Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

You can RANT and RAVE to your hearts content here instead of clogging up the Q&A Technical Forum!
Report any offensive posts to [email protected]
User avatar
Arya2.0S
Posts: 1249
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:23 pm
Car(s): ford capri 2.0 s

Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Arya2.0S »

Now im not having a go if you are one of the sorts of people who says this or does it yourself, but after last night i do find it really funny people say this, as i did before but now even moreso.

Last night i was forced to drive through a massive puddle of water due to flooding from the monsoon we had here yesterday (great summer!).

I dont know how deep it was exactly, but i reckon if i had waded through it in my wellies it would have gone past my ankles and half way up my calf.
A Renault van went through it before me and the water was up to the sills, obviously the van has much more ground clearance than i do so that should give you a rough idea of how deep it was.

I shouted "POWERRR" and pushed through it in my 2.0 s, the water had to have been up to and past the bodywork yet it didnt and phase it. I had to do this twice because it was the entrance to a supermarket so only on way in and out.

No problems what so ever, i was actually surprised and expected at least a minor electrical short of some kind but nope, kept running like nothing had happened i was quite proud of her actually.
I'm always sceptical my car can do things without breaking because A: Its 33 years old and B: I built it after-all but seems i need to give myself more credit lol.

Must have given the underside a nice wash thats for sure :whistle:

Cant/shouldn't use a Capri all year round? That theory holds less water than my car. lol
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7420
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by pbar »

Nice little story :) and I bet that was fun as you blasted through the water! I love it when people drive them no matter what. We will all be on the scrapheap one day, cars and the owners, so why not get that fun and enjoyment while you can. As you are doing. Great post, enjoyed that.
Stish704
Donator
Donator
Posts: 452
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2015 1:34 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.8 injection special. Weekends only!
Sierra Sapphire- rolling restoration.
Vauxhall Movano- the company vehicle.
Vauxhall Mokka. The wife’s!
Location: Hornchurch, Essex.

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Stish704 »

pbar wrote:Nice little story :) and I bet that was fun as you blasted through the water! I love it when people drive them no matter what. We will all be on the scrapheap one day, cars and the owners, so why not get that fun and enjoyment while you can. As you are doing. Great post, enjoyed that.

Totally agree!
User avatar
Arya2.0S
Posts: 1249
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:23 pm
Car(s): ford capri 2.0 s

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Arya2.0S »

pbar wrote:Nice little story :) and I bet that was fun as you blasted through the water! I love it when people drive them no matter what. We will all be on the scrapheap one day, cars and the owners, so why not get that fun and enjoyment while you can. As you are doing. Great post, enjoyed that.
Thank you. Yeah couldnt agree more with you! Nothing lasts forever, especially not us, hell not even the universe will last forever so why not enjoy life while you have it?

I was a little worried because i made this thread before i went out today, so i wasn't 100% sure the car would still work! lol

You never know with these things, especially something as temperamental as an old car it might have decided not to start today because she didn't like going for a swim last night but no, started and ran just like normal. Thats my girl!

:burnout:

Needs a clean now though.... :roll:
User avatar
D366Y
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2568
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:26 pm
Car(s): 1986 Laser 1.6, daily runaround project
1981 GL Auto 2.0, Barn-Find-Resto, now also a runaround project
1980 3.0S, crash damage resto
1993 Fiesta 1.1

Currently full up and no more space but I still want a 2.8...
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by D366Y »

I tried doing this once, massively misjudged the puddle and it was up over the front of the bumper!! :shock:
I got halfway through said enormous puddle and the engine cut out.... Refused to run over again so I had to stick the car in gear and keep turning it over, slowly dragging itself out...

Ran like shit for a while afterwards and I've learnt to not go through puddles now without checking the depth first! :lol:
A wise man once said... "you can never have too many capris - buy another" :beer:
It's me, I'm the wise man.
Paul G
Posts: 1857
Joined: Fri Jul 03, 2015 5:21 pm
Car(s): MK 3 3.0S needing restoration, 2.0S, 1.6 Laser (nearly ready), Skoda Octavia VRS, VW Polo 1.4CL
Location: High Wycombe

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Paul G »

That's the beauty of old cars, even if they do conk out it's only usually a case of drying out the distributor cap and leads then off it'll go again. If you get water in a modern ecu or sensors first you've got to find the problem then you've got to have your wallet wrenched open wide to replace them.

I remember a few years ago my old boss had a Volvo XC90 (hateful thing!) and I was pulling up outside work and noticed his brake lights were on, even though he wasn't in the car and it was locked up. I told Steve and we dragged the car in to the workshop thinking that the switch on the pedal was playing up and would need replacing. Stripped all the interior around the pedal but no pedal switch? Much headscratching, plugging the car into our Bosch KTS code reader and Autodata wiring loom examination later it was found out that it was all ecu controlled and the car would have to go to Volvo's.

At Volvo's we found out that the ABS unit ecu sends a signal to the "Body Control ECU" which basically controls all the car's non-ignition electrics. It is situated just below the windscreen and was marked as a Land Rover manufactured part. (from when Ford owned Land Rover and Volvo).New ones can only be coded in by Volvo's themselves.

Anyway, the outcome of it all was that Steve remembered going through a great big puddle which splashed up over the bonnet a few days before the problem and his ecu was of a bad batch that had suffered seal failure. Even with a bit of goodwill from Volvo (the car was 7 years old) he had a wacking great bill of £850 to put it right. All for a stuck on brake light!

Give me an old car with a workable if basic elecric system everytime!
tejb1
Posts: 318
Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2015 1:12 pm
Car(s): -V Capri 1.6L (under restoration)
W- Mondeo 2.0 Ghia Estate
03 Focus 1.6

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by tejb1 »

The discussion on the thread about electric vehicles made me think - there will come a point where keeping a vehicle like a Capri on the road will become too expensive for most to do it. A combination of lack of spares, price of petrol, cost of repairing aged metal etc. I don't know when that will happen - 20 years time, 30 even? But happen it will.

I was out both yesterday and today, yesterday got rained on a helluvalot (I actually went thru Turnpike Lane with wipers on full tilt, wondering if I'd bump into Nick on his bus, shocked at the sight of a Capri in the rain! ;) ), today went through a massive muddy puddle which has meant I can't put a wash off any longer! Oh well - I'll use the works pressure washer at the weekend!

As for simplicity - the only time I've had a complete breakdown was ironically going through a large puddle and getting the dizzy wet, some WD40 and about two minutes saw to that and I was on my way again.
User avatar
Andrew 2.8i
Donator
Donator
Posts: 14723
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 7:38 pm
Car(s): '83 2.8 Injection (sunny days only)
'04 Toyota MR2 (owned from new)
Location: Ceredigion
Contact:

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Paul G wrote: a Volvo XC90 (hateful thing!)
All SUVs are hateful things.....

Andrew.
Image
fordperv
Posts: 329
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:40 pm
Car(s): too many
Location: stoke on trent

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by fordperv »

I used to love using my capri all year round before its accident and I will no doubt use it all year round again when its done, I got into some great escapades with it one that springs to mind was when my mates new crap Citroen died at a petrol station, the body control module went, I towed him home then the next day took it to Citroen hooked to the back of the capri, all the salesmen were stuck to the window at the sight, to say i got lots of compliments about the choice of tow car is an understatement.
User avatar
pbar
Posts: 7420
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:29 pm
Car(s): Capri 2.0 Laser, frequent driver.
Location: North-West

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by pbar »

I enjoyed, and agree, with all seven of the above posts. This is turning into a great thread! :)
User avatar
Fordoholic Nick
Donator
Donator
Posts: 6196
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:40 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser,
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi
Location: Enfield, London

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Fordoholic Nick »

tejb1 wrote:I actually went thru Turnpike Lane with wipers on full tilt, wondering if I'd bump into Nick on his bus, shocked at the sight of a Capri in the rain! ;).
pbar wrote:I enjoyed, and agree, with all seven of the above posts. This is turning into a great thread! :)
What...this one too Paul.... :shock: :lol:

Tom surely our paths will cross sooner or later if not on my bus but in my Capri. I passed through Turnpike Lane about 7 times a day so surely I will be rewarded to seeing you in yours. My parents in law live up in Muswell Hill and on a nice dry day ( :sorry: ) I sometimes drive the Capri up to them so again our paths may cross :)

Tom that rain on Weds was bleeding torrential for most parts. I applaud you for driving your Capri in those conditions..nice one....

All the best now

Nick
I was born a Fordoholic, They'll bury me a Fordoholic...
User avatar
Fordoholic Nick
Donator
Donator
Posts: 6196
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:40 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser,
Ford Fiesta 1.6 TDCi
Location: Enfield, London

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Fordoholic Nick »

Arya2.0S wrote:I shouted "POWERRR" and pushed through it in my 2.0 s, the water had to have been up to and past the bodywork yet it didnt and phase it. I had to do this twice because it was the entrance to a supermarket so only on way in and out.
All I can say Arya is your cupboards must have been very low on food and you guys mighty hungry to revert to this extreme behaviour ...:sorry:... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Seriously though it did sound like you had a blast of a time...nice one mate :applaud:

All the best

Nick
I was born a Fordoholic, They'll bury me a Fordoholic...
340truck
Donator
Donator
Posts: 3450
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:00 am
Car(s): Rat - GONE
2.8 - GONE
Volvo - GONE
Only 2 Zetec SE Fezzas left now, 1.6 ghia gone. Mk 1 Focus replaces, sticking with 1.6 Zetec SE
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by 340truck »

Someone needs to find Beakster's post from years ago with photos of taking his Capri up a mountain. Part of my love for the Capri is it's versatility - Boy racer mobile, shaggin' wagon, family runaround, off roader. It's all been done in a Capri.
Image
Pas28i
Posts: 165
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:51 pm
Car(s): 06 Polo 1.4s (new daily driver), mk2 Golf Gti (was my daily), and 2.8injection Special (awaiting recommissioning)

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Pas28i »

Good work I admire anyone who drives their classic everyday and in all weathers, I was always too overprotective of my Capri!

On Wednesday I was stuck in traffic near Shepperton and a black 2.8i 5speed passed me in the heavy rain, great to see but was a bit shocked at the same time!
Alanb67
Posts: 58
Joined: Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:20 pm
Car(s): Ford capri 1.6L

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Alanb67 »

I'm one of those that hates taking my capri out in the rain. I took it to a show the other week and it rained on the way back. Funnily enough when i was driving in the pouring rain it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. Maybe i should enjoy it more.
User avatar
Jasonmarie
Donator
Donator
Posts: 4707
Joined: Thu Aug 13, 2015 12:30 am
Car(s): Ford Capri 2.0 Laser Mercury Grey 1987 hobby .
Mercedes Vito tourer 2.1 Big Bus Daily Driver
Location: Kent

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Jasonmarie »

Did somebody say they got there car wet ?

I will get caught out one day I know when we went up to CCI in may I thought the rain was going to get me .

One thing I remember in my old Capri was when that long nose was waxed and it rained I would be driving at say 50mph and when you started to slow down to about 25moh the water sitting on the bonnet would spray on to the windscreen .
Ford Capri 2.0 Laser 1987 Mercury Grey ....... :beer:
User avatar
Arya2.0S
Posts: 1249
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 4:23 pm
Car(s): ford capri 2.0 s

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by Arya2.0S »

Jasonmarie wrote: One thing I remember in my old Capri was when that long nose was waxed and it rained I would be driving at say 50mph and when you started to slow down to about 25moh the water sitting on the bonnet would spray on to the windscreen .
This happens to me all the time and always slightly surprises me lol.
mjcapri
Donator
Donator
Posts: 1893
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:23 pm
Car(s): Diamond White Granada 24v

Caspian Blue Sierra XR4i

Stealth Grey Focus RS

Storm Grey Fiesta ST200 (actually belongs to the missus!)

Mean Green Fiesta ST-3

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by mjcapri »

I don't even take my Focus out in the rain lol!
andyd
Posts: 8268
Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 10:43 am
Car(s): 1981 XR3
Location: Devon

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by andyd »

Alanb67 wrote:I'm one of those that hates taking my capri out in the rain. I took it to a show the other week and it rained on the way back. Funnily enough when i was driving in the pouring rain it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. Maybe i should enjoy it more.
Exactly like me :wave: But when it's clean and under cover in the garage, it's hard to take it out and get it wet unless you really have too.....
User avatar
D366Y
Donator
Donator
Posts: 2568
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 2:26 pm
Car(s): 1986 Laser 1.6, daily runaround project
1981 GL Auto 2.0, Barn-Find-Resto, now also a runaround project
1980 3.0S, crash damage resto
1993 Fiesta 1.1

Currently full up and no more space but I still want a 2.8...
Location: Buckinghamshire

Re: Dont use your Capri all year round, they are too delicate!

Post by D366Y »

I never really see the point in not taking a car out in the rain? I thought the paint was waterproof??

I just like driving it too much to care about the weather :)
A wise man once said... "you can never have too many capris - buy another" :beer:
It's me, I'm the wise man.
Post Reply