Expansion tank help needed

[GasDoc]

Hi
Some help would be much appreciated!

I've just noticed my cooling system expansion tank is hanging off, secured by just one wobbly loose bolt on the left side. The bolt on the radiator side shown in the photo has sheared off, almost flush to the nut (the nut being bonded into the fibreglass), and I can't get it out.
The bolt on the left side holding the tank on looks as though it has been repaired at some point and now goes through the body work with a nut most likely inside the O/S wing. When I try to undo this, it just rotates freely so I need to get into wing to get a spanner on that.

So my questions are:
1. How to get out sheared bolt with minimal damage to fibreglass if possible.
2. How to get inside the O/S wing. I guess this means removing the headlight. Could you run through how this is done, including removing the headlight surround. The car is a 1999 Chimaera. Many thanks.

Rob

[sapper]

Rob
There is an access panel in the wheel arc, it's usually got 3 self tapping screws holding it in place,(they may be covered with sealant).
Jack her up, remove the wheel and remove the access panel to get inside the wing. This is also how you change a bulb.

[jojackson4]

You have a removable panel in the wheel arch that may help
As for getting the remains drill or an easy out

[GasDoc]

Thanks. I'll try drilling out the bolt first. If not, I see Screwfix do bolt removal sets. Didn't want to remove sealant and open the panel in wheel arch if it didn't need doing but I see from your replies it does. Got some Sikaflex to seal everything up afterwards on the way out.

Thanks again
Rob

[sgrimshaw]

Is your car Rolex Blue?

[GasDoc]

sgrimshaw said:

Is your car Rolex Blue?

Yes. Really like this colour. More purple than blue to me.

[sgrimshaw]

GasDoc said:

Yes. Really like this colour. More purple than blue to me.

Personally I think it's the best colour for a Tiv ... but I'm probably a little biased

Good excuse to upload a pic



Rolex Blue is in no way "Blue" in fact on the v5 mine is listed as "Purple".

[Sardonicus]

Thats probably a Rivnut/Captive nut just punch the offender through the body and either nut and bolt through the existing hole or replace with another Rivnut of suitable size

[GasDoc]

sgrimshaw said:

Personally I think it's the best colour for a Tiv ... but I'm probably a little biased

Good excuse to upload a pic ;

Rolex Blue is in no way "Blue" in fact on the v5 mine is listed as "Purple".

Like the gold wheels. Good colour combination.

[GasDoc]

Job done. Complete PITA. Couldnt drill out sheared bolt, and needed access to rear of other bolt. So; jacked car up, wheel off, inspection cover in wheel arch off, headlamp surround, glass and reflector off, expansion tank off, two new holes drilled, expansion tank back on, then everything in reverse and cooling system topped up and main beam re-aligned. Much scrabbling about in dark holes, dropping nuts, washers and springs, and a propper mess using black mastic to seal everything back up. Typical TVR job; nothing is ever simple, and takes hours.