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Seen quite a number of Beetle restorations of recent here on NL and also noted some of us were looking for a Beetle to restore. This one looks far gone down the road , but I still decided to share here just in case someone fancies it...

I think we should remember that there is a verified court case on the Ogbeke land even though people are still taking positions. Unresolved court cases can come back to life at any time.
Its quite a big risk in my own opinion. I think we should concentrate on buying a land with a clean title/no known issues.

GAZZUZZ:
Ur abs pump eyaf die
[img]http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnGEP33_ing8w3k8zeEtLZkdyW7oayXyssX4toVrKJRq-2fi9GiX7HSmwRiQ[/img]

Gazzuzz saving nairaland motorists since 1914

GAZZUZZ:
Where would you be without the roadside mechanic? He's a very useful vital tool and you all use him so let's stop the derogatory remarks. Correct him instead. The original kazeem now re-installs thermostats and connects fans back to factory specs.

Thanks Gazzuzz for this. For me, all roadside mechanics are not Kazeem's. I still have a mechanic I go to when things go outside my DIY scope, I don't refer to him as Kazeem because he's quite knowledgeable and willing to learn new things. I think the real definition of a Kaz.eem is a mechanic who embraces those terrible fixes, insists on them and isn't willing to take advice based on sound manufacturer/auto engineering recommendations.
There's need for a distinction in my opinion.

I saw one Kazeem mod recently...removal of the Automatic tensioner This was done on a Honda accord (2000 V6).

IdaraCHODB:
I had a nasty experience with the same manufacturer.

I replaced my fuel pump with a brand new Denso.

Then decided to replace the fuel pump housing with a Beck Arnley.

So everything would be new and work like a charm or so I thought!

Now you may be aware that the fuel pump housing has come electrical connections in some vehicles for reading the fuel gauge etc.

While driving, at speeds much in excess of 90 km/hr, the car acted like the ignition wires were not receiving current, and like there was a fuel cut-off or speed limiter or like the fuel pump was dying or the fuel lines were clogged, suddenly everyone I had overtaken and dusted started overtaking me, for the fuel to flow I had to reduce my speed to less than 80km/hr.

So what could have been wrong? Brand new fuel pump and brand new fuel filter and brand new fuel pump housing?

So I sought professional help and I was given varying answers such as a dying fuel pump; a clogged fuel tank requiring dismantling and washing; clogged fuel filter or replacement of my ignition wires.

I was not too certain they were right, so I decided to take a look myself.

I personally inspected the fuel pump, fuel filter and fuel pump housing, and discovered that the unit ( fuel pump housing) had started melting and the wires were of extremely substandard quality and had started burning and shorting, so I removed it and replaced with the OEM unit I had earlier removed and the vehicle came back from coma.

The scenario above has not repeated itself, no matter was speed I drive since then, if I ask for fuel, the fuel pump has never failed me

Aftermarket quality is sometimes a gamble. OEM quality is nearly always a given.

By the testimony of 2, Beck Arnely does have questions to answer.
I think the key to buying good aftermarket parts is doing a thorough review. Sometime OEM is just too expensive even for Piyke to order . Its even some of these aftermarket guys that make the OEM stuff for car manufacturers, I'm usually on the lookout for such "OEM aftermaket manufacturers". When I wanted to replace my secondary O2 sensor the OEM (made by Denso) was selling for way higher on Honda sites than the price of the aftermarket Denso on Amazon. Got the aftermarket and its been working well. As a general rule, I do not buy aftermarket parts without at least, a 4-star review on Amazon. If I find no reviews, its a no-go.

Siena:
[color=Blue]Sorry for the lack of updates guys, children take up loads of time!

Sunday the 26th April will see me embark on a 404 mile round trip, which will take 7 hours. The journey will see something very different end up here.

Any guesses? A clue: it's to do with THIS project.

Keep your eyes peeled. [/color]

You'll now be fitting a Bugatti Veron engine kidding...
Hmmm....what will Siena be up to now?
Guess it has to do with fitting a yet more powerful engine than that previously planned. Right?

Job completed . New Wells PCV valve in place. Its a made in Japan part.

I was able to finish off this a week ago
Saw a seller on Konga that had this Wells brand. Checked out reviews on the brand and they were favourable so I went got it...

BluStreak:
wow! I use to think Beck/Arnley is a premium aftermarket parts brand. I have used many of their brands.

I thought so as well. May be they still are, just not convinced from this first experience

You guys want to kill someone see me laughing uncontrollably

Namzy:
Have bought original wheel bearings b4(must be got them from luvin hubby) and these people keeps messing the whole thing up. Sometimes they even fix it with the wrong side up. Latest i bought didn't have the magnetic abs sensor thingy. Guess am just unlucky

You need to get a competent person to handle these jobs for you. From what I can gather from this post, it there's a capacity problem with the person fixing the bearing or hub for you. Hmmm....Kazeem
Can you state your base? People here maybe able to recommend a good mechanic based on your location

Namzy:
Have always had problems with over quack mechanics. And have never been successful in replacing a wheel bearing on my 2004 honda accord it doesn't last and in the end you will have to buy d complete hub with a belgium(used) wheel bearing which costs alot more. Has anyone been successful in changing just said wheel bearing on his car or honda accord? Any pointers on what to look out for?

I changed both front wheel hub bearings late last year. So far no problems. I bought brand new NTN bearings (made in Japan) for 15k. Guess they are a lot of fake bearings out there. Even the guy that fitted them for me was asking me where I got them.

Nice work man! crystal clear pics. Double thumbs up

oluwaseunla:
I haven't tried anything on my dash before. But for your leather seats, just get a good leather cleaner to make it clean. Afterwards, you can use a leather conditioner to make it supple and prevent cracks for a little while.

Personally, I use Astonish leather cleaner and Glipitone leather conditioner. But there are really good brands out there: Pinnacle, Lexol e.t.c. (they all have cleaner and conditioner). Just check up user reviews.

Thanks. Just seats for now. I happened to know a store that stocks astonish leather cleaner. For how long have you been using this?

Bossforeva:
With this advices, i rather stick to Kerosene.

I don't think kerosene is good o. Looks to me like something that causes cracks. I know many petroleum products cause plastics to become brittle. Could be wrong though

nissparts:
Sorry, not been logged in here today.
Okay, the cleaners contain chemicals which damage the dash when exposed to direct sunlight.
It is usually a slow process which eventually results in cracks, bulging, and other deformities.
This is especially so for the softer dashboards.
By the way this is the major cause of the Infiniti FX35/45 dashboard problem

I've noticed a good number of FX35/FX45 with rough dashboards. For now I'll just stick with no cleaners pending more research. Thanks

nissparts:
Dont apply any product on the dash itself.
Combined with heat = disaster

More light please... Guess I've been doing just fine then...

bissalla:
Well if you are in Abuja, try Exclusives Stores. They have great car care products. If in Lagos, try the Shoprite at the Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki. Good luck.

Is there a particular brand you can recommend? I'm actually asking for a tried and tested brand so I don't ruin my interior in the bid to take care of it.

Been searching store shelves...

Do you have any to recommend? Feel it's high time to give my dash and leather a treat but I'm scared of trying something that could ruin my interior.
Saw this pic of a cracked dashboard somewhere...

As you invest in a new battery try to get the freshest i.e. by date of manufacture. It can be usually found as a code stamped on one of the top ends of the battery. Just Google how to read a car battery manufacture date and you should be fine.

It is a fact that most Nigerians neglect routine maintenance (oil change seems to be the only thing done in most quarters) and only work on cars when something breaks down finally. To me, virtually all cars from good manufacturers should be reliable if you follow routine maintenance schedules and listen and attend to any issues as they come up.

To the typical Nigerian car driver, a car being reliable simply means the car with the most ability to take the most abuse without breaking down (there are other things I may have missed out in this definition, but this seems to be a major component)
A drive a 2003 for that matter and have never been stranded for one day in the 6 years that I've had the vehicle, no major repairs either. My only advice if you do get the car is to make sure you have a good mechanic and know a thing or two about cars so that you can forestall the abracadabra's that some mechnics tend to pull sometimes. I won't also advice naija used except if you can confirm it was well used. In any case, have an experienced mechanic check out the ride before you buy.

Coldplay007:
Tell the story now please?

Ok so I'm freer now. Yipee!!!

So the story...

I've had 2 experiences with Kazeems at dealerships or should I say; "proper auto workshops" I'll share the most recent.
First...
In 2014 I was at a recommended auto workshop to replace my front lower ball joints; the left side had just started creaking. The outfit was well equipped with ultrasound injector cleaners, vehicle lift system (the type you see in abroad that would suspend the whole car for you to make inspections standing underneath the car) etc. So as you can see no be small place . Heard the owner used to work abroad in auto workshops but returned to setup this.
They were 2 Kazeems here ; the one that worked on my vehicle (Kazeem1) and the mechanic there who was giving advice (kazeem2). To start off, when I showed Kazeem2 my Hyanes manual he was like "we no dey use manual here" ...So much for the tools and posh workshop
Kazeem2 in loosening the end of my shaft from the knuckle(hub) was striking the end of the shaft directly . I offered, why not strike it indirectly by using a bolt, this way you won't damage the circumference of the shaft end. He said there's no problem, but, in the end there was problem as the circumference was damaged and needed smoothing by a Iron worker before its bolt could fit.
Finally, after fitting the new ball joint and putting things back together, my ABS light came on during test driving . I suspected that the ABS probe was not properly fitted in its slot. Kazeem1 tried to disassemble and reassemble but was in a hurry and wasn't taking my suggestions either. Fine. I reset the ABS with my scanner but the light came back on during the 2nd test drive. This was when Kazeem2 offered the evil advice; cut off the ABS probe on the left and switch it with that on the right he said he had solved such problems in the past by this manoeuvre. I said no way! After insistence on Kazeem1 double checking again, we finally got the poorly fitted ABS probe in its slot. Voila! light never came on again!

Marpol:
Hi house, I tried to buy some parts from Amazon.com, after searching for merchants who are willing to ship to Nigeria I tried paying for it and what I saw was unbelievable.

Order Summary
Items (5): NGN 11,477.97
Shipping & handling: NGN 44,101.41
Total before tax: NGN 55,579.38
Estimated tax to be collected:* NGN 0.00
Import Fees Deposit NGN 5,112.22
Order total: NGN 60,691.60

How do guys who buy online do it please?

Modified
It's better for you to use a forwarder or some agent (never use shippyme.com), this way you won't have to pay import duty, because I bet you, duty for car parts are quite high compared to other products. I use shippyme and they are ok. Hope this helps.

Nice work man! What brand and model of car is this?

Coldplay007:
Tell the story now please?

Been in an extended business meeting with very little time for nairaland. Will surely share when work is lighter

DECOtech:
Kazeem is the New name for road side mechanics.

Unlearned ones, however, there are even Kazeem's at some auto workshops. My story will be for another day to avoid derailing the thread

Nwunuken:
were can i get honda power sterring fluid.

Find Luvinghubby, he stocks Honda OEM fluid

Upcoming Fixes...

1. Valve cover gasket change. Current one is leaky
2. Will use the opportunity to do a valve clearance check/adjustment
3. Replacement of driver door actuator. Current one works intermittently