Hi all. I posted earlier about looking at a Pepper White 2003 R50 for sale. It's got the Midland five speed and 85000 miles. It had a little body damage that I got quoted $350 to fix. I ended up talking the owner down to $2200. It has a couple small problems, but the one I'm concerned about is a little noise under acceleration and deceleration while in gear. It's a sort of whine that follows wheel speed, not engine speed. It goes away if I shift to neutral or push in the clutch. I'm going to change the fluid and see if it's low and if new fluid helps. It shifts nice and smooth and the clutch feels strong. There's no slippage. I figured I could sell it as a parts car or project and get my money back if it ends up being the trans bearings. Any ideas?

Also, the small problems. The drivers door will only unlock with the physical key. It won't respond at all to the key fob button or dash switch.

The windshield washer motor doesn't run if I try to clean the windshield, but the rear window washer will run.

The center interior light stays on unless I push the button and turn it off or wait the 16 minute period.

Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like easy enough stuff to fix. Fix it and drive it until the wheels fall off. That is cheap transportation.

 

For that price, change the tranny fluid and drive her til she dies. Where's the pics?

 

Unless your name is Ed China, I recommend you go watch Dave Ramsey.

 

Ok. I got the hatch hinges replaced after tearing my fingers up on the German engineered torture devices under the headliner right where your fingers need to be to remove the 13mm nut holding the hatch hinge to the roof. Thanks Jerry. After getting everything lined back up, the hatch closes all the way. This takes care of the 16 minute interior light problem and also gets rid of the bonnet/boot open light on the speedo. I got the washer pump straightened out. Apparently there is one pump but two relays, one for the front sprayers and another for the rear. I swapped them to check and now have front sprayers. Little by little.

 

As for pics, picture a Pepper White R50 with a big dent in the drivers side A-Panel and a football size and shaped black spot on the rear bumper. Pretty much it! I can't remember where I used to host my pictures to post here. Most of the forums I frequent use tapatalk.

 

Have you tried the "hot air - cold air" method of dent removal?

 

This is a big dent. I could take it to Congress and not get enough hot air to fix this one. I might try it on a small ding though. What do you suggest? Heat gun then computer duster upside down?

 

I used a hair dryer - I'm not real comfortable holding a heat gun to my car... And yes, the air can upside down.

 

In regards to the trans, it most definitely is the bearings going out. The noise will proceed to get louder and louder, and acceleration and coasting will start to get incredibly lurch-y. Then one day, something will pop and it will start making really bad grinding noises.

 

You should be able to upload pics directly from your computer ? I know I can on mine ....

Yes, the 2 little grey relays at the driver side kick-panel will heal the washer pump issue

 

I only have an iPhone now. I Used to use photobucket to host my pictures for forums, but I can't get them to load here. Bummer about the trans. Has anyone here rebuilt a Midland with the kit from the UK?