Tim's E85 3.0i in Sterling Grey

[T_J_G]

I've updated the title of this thread so I'll keep a log of what I'm up to on here, rather than multiple posts.

So, so far:
-A good thorough clean
-New coolant bottle, water pump and thermostat a week before I collected.
-GM5 Module sent off for repair
-Coolant Level Sensor on order
-New Air filter on order
-New pollen/cabin filter installed, it was well over due looking at the state of the old one
- Ordered some leather paint to refurb drivers seat.
-Sound generator mod done - not sure if I like it, so I may put it back

Hopefully once all the niggles are sorted I can start looking at wheel refurb options and tyre replacements to get it off run flats.

[T_J_G]

GM5 finally arrived back, cracking service through Melvyn (AutoElectron) on eBay. He received it, repaired and sent all the same day.

Everything now works as it should with the central locking and I had the roof coded so it comes down when holding the unlock key.

Next up:
Rebuild DISA valve
Fit coolant level sensor that has finally arrived.

[jock156]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

[T_J_G]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

[enuff_zed]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

Jock and I discovered this trick when we changed his.
Be sure to hold the top float firmly though while you shake it or that will rattle and confuse you.

[Griffo46]

I like threads like this, nice to read up on owners progress and see the help and support from everyone!

[T_J_G]

Re. the coolant light, I had similar issues and changing the sensor didn’t help!

Take out the expansion tank and give it a shake. If you can’t hear it rattle then the float inside the tank is stuck. There is no access to it so you’ll have to buy a new one. Pop the new one back on top up your coolant and job jobbed!

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

Jock and I discovered this trick when we changed his.
Be sure to hold the top float firmly though while you shake it or that will rattle and confuse you.

If float was stuck would the light be on all the time. Mine isn’t, only when up to temperature.

[enuff_zed]

It’s had a new tank before I bought it so it may well be but I’d rather rule out a £7 sensor first before delving that deep.

Jock and I discovered this trick when we changed his.
Be sure to hold the top float firmly though while you shake it or that will rattle and confuse you.

If float was stuck would the light be on all the time. Mine isn’t, only when up to temperature.

Sounds like Jock's tbh.
Less likely with a new tank I guess, depending how good a make it is.
Unless with heat the float expands and sticks??
As you say, for £7 and two minutes work, stick a new sensor in first.

[T_J_G]

Jock and I discovered this trick when we changed his.
Be sure to hold the top float firmly though while you shake it or that will rattle and confuse you.

If float was stuck would the light be on all the time. Mine isn’t, only when up to temperature.

Sounds like Jock's tbh.
Less likely with a new tank I guess, depending how good a make it is.
Unless with heat the float expands and sticks??
As you say, for £7 and two minutes work, stick a new sensor in first.

I think the fault was there before new tank and after fitting of a new tank (invoiced at £50 so I’m guessing a cheapo one) I’ll sort sensor over the coming days and report back.

[T_J_G]

Tank confirmed as a cheapo one

After a tinkering in the engine bay today, I'm pretty sure my DISA valve has had it, so repair kit ordered and another job to add to the list.

[T_J_G]

DISA repair kit received and fitted. Car sounds so much smoother on idle now. The pin literally came out in my hand as I removed the unit so it was a bit of a ticking time bomb! Still have't fitted the coolant level sensor but that's up next.

[T_J_G]

After working on it today I noticed the snow in front of it was blue and smelt of screen wash, checked the bottle and the screen wash had frozen so I'm guessing it split the tank, perfect when I've got an MOT on Wednesday. Just refilled to see how much I lose overnight, and I'll whip the bottle out tomorrow to check it if it's all on the floor

[Chris_D]

You were lucky catching that DISA valve pin beofre it got swallowed into the engine via the intake!
Golden rule in winter is not to fill the screenwash reservoir. Just keep it half-full and a top up bottle in the boot if necessary.

[T_J_G]

You were lucky catching that DISA valve pin beofre it got swallowed into the engine via the intake!
Golden rule in winter is not to fill the screenwash reservoir. Just keep it half-full and a top up bottle in the boot if necessary.

Very lucky - I couldn’t believe how loose it was!

I think the problem was a weak solution, previous owner kept it garaged all of the time and rarely drove it. I didn’t think to change it. So after a few nights out in the cold it froze.

I’ve refilled and doesn’t seem to be losing any at the moment, but time will tell.

[Chris_D]

Gasket maker / RTV or even superglue on the outside face can sort a reservoir crack til you get a new'un fitted.

What this guy does with superglue and fag ash and/or baking soda is amazing. ICan't wait for an excuse to try out his technique lol