Time to sort out the niggles
Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:35 pm
With the return of reasonable weather in the UK I set to, to sort out the niggles that have built up on my +2 over the winter so far.
1. Get the wheels balanced - the vibration above 70mph has been getting worse so I took the wheels off, cleaned them and took them to the trusted local tyre shop. 20 quid well spent. Also an opportunity to check the tread for stones, screws etc.
2. Fix the poor earth which has given me flickering headlights and pathetic air horns. This also stranded me for 10 minutes or so when the solenoid refused to kick in on trying to restart after filling up at the local petrol station. Turned the key and nothing, zip, not even a click but a slight dimming of the instrument lights. Turned out that the cooling fan stole the current for the solenoid, so when it stopped - bingo, the solenoid worked. Point of interest is that the blue main beam light flickered on when the earth failed. I'm sure someone will explain the electrickery that causes this (return earth paths etc). However, the stranding forced my hand. So, I sorted this with an extra earth cable from the engine mount to chassis bolt with the dodgy earth point on the chassis upright. I wont go into the boring details, but this is a poor design point IMHO. Anyway, with a brass to brass connection and solid earth bolt it now is all hunky dory.
3. Check & adjust handbrake as it has been getting harder to hold on the local hill starts. A few turns of a spanner and all was sorted.
4. Check clutch actuator free play as getting into first has been a little baulky lately. Run the car onto the ramps and get a good look at the situation. Still OK, with a little free play but the housing rubber gasket is looking a little fried. Start worrying about what may be causing the baulking....
5. Take the opportunity to have a good look round under the car... Oh dear!! Starter mounting face is cracked - How on earth did that happen?? Bolts are all tight and it still starts on the button, but I suspect not for much longer! Time to source a replacement...
6. While I'm under there are there any more problems? Oh yes!! What is this I see? One of the dizzy clips has pinged out of place!!! I'm mighty surprised and relieved that this didn't end badly.. I did a 350 mile run to Macclesfield and back last weekend in filthy weather and snow. I shudder at the thought of what might have been.
Moral. Get out there now! Check everything with a good inspection lamp and always check the dizzy clips are really, really in place..
Happy spring motoring
Jeremy
1. Get the wheels balanced - the vibration above 70mph has been getting worse so I took the wheels off, cleaned them and took them to the trusted local tyre shop. 20 quid well spent. Also an opportunity to check the tread for stones, screws etc.
2. Fix the poor earth which has given me flickering headlights and pathetic air horns. This also stranded me for 10 minutes or so when the solenoid refused to kick in on trying to restart after filling up at the local petrol station. Turned the key and nothing, zip, not even a click but a slight dimming of the instrument lights. Turned out that the cooling fan stole the current for the solenoid, so when it stopped - bingo, the solenoid worked. Point of interest is that the blue main beam light flickered on when the earth failed. I'm sure someone will explain the electrickery that causes this (return earth paths etc). However, the stranding forced my hand. So, I sorted this with an extra earth cable from the engine mount to chassis bolt with the dodgy earth point on the chassis upright. I wont go into the boring details, but this is a poor design point IMHO. Anyway, with a brass to brass connection and solid earth bolt it now is all hunky dory.
3. Check & adjust handbrake as it has been getting harder to hold on the local hill starts. A few turns of a spanner and all was sorted.
4. Check clutch actuator free play as getting into first has been a little baulky lately. Run the car onto the ramps and get a good look at the situation. Still OK, with a little free play but the housing rubber gasket is looking a little fried. Start worrying about what may be causing the baulking....
5. Take the opportunity to have a good look round under the car... Oh dear!! Starter mounting face is cracked - How on earth did that happen?? Bolts are all tight and it still starts on the button, but I suspect not for much longer! Time to source a replacement...
6. While I'm under there are there any more problems? Oh yes!! What is this I see? One of the dizzy clips has pinged out of place!!! I'm mighty surprised and relieved that this didn't end badly.. I did a 350 mile run to Macclesfield and back last weekend in filthy weather and snow. I shudder at the thought of what might have been.
Moral. Get out there now! Check everything with a good inspection lamp and always check the dizzy clips are really, really in place..
Happy spring motoring
Jeremy