philask Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Hi, For the last couple of years I've been living abroad and my (home built) R400 has been stored in a humidity controlled bubble in my garage (driven a couple of hundred miles once every six months or so). It's just over two years old now and I've done ZERO maintenance work on it so I'm thinking I need do some of the basic stuff. I'd appreciate any advice on jobs you think I should be carrying out, here's my list so far: - Oil & filter change - Check & clean spark plugs (replace?) - Clean air filter - Coolant drain & change - Brake fluid drain & change - Clutch fluid (how to check?) - Check gearbox oil (top-up if required) - Check diff oil level (top-up if required + LSD additive) - Check torques Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted May 31, 2013 Member Share Posted May 31, 2013 James Whiting's modified service schedule as a starting point. Is it going to be left for along time again, and what are your intentions for the cam belt and sump foam? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Shelley Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 If it's a Duratec R400, I have just done the full 24month service on mine and can let you have the full schedule. Happy to discuss if you need any help. Blatmail me if you do. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philask Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 shellyb - email sent Jonathan - thanks for that, looks like I was intending to do too much work. Have not thought about cam belt or sump foam, can't believe the cam belt has any issues but what about the foam, is that a known problem? I'll likely drive it a fair bit over the summer but then it'll be wintered again for six months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 If your car is only two years old, presumably it's a Duratec? If so, it won't have a cambelt to worry about (it has a chain instead), and it won't have sump foam either. Judging by the very low mileage, I think you plan to do too much! IMO, the only fluid you need to change is the brake fluid. It's hygroscopic, so absorbs moisture from the air -- although, with your storage bubble, maybe not a lot? You don't need to change the oil or filter, or replace the spark plugs. Personally, I'd limit the service to the following: Check engine mountings for tightness Check brake pipes and unions for leaks Check battery (voltage and electrolyte level) -- do you use a conditioner? Check tyres for pressure and flat-spots Check wheelnut torques Check lights and bulbs Check serpentine belt for cracks Check coolant hoses for leaks Check coolant level Check washer fluid level Check dampers for leaks Check wiper blades Check all suspension torques (wishbones, Watts links) Check coil-on-plug and TPS wiring for breaks (a common R400D fault) Check oil levels (engine, gearbox, diff) In other words, in general select the time-related (rather than the mileage-related) items from the schedule in the Handbook. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ. Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 That does make sense, but I really think it is worth changing the oil and filter annually whatever the mileage. The oil does pick up contaminants and some are corrosive, I try to make sure I've got fresh oil in the engine if I'm not going to use it for a period. The cost of oil and filter is only about two tanks of fuel. Duncan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 A fair point, DJ. I'm wondering... has the car had at least the first service? If it's had NO servicing at all, then an oil/filter change is essential, along with all the recommended 500-mile / 3-month checks. It would be a good idea to get the ECU diagnostics checked out too. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philask Posted June 1, 2013 Author Share Posted June 1, 2013 John / DJ - you're right it never had its first service (I'm embarrassed) so yes I guess I have to come up with some kind of combo service. The battery isn't kept in the car it's on a conditioner and is fine. I think I'd probably just change the brake fluid to be on the safe side, the bubble is good but I'd feel more comfortable knowing I've done it. I guess the other option is find a garage not too far from me who can do the whole job (I'm in Reading.. anyone any suggestions?) So combo, if I do it myself (thanks to John for most): Change oil & filter Check engine mountings for tightness Check brake pipes and unions for leaks * Check tyres for pressure and flat-spots (do this every time) Check wheelnut torques Check lights and bulbs Check serpentine belt for cracks Check coolant hoses for leaks Check coolant level Check exhaust mountings Check washer fluid level Check headlight alignment Check dampers for leaks Check wiper blades Check all suspension torques (wishbones, Watts links) Check coil-on-plug and TPS wiring for breaks (a common R400D fault) Check oil levels (gearbox, diff) * There is a tiny bit of seep from the rear offside calliper, bloody reconditioned **** And yeah this helps... (I'm not at home right now so don't have the paper copy with me) http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/technical/handbook.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted June 1, 2013 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I guess the other option is find a garage not too far from me who can do the whole job (I'm in Reading.. anyone any suggestions?)How far is too far? A couple of suggestions: James Whiting and Redline. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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