Tag: Edd China

  • Edd China gets a driveable orange back on the road in “Workshop Diaries” episode 6

    For the latest episode of his “Workshop Diaries” YouTube show, former “Wheeler Dealers” host Edd China starts work on one of his more unusual projects. It’s an Outspan Orange, a fruit-shaped vehicle built in the 1970s to promote a South African orange grower.

    China acquired his driveable Orange directly from the company, restored it, and has driven it occasionally ever since. Because it’s been acting up recently, China puts aside his other projects temporarily to focus on it in Episode 6.

    The Orange is based on a classic Mini, though with a tiny 48-inch wheelbase that matches the track. Owing to the unusual bodywork, the engine sits under the dashboard. So if it breaks down at the side of the road, China will be sheltered from the weather while working on it, at least. The spherical interior has a definite ’70s vibe, with a smattering of Mini gauges and controls.

    Edd China's Outspan Orange

    Edd China’s Outspan Orange

    After removing a bird’s nest from the engine compartment, China finds a leaking fuel line. Fixing that smooths out the previously rough-running engine, seemingly addressing the problem, but because the Orange had been sitting for awhile, China also replaces the air filter and the spark plugs.

    The work gets the car back on the road—a dirt road in this instance—and a short test drive reveals plenty of other problems, including a hesitant engine, a bearing in need of replacement, and steering that pulls dangerously to the right. China plans to tackle those issues in future episodes, so instead he segues into a segment answering viewers’ questions, which in turn leads him to briefly pop the hood of his ongoing Land Rover Range Rover project to make the sure the engine has oil pressure.

    This episode also continues the story of the world’s fastest electric ice cream van, which China started building in 2018 for a successful Guinness World Record run. He started out with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and has spent the past few episodes focusing on how he got the stock transmission to couple with an electric motor. That continues in this episode, where China discusses machining down the flywheel to save weight, and machining an adapter to allow the motor to fit with the transmission. That leads to the next issue, which is the need for a bellhousing of sorts. The finished product will certainly be included in a future episode.

    Watch the full episode for a complete explanation of the processes China uses to work on all three of his ongoing projects.

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  • Edd China starts work on a 1962 Alvis in “Workshop Diaries” episode 4

    “Edd China’s Workshop Diaries” has already seen the former “Wheeler Dealers” host tackle a Volkswagen T5 van and a Land Rover Range Rover, but for the fourth episode he’s starting a new project: a 1962 Alvis TD21.

    With the Range Rover giving him some issues, China decided to put it aside temporarily and shift focus to the Alvis. One of many defunct British automakers, Alvis dates back to 1919 and has since built a cult following with its sports cars and race cars. The company stopped making cars in 1967, but a continuation-car program was announced in 2019.

    This TD21 was originally owned by a Royal Navy rear admiral (typical of the Alvis owner demographic, according to China), but now has a long list of issues. China decided to start with the headlights, which randomly refused to work.

    Edd China works on a 1962 Alvis TD21

    Edd China works on a 1962 Alvis TD21

    Figuring out the problem required removing the headlight switch from the dashboard, and to do that, China first looked at a brand-new replacement switch for clues. There weren’t any useful clues to be found, unfortunately, so China ended up popping off the dashboard’s walnut fascia and digging around in the nest of wires behind it.

    Replacing the headlight switch solved the problem, but China also noted that one of the secondary lights was having some issues. He’s saving that for a future episode.

    China also continued telling the story of setting a Guinness World Record for world’s fastest electric ice cream van, begun in the previous episode. This time, he covers removing the diesel engine from a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in preparation for the electric conversion, as well as sourcing the motor. He wanted to use that motor with the stock Mercedes transmission, so he scanned the two parts in order to design a custom adapter. Watch the full video to see how he did it.

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  • Edd China begins work on a neglected 1982 Range Rover in “Workshop Diaries” episode 2

    Former “Wheeler Dealers” co-host Edd China is back with a new YouTube show called “Edd China’s Workshop Diaries,” where he tackles projects at his home garage. For the second episode, China begins work on a friend’s 1982 Land Rover Range Rover.

    Powered by the 3.5-liter V-8, this Range Rover saw plenty of off-road use, but was then parked for about 10 years. China is tasked with getting it running again.

    The first step is simply getting into the Range Rover, which requires a bit of penetrating fluid on the doors hinges, and getting the hood unstuck. This is why it’s not a good idea to leave a car sitting for so long.

    Edd China works on a 1982 Land Rover Range Rover

    Edd China works on a 1982 Land Rover Range Rover

    China then sets about diagnosing problems with the V-8, which won’t start. Because the Range Rover had been sitting for so long, China charges the battery and drains the fuel tank before even attempting to start it. Batteries won’t hold their charge indefinitely, after all, and gasoline will break down after awhile.

    With the battery charged and fresh gasoline in the tank, China tries firing up the engine. But while the V-8 turns over with no problems, he doesn’t get ignition. He can’t hear the fuel pump turn on, providing a clue about the problem. However, we’ll have to wait until a future episode to see if a faulty fuel pump is the issue.

    Midway through the episode, China takes his customary break for tea, and uses the time for a new segment in which he answers viewer questions. His car knowledge and engineering expertise come into play here with some smart answers, though there isn’t that much China can do remotely to help diagnose problems and come up with hands-on solutions.

    This is China’s third attempt at a YouTube show after leaving “Wheeler Dealers” over creative differences. Basically, he disagreed with new producer Discovery’s plan to skip the nerdier details in order to appeal to a more general audience. Those details are exactly what China is focusing in “Workshop Diaries,” so if you’re really into the nuts and bolts (no pun intended) of car restoration, give it a watch.

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