I've bought another one!

[Rich]

I've done it now, I half impulsivly bought a J reg 1991 Maestro 500 Van from ebay of all places, and I always said I would never buy a car from there!

Before I bought it, it had accident damage to the front, which this afternoon I have managed to beat back into shape and got looking normalish again. Just needs a new front bumper now.

The ignition lock is buggered, you have to turn the little black bit on the end with the end of the key. The heater has been disconnected, and the fan does not work at all, I am unsure which pipes went to the heater as I am lacking in a diesel manual at the mo. There seems theres several ends cut off.

The brake warning light seems to flash on a bit sometimes, but the fluid level is right down on low, so I am hoping a top up will cure that as the brakes do work. The gear lever is very sloppy, but I can live with that!

The throttle wouldnt budge, so I have unseized that, feels a lot better now. There is little rust and she does look pretty good bodywise, even the underside is clean and undersealed although the spare wheel is lacking and the cage!! It has brand new tyres all round, and even came with 3/4 of a tank of Diesel!!

Even though it has been stood about a bit, it starts on the button every time, and drives like a dream, it doesnt bang and rattle about and the steering does not shake and groan. Initally she was very smokey, sorry to the bloke following on the bike, I looked in the mirror and it was like a blue haze, but shes stopped doing it now.

The engine bay is just slightly different to what I am used to, which is a lot more room, and a better idea of what everything does, but once I get a manual I should get fammilirised!

Just need an MOT and tax to get it 100% legal!

I cant seem to post pictures here at the moment, but you can see the original auction here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2471225200&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:UK:6

Rich :rolleyes:

[BIGLAD]

Originally posted by Rich
I've done it now, I half impulsivly bought a J reg 1991 Maestro 500 Van from ebay of all places, and I always said I would never buy a car from there!

Before I bought it, it had accident damage to the front, which this afternoon I have managed to beat back into shape and got looking normalish again. Just needs a new front bumper now.

The ignition lock is buggered, you have to turn the little black bit on the end with the end of the key. The heater has been disconnected, and the fan does not work at all, I am unsure which pipes went to the heater as I am lacking in a diesel manual at the mo. There seems theres several ends cut off.

The brake warning light seems to flash on a bit sometimes, but the fluid level is right down on low, so I am hoping a top up will cure that as the brakes do work. The gear lever is very sloppy, but I can live with that!

The throttle wouldnt budge, so I have unseized that, feels a lot better now. There is little rust and she does look pretty good bodywise, even the underside is clean and undersealed although the spare wheel is lacking and the cage!! It has brand new tyres all round, and even came with 3/4 of a tank of Diesel!!

Even though it has been stood about a bit, it starts on the button every time, and drives like a dream, it doesnt bang and rattle about and the steering does not shake and groan. Initally she was very smokey, sorry to the bloke following on the bike, I looked in the mirror and it was like a blue haze, but shes stopped doing it now.

The engine bay is just slightly different to what I am used to, which is a lot more room, and a better idea of what everything does, but once I get a manual I should get fammilirised!

Just need an MOT and tax to get it 100% legal!

I cant seem to post pictures here at the moment, but you can see the original auction here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2471225200&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:UK:6

Rich :rolleyes:

I,ve sent you a PM:)

[D87 SMW]

Nice selelction of van headlights on eBay to choose from too.;)

[Maria]

Oooh, congrats! I'm glad it's gone to a good home. Hope it wasn't too much hassle to get home.

[Jonathan]

Well done Rich, I thought a Maestro diesel van might find its way into your hands before too long! I hope putting that front end damage right doesn't cause too much trouble, it sounds as though you've got the worst of it sorted though.

[Rich]

He he, the trailer wasn't nessacerry in the end Maria, thanks for the offer though, I decided it was less hassle to get them to bring it down to me despite the cost, this is what has made it costly, the transport and the £68 it cost me to get it over the solent on wightlink.:banghead: :rage:

I have seen the headlights on ebay, but those lights in the pictures arn't nearly as bad as I thought they would be, they both work, and after a visit from mr. hammer even the aim seems to be good now, we shall have to see what happens at the MOT though!!

Jon, Maestro diesel van was on the cards, I blame Maria for letting me drive muddle that time at MGM, ever since I wanted the "dugger dugger dugger" and it was great hearing that engine going!

Rich :)

[tony]

"dugger dugger dugger" :)

[talkingcars]

You don't want van headlights, you want hatchback headlights, oh look I have a pair, took the off my van when I scraped it, they are there next to the spare indicators, just behind the maestro bonnet, shame it is a red one.

If you are interested Pmail me, I could meet you at Southampton or Portsmouth if that helps.

james@babelfish.demon.co.uk

[talkingcars]

p.s. forgot to say, generally it is a good looking van with none of the builder dents mine had.

BTW to get to all those bits I will have to move the maestro van towbar.

[E_T_V]

The jury is still out on which I prefer van or car headlights, but they are interchangable easily anyway. Tony and I were looking at that van and it looks good. Just a bit far from me! :D

The main point that I've found that the tin worm loves is the rear chassis member. If you remove the rear door latch and fill it with waxoyl or similar you will hopefully avoid the problems I have got!
The rust bug also loves the back of the sills too. Remove the gromet from inside the wheel arch (bloody silly place to put it in my view) and waxoyl in there too as the rear of the sills do tend to rust rather. If you loved the dagga dagga of muddle you'll have to try the turbo diesel that will hopefully be finding its way into my van in the future!

[tony]

i allways wanted to change the lights on the van if i ever got one ,now i do have one i like the van lights ,some people just dont know what they want do they :)

[Rich]

Can anyone tell me which pipes and where there come from to the heater pipes in the bulkhead. I am sure that the long one from the front at the rad goes to one pipe, and the other comes from the steel pipe running down the back of the engine.

Problem I have discovered is that at some point in time a heater has been fitted in the back of the van, there are two black pipes running from the engine bay to the back end, there are then 2 holes in the floor. The pipes have been cut off in the engine bay and under the back of the van. It also looks like the pipe from the back steel pipe on the engine has been cut, as if it should go to the heater its not nearly long enough now. There is then a crude T piece, which conects back the the pipe that goes back to the front near the rad. This pipe also has a joint in, and it appears this auxilary heater was conected in the line too at some point.

Can anyone confirm that I am barking up the right tree with this one, ie one pipe to the heater from the black steel pipe, and the other from the heater to the front of the engine bay.

Also, does anyone know if it is a legal requirement to have a drivers side wing mirror glass intact for an MOT?

Many thanks, Rich

P.S I am sure there will be more teething problems to come!

[talkingcars]

MOT requires two rear view mirrors, in a car this can be door mirrors, wing mirrors or a wing/door mirror and an interior mirror.

I am not sure if the van will require both door mirrors or if one door and the interior will be enough.

[E_T_V]

If a mirror is fitted then it has to be there IIRC. Also you can see precisely bugger all through a van rear view mirror. Get some stick on glass from halfrauds etc to replace it, or steal one from your other car for the MOT.

[SteveC]

Originally posted by Rich
I've done it now, I half impulsivly bought a J reg 1991 Maestro 500 Van from ebay of all places, and I always said I would never buy a car from there!

Before I bought it, it had accident damage to the front, which this afternoon I have managed to beat back into shape and got looking normalish again. Just needs a new front bumper now.

The ignition lock is buggered, you have to turn the little black bit on the end with the end of the key. The heater has been disconnected, and the fan does not work at all, I am unsure which pipes went to the heater as I am lacking in a diesel manual at the mo. There seems theres several ends cut off.

The brake warning light seems to flash on a bit sometimes, but the fluid level is right down on low, so I am hoping a top up will cure that as the brakes do work. The gear lever is very sloppy, but I can live with that!

The throttle wouldnt budge, so I have unseized that, feels a lot better now. There is little rust and she does look pretty good bodywise, even the underside is clean and undersealed although the spare wheel is lacking and the cage!! It has brand new tyres all round, and even came with 3/4 of a tank of Diesel!!

Even though it has been stood about a bit, it starts on the button every time, and drives like a dream, it doesnt bang and rattle about and the steering does not shake and groan. Initally she was very smokey, sorry to the bloke following on the bike, I looked in the mirror and it was like a blue haze, but shes stopped doing it now.

The engine bay is just slightly different to what I am used to, which is a lot more room, and a better idea of what everything does, but once I get a manual I should get fammilirised!

Just need an MOT and tax to get it 100% legal!

I cant seem to post pictures here at the moment, but you can see the original auction here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2471225200&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:UK:6

Rich :rolleyes:

<small voice>

"That looked a bit dear to me, but so long as you're happy with it..."

[MG1600S]

Sounds like you all need to have a look at this video I bought at Newark today.... buying the right Maestro Van.....

I have not looked at it yet, but also includes Metro Van, its got to be good! Also picked up a load of Austin Rover posters recently, there are quite a few Maestro Van doubles...;)

[Rich]

Originally posted by SteveC


"That looked a bit dear to me, but so long as you're happy with it..."

Well, it may have been, but I scoured for weeks for a Diesel Maestro car/van, in free ads, local papers, garages, even this nast backstreet ones and word of mouth in Fareham, Portsmouth and the surrounding areas, and also the Isle of Wight, and came up with a big fat nothing. I would have half twisted your arm off for that DLX when you mentioned selling it, but never mind!! So, in the end, I just bought this one, it is sound mechanically and bodily, its just the fact that cosmetically its lacking a bit, and it should perform quite well for me while my pride and joy is being reconditioned.

Got the heater fan working again this afternoon, took out the matrix and the reason it was disconnected is obvious. Every bend in the pipe at the back had a slit in it!! Got a new one in there now. Just need to put it all back in, just a shame I am not sure which pipes to connect to it, but I suppose trial and error will solve that one.

I have a few maestro van posters too, all nicely framed, entitled "Maestro Van Goes Diesel" and "The Most Advanced Compact Diesel Engine In The World"! I got such an odd look when I took them to get them framed!

Rich

[MG1600S]

Originally posted by Rich
I got such an odd look when I took them to get them framed!


I know that feeling all too well!!! :laugh:

[matthewsemple]

Looks like a great looking van. I am sure the front end damage will not take too long to sort out and parts from scrapped Clubman, Special and City Maestro hatches can be found easily enough to make it look like new.

That interior looks pretty good too and I would be tempted to tart it up with some nice seats, door cards and instruments with a rev counter...

Mmm.. perhaps I should get a van for a project? :laugh: :)

I always fancied making a minibus out of one by fitting some bench seats in the back. Probably not allowed to use bench seats any more though.

[talkingcars]

You can use bench seats as long as you fit seatbelts.

If you fit plastic bumper wings you could fit my tickford front bumper for a diffrent look.

[E_T_V]

My van has a 2.0i front end on it and looks quite smart. I'm not sure whether to use the van or car headlamps though. I sense a poll coming up :D

[H48HPE]

If I had a van I think I'd probably leave the vynil front seats in, upholtery ones get filthy and then require extensive cleaning, It depends what your using the van for, but I like the idea of vynil seats cos they wipe clean. Some work vans you wouldnt want to go near with clean cloths on

Andy

[SteveC]

Originally posted by Rich
Well, it may have been, but I scoured for weeks for a Diesel Maestro car/van, in free ads, local papers, garages, even this nast backstreet ones and word of mouth in Fareham, Portsmouth and the surrounding areas, and also the Isle of Wight, and came up with a big fat nothing. I would have half twisted your arm off for that DLX when you mentioned selling it, but never mind!!

Ah... well it is now living with my dad, and whilst he's finding the lack of power steering a bit of a pain, he's very happy with it.

As for the van... tis true you don't see that many any more - last one I looked at buying had apparently been a Max Power or similar feature, as it had the MG Turbo lump fitted!

[E_T_V]

If you don't like the lack of power, stay tuned for the saga of my turbo diesel conversion that will be happening sometime over the summer. If I can find the power steering ancillarys I'll be having power steering on it too.

[SteveC]

Originally posted by E_T_V
If you don't like the lack of power, stay tuned for the saga of my turbo diesel conversion that will be happening sometime over the summer. If I can find the power steering ancillarys I'll be having power steering on it too.

I found it ok when I drove it, it was just parking that was a bit of a bind... but then that's only because things like the 216 and Montego have spoiled me for so long with power steering etc.

Dad reckons he'll get used to it soon enough anyway, but I shall look at any posts you do on the subject, with interest.

Having driven an ex Royal Mail twin wheel LWB high top Sherpa, which also came without power steering, anything is possible! ;)

[talkingcars]

The absolute worst was an old Bedford TK750 7.5 tonne lorry I drove for the day for a local health authority about 10 years ago, after that I understood why lorry drivers used to be thought of as tough.

Nowadays my 15 tonne truck has power assisted averything, the clutch can be pushed down by hand, it has electric windows, central locking..........

However my 2.0i maestro doesn't have PAS and I prefer it like that, more feeling from the road and less transmission power wastage.

[Rich]

Originally posted by E_T_V
If I can find the power steering ancillarys I'll be having power steering on it too.

I have already started looking at this, for some reason. I am assuming that the hole in the block for the tesioner is there, it seems like theres an alluminum cap stuck in it. Does anyone know if it comes out and the tensioner will fit? This is the only thing making me think it cant be done.

Rich

[BIGLAD]

Originally posted by Rich
I have already started looking at this, for some reason. I am assuming that the hole in the block for the tesioner is there, it seems like theres an alluminum cap stuck in it. Does anyone know if it comes out and the tensioner will fit? This is the only thing making me think it cant be done.

Rich

Yes it can be done.I eventually bought (as mentioned previously in another post/thread) a Van from a mate. It had no MOT and needed the head gasket replacing (due to an enormous oil leak from the oil gallery feed) but it is a N.A Diesel and has PAS fitted to it.
Which hole/aluminium cap are you refering to?
The tensioner also bolts to the head with a counter-sunk allen bolt.

[Rich]

The cap is where the tensioner is in the picture on the haynes manual, in the head. Where the tensioner should be there is a round dip, which I originally thought was part of the casting, but on closer inspection, it seems there is a circular cap in there. It looks like if you poked a screwdriver through it, and pulled it out there would be a hole there, but what exactly is there I don't know. I wouldnt like to try it and find out the hard way!! Its definatly where the tensioner should go.

Will try and post a pic tomorrow!!

Rich

[Rich]

I am pleased to announce that J508 MUE passed its MOT today, first time with only 1 headlight needing a bit of adjustment!!:D :)

I am now playing with the seats, and have got some nice ones from a Clubman which have gone in to replace the lack of the passenger seat. I want to remove the covers from the drivers clubman seat and put them on the van seat so as to keep the tip up mechanism which makes it easier to get to the jack. Only problem is I can't get the headrests out. Both have the plastic square type with the hole in, although they pull up no amount of tugging will remove them, does anyone know of a trick to get them out?? Also will Montego headrests fit in there place?

TIA, Rich

[talkingcars]

Is the tipping mechanicals in the back or the base?

[Rich]

Well, so far as I can see at the moment, you just pull the lever on the side, and the back of the seat comes down and it moves forward a bit. I think its cable operated with the mechanics in the base. I'm sure the covers can be swopped over if the headreasts would come out!

Rich

[talkingcars]

Do the headrest holes have a button that pushes towards the rod?

Unfortunaly it is not as simple as slipping the fabric off the frame as there are metal rods stitched into the foam to stop the fabric moving.

Have you considered how often you need to access the jack etc, is the inconvience of sliding the seat foward.

Alternativly you could use seats from a metro, you may need to swap bases or you could do what I did and install a couple of 8" subs in the cavity and kept the jack in the back.

James

P.S. congratulations on the MOT

[E_T_V]

Dam you pilfered my idea! I'm fitting the Sub and battery for my camper behind the drivers seat!. I was thinking of changing the seats too but I was wondering if Half leather rover 200 seats would fit as the 3door ones are tilting ones like the van.

[Rich]

No the headrests holes dont have the little button thing. There just round plastic holes!

It took me a couple of days to dicover the lever for the seat tilt, previous to that I was pulling it forward. The main reason why the tilt would be good to keep is because theres a vey useful box been built in behind the seats. Not sure if this is standard, the passenger side has a lid and padlock on as well. It makes it easier to get to this too. If they dont come out then I will just put in and try to forget it, but its one of those, couldnt help thinking things!!

I havent really pilfered your idea E_T_V!!!:rolleyes: If you discover a way of doing it though, I would be keen to hear how!!


Rich

[E_T_V]

No not your idea Rich, talking cars. I was planning to put my sub in the area behind the drivers seat in the camper. The space behind the passenger seat is for passengers! Although as Jon found out the ride is rather interesting back there. I don't think that the storage box you describe is standard but I bet it is useful. My box I'm building for there will contain an amplifier, sub and possibly my leisure battery too for the camper electrics.

I do fancy the idea of the R200 seats though as they already have the tip up mechanism which I presume could be adapted to make the maestro frame work.

Have you found any holes in the van yet? I've found lots. mostly in the floor and rear cross member. Check out these areas and protect them before it is too late. Also if the back is ply-lined then take it out to have a quick peek at the floor. Mine had 16 very minor but rather upsetting holes in it that weren't there when it left the factory. To be fair most weren't holes until I rammed a screwdriver through it, but as the camper bits are a nightmare to take in and out I did all the weak spots whilst it was all out.

[Rich]

Sorry, thought you meant me with the ideas!!

Hmm, holes, there are 3!! Someone at somepoint, I am guessing when the heater burst, fitted another heater of some sort in the back. There are pipes running from the engine bay all the way to the back and end where these holes are, so I can only assume they were for that. There quite big though, at least 20mm.

It is ply lined, but it looks a very complicated jigsaw, and I would need to take out the mesh bulkhead between the van and the cab. I was thinking of getting an offcut and carpeting the back!!!

Rich