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hoopsontoast

Posted 12/9/2011 6:29 AM (#627624)
Subject: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Hi all, I am a new owner of a Rover 111i. I have had previous classics including a Triumph Dolomite Sprint and TR7, then an Acclaim after i needed something reliable for work.
Well the Acclaim was moved on with the initial intent to get an IMP or another Dolomite/Toledo but could not find any at the time and the I needed something to get me to work and had a look at a couple of contenders but this seemed right price, location and condition and went for it.

Its a bit of a change for me (a Triumph man) but I am quite liking the little 'Metro' after the mainly fault free drive back. It certainly handles better than the AX 1.0 I had a while back.

Its a Red, 3 Door 111i with the Rover 6-Spoke alloys. Just under 35k miles, owned by an old couple up until the previous owner bought it last year, with a whole wedge of receipts (service history every 2k miles from new till 2010) and the original sales receipts as well!

No real plans for it atm, its running well, now i have fixed the up-and-down idle - Seems it was a mix of the stepper throttle sensor being loose (now fixed after having only one of two bolts holding it in) and the idle being quite far off, so now its idle is around 500-700 rpm, a little low but runs fine.
Just had a quick thrash out and its all good!

The extensive service history (including every MOT as far as I can see :o)

And the car-

A photoshop with Dolomite Sprint Alloys-

And with one on-

The centre bore is fine, it just takes a little persuasion as its a tight fit (no hammers involved) and on the back they sit perfectly!
The fronts however don't get close. they sit around 1cm away from the hub as the brakes get in the way (you can see the rub mark on the caliper)

And compared to the existing 100 alloy-

Edited by hoopsontoast 12/9/2011 6:34 AM

111Sli

Posted 12/9/2011 6:48 AM (#627627 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Transport Guru
MP Moderator

Posts: 4947
2000

Location: Bromley, Kent

Hi mate, I'm the guy from mg-rover.org that told you to come here so Hi!.

I think it's really bizare, but the grey bumpers actually work quite well on this, especially with the Rover 6 spoke alloys.

Welcome to Metropower.

Turley_vvc

Posted 12/9/2011 7:36 AM (#627628 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Posts: 2794
2000

Location: Tamworth/Measham

if your puttin them wheels on, Slam it after

Nice motor mate

hoopsontoast

Posted 12/9/2011 7:52 AM (#627629 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Cheers, it wont be going too low (not my thing anyway) as i need to negotiate speed-bumps and potholes. And i want to keep the ride like it is, quite impressed with the little car!
Fitting the wheels will require modification on the brake calipers, and there is not much clearance (the Sprint alloys are around 20mm smaller round the inside diameter).
Brake cooling is also another worry, as the brakes get reasonably hot at the moment, and that's with the current alloys. Although that was after a very long (and steep) down hill drive (Streatley hill, Berkshire).

Turley_vvc

Posted 12/9/2011 8:04 AM (#627632 - in reply to #627629)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Posts: 2794
2000

Location: Tamworth/Measham

hoopsontoast - 12/9/2011 7:52 AM

Brake cooling is also another worry, as the brakes get reasonably hot at the moment, and that's with the current alloys. Although that was after a very long (and steep) down hill drive (Streatley hill, Berkshire).

Regarding this have you though about air ducts leading to the Brakes? worth having a look

hoopsontoast

Posted 12/9/2011 8:52 AM (#627637 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Are there any smaller aftermarket smaller calipers? or deeper brake disks that sit a little further in?

Tom Sanderson

Posted 12/9/2011 10:26 AM (#627644 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Expert

Posts: 2907
2000

Location: a pub in yorkshire

Nice clean car, looks like new!

Regarding the wheels, i would just fit a set of GTi 7 spokes, you can pick them up for next to nothing, will look better and will allow you to fit better GTi brakes in the future.

Good look with the work

EDIT: My uncle has got a herald, we restored it for him a few years ago, theres a little vid of the restoration here, you may recognise the wheels!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ6gGH47vl8

Edited by Tom Sanderson 12/9/2011 10:32 AM

hoopsontoast

Posted 12/9/2011 1:32 PM (#627671 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Just a quick Q, i notice that there is a slight whine from the timing belt area (its not the engine tappets) is this a sign that the timing belt is on the way out? Just a bit paranoid about it after parents previous experiences with K-Series Rovers and HG failure.

R100_vvc

Posted 12/9/2011 2:30 PM (#627677 - in reply to #627671)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Expert

Posts: 2029
2000

Location: sittingbourne, kent

hoopsontoast - 12/9/2011 9:32 PM

Just a quick Q, i notice that there is a slight whine from the timing belt area (its not the engine tappets) is this a sign that the timing belt is on the way out? Just a bit paranoid about it after parents previous experiences with K-Series Rovers and HG failure.

slight wine could be cambelt to tight, mint looking metro all looks original too

munday

Posted 12/9/2011 3:59 PM (#627693 - in reply to #627677)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Expert

Posts: 5629
5000

Location: Letchworth/Basildon

R100_vvc - 12/9/2011 10:30 PM

slight wine could be cambelt to tight, mint looking metro all looks original too

Agreed ^^^

Wood

Posted 12/9/2011 2:06 PM (#627674 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Veteran

Posts: 330
100

Location: Preston, North West

Nice looking 100!

Regarding the brakes have you thought about spacers?
Alot of people including myself on here have used these just to give that bit more room so the wheel clears the callipers.

111Sli

Posted 12/9/2011 3:10 PM (#627686 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Transport Guru
MP Moderator

Posts: 4947
2000

Location: Bromley, Kent

Quick question mate, are those 6 spokes Anthracite coloured or are they just dirty? They look good in the photos- I think that's why the grey bumpers also work well.

dann2707

Posted 12/9/2011 5:05 PM (#627701 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

I'm O.K. at stuff

Posts: 1405
1000

Location: Leeds - A Better City Than Yours.

Looks so tidy that. Dont think the sprint alloys suit it what so ever IMO. Not quite retro enough for the wheels.

hoopsontoast

Posted 12/9/2011 11:59 PM (#627704 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Cheers chaps, the alloys are Anthracite

hoopsontoast

Posted 16/9/2011 12:14 AM (#628142 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Hi all again, are there any small gains to be had with the base 1.1i engine? I am thinking traditional tuning like air filters, a decent service (Rotor arm, dizzy cap, leads, plugs etc), free flow exhaust. Is there much worthwhile to do, or just keep it stock and save up to get a decent 1.4GTi?

Before anything, I will check out the cambelt this weekend though!

Also tempted to try some 15" mgf alloys, do they fit with the standard 185/55R15 tyres that come with them? Here are some of the minilite style MGF alloys on my old TR7-

Then Spray Canned Black-

Edited by hoopsontoast 16/9/2011 12:14 AM

100Vi

Posted 16/9/2011 1:37 AM (#628147 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Expert

Posts: 1228
1000

good man. I had a sucession of Dollys years back (1300, 1500HL, 1850HL & a vermillion V reg Sprint) On paper the Sprint alloy is same offset and everything as the metro wheel. Those wheels would look good just black in the middle with the rims polished up

Good to see Metros being acknowledged as youngtimer classics now

Some anti-rollbars on the little 111 and you've got a great little runaround. Certainly looks a tidy little car

That TR7 is so 70's with that colour scheme, great !

Edited by 100Vi 16/9/2011 1:41 AM

hoopsontoast

Posted 16/9/2011 2:29 AM (#628153 - in reply to #628147)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

100Vi - 15/9/2011 9:37 PMgood man. I had a sucession of Dollys years back (1300, 1500HL, 1850HL & a vermillion V reg Sprint) On paper the Sprint alloy is same offset and everything as the metro wheel. Those wheels would look good just black in the middle with the rims polished upGood to see Metros being acknowledged as youngtimer classics now Some anti-rollbars on the little 111 and you've got a great little runaround. Certainly looks a tidy little carThat TR7 is so 70's with that colour scheme, great !

Funny you mention the black Sprint Alloys- (A Photoshop of my old Dolly Sprint with blacked out centres and polished rims)

As mentioned it seems a lot of work to get the Sprint alloys to fit, maybe in the future....

TheMeanMachine

Posted 16/9/2011 3:57 AM (#628165 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 69

I was the seller on ebay

Glad you're enjoying it, it should be an excellent little car, it never let me down. I added the rev counter clocks from an a-series Metro and clear repeaters a few months back, but thats about it. Look after her! She's a great motor and has a few years left in her yet. If you need help with anything on her let me know, I got myself a Rover 25 1.4 so i'll be on here fairly often!

hoopsontoast

Posted 16/9/2011 4:56 AM (#628178 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Ah hi, yes was wondering where the Rev-Counter was from!

Is the Front anti-roll bar off the 1.4 GTi?

Edited by hoopsontoast 16/9/2011 4:57 AM

TheMeanMachine

Posted 16/9/2011 5:55 AM (#628186 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 69

Front anti-roll bar? Never even knew it had one! It must have had it before I got it, as I never put it on there

hoopsontoast

Posted 16/9/2011 8:04 AM (#628198 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Sorry that was meant for 100V

It currently does not have front anti-roll bars, as far as i know...

TheMeanMachine

Posted 16/9/2011 8:20 AM (#628200 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 69

Ah right

nope, no anti-roll bars, but yes they were on the 1.4 GTi

OrangeManDan

Posted 16/9/2011 2:33 PM (#628259 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Border Crosser

Posts: 3232
2000

Location: Carmarthenshire, Wales

Welcome. Nice car you got there too.

Saxokid100

Posted 17/9/2011 5:22 PM (#628379 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

dot dot dot Rally Spec

100

Location: Northwest

Very nice 100 you have

hoopsontoast

Posted 3/1/2012 2:24 PM (#642042 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Its been a while, still having problems getting the fan to work.
I have replaced the temp fan sensor (on the side of the rad) and blead the coolant using the two bleed points mentioned in the Haynes Manual. It still does not come on and the heater only works through the 'screen' heater setting, the 'cabin' heater setting and 'footwell' seem to come out cold, even when the screen has been getting hot air moments before.

Also trying to find some other alloys at some point, has anyone managed to get retro alloys like Revolutions or Minilites (13x5.5 ET25) to fit on a R100? Seen wider 6" and 7" fitted on a K-Series Metro but they stick out a bit too much for me.

metromorgan

Posted 3/1/2012 2:58 PM (#642044 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The heaters only blow hot through the screen vents mate. The cabin and foot vents only blow cold due to the piping behind the dash.
Well.. so i read on here, after doing a search thinking mine were knackerd.

hoopsontoast

Posted 30/7/2012 8:06 AM (#670952 - in reply to #642044)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Hi Chaps,

I left my car for just under a week and the battery has been drained fully. I tried to jump start it but to no avail. I charged the battery overnight which worked fine in the morning, but my battery light stays on on position 1 and when there is no key in the ignition after a 25min drive.
This I gather means no charge? faulty alternator?
The belt is on and OK tension, it spins the alternator at a variety of revs.
Bit annoyed as this is the first time the little car has let me down properly!
Cheers, Rob

Roger Red Hat

Posted 3/1/2012 3:13 PM (#642050 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

close but no cigar, vents = cold, windscreen and footwell = hot/cold, if its all blowing cold you have a airlock in the coolant system, the k series is a utter bitch to bleed.

it is possible that you have an air lock in the heater matrix its self, wich is even worse to bleed then the rest of the car.

Edited by Roger Red Hat 3/1/2012 3:14 PM

fon-vvc

Posted 3/1/2012 5:12 PM (#642060 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Regular

Posts: 298
100

Location: St Helens, newton le willows. merseyside

wow! Very clean looking metro you have there. ive had two 8 valve metro's and both had wining coming from the cambelt and both times it was the tentioner, You'll probably change it anyway when you do the cambelt but just thaught ide mention it. Nice low milege aswell. Would look nice with some colour coded bumpers IMO.

AzzGTa

Posted 3/1/2012 10:44 PM (#642075 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Mr Bodge It

Posts: 1303
1000

Location: Tamworth, Fazeley

Did you set the heater switch to the hot setting, I've always found that if this hasn't been done you can never bleed a system properly, no matter what car it is, never had a problem bleeding a k series myself.

hoopsontoast

Posted 4/1/2012 12:31 AM (#642076 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Thanks chaps, that would explain why I get no hot air through the 4 main cabin vents!
I get nice warm air through both the screen and foot-well heater settings.
I had the heater on when bleeding the system, along with the expansion tank open (after bleeding it through the two bleed valves, first the lower on then the upper one towards the heater matrix) and when that was done I ran it up to temp while 'pushing' the coolant around by squeezing the rubber pipes.

So I guess that rules out an air lock then, I need to test the fan to see if its getting any voltage, apart from that is there anything else in the cooling system that would be stopping the fan coming on?
Roughly what temp should it be coming in on the temp gauge?

Roger Red Hat

Posted 4/1/2012 4:12 AM (#642088 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

As in the rad fan? Or heater fan?

Heater fan will only ever be the switch or the motor, never known one to go myself

Rad fan is more then likely the sensor, take off the two wires that go to it, bridge them together with a paper clip or the like, fan should come on, if not investigate further..

Again, never known the fan its self to give up.

As for when it comes on, its normally quite late, once the needle is nearly into the red.

Edited by Roger Red Hat 4/1/2012 4:15 AM

hoopsontoast

Posted 4/1/2012 4:16 AM (#642089 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Sorry should have made that clear, the radiator fan is not working.

I think I have confused the situation with the heater not blowing hot on the main blower, just the screen and footwell settings. Where it seems that the main 4 ducts along the dashboard only blow cold air. If thats right then there is no issue there.

The main issue is the radiator fan not coming on at all.

I will go and have a quick test buy bypassing the sensor, although having just replaced it I dont think its that, unless there are some faulty sensors out there....

Sorry about that, Rob

Edited by hoopsontoast 4/1/2012 4:18 AM

Roger Red Hat

Posted 4/1/2012 4:20 AM (#642091 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

Then yes, no airlock, heaters are fine..

Sure you got the plugs on the correct way round? Checkbthe wires too, make sure they are not split etc.

Edited by Roger Red Hat 4/1/2012 4:21 AM

hoopsontoast

Posted 4/1/2012 4:23 AM (#642092 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Just checked with a paperclip, fan works!

I feel a bit stupid now, i never thought to check that, I just bought a new sensor and bunged it in!

which way round do the wires go then.

Roger Red Hat

Posted 4/1/2012 4:25 AM (#642093 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

The other way to the way you had them =P

Dont rule out a dodgy sensor just yet mind

hoopsontoast

Posted 4/1/2012 4:31 AM (#642095 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

It could be a dodgy sensor, before I installed it, I put it in a cup of boiling water (straight out of a kettle and careful not to short out the connectors with water) and turned the key round one notch and the fan did not come on.

That's the one I bought, there is no marking on the connector side to which is which-
http://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/lucas-snb748-radiator-fan-switch-127-p.asp

I also need a new Throttle Sensor, but they all seem to be £45/new! There are some used ones but I need the mounting screws as I only have one atm, which is not helping the idle!

Edited by hoopsontoast 4/1/2012 4:50 AM

hoopsontoast

Posted 4/1/2012 5:28 AM (#642097 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Just seen, the Throttle sensor I was looking at as well, is the wrong on, I have one of these-
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=33573
Which are around £100-£150 new!

The cheaper £45 ones are like these-
http://www.auto-essentials.co.uk/ecomm/catalog/throttle-position-sensor-ford-rover-land-rover-sld100080-p-2732.html

111Sli

Posted 11/1/2012 3:45 PM (#643254 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Transport Guru
MP Moderator

Posts: 4947
2000

Location: Bromley, Kent

This car is weird for me as, even though it has grey bumpers, I think they really work well with the red and the alloys.

Nice car!

Roger Red Hat

Posted 11/1/2012 8:01 PM (#643302 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

bring pol!

hoopsontoast

Posted 13/1/2012 11:11 AM (#643523 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Bring Pol?

111Sli

Posted 13/1/2012 1:17 PM (#643533 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Transport Guru
MP Moderator

Posts: 4947
2000

Location: Bromley, Kent

Bring to Pride of Longbridge on 14th April. Meet the convoy at 8am sharp at Beaconsfield services.

hoopsontoast

Posted 13/1/2012 1:41 PM (#643535 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Ah right, yeah could do!

111Sli

Posted 13/1/2012 3:02 PM (#643543 - in reply to #643535)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Transport Guru
MP Moderator

Posts: 4947
2000

Location: Bromley, Kent

hoopsontoast - 13/1/2012 9:41 PM

Ah right, yeah could do!

Loads of people go from here and all the clubs and forums. Over 1000 cars last year. Check the Pride of Longbridge thread. I guess from Reading, you could meet up at the Beaconsfield services for the convoy along with a few others.

Check the Pride of Longbridge thread. Also here are some photos from the convoy from the south [M25 & M40] last year...
http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=451153

It's a great event, we are trying to make it bigger than ever!

Roger Red Hat

Posted 13/1/2012 6:40 PM (#643577 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

The TV star Metro GTa 1.1i

Posts: 1061
1000

Location: Early, Reading.

You are only in reading eh? 20 mins from me! =)

Saxokid100

Posted 30/7/2012 11:04 PM (#671033 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

dot dot dot Rally Spec

100

Location: Northwest

Sounds like you need new alternator.....

hoopsontoast

Posted 1/8/2012 11:56 AM (#671171 - in reply to #627624)
Subject: RE: 111i new owner

Member

Posts: 36

Location: Faringdon

Received the new Alternator yesterday and spent all evening after work getting the old one out, involved a hammer and some dung-bell shafts <img align='middle' src='../images/emoticons/wink.gif'>

<img align='middle' src='../images/emoticons/wink.gif'>

Then trying to transfer over the pully/fan to no avail. Had to wait till this morning to go down to my local MOT garage and they did it in a minute with their air guns and swapped the pulley/fan over.
Its a lot quicker when you have all the tools!
It was bit of a PITA to get out but only took about 30 min to put the new one back, do the oil change and get running! Sorted!

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