The Carina Journey

[PaulinhoT 148]

Well having been away from Toyota ownership for just over 5 years now, I've always kept my eye open for a clean(ish), non-sun roofed, Carina saloon as a bit of a project. Needless to say the other day one came up for sale, so after a 230 mile round trip, I'm now the proud owner of this 1994 - 2 owner, 98,000 mile Carina.

The car is pretty clean underneath, but is rather dirty inside (and smelly). But I've spent most of today doing a level 1 clean on the inside of the car, which will hold me over until next weekend when I will get my wet-vac out, and do the business on it.

I'll post up some more photos of my work, and what I do to the car, as I go.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

[PaulinhoT 148]

As you can see, the car was rather dirty, and in desperate need of a good clean.  The car also smelt of fish and or a kind of toilet smell ? really crazy, and something I've never experienced before.

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It's a little difficult to see the stains on the seats, and the embedded hairs, both human and pet (I hope).

 

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The seats seemed to be covered in sand and dirt.

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See what I mean... what a random collection of things to find under the rubber mat.

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I'm not sure how many years dirt this is.

But I set about giving the car a vacuum with my Henry.

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As you can see with a quick vacuum the car is starting to take shape. The engine bay will be done on another day, and I will share with you the results.

[PaulinhoT 148]

Finally I use a little foam cleaner on the seats, before I set to work on it with my vax machine, and steam cleaner.

But I'm pleased with the results overall.

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I have to say, I love the fact the car has the original tape deck still installed. Although I will more that likely update this, then again the car will more than likely be so loud, it won't need a stereo.

[PaulinhoT 148]

Would anyone know where I can get a carbon front lower lip from ?

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Yesterday after work I set about cleaning some of the green mold out of every corner. But the boot caught my eye so I started to clean that first.

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I removed the contents of the boot, and laid it out on my drive, ready to clean it all.

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The spare wheel and tyre was flat, so that had to change, you never know when you may need it. Hopefully it stays inflated.

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Next up I washed the boot floor, and I think this side pocket is meant to house the jack ? That's also the only discoloured spot I've found, so I will clean that area and treat it to stop any future rust issues.

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I will also paint the spare wheel, although a set of alloys will be going on soon. After about 90 minutes work, it was all back together and finish. Well until I wet vax the carpet.

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I then remembered to put the rubber mats back in, as I plan on using the car on Sunday.

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The plans for the car, well I want to fit some up-rated and lowered coil-overs, along with some better wheels, breaks, exhaust etc. Then have the bumpers, door handles etc all painted in white. Maybe the odd sticker :D lol

[PaulinhoT 148]

So it's been a few days since I last posted, and I've managed to spend a little more time with the Carina E. One of the things that was annoying me was the aerial being stuck up, a little thing I know, but a little bit of lube, and in it went. 

 

 

[PaulinhoT 148]

So this brings me onto today, I woke up full of cold, but still got myself outside to work on the Carina. I wanted to make a start on the engine bay, as it was pretty dirty.

 

I used a couple of different products on the inner wings and engine, and a lot of elbow grease and micro fiber cloths later :D It's starting to take shape already.

 

 

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The other thing that needed to be done, was under the bonnet, that was black with baked on dirt, and it was a real pig to clean off. I'm not 100% happy with the result, but it's a start.

 

 

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Whilst working under the bonnet I noticed one of the clip holding on the washer pipe to the bonnet was broken, so a temp fix will do. Don't worry, the cable tie isn't very tight.

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Last Saturday job, was the Wiper Blades, they were in a terrible way. So on went some new ones.

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That brings me up to date, but the list of jobs is long.

I still need to wash the car, things like door shuts etc, all need to be done. Then the car will be de-tared, clayed, washed and waxed.

A few of the panels either need to have dents removed, or replaced, but I also need to start trying to work out wheel sizes. I'm looking at some Pro Race 1.2 17" wheels ? and maybe 215/45 tyres. Any advice ?

[Catlover 305]

Some enthusiastic work done there, very much needed by the looks of it.

what may have made the engine bay cleaning easier is something I noticed you mentioned “elbow grease”, but you probably meant the had work rubbing and scrubbing. Well now you can buy Elbow Grease off the supermarket shelf. I think it’s Poundland I seen it in and bought it to clean the engine bay of my Auris Hybrid last May. It only cost £1, and is very strong chemical, I wouldn’t use it in a confined space!  I protected any electrical connections with silver kitchen foil, sprayed an area, gave a scrub with the wife’s toothbrush (well I want going to use mine, was I), then just sprayed water to clean it away, then used paper kitchen towel to wipe dry. The water sprayer I used was a discarded spray you would use around the house ie lower pressure finger trigger spray. Shifted all the oily dirt wasily, then I used a automotive product or leave a shine on plastics and hoses etc.

[PaulinhoT 148]

Thanks for the tip Joe, when I'm next out shopping I will take a look, as that sound ideal for my needs.

 

I did venture out today, but the only shop I found open was Halfords, where upon I picked up these few items.

Some primer, and paint for the boot floor, some cleaning chemical to do door shuts etc, a new light as my old one has turned orange, and a bit of Oil for my other car.