Servicing

[puremalt]

I know all you guys (& girls) will do your own servicing, so will I for the basics. My nearest dealer is Millwood in Dursley Glos.Anyone used them for work? Are they ok?

As it's a x flow it's donkey proof, yes?

 

Dave Robertson

[ashaughnessy]

Try searching in the ChitChat forum for comments about Millwood. All the ones I've seen are positive. Never used them myself though.

The xflow is very easy to service. Check ignition timing (easy), check valve clearances (easy), check distributor insides (hard to get to but otherwise easy), check oil and water (easy), spark plug gaps (easy), throttle balance (easy with a carb synchronisation tool), can't really think of much else.

Anthony

[Fred]

ANTHONY MAKES IT SOUND VERY EASY THIS IS TRUE IF YOU KNOW HOW AND HAVE BEEN SHOWN

YOU CAN **** THINGS UP IF YOU DONT KNOW question.gif

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS GET HELP FROM A MEMBER WITH EXP THAT LIVES NEAR YOU, AT LEAST THE FIRST TIME.FOR ADJUSTING CARBS TIMING AND TAPPETS . GOOD LUCK

 

fredid=blue> smile.gif

[New7er]

Milwood are closest for me too - Cheltenham area. If you use them soon let me know how you get on and costs as I was thinking of getting them to look over my recently purchased xflow to service and retune etc. I recall balancing carbs with a piece of rubber hose years ago but think things have moved on a bit since then!

 

New7er

[DCG]

I've only used them for MOT, but got good service.

(courtesy car for the morning to visit Gloucester) thumbsup.gif

 

Dave.

[ashaughnessy]

Fred, easy is a relative term. Relative to other cars, the xflow engine is easy to service. If we try and talk in absolute terms, it still isn't that hard but I suppose you need a certain amount of equipment and experience. You will need feeler gauges, a timing light, spanners etc.

 

I can imagine for the complete novice who's never lifted a bonnet before, tricky things might include:

- When replacing the rocker cover, how tight should you tighten the rocker cover fixing screws? (My answer - not very tight at all, use a screw driver, not a spanner or other wrench, and use moderate force)

- When replacing the rocker cover, do you need to use any kind of gasket sealant and does the gasket need replacing? (My answer - a light smear of grease on both joint faces. Replace the gasket as a matter of course, it's very cheap)

- When timing, which is number 1 cylinder? (My answer - the one at the front, but I'm not really sure!!!!)

- Where are the timing marks? Which timing mark do I line up against? (My answer - on the front crankshaft pulley. There's a picture in the owners manual but it depends on what distributor you've got, leaded or unleaded).

- How the hell do I adjust the timing? I'm not reaching my hand in there while the engine's running! (My answer - loosen the distributor clamp bolt and reach in! It only takes a very small twist to shift the timing and you have to do it while running otherwise you'll be there all day. Don't forget to re-tighten the clamp bolt!)

- How do I know if the spark plugs look healthy? (My answer - most haynes manuals have colour pictures of what spark plugs should and should not look like)

- Which mark on the dipstick means "full"? (Tricky - search the archives)

- What's the technique for measuring valve clearances? (My answer - haynes manuals can tell you this. Get one for any car with a similar style pushrod engine, e.g. a Mini, and it will tell you how. The Caterham owners manual will say whether to measure with the engine hot or cold).

 

Also, I've tried using a hosepipe to check carb balance but found it very difficult. The synchrometer tool makes it very easy and can make a huge difference. The carbs on my car do go out of balance sometimes and fixing it is really satisfying.

 

Is there a Haynes manual available for the crossflow engine? I don't mean the Peter/Valerie Wallage book, I mean one for an escort or cortina. I haven't got one but I think it would be useful.

 

Also, make sure you get the Tony Weale book.

[Graham Sewell]

THe best Haynes Manual is for the Mk2 Escort car - but NOT THE RS1800, RS Mexico RS2000 variants as these were based on the Pinto engine (as my wife discovered one Xmas when the smile rapidly disappeared from my face). Unfortunately, as these cars are so old, you;ll have to order a copy as Halfrauds don't stock it.

 

Cheers,

 

Graham

 

Low tech luddite - xflow and proud!

[puremalt]

Thanks guys. The last owner handed over an owners manual so this is a huge help, it's got all the torque settings, plugs gaps etc etc.....

 

Dave Robertson