Unexpected job

[Storer]

While working on finishing the fitting of my new front clip I found evidence of antifreeze around the rad.
Fired the old girl up and ended up with steam from each side of the rad core. After some cleaning the problem persisted. So the alloy rad has been removed and will go back to the supplier (not The Factory) for repair.

Not sure of the cause. Just over 10k miles. Never had an engine overheat problem (just fuel!). It was made by a recognised, quality company so I will see what they have to say.

Over the weekend I will pull the SPA dash out as that is going back for a repair. It has never been right but I have decided it is time it was fixed and they are happy to sort it after a chat at Autosport show.
This was expected (well it has been nagging at me every time it went rogue) at some point but now seems the time.


Paul

[F.C.]

Storer said:

While working on finishing the fitting of my new front clip I found evidence of antifreeze around the rad.
Fired the old girl up and ended up with steam from each side of the rad core. After some cleaning the problem persisted. So the alloy rad has been removed and will go back to the supplier (not The Factory) for repair.

Not sure of the cause. Just over 10k miles. Never had an engine overheat problem (just fuel!). It was made by a recognised, quality company so I will see what they have to say.

Over the weekend I will pull the SPA dash out as that is going back for a repair. It has never been right but I have decided it is time it was fixed and they are happy to sort it after a chat at Autosport show.
This was expected (well it has been nagging at me every time it went rogue) at some point but now seems the time.


Paul

Paul what exactly was/is the problem with the spa dash?
My spa speedometer has been back several times for repair (all free of charge), just curious to see if it is a similar gremlin.

Tony

[DHGTR]

Yes what was the SPA problem. I have 2 niggles with mine, not serious issues at all but still niggles.

[Graham-P]

I've just fitted one in mine, need to configure it, I hope these niggles aren't catching!!

[Storer]

The issues I have with mine are as follows.

If the car's speed exceeds about 120 lepton the speedo will return to 0. It reverts to normal when speed slows.
Rev counter will sometimes operate at much higher numbers than is actual with tick over being 4k+ rpm.
Switching off for a few mins will see everything return to normal (seems to reboot).

Also the oil pressure at tick over can go from 38psi to -58psi with no change to the revs. This could be a sensor issue but they can check the box while it is out.


Paul

[F.C.]

I had the speedo problem like you but it turned out my sensor needed to be closer to the magnet.
I also "lost" the alpha-numeric display on the odometer, it just stayed blank.
still recorded miles though and has been back to sort display which now appears to be fine.

[Storer]

I even adjusted mine with a set of feeler gauges to 0.25mm so can't be that....



Paul

[Storer]

I had forgotten how little fun it is to work under the dash of an Ultima.

My SPA dash is fitted into a pod that is secured from under the dashboard. I am the wrong age and size to fit easily under there so it was a bit of a struggle laying on my back with my legs out of the door.

However, it is out now and ready send for repair.


Paul

[DHGTR]

my 2 niggles are

1) Whilst driving, my speedo will drop to 0 but immediately return to normal speed so sometimes you don't even notice it.
2) Unless I have my fuel sampling set to less than 10s(iirc) then fuel gauge doesn't drop. Almost embarrassing on a long simmer trip 2014.

[Storer]

Bad news today.
After testing my rad was found to have cracked in opposite corners where the matrix fits to the header tanks.
They tried to seal the crack, but each time it extended the crack. The tests are done at 30psi.

So guess who is now having a new radiator built, which should be with me by the end of the month.

An expense I didn't really want but glad I caught it in the 'off season'.


Paul

[V8Dom]

Paul

was it rubber mounted/

Alloy rads usually crack as the metal is soft and weak so mounting in rubber is essential

if its R----k i think the factory use them now they supply alloy ones

Dom

[Storer]

Dom

It was rubber cotton reel mounted at the top and sits on a rubber strip at the bottom with two small dabs of sealant/adhesive in the corners to hold it in place.

May need to rethink the bottom mounting.


Paul

[V8Dom]

id ask rad manufacturer what he suggests using

[Storer]

It was a little like Christmas this morning when both the repaired SPA dash and the new radiator turned up, all nicely wrapped up!



Sorry, but I love aluminium welding.....If only I could do it as well as this!

Tomorrow will be filled with a little Ultima tinkering.



Paul