The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I said it before you bought it, and i'll say it again....
These things are a bloody nightmare. Get rid of it before it bankrupts you.
We looked after a taxi fleet at work a few years ago - several of the drivers bought these things as they are cheaper and more roomy than an Octavia / Mondeo. Guess what? They soon went back to driving Octavias / Mondeos.....
Most of them spent more time in our workshop being fixed than they did on the road earning money.

I've taken the caravan over to Filey at the weekend and I got back home without a single problem. I left the caravan there (paid up until the 27th at the site) so I'll be going back over this coming weekend. I've averaged just over 40mpg which isn't too bad considering. I've started using the motorway on my daily commute which will be better that the A road I usually take.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle

Had a little trip with the caravan myself also this weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UCZF_UnG10


Jeroen

_________________
Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

Edd China should've done one of them. He's got more time on his hands since he left Wheeler Dealers.

Getting back on topic, the engine light and the warning message haven't come back so the problem is defintely fixed.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle

With the warmer weather upon us I've decided to check the aircon. I only found out yesterday that the compressor doesn't even kick in. This could be as simple as lack of refrigerant. I don't want to risk a £30 Halfords top-up as there may be other problems so I've booked it in at a local garage who have the proper equipment to evacuate the system to remove moisture, check for a vacuum, check for leaks, etc. I'm hoping it is as simple as the original refrigerant just leaking away over time. We shall see...

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle

I have hardly ever turned my aircon off, even in winter, keeps the rubbers lubed.

_________________
NRW 581W Sprint


On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.

I never turn the aircon off on my cars either. The air is drier with the aircon on so there is less condensation in the cabin at any time of year.

I have only used my aircon a handful of times in 10 years of ownership. I noticed the increase in fuel consumption the first time I used it and, I know it dries the air when demisting, but really it is unnecessary weight in the car!! Particularly in Scotland!!!

_________________
1959 TR3A, 1970 Triumph 1300, 1974 Toledo
Thanks Photobucket

If something's fitted to the car when it was built, I want it to be working. I successfully repaired the Astra's aircon without too much expense. It is useful on the few occasions when you DO need it. I've got all the other creature comforts so why should I do without aircon if it can be fixed without too much trouble?

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle

On my old Fiat Marea, I owned 12 years ago, (I was caught up by some nostalgic whim stemming from a Fiat132 2.0 twincam I once owned) the aircon noticably increased consumption as well as adversly affecting performance. That was a petrol 1.8 16v. On my XC60 2.4 diesel, there is no noticeable difference when the aircon is on or off (apart from the misty windows).

Couldn't live without A/C now. Useful year round for keeping the air nice and dry and keeping the cabin at a reasonable temperature. I've got it in the Mazda too as it's an import. Didn't kick in much when I first had it so had the system checked and refilled and it's worked ever since, though could do with a recharge now.

You've got some big glass in the Picasso and it's Black so it will get hot. Problem is lots of people worry about fuel consumption or wondering why they should use a/c year round and consequently don't bother to use it at all and then it all falls apart. The systems lose a % of the refrigerant anyway every year, chances are yours has never been touched. I assume you didn't test it before you bought the car?

_________________
Mark

1961 Chevrolet Corvair Greenbrier Sportswagon
1980 Dolomite Sprint project using brand new shell
2009 Mazda MX5 2.0 Sport
2018 Infiniti Q30

I can completely understand that.

_________________
1959 TR3A, 1970 Triumph 1300, 1974 Toledo
Thanks Photobucket

Never experienced any power loss with the aircon being on in any of my vehicles,

Citroen XM 3.0L V6
Bmw 750iL 5.4L V12
Mercedes E320 3.2L
Bmw 745i, 4.4L V8
Bmw 730Ld 3.0L straight six
Bmw 740d 3.0L straight six

Mind you, they are mainly 3L and above, the company 1.9td van does suffer on both
fuel and performance if the aircon is on,
and thus is never used, and thus is never in working condition.

_________________
NRW 581W Sprint


On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.

I took it in to have the aircon recharged. The system was empty confirming my earlier suspicions that the original refrigerant had just leaked out over the years since the car was built and it was holding a vacuum so that was a good sign. It was refilled, oil added and a dye added. No leaks could be found and the condenser was clean with no signs of any damage. It was blowing out ice cold air so that's a result.

Well worth the £49.99 it cost me and the job was done properly. I know that Halfords just chuck refrigerant in and Kwik Fit would probably do the same so it was worth spending a bit more money to have the system evacuated to remove moisture and lubricated as well as being refilled.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle

Time for a small update:

The aircon fix didn't last. I found a leak in the condenser. The guys who did the recharge had put some UV dye in and it was showing up where it was leaking so the only fix is a new condenser. At least I know that the rest of the aircon is in full working order.

The oil change is due so I decided to get a genuine oil filter from the local dealer. I also ended up getting a sump plug washer and they did me a good deal on the oil as well (£25 for 5 litres) so it is sometimes worth getting parts from the dealer.

The light for the right hand upper glovebox never worked since I bought the car so I removed the lid (4 T20 torx screws), removed the light unit and the bulb looked to be fine so I refitted it and it started working again so that was an easy fix.

_________________
Toledo Man

West Yorkshire Area Organiser & forum moderator
Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8.00pm at The Old Brickworks, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, Bradford, BD11 1EA

1972 Dolomite 1850 auto (NYE 751L - Now for sale)
2003 Volvo XC90 D5 SE (PX53 OVZ - The daily driver)
2009 Mercedes-Benz W204 C200 CDI Sport (BJ58 NCV - The 2nd car)
1991 Toyota Celica GT (J481 ONB - another project car)
Former stable of SAY 414M (1974 Toledo), GRH 244D (1966 1300fwd), CDB 324L (1973 1500fwd), GGN 573J (1971 1500fwd), DCP 625S (1977 Dolomite 1300) & LCG 367N (1975 Dolomite Sprint) plus 5 Acclaims and that's just the Triumphs!

Check my blog at http://triumphtoledo.blogspot.com
My YouTube Channel with a bit of Dolomite content.

"There is only one way to avoid criticsm: Do nothing, say nothing and BE nothing." Aristotle