Mick Day

A while ago I noticed someone posted about lack of reception; well it appears to be getting worse, whole swathes of the South seem to be out for hours at a time. Last week end & this I've done 2 return trips from Sussex to Devon (by different routes) & reception on the OEM Sat Nav & a Road Pilot have been abysmal with no reception for hours at a time. Are the sats. down for maintenance? Any ideas???? Mick

545 No problems when leaving it for a few weeks, starts 1st time.

I know other people will disagree with me but why bother draining the Apollo? When the filter is removed all the oil will drain from the Apollo bar a small amount up to the 1st oil pipe; just wiggle the pipe to drain as much as possible. There's far more oil left in the engine that you wont be able to drain either. The most important thing is the bulk clean oil you'll be adding. Most of us drain our oil far to often anyway so really I can't see the bother.

Having been through a 1400 upgrade to a 1600 in 2000 there are some engine loom issues. The injector wiring is different as is the Coil. You'll need a coil which bolts to the side of the engine & you'll need to source a plug to fit the low tension wiring to the coil. I assume you have the VHPD MEMS so make sure you're using the flywheel (or a Caterham lightened one) that came with the engine. Your 1400 flywheel has a different tooth pattern to the VHPD. Also the flywheel sensor is different between the 2 engines. You will also have to change some of the wiring at the ECU plug end. Sorry I can't be more specific on this but a good source for the pin-outs on the ECU is here Good luck. Edited> PS. Just had a thought: I've just recently pulled my engine loom apart to remove all the redundant wiring. If you have the time it may be worth your while to make your own loom rather than modifying your existing one. The plugs are available from people like Vehicle Wiring Products here. The ECU plug may be more difficult to source but maybe Emerald would supply. The advantage of doing this would be a compact neat loom. Edited by - Mick Day on 25 Sep 2005 18:11:01

And here was me thinking it would be easy peasy. Should have guessed, had a mini in the 70's. Remember it was fun changing the fan belt & keeping water out of the distributor!

The only real way to tell would be to fit another lambda probe & see. I would have thought the bloke in the garage could have swapped it out in 30 seconds & tried again.

Why not try putting the original filter back on, make sure it's good & dirty & that should compensate for the lean mixture. Edited by - Mick Day on 22 Sep 2005 13:25:52

Talking of cambelts it's wise to replace every 4 years................ & at the same time have a look at the water pump & yes you'll probably get seduced into some sort of upgrade eventually but don't forget the cambelt; if it breaks it causes far more damage than a HGF will cause.

Does the coolant temperature vary? Are you loosing coolant? If not & it runs well just drive it.

Sorry David haven't received it yet. Try avalon at avalon-oral dot co dot uk Mick

No VHP will not make up looms just supply everything to help you do it ❗ *idea*however why not ask them who can do it; I'm sure they know.

Yes I've dealt with them as well, good old fashioned service & always helpful on the phone.

I have a brand new alternator for a 1994 1.4 SS that I no longer need. Magneti Marelli with the following information on the sticker: 54022631 12V (serial number?) & Type: A127-55. Purchased new from CC in 1999 as a spare & has never been used. If you want it it's yours for £50. Mick

I used to have a 3 terminal alternator but this was swapped for a 2 terminal one some time ago. Large brown & large brown/purple were just joined together. The small Brown/Yellow goes to the red ignition light. white /brown could be for your idiot light. I recently rationalised my engine loom & removed yards of redundant stuff. I found the large brown & large brown/purple were eventually joined together again (after a long trip round the engine) & connected to the positive side of the battery. Much simpler to shorten it & connect it to the large red starter motor terminal. The 2 terminals on the VDO 10 bar sender: one goes to the guage & the other one can be used for your idiot light. Probably operates at 3 or 4 psi though. Edited by - Mick Day on 18 Sep 2005 11:14:08

Thanks Nifty, I'll pop down to Dartford & have a chat with Tim. I need to get a couple of starter motors repaired so the alternator can go on the list for the winter rebuild project. Mick

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but this is a question or 2 for Nifty: 1. Which Brise alternator did you get? 2. Did it need new brackets & if so did Brise supply? 3. Any problems or any advice on fitting? Many thanks in advance & sorry to hi-jack. Mick

When the cambelt's off best to replace the water pump at the same time. Also budget for new stretch bolts as well

When I did mine I can't remember any which fitted exactly. Take off the old primary; I assume you have the old 4:1 under bonnet thing. I reused the gasket. Mask up around the hole to prevent paint damage. Offer up one primary through the hole to the engine & see where it's touching the side skin. Gently relieve; I used a Dremmel. Relieve until it fits with a reasonable gap to allow for engine movement. Do this for the other 3 & then make the big hole look pretty.

TADTS! They All Do That Sir! Do a search but just about everyone with a 6 speed box has this problem; you do have a 6 speed? What to do? 1. Check it is coming from the speedo drive. 2. Accept it? 3. Ask the agent to remove the mechanical drive, seal it off & invest in an electrical speedo drive from the front wheel. The agent should be able to do this for you.

Simon If you do this then you're committed to running an oil hose through the alternator belt. You would also need to blank off the outlet from the de-activated internal pump. Edited by - Mick Day on 13 Sep 2005 20:29:49

How does one drain the oil with this kit?

Rob How old is your 1.4K? The older ones cannot be upgraded as they have "wet" liners rather than "damp". You can check by looking at the side of the block; if it has diamond patterning then it's an old engine. Mick

As far as I know it's a standard Ford clutch. Mines got Quinton Hazel on it. Why not take the old one to a motor factor & ask for a replacement?

What's wrong with using 6" wheels for 205/60/13 tyres? GP's website says they'll fit.

Check out Maplin. Do a Google.