How to navigate major repairs: when you thought everything was ok, think again... It’s a Nissan Figaro!
- Justine
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
Dolly is happily parked up in Mum’s carport at this point.
‘Have you looked at storage?’ asks Mum who likes things her way and she’s used to parking her own modern, fully functioning, warranty bound, water tight car under the carport.
Yes, Mum and it costs a fortune. ‘Have you tried looking for a garage to rent or a lock up?’.
Yes Mum, it costs a fortune. ‘Have you thought about selling the car if you don’t have the space?’.
Yes Mum. We have the space just not the cover unfortunately.
Mum obviously wanted the car moved so we decided to put it on the drive to investigate the leak rather than leave it under the carport protected from the elements.
Problem number one: the car wouldn’t start.
Now it had been driven from Daniel Polish bloke end of Dock Road to the Esso, not far and obviously not far enough to recharge the battery. Once the car was jump started, I drove it all the way to Mum’s, a ten-minute drive. Still not far and obviously not far enough to charge the battery. Home again it was to buy a jump starter powerpack, as Dolly was parked nose down into the carport and the drive is on a bit of a downward slope.
Powerpack on and the car turned over but still wouldn’t start. Back home to recharge the powerpack. Car still wouldn’t start. Hmmmmm.
So, the mister plumped his muscles and decided to push the car up hill out of the carport so he could jump start it from his car. Success! Mum got her carport back and we gained a huge paperweight on the drive. You’ve guessed it. Despite the drive back to the house, when it came to start the car again, it wouldn’t start. New battery on order. Once the new battery arrived and the mister had replaced the old one ( as I’m never going to ever do the oily fingers stuff) hooray, Dolly started first time with a smile.
Problem number two: there was also the 'not yet mentioned overheating' to consider.
When we’d left Daniel Polish bloke end of Dock Road, filled with petrol, been jump started, and driven to Mum’s carport, the temperature gauge was scary red. When I got out of the car in mum's carport, you could actually hear the kettle boiling under the bonnet. This was new. Figaros tend to hover around the mid-range temperature wise so I knew this was far from normal.
It was time to talk to Deano, our friendly mechanic, about the overheating problem.
‘Not touching any of that’ he said.
I kindly reminded him that he said there was nothing he couldn’t do. He called his very retired mechanic mate and the investigations began.
*New radiator
*New valves
*New gaskets throughout (head included)
*New pipes, water hoses, connectors
*New sensors
*New water pump
*New belts (cam, timing etc)
We became best buddies with The Figaro Shop. £2500 later, Dolly came home again and not a scratch on her beautiful purple sparkly paintwork. Phew.
Putting back the inside
Blood, sweat and tears later, I asked the mister to help me with the aubergine carpet which was leaving bruise type dye stains on my hands. The carpet looked mighty fine once in place. Of course, the clips and whatnot are who knows where. I couldn’t keep a track of everything I took out!
I'm so very proud of the carpet and the work that went into dyeing it. It felt like a huge achievement and now it's unique.
The mister also helped get the two front seats into place once I’d put in the back seat with no trouble at all. Now we were getting there. Centre console struggle and all done.
Is this next bit just a woman thing? I don’t know but I expect it is. Three bags of..., lets call them 'Dolly Accessories', made their way from the dining room to the car. Bat stickers for the outside...
Pumpkin cushions for the inside.
Witchy, witchy, witchy!!!
An optional extra for the original Figaro was a parking stick. Look them up! Very cute indeed and I got one for my birthday from the ever-patient mister who attached it as soon as I demanded.
He also replaced all four of the now missing mudflaps. I’m sure there were at least two hanging on when the car first arrived on the flatbed from down south.
Dolly looks amazing.
Yes, I know, there’s still a leak to inside somewhere but a towel, damp absorbent packs and constant checking for water means nothing can go wrong.
Right?
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