Aprilia Diary

[lancialulu]

Next conundrum - start Appia diary or include in Aprilia diary,  or rename as "A" diary to include both ?   ...... bear with me !

It a Furgoncino conclusion regarding the thread name??!!

[the.cern]

Tim, that is awful !!!!!!!!!

New thread, 'The Furgoncino Frolic'.  Just a thought.

                                   Andy

[Neil]

I am glad Alan delivered the Furgoncino to you safely, the last time I saw it was in Devon in his storage, a fine vehicle you will finish it off to high standard that is for sure.

[simonandjuliet]

Thank you gents,

I will start a new thread for the furgoncino, despite Tim's awful pun ! But, not for a couple of days, this weekend has been busy bottling the Rosé and then today a 110 km trip out in the Aprilia to Caunes-Minervois, site of Roman marble quarries among other things.

We also met a local Citroen Light 15 that was driven across Australia 3 years ago, a 1955 car that has never been rebuilt and is its full unrestored, flat-painted glory !

The Aprilia is driving better and better every weekend, the suspension becoming more supple and comfortable, the engine wanting to be driven harder etc. Oil consumption is negligible , I use a bit of water  - 1/2 litre in 800 kms but that includes the crawl up the Pyrenées a couple of weeks ago, so maybe that doesn't matter too much - and the front diff seal leaks. There is also slight piston slap on one piston because it picked up 20 yrs ago when a water pump failed and the engine got hot on a long run ! But no smoke so it is difficult to justify new pistons (although I have bought a set of Fulvia pistons for the future) just yet ......So for the time being it is a case of 'use and enjoy'

Immediate priorities are to rectify a prop vibration that is felt above 100 kms/hr and to sort out the engine thermostat, because even down here it takes too long to warm up and the oil pressure is too high. So I will check the pressure relief valve as well

[Scarpia]

sounds great (the Rosé i mean of course..
time to enjoy i think but the things you mention are familiar.New flexible couplings maybe for the prop, i run with my shutters closed (manually) to get the engine warm enough in anything but really warm weather and regulating the oil pressure is something of a mystery as it seems there are different sorts of items found in the release mechanism depending on the car.Either replaced over the years or from the factory is unclear. I've seen some with a ball bearing on the spring whereas mine has a small mushroom shaped valve.Always difficult to determine if it really does the job or not.  I guess it's possible to measure the varying pressure with the right equipment.
I have a persistent leak from the rear diff and keep meaning to tackle it but it's a big job...no idea which seal i will have to replace or its availability.
happy motoring.

[simonandjuliet]

I have the shutters on the automatic system and they eventually open but I have temporarily removed the inline thermostat housing because I wasn't sure the thermostat was working ( and it had been badly repaired and was a mess ....)

I am sure I read somewhere on the Forum about a motorbike thermostat fitting the holder, must check that one. I find that because the oil pressure is at the top of the gauge for a good 20 mins I am cautious not to use too many revs. The oil pressure valve is the 'mushroom' type !

Will check the prop couplings

ps Rosé production was 181 (individually numbered) bottles !

[Scarpia]

one of my older threads (http://www.lancia.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=566.0)
the thermostat on my car was partially disintegrating.remade it as described above.My oil pressure is also max in the warm up phase but steadies down to normal once warm.It will always go to the top of the normal section when the engine works harder though.(which by definition is then "normal").The flexible couplings transformed my car. Unpleasant to drive before and completely smooth after.
We spent many years taking our holidays in and around Gruissan (windsurfers).As I recall 181 bottles was approximately a two week vacation.. .)

[simonandjuliet]

Thanks for the photos. The thermostat is on order ....

As I'm sure you already know, Gruissan was where the classic film "Betty Blue 37.2°" was made, although the original huts have made way for more modern, and less interesting, dwellings.

If you come back, come and help us drink the Rosé,  ( some red as well ......) we are only 30 mins from Gruissan !

[DavidLaver]

How did you ever work out that thermostat fitted...

David

[Scarpia]

i don't remember...
the new housing has the same outside dimensions as the original as there is very little space where it fits.There are also take offs for the heater and temperature sender unit which made the project very crowded..I don't think many modern car thermostats would have fitted and i suspect i had a tip from an augusta owner about fitting a motorcycle one.

[simonandjuliet]

Aprilia Lunch

The Aurelias have their annual and well attended lunch, 15 cars this year . So,  I have decided to start the Aprilia Lunch, however since mine is the only Aprilia down here, I am doing it slightly differently.

We (Jules and I) are aiming for 1 car and 15 lunches this year, which works out the same !!!

We try and have a bi-weekly, no children or anyone else, lunch out where we have a catch up, discuss plans and where she tells me that I'm not allowed to buy any more toys .....

Today's resto:

Auberge de la Croisade in Quarante
Set 3 course menu 15 euros
Extensive local wine list (no wine en pichet !)
Starter - prawn and coriander wrap and salad
Main - Chicken and chorizo with polenta and grilled veg
Pudding - café gourmande
Value €€ (€ cheap €€€ expensive)
Location - beautiful, shady spot next to the Canal Du Midi. Very friendly
Parking - cramped
Local roads - fantastic and empty
Recommend ? - Yes

Next we are going to do the "Sliding Pillau" rally, where we go in search of Indian food, very very difficult down here and always one of the first boxes to tick on trips back to the UK !

Bon weekend !

[ColinMarr]

Yes, and there you are! And aren't I envious?

Colin

[simonandjuliet]

The trees and landscaping have matured a bit since you were here Colin !

Not a Lancia, but the joys of renovation .... and a touch of human kindness

Since getting the tractor and putting it back on the road (field !) the hydraulics have not worked. I cleaned the filters, changed the fluid (all 26 litres of it) replaced the piston seal, cleaned and rebuilt the hydraulic distributer etc. All worked until I tried to lift something heavy and then the speed regulator valve exploded, producing a very impressive, 12ft high oil spout !

I had then come to the end of my very limited hydraulic knowledge , but guessed that we had a pressure regulation problem !

I phoned a friend and he gave me M. Moustche's number (and yes he does have a very fine handlebar mustache ) who I phoned at lunchtime on Saturday. He was out with me 25 mins later .......

A very knowledgeable chap who is retired after 45 years repairing tractors and he immediately pointed to the likely source of the problem, another box further down the hydraulic line. He then asked for a 17 mm spanner and took the cover off and spotted the likely cause - a writhing nest of maggots !

He outlined what I needed to do to said box and has assured me that all will be well once it is done !

I asked how much I owed him, but he wouldn't take a centime, however he did accept a couple of bottles of our Rosé

Just a nice story about some of the things we see and delightful people we meet, as we journey along ................

[simonandjuliet]

Lovely drive yesterday morning on the way for an "Aprilia Breakfast" , along one of my favourite roads that climbs into the hills behind us. Used several times by "Le Tour" - but not this year,  unfortunately.

"Nice to do" job today, not the usual "need to do" !

The starter lever on my car has never had the moulded knob on the end of the lever, so every time you start the car you think 'Oh , I must do that' but never do ...... so today that was rectified !

On the "need to do" list is grease the driveshafts, oil the bottom suspension and adjust the front brakes. Hopefully this week......

[simonandjuliet]

Aprilia Lunch 2

L'Anais in Ginestas

Set 3 course menu 13.50 euros
Local wines inc wine en pichet
Starter - charcuterie, salad (lovely herby dressing)
Main - Braised lamb shanks with mustard mash and leeks
Pudding - basket of red fruits with home made sorbet
Value € (very good value)
Location - centre of quiet Languedoc village with art deco resto and zinc bar. Run by delightful English expats
Parking - easy
Local roads - guiet and empty
Recommend ? - Yes ( Fridays are "Fish and Chips" days and are great if you are feeling homesick !)

This is one of our regulars, but today the village hosted a stop for the 25th "Tour de l'Aude" Rally. Around 75 cars turned up, ranging from Delages, Bugattis, Bentleys, Citroens, Fiat, Alfa, MGs, and a couple of absolutely delicious Amilcars ......

We took the Aprilia and waved them off - Mathilda posing as usual !