Hi all, some lovely motors on here, after years of company cars and dreaming from a far I have taken the plunge on bought myself a hobby, something that I can say is mine and always wanted since a nipper. However.......

Got an mk4 XR3i of ebay on the off chance, whhhopps.

I think I have a £400 dog, I knew it needed exhaust, paint and bits and bobs but body work is not the greatest and there is what I'm assuming is emulsified oil on the dipstick and filler cap.

I was hoping to restore her to former glory but suspect this is too big a learning a curve for the first one.

Emulsified oil = need knew head gasket??? Yes/no

 

it might just be not run that much mate,condensation through the exhaust??

 

Thanks mate, here's hoping - the exhaust needs doing and is off at the front so hopefully after replacement and an oil change and flush she'll be o.k.

Forum looks really good, think I'll get myself along to a few of the shows - looking forward to a good summer!

 

welcome mate ,you gota start some were either that or buy one already done but thats no fun

 

Whereabouts in essex are you

 

That's what I thought.

I guess my concern is knowning what makes a good candidate to spend the time on money and what doesn't??? But in fairness I can't wait to get started and I'm doing it for the satisfaction not to make money on it.

 

I'm in Thurrock mate, Purfleet to be precise.

 

if it is headgasket the cvh is a perfect motor to learn on,
get a haynes manual and away you go.

its pretty easy on them

 

Show us some piccies mate

 

There's about a million people in Essex who know old fords inside and out, who'd be more than willing to help out. Now. Get some pics up!

 

I'll get some up tomorrow, just noticed my camera battery has gone flat, at least the one on the Escort works.....

Camera 0 - 1 Escort

 

Here she is, in all her glory.......

 

dont look too bad mate

 

Looks Half Tidy Cant be that bad matey.

 

Thanks, I may have been panicking unnecassarily, though the pictures don't show up all the marks on the paint (and there are a lot) but I'd like a respray at some point anyway. It looks like some welding may have been done in the boot floor but no rust there now, the sunroof is rotten, and the mounting where one of the boot hinge is pretty bad. Other than the the body is O.K. It starts first time every time, the brakes and exhaust need doing. Once I've got these bits sorted and a basic oil change I'll be able to take it for a run and see if gearbox etc is o.k. - it may just be the rolling restoration project I've been looking for after all.

Anyone point me to good place to source parts - etc - the rear bumber is cracked so that's one of the first items on the list (can these be repaired)?

 

looks ok for a project to me
welcome to the site by the way mate

 

i seen alot worse but that looks tidy.

 

Good luck with the project fella.

Strange question but ... what size are those rims ... 14" or 15"? Width?

 

Thanks mate, they are 15s with 195s fitted.

 

i have a bumper for sale, ive got a complete car for spares if you need anything.
let me know,

 

Hardly a dog mate, looks a nice one, i'd be well happy with that

 

Looks good that pal abit of elbow grease will see you right