Tim's E85 3.0i in Sterling Grey

I like threads like this, nice to read up on owners progress and see the help and support from everyone!
 
enuff_zed said:
T_J_G said:
jock156 said:
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! :thumbsup:

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.
 
T_J_G said:
enuff_zed said:
T_J_G said:
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.
 
enuff_zed said:
T_J_G said:
enuff_zed said:
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 :(
 
You were lucky catching that DISA valve pin beofre it got swallowed into the engine via the intake! :o
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.
 
Chris_D said:
You were lucky catching that DISA valve pin beofre it got swallowed into the engine via the intake! :o
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.
 
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
[youtube]t7YG90LFkMM[/youtube]
 
Chris_D said:
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
[youtube]t7YG90LFkMM[/youtube]

I'm not over reliant on the car so I'll order a new genuine part if it's cracked. I'll know more tomorrow, hopefully it holds enough to get through the MOT.
 
T_J_G said:
Chris_D said:
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
[youtube]t7YG90LFkMM[/youtube]

I'm not over reliant on the car so I'll order a new genuine part if it's cracked. I'll know more tomorrow, hopefully it holds enough to get through the MOT.
Do you have headlight washers? If not I have a washer bottle here
 
enuff_zed said:
T_J_G said:
Chris_D said:
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
[youtube]t7YG90LFkMM[/youtube]

I'm not over reliant on the car so I'll order a new genuine part if it's cracked. I'll know more tomorrow, hopefully it holds enough to get through the MOT.
Do you have headlight washers? If not I have a washer bottle here

I do yes, thanks anyway! I’ve also bought one on eBay before I knew there was two separate models.
 
MOT sorted for another year, and the washer wipe tank isn’t leaking (at the moment) :thumbsup:

If any admin read this, feel free to move to E85 discussion. Thanks.
 
T_J_G said:
MOT sorted for another year, and the washer wipe tank isn’t leaking (at the moment) :thumbsup:
I've had the same issue with one before where the headlight washer obviously hasn't quite closed off properly after operation and then emptied the tank. Happened once every other month or so until I got fed up and pulled the fuse!
 
enuff_zed said:
T_J_G said:
MOT sorted for another year, and the washer wipe tank isn’t leaking (at the moment) :thumbsup:
I've had the same issue with one before where the headlight washer obviously hasn't quite closed off properly after operation and then emptied the tank. Happened once every other month or so until I got fed up and pulled the fuse!

That may be the issue, it was definitely frozen in the tank but then when I next checked it was empty and there was blue snow in front of the car. Refilled with proper concentrate stuff and all is well.
 
Just to keep this updated,

Washer bottle seems fine, found water getting into the passenger side (as documented on another thread) so I’ve reseated the insulation to try and make it watertight. I’m sure I’ve done a temporary fix so will get the stuff ordered to do a proper fix in the spring.

Next up is the coolant bottle sensor and chucking in a new air filter for now.

I seem to be clearing one little job, only to find more stuff to do. But I’m enjoying tinkering with cars again!

Had quotes of £800+ to refurb wheels so we will see in spring what happens but they can stay as they are for now until all of the niggly jobs have been sorted.
 
A shame you keep finding things that need to be done, but at least you are enjoying tinkering!

I know 108s can be expensive to get refurbed, but £800 sound excessive! :o

You could probably buy a good set for less than that!
 
Mr Tidy said:
A shame you keep finding things that need to be done, but at least you are enjoying tinkering!

I know 108s can be expensive to get refurbed, but £800 sound excessive! :o

You could probably buy a good set for less than that!

£889 to be exact, there’s a decent set on eBay for far less. Job for when all the niggles sorted. :thumbsup:
 
That's why I fitted some 295s from an E89 to my 2nd Coupe and sold the 108s while they were still looking good!
 
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