Issues with my 5door 1989 Nova Merit 1.2

[Ryan89Nova]

Hi everyone, new to the forum but I've owned my Nova for about 6months now 1989 5dr Merit model, have to say apart from feeling the bumps because it was lowered its a really fun drive. I haven't had too many issues in the 6 months, I had a fuel leak so replaced fuel line and put in new brake pads other than that the engine starts first time everytime and it gets me from a to b very well, for a car that's 24 years old its reliability amazes me and overtaking new cars broken down on the motorway is a good feeling - sorry but it is.

There have been some issues that I was hoping to get some guidance on fixing although they aren't really essential in driving the car they would be helpful for everyday use.

1. Fuel Guage doesn't work - had a mechanic out who says I'll probably need a new sender unit - are they quite easy to find on eBay?

2. Passenger side back door doesn't open - the plastic tube you pull to unlock the door comes completely out so stays permanently locked not really sure how to fix this?

3. Windscreen Washer had a leak somewhere - filled it the other day and it literally poured out into the road fairly quickly afterwards.

4. Steering wheel shakes quite a bit at 70-80mph

5. When accelerating in 4th gear engine has started to sound noticing louder than it used to not sure what the cause for that is?

Not all essential things but still wouldn't mind some guidance on it, love my Nova it's my first car and had done me well since I passed my driving test in Feb including driving me 3 hours from Southampton to Torquay and back.

Going to arrange for a service next month, MOT doesn't run out until November. Pics to follow.

http://i42.tinypic.com/beearp.jpg

[Ryan89Nova]

http://i44.tinypic.com/eknl3r.jpg

Taken yesterday.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2i6d0x.jpg


http://i42.tinypic.com/beearp.jpg

[deneil_gsi2000]

Has the unlock pin slipped off the rod in the door ? If so it'll be a case of either trying to hook the lock down the window rubber or pull the door card off and access it that way.

Check the windscreen washer hose hasnt come off at the pump or perished and cracked. Its v easy to replace just lift 5he wash bottle up and inspect it.

Shaky steering at certain speeds is usually wheel balancing, just get your local tyre place to have a look at them

As for a louder engine check your exhaust for leaks and bad rust

Everything youve mentioned is fairly straightforward and cheap to sort

Ive got a working sender here if your interested just pm me

[oVerboost]

What the hell, theres no initial post just the reply :/

[deneil_gsi2000]

Lol it was there before hmmmm

[Spudly]

It's got too many doors, there's your problem lol

[Ryan89Nova]

I went to attach images of my car to the bottom of my post and I think they were too big and the post was deleted? :/

[L14MNP]

It's got too many doors, there's your problem lol

Beaten to it!
A little more diplamatic than I was gonna be, too. lol

[Ryan89Nova]

What's wrong with 5 door models? It's still a hatchback!

http://i43.tinypic.com/6gvija.jpg