Hi all!
Just taken ownership of a 1999 V Puma 1.7 in red, from a family member.
The car does have some issues but it was FREE so i can't complain!
It's got the usual rust on the rear arches (although not as bad as some that i've seen) and various other little areas of rust around the car.
Before i did anything to the car i wanted to have it checked out to see if it's solid underneath so i took it to work (work in a garage - athough i'm not a mechanic) and happily i was told it was 'solid' underneath and one of the better ones they had seen, especially considering the age.
So, thats good..and i will now commit to fixing it up a bit.
Is it OK if i list a few things to see if anyone has any ideas? (on the ones i dont know!)
The main things to sort out (im not concerned with the cosmetic side of things at the moment)
*Needs new OSF coil spring, a part of it broke off when i moved it from where it has been parked. (it's been stood for quite a long time)
*Battery is goosed. Charges up ok but just doesn't hold it. New battery imminent.
*Needs cambelt change. It does have a decent service history but no proof of this being done so i want to get it done. Should i do water pump at the same time? I've read it's not belt driven?
*Exhaust is now just starting to blow right at the join to the back box. It looks pretty ancient so best get replaced i reckon.
*Little niggly things - the 'door open' warning light comes on and off when driving. It will stay off when the road is smooth but comes on and off over bumps. Any ideas?
*The drivers door is hard to lock. I'm thinking the lock itself may be worn? The passenger side works fine however. (they've been using the key rather than the remote function as when the battery ran out they just....stopped using it. The central locking does work but i tend to lock it from the passenger side, i dont want to mess up the drivers lock any more than it might already be.
The boot takes a few presses of the button to work. I tried cleaning the contacts but that didn't seem to help. It does open...but you need to press the button a few times before the car 'realises' and moves the switch to release it.
Cosmetic stuff:
*The bonnet doesn't sit straight! At first i thought it been in a bump and become misaligned but then i noticed other Pumas (as you do) and they also seemed to have the same thing! The NS edge of the bonnet is raised up by approx 1cm all the way, whereas the OS is completely flush and normal. I'm hoping it's an adjustment i can make to the hinges?
*Both of the door mirrors have faded to pink. I'm going to polish them and paint them back to red.
*The passenger side door mirror is sitting proud. By that i mean...the housing is now 1-2cm 'out' from where it should be, touching the black but. It looks as if the whole mirror needs to be pushed back 'into place' but i can't seem to do it. It still adjusts OK but it just looks wrong!
*Various scuffs and minor bumps that i'll clear up as best i can but i' not inclined to get it all done 'properly' unless i get the mechanical stuff all sorted first.
Sorry if this is a very long first post!
I've actually wanted a Puma for years. I wouldn't have bought this one, given a choice, but when it's offered FOC, really couldn't say no!
It drives nice, strong engine and great gearbox as everyone always goes on about. I've taken it easy so far though due to the above work needing carried out before i can fully enjoy it.
Just taken ownership of a 1999 V Puma 1.7 in red, from a family member.
The car does have some issues but it was FREE so i can't complain!
It's got the usual rust on the rear arches (although not as bad as some that i've seen) and various other little areas of rust around the car.
Before i did anything to the car i wanted to have it checked out to see if it's solid underneath so i took it to work (work in a garage - athough i'm not a mechanic) and happily i was told it was 'solid' underneath and one of the better ones they had seen, especially considering the age.
So, thats good..and i will now commit to fixing it up a bit.
Is it OK if i list a few things to see if anyone has any ideas? (on the ones i dont know!)
The main things to sort out (im not concerned with the cosmetic side of things at the moment)
*Needs new OSF coil spring, a part of it broke off when i moved it from where it has been parked. (it's been stood for quite a long time)
*Battery is goosed. Charges up ok but just doesn't hold it. New battery imminent.
*Needs cambelt change. It does have a decent service history but no proof of this being done so i want to get it done. Should i do water pump at the same time? I've read it's not belt driven?
*Exhaust is now just starting to blow right at the join to the back box. It looks pretty ancient so best get replaced i reckon.
*Little niggly things - the 'door open' warning light comes on and off when driving. It will stay off when the road is smooth but comes on and off over bumps. Any ideas?
*The drivers door is hard to lock. I'm thinking the lock itself may be worn? The passenger side works fine however. (they've been using the key rather than the remote function as when the battery ran out they just....stopped using it. The central locking does work but i tend to lock it from the passenger side, i dont want to mess up the drivers lock any more than it might already be.
The boot takes a few presses of the button to work. I tried cleaning the contacts but that didn't seem to help. It does open...but you need to press the button a few times before the car 'realises' and moves the switch to release it.
Cosmetic stuff:
*The bonnet doesn't sit straight! At first i thought it been in a bump and become misaligned but then i noticed other Pumas (as you do) and they also seemed to have the same thing! The NS edge of the bonnet is raised up by approx 1cm all the way, whereas the OS is completely flush and normal. I'm hoping it's an adjustment i can make to the hinges?
*Both of the door mirrors have faded to pink. I'm going to polish them and paint them back to red.
*The passenger side door mirror is sitting proud. By that i mean...the housing is now 1-2cm 'out' from where it should be, touching the black but. It looks as if the whole mirror needs to be pushed back 'into place' but i can't seem to do it. It still adjusts OK but it just looks wrong!
*Various scuffs and minor bumps that i'll clear up as best i can but i' not inclined to get it all done 'properly' unless i get the mechanical stuff all sorted first.
Sorry if this is a very long first post!
I've actually wanted a Puma for years. I wouldn't have bought this one, given a choice, but when it's offered FOC, really couldn't say no!
It drives nice, strong engine and great gearbox as everyone always goes on about. I've taken it easy so far though due to the above work needing carried out before i can fully enjoy it.
