just wouldn't get hot enough outside to melt the solder. It must of been close to zero outside, so this didn't help.
I used a lighter flame on the soldering iron tip to aid its heat which actually seemed to work ok or just enough when I touched the tip to the PCB.



I did both pins, and although not the best looking solder, at least I know now that they should be ok.

Another thing that has annoyed me about the unit is the amount of noise it was making on my car. It actually felt like you could rattle the motor around inside, despite it being clipped into its special little place.

So in fear of the motor actually jumping on the gears I thought I would beef up this little rubber unit.



I have attached some double sided foam tape, just to give it a little more push on the motor.





At this point I could no longer feel my hands, so put it all back together and called it a day.

I have taken the car out for a cruse just to see how it drives, and again it feels really smooth, also the unit seems to make much less noise than it did before. The car has more low down which I find odd as clearly the unit was working before as I could see it moving when I blipped the throttle under the bonnet.

I didn't give the car too much push as I am doing a fuel eco test atm.. The car managed around 16mpg the other day, now I know most of that was 2nd and 3rd gear use.. and I didn't buy the car for a cheap run around, but I thought it would be nice to do be able to do 20-25mpg.. We will see.

Other than that I haven't done much else.. the shopping list is growing though

PaulinhoT

Well just to let you all know I still have the ST170, although I've not actually done much to it other than drive it.

2013 was meant to be my year, but I have suffered a number of set backs

It seems that I am going to have to move house at some point soon as things just aren't working out here, plus I have suffered a few set backs with my health.
I have had the worst viral infection in my life.. it left me temporarily blind in one eye and the other was so infected I could hardly see anything out of it at all. The infection then spread to my lungs which saw me coughing up green, red, black, brown and yellow mucus the size of golf balls then to top it off it spread to my ears. I have temporary deafness, with one ruptured eardrum (again lots of black/brown mucus) that allows me to hear squeaks and one ear that just doesn't work.
I've seen 4 different doctors and have been in and out of my local medical practice more times in the last 6 weeks than I have in my life

Today was the first day that I've been able to drive with any sense.. so with my ears plugged up I took out the camera and took some photos.









So the plans, as for the ST, the money is in the bank for some mods, I just want to sort out my health and house first.
The other issue is now that we will have an ST2 coming in on a p/x around April time.. so I'm tempted to nab that as it's one owner and good mileage.

We will also be getting the new ST Fiesta in as a demo.. so I will be using that for a few days

Anyway, update over

PaulinhoT

So a little update, my car's MOT is due at the end of the month, so it's booked in for tomorrow. The car does seem to have a few rattles, prob a lose guard somewhere underneath, but we will see.

On the house front, I've been to view two places, both of which I like and have made contact over, so it's all wait and see atm

PaulinhoT

Well the car had it's MOT at work today, and failed on the O/S headlight aim being too low. I was told that there was no adjuster on the light unit to adjust it ?

My ST is fitted with the xenon headlights, so I'm not too sure where to look. When I get home I shall pop the bonnet and take a look.

danme1987

should have them mate unless they been broken off. one is visable and the other is through a hole in the slam panel.

PaulinhoT

Thanks, just had a look and the one in question has been broken off under the slam panel. The M.O.T tester said I will prob have to replace the whole unit.. OUCH.. so I will give it a go and see if I can adjust it myself.

PaulinhoT

So the N/S light unit has a manual adjuster on the back of the headlight unit, but the beam on this one is set in the right place.



The O/S one which is the one that has failed on being set to low, only has the tiny bit of metal stuck out of the back of the light unit (bad picture).




However I spent some time on it yesterday trying to turn the little thing, and after a few turns it moved freely, allowing me to move it in both directions and then able to adjust the beam settings.

Not sure if it has to be set as to not move for the MOT test, or if it just has to show the beam is adjusted correctly.

PaulinhoT

Foxxie passed with no advisories so I'm rather pleased.

I have asked them to take a look at her on Wednesday as I have a slight rattle underneath which I suspect is a hear shield, but we will see.

On the house front, I have seen 3 I like, and have contacted one of the owners, and am waiting to see what is happening.

Keep looking at the ST225

PaulinhoT

Well I've found a new home, and will be moving in shortly

Lee Grout

Dont keep it tucked away, show it off! Nice gaff, love the carpet in the 'other spare room'

PaulinhoT

lol true, it will just be nice to have somewhere to work on my cars and not worry about them being on the street.

I think the carpet is from 1870

H3lsing

Nice diggs and, AND you got not one, but 3 fookin garages. Lucky sod enjoy it .

PaulinhoT

Thank you

I've always wanted to build a Yamaha YZR500 replica (which will take up one garage), but that's not for the Ford forum

PaulinhoT

Foxxie on her new drive

With all the seat folded down she makes a lovely moving van.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Cool.Itd suprising what you can get in a focus when the back seat is down.

Straight_4_N/a

As said De-cat will cause a hp loss top end but you will gain that back on torque at its peak.
As for a sports cat dont waste your money the ST170 has one as std and any more sporty is any mot fail any way.

PaulinhoT

O.K. cheers I think I will just get a replacement cat, then a sports cat back.

Plus yes Glen, I was genuinely shocked with what I could get in the back lovely car though.

Creith34

Nice car mate, got a magnum grey one myself love these already considering buying a rougher one to use as track car

PaulinhoT

Thanks, sounds like a good plan

PaulinhoT

So today the ST went in to have it's new cat fitted, only to be told it was a bracket so that was a big save on money.

Now to order some bits.

PaulinhoT

Well doesn't seem my luck gets any better with this car, I arrived at work yesterday morning, and I couldn't select first or reverse.

So I asked the guys in the work shop to look at it, and they oiled the cables, and the gear lever is like a new one, but I am still having a little trouble putting the car in first.

Not sure if the cables can be adjusted ? but the clutch doesn't slip, and all the other gears are fine. It doesn't jump out of gear, or make any odd sounds, so I can only assume it's the gear selector itself ?

The Underdog

looking good.nice space for cars in the new house.

PaulinhoT

Thanks Steve, I'm really looking forward to it

PaulinhoT

Well I'm setteling into my new home nicely, although we still have stuff in boxes will they ever be unpacked ?

So the ST170, well little has been done other than I took some meguiars plastrx to the headlights, as they had turned a rather nasty yellow. This was after the first real rub..

H3lsing

I've seen before and after pics of toothpaste being used on headlights. Some impressive results too.

justin st13

Doesn't work I've tried it.

PaulinhoT

PaulinhoT

So a little update on the ST170, it's still going really well (famous last words), and I'm enjoying it more than I did when I first bought it.

I'm pretty settled into my new home, although I still have one room to finish, but I'm getting there. I've got a couple of days off this week, which is the first in a very long time, so today I washed and rinsed the outside of the car, although the inside needs a dust

I've not bought anything for it as I'm still trying to decide which direction to go in.. and as I posted in another thread at the end of September I will have around £5k knocking about, so may just get another Ford or car ?

I still can't bring myself to spend all that money on modifying it as it just seems crazy. I may choose to keep the car and mothball it, not that I think it will ever increase in money like the RS's do.

The Underdog

i dont think they will rise in value until they are about 20 yrs old unlike the rs unfortunately

PaulinhoT

That's a shame

I'm thinking about putting it on a rolling road to see where the car actually is. I estimate the car has around 135-145bhp. Well what ever it is it's no where near Ford's claimed 170 "cough cough"

Any tips on rolling roads ?

H3lsing

How about doing an LPG conversion? That's what my money would be on. LPG for commuting, unleaded for hooning .

PaulinhoT

That's a good idea, something I will look into as we have an LPG pump at work, and its around 68p a litre

I know my drive isn't level, but my car seems to have a little more rake angle than other St 170's. I wonder if the front springs are going soft ?

CoupeUK

ST170's never seem to sit right, my old one on Eibachs sat with its arse in the air...I think the only way to sort it is coilovers really so you can set it perfectly level.

Good little thread this, nice car. Miss my old 52plate Moondust one, wouldnt have another though!

H3lsing

I changed my springs recently and noticed how worn the old ones were. They seemed compressed more on one side. I have eibachs on her now though and shes sitting level and alot more firm. The only downside is the vibration from the stiffer suspension setup. That can be sorted though with some sound proofing.

The Underdog

The rear is higher for a reason, to help limit understeer. standard 170 is roughly 25mm higher at rear.

dont level them out unless you like understeer. yours looks normal to me paul

PaulinhoT

Thanks Steve, I genuinely didn't know that

So today's update, I just put 6 months tax on it, £154, bargain.

The Underdog

i hate it when its tax time. got to do my van for tomo, just done one focus last month and the other is due in 2 months. crippling

PaulinhoT

It's a nightmare isn't it

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Its looking good matey.

PaulinhoT

Thanks Glen

I seem to hit brick walls with regards to tuning it, but to be honest, the more I drive it the more I enjoy it

The only thing I want to change atm is the clutch and fly wheel, as they rattle a little right at the top of the pedal. I have asked Will Pedley for advice on what upgraded kit to fit, but haven't had a reply yet.