Jonathan Kay

Not to the best of my knowledge. And there's a a lot of us with that combination. IIRC we never tracked down the evidence that led to this suggestion. Jonathan

Which model is that? And what's the maximum size that will fit? Jonathan

Thanks. It does. Enduroline EC680: AGM 26 Ah 600 A Weight unknown The website says "Other references: PC 680" so I checked the dimensions and they don't exactly match a PC 680, but it might be a rebadged Odyssey. Jonathan

Did anyone get a surprisingly light present for Christmas? Jonathan

I think that the statement in their advisory notice means that they do. Jonathan

I try to keep two threads up to date: one on batteries for Sevens and one on the Great Lithium Question. Jonathan

Thanks. It would be interesting to know why from someone who has seen the inside of so many. Jonathan

The specification in the 2021 Owner's Handbook is: Coolant: MOTUL Inugel Optimal Anti-freeze The anti-freeze content of the coolant must be maintained all the year round. Caterham use Millers Alpine Red and Ford Superplus premium (ready mixed), however, if a water/anti-freeze mix is substituted for any reason a minimum of 50% anti- freeze is required. To ensure that its anti-corrosion properties are retained, the anti-freeze content should be checked by Caterham once a year. The coolant should be completely renewed every four years. WARNING! • DO NOT use anti-freeze to any specification other than that recommended (see technical data: recommended fluid specification). • DO NOT add rust inhibitors or other additives to the coolant – these may not be compatible with the coolant or engine components. ........................... The recommended make has changed a few times, but TTBOMK has always been OAT for Duratecs. As noted above there may be components in a Seven that aren't used by Ford with Duratecs. Apart from aluminium radiators and possible staining of silicone hoses I haven't heard of any problems. Jonathan

My personal summary and conclusions, all of the following is in the archives somewhere: Colour of coolant isn't an infallible description of content. It's now pretty consistent but exceptions do pop up. I'm not convinced that OAT coolants are responsible for those failures in aluminium radiators. Radtec's advisory note does mention the risk of leaving engines unused. We don't know if the coolant had been left unchanged. And most of the affected Sevens will have been filled with the recommended OAT so it isn't surprising that that's what in them: this doesn't have to be causative. Following discussion in the archives we have lots of examples of excess load on radiators from mounts and hoses. Whenever anyone brings this up it is now helpfully followed by responses on how to relieve this: adjusting mounts, packing with washers, fettling hoses etc. That leaves the owner of an at-risk Seven with using a coolant recommended by the engine manufacturer and Caterham or one recommended by Radtec. Engines are more expensive and I'd choose the former. With the recommended frequency of change. Jonathan

It's quite common for additional power sockets to be wired with an inline fuse rather than a fuse in the fuse box. I don't know the details of the additional devices, but in general it's more reliable to use a hard-wired connection rather than a plug and socket. The high charging rate standard on USB-A is 2.1 A at 5 V. Call it roughly the same at 12 V supply. So if you can tell us the nominal current rating for the new devices we can work out the appropriate fuse rating. And do you want any of them to be powered when the ignition is OFF? Happy Christmas Jonathan

You can check the thermostat by feeling the temperature of the hoses as the engine warms up. And if there's any doubt by taking it out and watching its behaviour when moved between a jug of very hot water and a jug of cold water. Merry Christmas Jonathan

Previous discussions: Jonathan

It would be great if you could ask them all and share the answers. : - ) (I chose Classic Silicone Hoses for my K because they answered my emails quickly and helpfully.) Jonathan

There are three trusted suppliers of silicone hoses: Samco, SFS, and Classic Silicone Hoses. NB Club discounts. Jonathan

How good is the fit when you hold the bits together? If it's very good I'd clean with isopropanol and then try cyanoacrylate (Superglue). If there's any space that needs filling or a poor fit then I'd clean with isopropanol and then try epoxy (Rapid Araldite). They would both work much better if everything is warm. Whatever the adhesive I'd use something to hold the pieces together while it's setting... a cushion and some strips of masking tape might be enough. A clamp might be possible. Happy Christmas Jonathan

I've had some with very poor connections, and spent some time bending springs. So the charger status always gets a quick glance. If anyone is fitting or replacing a socket I recommend using one that also includes one or two USB sockets with at least one of them offering 2.1 A charging. Some also include a little digital voltmeter. Happy Christmas Jonathan

Standoff was M5 in 2010. But which solution adds less mass? : - ) Happy Christmas Jonathan

I can't find it on a Sigma wiring diagram. But I'd check on the Seven anyway. If you don't have a male plug you can probably do this with a multimeter from the engine side of the dash. And it would be simple to change the socket to unswitched. Jonathan

Not dumb. And I very much prefer being able to plug it in without lifting the bonnet. Jonathan

I fitted an accessory socket directly wired to the battery with a fuse. The Seven has an AGM battery. Whenever it's in the garage it's connected to a CTEK charger. Some suggest that it's better not to leave it connected all of the time. Do you have a particular concern? Jonathan

1 Ignition ON but engine not running 2 Is the gauge still reading full scale? 3 Remove the connection at the sender... what happens to the indication on the gauge? Jonathan

You're not alone. But it has also happened at the rear with some models. Physical separation or automatic extinguishing of the other light should be mandatory.. Jonathan

All other instruments OK? Any recent work on the car? Start with inspecting the connections to the sender... how many terminals, what colour are the wires, and are all the connections intact? Jonathan

Do you have the wiring diagram? Let me know if you need a copy. The gauge is earthed with other instruments to a pillar behind the dash. But the circuit that connects the gauge to the sender works by the sender offering a variable resistance to a local earth. `Does your sender have one or two terminal? Jonathan

Measure battery voltage at rest and minimum during cranking. Check battery fluid levels if appropriate and top up if needed. Yes, fuel pump should run and make a noise when disconnected from everything else and connected to a battery, just two wires. Check voltage across it while this test is being performed. Give the air intake a squirt of diethyl ether and see if the engine fires. Halfords stock Bradex Easy Start, NB Club discount. Join Club. This work-up hangs almost everything on the fuel pump. It's also worth getting ready to check: Inertia switch. Immobiliser. Bad electrical connections. Fuel pump fuse. Old fuel. Jonathan