Wiped Out

[thehillsarecalling]

Just FYI - if you go down the wreckers / 2nd hand path, note that the NA & NB motors are internally different. The wiring plug, housing and bolt holes are all the same, so it will physically fit, but the motor is wired differently internally and it won't work. Ask me how I know.

[hks_kansei]

Just FYI - if you go down the wreckers / 2nd hand path, note that the NA & NB motors are internally different. The wiring plug, housing and bolt holes are all the same, so it will physically fit, but the motor is wired differently internally and it won't work. Ask me how I know.

They also point a different direction from memory.

I recall a friend had his NA6 over one day and we noticed that the NA6 and NB8A wiper motors, while looking like the same motor, one mounted with it pointing left the other right.

[Rocky]

Thank you very much for that information gentlemen.
I was wondering about that as I like to be able to provide as much info as possible to the wreckers when chasing parts.
Car goes in to the Auto Electrician on Thursday so we will see what the damage is.

[bruce]

I will look in a northerly direction for a mushroom cloud.

[goonie]

I once tried to use the wipers after a long period of not using them.

Nothing happened.

After some investigating I found a big screwdriver (40-50cm) wedged in the area where the cowl intake goes stopping the wipers from moving. A bit rusty, it must have been from the last service.

Probably not your case, but it could happen.

[taminga16]

Rocky,
As a point of interest, when was the last time that you changed your wiper inserts?
Greg.

[Rocky]

Bruce - the 'mushroom cloud' nearly happened the other day when I drove it home. I was reflecting on that, as it is insured for only $13K.
Not much I could buy for $13K that would be in the same condition - wipers or no wipers.

Greg - Yes, good point. I will replace inserts as soon as they are fixed.
Next will be the A/C.

[taminga16]

It does make one wonder what the service bloke has been doing?
Greg.

[Rocky]

I take full responsibility Greg, I do oil & filter myself and would have changed the wiper blades a few times even though I never use them.
I knew the A/C needed a service but because I don't use that either I have tended to postpone it.
I generally only have my mechanic do the stuff I don't want to do like brakes, radiator, etc.
It is pushing towards 60,000ks so I'm thinking it may have to go to the dealer to have all the belts and hoses replaced even though they all look fine.

[Mr Morlock]

A set of rubber replacements to suit the NB cost $6 from Bursons-Easy to fit I just replaced mine. They only last a season.Getting a car serviced by your local bloke is what most more mature guys do as increasingly we dont want to do these things.
I did a little job the other day and could not remove a inspection plug on a car. I bought a new one knowing it was going to get mangled. I could not budge it. I used sockets long bar and mole wrench and a stillson and not a chance. I asked around for techniques and watched U tube.You get these guys who are well meaning but often really long winded and sometimes totally off the mark. Suggestions like using heat - and they actually did this. I reckoned this was all wrong- alloy gearbox , fluid inside. My local workshop agreed straightaway- no way would they would consider heating it- if all else fails they drill it out . They removed the recalcitrant plug in a blink with a socket which had a spiral grip- no charge. Moral- take a look at options but weigh up what looks right.

[taminga16]

Mate,
60,000 klm's, I am impressed, when you next intend getting it off the ground, purchase a can of Lanoline (Wool fat) and treat every piece of rubber that you can find.
Greg.
If it was meant to be stored in a semi darkened room and polished constantly, it would have a leg in each corner and be called a table.

[Rocky]

Ha! Greg you don't know the half of it. I have been obsessive about my cars all my life. It's a big burden to carry.
The fact that it's a 'Sunday car' makes it worse because I don't HAVE to use it for anything I don't want to - like rainy days, dusty roads or supermarket trips.
I've thought about a Clubman because I don't want or need most of the stuff on modern cars. (don't use the radio/CD player either, or the demister, or the lights - I could go on)
Matter of fact it only gets used for what it is intended for - an hour or two of pure driving pleasure each week in the best driving conditions.
Are you serious about the lanoline? Does it preserve rubber?

MM - you're right about listening to all advice and then using your common sense. There is a time to take your car to the experts and I think I have learned that lesson the hard way.
Problem is - the Dealers are mostly not a faint shadow of what they should be.

[JBT]

I have been obsessive about my cars all my life. It's a big burden to carry.....

Welcome to my life

...Problem is - the Dealers are mostly not a faint shadow of what they should be.

[Rocky]

Well that was, as expected, a total waste of an hour and a half and $171.
Dropped it in to the Auto Electrician this am and picked it up an hour or so later.
He said he does not know what the cause of the problem was, either initially, or when it overheated, but the motor is 90% fried and will need to be replaced. Apparently it still operates 10%
(He thought it was an important diagnostic strategy to operate the wipers on a dry screen. That would be the new one I just waited 3 months for from Japan.)
Needless to say the car won't be going back to him when(if) I can find a second-hand wiper motor for it.
Onto the net tomorrow to begin the search. I will ring a Capital City dealer to get a price on a new motor but said by Electrician to be around $500.
Oh, I also asked him for an idea of what an A/C re-gas & service would cost - $300.

[JBT]

Try Automotive Plus for a used motor.