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Repairs

The following is a chronological list of repairs, mainly involving new items which have failed in some way. I have included only a brief description leaving more detailed repair procedures to other publications.

Seat squabs (July 2005, July 2006)

In the first very hot weather, the glue holding the driver’s seat squab (and the following year the passenger’s one) became treacle like and the squab slid forward leaving an unsightly (and gooey) gap. This was easily fixed by pulling up the squab, cleaning away the old glue and using some spray adhesive to re-fix it to the base.

Front upper trunnion bushes (October 2005)

After only 3000 miles and one year on the road, the MOT examiner found play in the front upper o/s trunnion even though I had used new polyurethane bushes. So I replaced the bushes on both sides with some new ones. They seem to have lasted better this time – so far!

Cooling system leaks (August 2006)

A few spots of anti-freeze fluid were frequently seen on the garage floor and these were traced to a weeping heater valve and a poorly sealed radiator filler neck. The heater valve was simply replaced with a new one. After one or two unsuccessful attempts at re-soldering the base of the filler neck, I decided to have it professionally repaired at a local radiator specialist. These jobs were carried out at the same time as fitting the EFC fan control and silicone hoses.

Choke cable (August 2006)

The choke cable was originally routed so that the plastic coating melted through heat from the exhaust. Although still functioning, I decided to replace it and re-route it further from the exhaust.

Oil pressure hose (August 2006)

After the cooling system repairs, the flexible braided hose which supplies the oil pressure gauge decided to let go unceremoniously as I started the car. In best Herbie style, it almost squirted over my feet! Although another simple replacement to fix, this one left me wondering what might have been if it had happened while motoring at speed.

Fuel gauge sender (September 2006)

Shortly after filling up one day on holiday in the Isle of Wight, I noticed that the fuel gauge did not show full. Somewhat alarmed by this, I searched and sniffed to find the source of a petrol leak – thankfully to find there was none. Observation over the next month or two and testing the gauge & the circuit revealed that the sender unit in the tank must be at fault. A new one was ordered and I was able to change it by just dropping the tank an inch or so. The fault was obvious once the old unit was removed – the float was full of petrol – curiously enough with no evidence of a hole!

Thermostat (April 2007)

Although my work on the cooling system (see Fan Control (EFC)) had made some improvement, once the fan came on, it usually stayed on, the temperature not getting low enough to switch it off again. The thermostat appeared to be opening/closing at too high a temperature and thus “fighting” against the cooling efforts of the fan. I replaced the 82° thermostat with a 71° one. This helped somewhat.

Oil pressure/water temperature gauge (October 2007)

Further to my earlier work on the cooling system and my concerns about the engine apparently running hot, the light dawned one day and I discovered that the temperature gauge must be faulty. I realised that a reading of 70°C was far too warm for an engine which had been left overnight when the ambient temperature was about 12°C. I therefore took the opportunity when replacing my dash (see Vandalism) to replace the combined oil pressure/water temperature gauge. I now apparently have a much cooler engine and can re-adjust the fan control to run the engine a little hotter!

Heater Valve (May 2008)

After driving home from work one day, I found coolant dribling profusely from the heater valve (it has a rubber diaphragm which splits). This was the second valve to have failed (each one lasting less than 2 years)! Another valve was ordered – this time it was a slightly more expensive one (original spec.) from a different supplier. Fitting is, of course, straightforward and the coolant was due for a change anyway. I wonder how long this one will last.


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