[v6coop]

Having tried to remove my corroded MAF brackets previously it resulted in spinning the captive bolt in the air box lid as the nuts were so corroded. Thinking I would have to cut them off, drill them out and fit new bolts as others on here had done previously there was nothing to lose making a last ditch effort. Having used it to good effect to remove rust from other parts I decided to try putting the whole thing into a citric acid bath and seeing if it could penetrate the rust in the threads and free it up. So having removed the actual MAF sensor from the housing (actually the hardest bit) which requires a special security star head bit with a cylindrical cut out in the center, I made a 1 part citric acid crystals to 19 parts hot water solution in an old tile adhesive bucket. Having fitted an old home brew heating belt around the bucket to keep the solution warm (chemical reactions being faster at higher temperatures) left the whole lot in for three days until the bracket surfaces were virtually clear of all rust. I then rinsed it under the tap, dried it with paper towel and sprayed WD-40 Specialist Fast Release Penetrant :yikes: onto the threads three or four times over an hour and left it to work overnight. Next day applied more WD-40 and using a small ratchet handle held near the fulcrum initially tried to tighten the bolts using as little sustained pressure as possible then tried slackening using the same process. Eventually the nut gave very slightly on tightening (initially I thought the captive bolt had started to turn). When I tried again in the opposite direction it gave slightly more and on repeating, the movement became greater to the point it started to undo and could be removed completely. To my amazement the other two nuts did the same. After cleaning up the plates and nuts with a dremmel they are somewhat pitted but with rust treatment and spray of paint would be perfectly serviceable. I have purchased the stainless steel plates and nuts from Alfaholics in the meantime but at least I haven't had to butcher the air box lid.

 

[Unclejam]

Mmmmm....acid bath! Very Dr Crippen-esque :rofl:

 

[v6coop]

Mmmmm....acid bath! Very Dr Crippen-esque :rofl:

I know what you mean, sounds all very risky and likely to burn a hole right through your work surface and through the floorboards but citric acid is basically the acid from citrus fruits (it is all in the name!) so not as corrosive as Hydrochloric or Sulhpuric acids. It is dirt cheap to buy from garden chemical suppliers on tinternet. It won't burn your skin etc. I am as converted as the rust is! Only thing is you need to leave it a couple of days so not good if you need the car.

 

[Unclejam]

I just risked money on a non-running '98 GTV V6 like yours - no brakes, engine non runner, lots of other little issues to fix too. It now looks like the engine might have been damaged by a cowboy previous cambelt change though....
May have to scrap it instead :disappointed:

 

[v6coop]

I just risked money on a non-running '98 GTV V6 like yours - no brakes, engine non runner, lots of other little issues to fix too. It now looks like the engine might have been damaged by a cowboy previous cambelt change though....
May have to scrap it instead :disappointed:

Mine was running and actually a 'one former owner' car from a friend of mine's father. Only trouble was the car had been left outside for about five years, hardly being used, during which time most of the suspension parts and anything steel underneath seems to have largely turned to rust. So what started as changing all the discs 4 years ago has resulted in my continuing to remove, refurb replace or upgrade parts ever since. Only problem is that my day job means I don't have enough time to spend on it. The front end is nearly ready for me to start refitting everything now (the engine is coming out in the next two weeks for sump/rear crank seal oil leak, and new brake pipes then ready to go. Fortunately the bodywork is largely sound. I am hoping the back end will be quicker and easier! Only trouble is you get into the mind set of well I have come this far so might as well do - new shocks and springs all round, new radiator, Alfaholics handling kit, SM flywheel, Quaife LSD, oil cooler pipes. Then my OCD self cuts in to replate or replace corroded bolts, powder coat rad fan casing, air box bracket etc. etc. These Alfas really get under the skin. It doesn't help knowing so many parts are or are reaching the point of no longer being available either!

 

[Unclejam]

Yes, I know the feeling about work! Throw some kids and a few other things into the mix and it's like waiting for a blue moon to spend a bit of time tinkering.
With Alfas, it's like painting the Forth Bridge as my Dad used to say: Finish at one end, then you start again at the other end!

My GTV has bent valves it seems, so going back into storage until I decide what to do about that! Needs £2.5k spent to get the engine running again......:disappointed:
Annoying as I have got lots of bits ready to fit!

 

[general_piffle]

Nice work V6coop! Could you post a link to the Alfaholics stainless plates and nuts? I can't seem to find them on their site. Thanks!

 

[Richard 159]

General piffle, go to totallyalfa.com.

 

[Unclejam]

General piffle, go to totallyalfa.com.

+1 - Gary is your man for fasteners, hard to find bits and pieces - good prices and very well made too.

 

[jonesy1976]

+1 - Gary is your man for fasteners, hard to find bits and pieces - good prices and very well made too.

Me too, got some stainless handbrake brackets and they are superb.

 

[v6coop]

Nice work V6coop! Could you post a link to the Alfaholics stainless plates and nuts? I can't seem to find them on their site. Thanks!

For the record the Alfaholics brackets are here. It made sense for me because I was ordering oil cooler pipes at the same time. Gary is doing a great job looking after all the no longer available parts so absolutely support him in his endeavors.

 

[general_piffle]

Thanks Guys, checked out http://www.totallyalfa.com/ and they have some great stainless brackets and bits that it sounds like are normally prone to rusting. Will definitely be investing in a set of most of what they've got for the GTV. Better to put it right now before the rust can get hold.