New to Caterham ownership - advice please
Discussion
Hi all,
After many years of procrastination and dreaming, looking at the classifieds etc. I have finally done what my wife told me to do and bought a seven. Those of you who keep an eye on the sevens for sale will have seen the Titanium grey roadsport 140 for sale at Caterham south a short time ago. I have been the proud owner now for a few weeks and every time I drive the car it has been amazing. It is totally unique and has been a very enjoyable learning experience so far and I hope the start of a very long and beautiful friendship.
However, I would like to ask some general thoughts on a few issues I have noticed thus far, to see collective knowledge and wisdom within these forums can help settle some early post purchase nerves. I do have a warranty as I bought the car from Caterham Midlands so I need to get it in to have any of these early niggles sorted out.
Firstly, there is a sound of the brake pads on the left rear catching ever so slightly on the disc at all times. Secondly, the gearbox (5 speed) has taken a lot of getting used to, first, second and reverse can be quite difficult to select. I have been stranded a few times unable to get a gear and have now learnt to blip the throttle a little which seems to ease selection considerably. Finally, I went to drive the car this evening and the battery was almost dead, with not enough juice to start it. I last drove the car seven days ago but had driven it very frequently up until that point so the battery should not have been too low. It is the original equipment banner Caterham battery. My gut feeling is that seven days should be fine and is not an extended period that even these smaller batteries would struggle to hold their charge for.
Has anybody else experienced these problems? Is the gearbox normal? Is this normal for the battery? Do the brakes make this noise normally?
Thank you for your help,
Paul
I am looking forward to getting more involved in seven ownership and meeting some guys in the surrounding area (Leicester)
After many years of procrastination and dreaming, looking at the classifieds etc. I have finally done what my wife told me to do and bought a seven. Those of you who keep an eye on the sevens for sale will have seen the Titanium grey roadsport 140 for sale at Caterham south a short time ago. I have been the proud owner now for a few weeks and every time I drive the car it has been amazing. It is totally unique and has been a very enjoyable learning experience so far and I hope the start of a very long and beautiful friendship.
However, I would like to ask some general thoughts on a few issues I have noticed thus far, to see collective knowledge and wisdom within these forums can help settle some early post purchase nerves. I do have a warranty as I bought the car from Caterham Midlands so I need to get it in to have any of these early niggles sorted out.
Firstly, there is a sound of the brake pads on the left rear catching ever so slightly on the disc at all times. Secondly, the gearbox (5 speed) has taken a lot of getting used to, first, second and reverse can be quite difficult to select. I have been stranded a few times unable to get a gear and have now learnt to blip the throttle a little which seems to ease selection considerably. Finally, I went to drive the car this evening and the battery was almost dead, with not enough juice to start it. I last drove the car seven days ago but had driven it very frequently up until that point so the battery should not have been too low. It is the original equipment banner Caterham battery. My gut feeling is that seven days should be fine and is not an extended period that even these smaller batteries would struggle to hold their charge for.
Has anybody else experienced these problems? Is the gearbox normal? Is this normal for the battery? Do the brakes make this noise normally?
Thank you for your help,
Paul
I am looking forward to getting more involved in seven ownership and meeting some guys in the surrounding area (Leicester)
Hi Paul
the brake pads should not be making any noise. Are you 100% certain it's the pads? Is the left rear wheel warmer than the right? I would check the wheel bearings by jacking the rear up and giving the wheels a good wobble. A very slight amount of play is ok but any more and the bearing in knackered (a known problem) Also check the wheel or the wheel weights are not the dedion tube, although from your picture it looks like you have 15" wheels and this is not normally a problem with them.
7's tend to flatten the small batteries when not used for a while. The immobiliser is the main offender. You need to get a decent Ctek or Optimate charger and leave it on when the car is not going to be used for a few days. Your battery will last longer too so it's a good around investment.
Assuming the clutch is disengaging correctly I think the gearbox needs sorting, it should not be difficult to get in gear unless it's brand new.
Enjoy!
Jason
the brake pads should not be making any noise. Are you 100% certain it's the pads? Is the left rear wheel warmer than the right? I would check the wheel bearings by jacking the rear up and giving the wheels a good wobble. A very slight amount of play is ok but any more and the bearing in knackered (a known problem) Also check the wheel or the wheel weights are not the dedion tube, although from your picture it looks like you have 15" wheels and this is not normally a problem with them.
7's tend to flatten the small batteries when not used for a while. The immobiliser is the main offender. You need to get a decent Ctek or Optimate charger and leave it on when the car is not going to be used for a few days. Your battery will last longer too so it's a good around investment.
Assuming the clutch is disengaging correctly I think the gearbox needs sorting, it should not be difficult to get in gear unless it's brand new.
Enjoy!
Jason
Edited by Purespeed on Monday 5th August 00:17
1. Battery - either use a conditioner/charger or fit an FIA cutout switch which will completely disconnect the battery of the key is removed. You can immobilise the car before removing the FIA key.
2. Gearbox - it sounds like the clutch needs adjusting a little. By reving the engine a little you are matching the speeds within the clutch/gearbox therefore it has to be assumed the gearbox is not being disconnected fully.
3. Brakes - get Midlands to look at it.
4. Enjoy!
2. Gearbox - it sounds like the clutch needs adjusting a little. By reving the engine a little you are matching the speeds within the clutch/gearbox therefore it has to be assumed the gearbox is not being disconnected fully.
3. Brakes - get Midlands to look at it.
4. Enjoy!
Regarding the battery, if you're going to get other parts of the car checked at Caterham Midlands, I'd get that looked at too.
I can leave mine for weeks without a conditioner (or I did anyway, before I bought a conditioner) and the battery would be fine.
Brakes - Have you taken them apart to have a look? I had some noise and discovered that the material had come away from the inner pad on the rear, causing it to grind on the disc. It's an easy job to do once you've got a piston windback tool!
I can leave mine for weeks without a conditioner (or I did anyway, before I bought a conditioner) and the battery would be fine.
Brakes - Have you taken them apart to have a look? I had some noise and discovered that the material had come away from the inner pad on the rear, causing it to grind on the disc. It's an easy job to do once you've got a piston windback tool!
Nothing to add to the above other than to say:
- the next meeting of the local area of the Lotus Seven Club is this Thursday evening at the Kings Arms in Hathern (email the local club representative on leicsnottsandderby@lotus7club.co.uk to check the details). As it happens, I might be paying visit to that meeting this week, even though I'm in Sheffield, so maybe see you there.
- You and I used to go to school together...
- the next meeting of the local area of the Lotus Seven Club is this Thursday evening at the Kings Arms in Hathern (email the local club representative on leicsnottsandderby@lotus7club.co.uk to check the details). As it happens, I might be paying visit to that meeting this week, even though I'm in Sheffield, so maybe see you there.
- You and I used to go to school together...
framerateuk said:
Regarding the battery, if you're going to get other parts of the car checked at Caterham Midlands, I'd get that looked at too.
I can leave mine for weeks without a conditioner (or I did anyway, before I bought a conditioner) and the battery would be fine.
Brakes - Have you taken them apart to have a look? I had some noise and discovered that the material had come away from the inner pad on the rear, causing it to grind on the disc. It's an easy job to do once you've got a piston windback tool!
Thanks for your advice. The car is booked into Caterham Midlands next Tuesday for all of these issues to be looked at. As it is covered under warranty and still very new, I have resisted the temptation to start taking it to bits myself and look at the brakes. I had a look at your profile and noted you have a (very nice looking) Sigma 1.6 and wondered if the immobiliser is the same or similar unit on the newer cars as on my K-series, if indeed it is the culprit. I am hoping other K-series owners can give me some idea if they feel confident leaving their car for weeks as well.I can leave mine for weeks without a conditioner (or I did anyway, before I bought a conditioner) and the battery would be fine.
Brakes - Have you taken them apart to have a look? I had some noise and discovered that the material had come away from the inner pad on the rear, causing it to grind on the disc. It's an easy job to do once you've got a piston windback tool!
Purespeed said:
Hi Paul
the brake pads should not be making any noise. Are you 100% certain it's the pads? Is the left rear wheel warmer than the right? I would check the wheel bearings by jacking the rear up and giving the wheels a good wobble. A very slight amount of play is ok but any more and the bearing in knackered (a known problem) Also check the wheel or the wheel weights are not the dedion tube, although from your picture it looks like you have 15" wheels and this is not normally a problem with them.
7's tend to flatten the small batteries when not used for a while. The immobiliser is the main offender. You need to get a decent Ctek or Optimate charger and leave it on when the car is not going to be used for a few days. Your battery will last longer too so it's a good around investment.
Assuming the clutch is disengaging correctly I think the gearbox needs sorting, it should not be difficult to get in gear unless it's brand new.
Enjoy!
Jason
Hi Jason,the brake pads should not be making any noise. Are you 100% certain it's the pads? Is the left rear wheel warmer than the right? I would check the wheel bearings by jacking the rear up and giving the wheels a good wobble. A very slight amount of play is ok but any more and the bearing in knackered (a known problem) Also check the wheel or the wheel weights are not the dedion tube, although from your picture it looks like you have 15" wheels and this is not normally a problem with them.
7's tend to flatten the small batteries when not used for a while. The immobiliser is the main offender. You need to get a decent Ctek or Optimate charger and leave it on when the car is not going to be used for a few days. Your battery will last longer too so it's a good around investment.
Assuming the clutch is disengaging correctly I think the gearbox needs sorting, it should not be difficult to get in gear unless it's brand new.
Enjoy!
Jason
Edited by Purespeed on Monday 5th August 00:17
Thank you for the reply and help. I am not 100% certain it is the brakes, but have noted that a very slight amount of pressure on the brake pedal stops the noise immediately, whereas if it was the bearing I suppose it would continue regardless.
I am going to invest in a conditioner but thought I would leave it until later in the year as I will use the car at least weekly through the summer. Surely they can sit for at least a few weeks even with the smaller battery and an immobiliser. I am hoping other K-series owners will give me some idea what is normal.
As for the gearbox, at least I know I am not going mad. Didn't think it should be that difficult!
Cheers,
Paul
V7SLR said:
1. Battery - either use a conditioner/charger or fit an FIA cutout switch which will completely disconnect the battery of the key is removed. You can immobilise the car before removing the FIA key.
2. Gearbox - it sounds like the clutch needs adjusting a little. By reving the engine a little you are matching the speeds within the clutch/gearbox therefore it has to be assumed the gearbox is not being disconnected fully.
3. Brakes - get Midlands to look at it.
4. Enjoy!
Thanks 2. Gearbox - it sounds like the clutch needs adjusting a little. By reving the engine a little you are matching the speeds within the clutch/gearbox therefore it has to be assumed the gearbox is not being disconnected fully.
3. Brakes - get Midlands to look at it.
4. Enjoy!
I will see what they come up with at Caterham Midlands. I have seen that a number of owners fit the cutout switches. I will see how necessary it is once everything is checked out. Your gearbox theory sounds about right as the lever slips in easily once the revs match nicely. Had noticed that the clutch bite point is very high in the pedal travel too but not sure if this has anything to do with it.Paul
paulhope said:
Thank you for the reply and help. I am not 100% certain it is the brakes, but have noted that a very slight amount of pressure on the brake pedal stops the noise immediately, whereas if it was the bearing I suppose it would continue regardless.
This was the same on mine with the missing pad material. Odd since I thought it would squeal more when the brakes were pressed!I'm not sure about the immobiliser to be honest, though as far as I'm aware, Caterham have used a couple of different ones over the years.
Dr Slotter said:
Nothing to add to the above other than to say:
- the next meeting of the local area of the Lotus Seven Club is this Thursday evening at the Kings Arms in Hathern (email the local club representative on leicsnottsandderby@lotus7club.co.uk to check the details). As it happens, I might be paying visit to that meeting this week, even though I'm in Sheffield, so maybe see you there.
- You and I used to go to school together...
Dr Slotter (no clue there!),- the next meeting of the local area of the Lotus Seven Club is this Thursday evening at the Kings Arms in Hathern (email the local club representative on leicsnottsandderby@lotus7club.co.uk to check the details). As it happens, I might be paying visit to that meeting this week, even though I'm in Sheffield, so maybe see you there.
- You and I used to go to school together...
I will email about the meet - Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully see you there.
Hi Paul, I have a K series (1.8VVC) and have had no issues with leaving the battery for a fortnight while on holiday. I previously had an Elise and it would need to be kept on a trickle charger over the winter if not using for more than a few weeks - I'm guessing the Caterham will be the same. But anything less than 2 weeks seems odd.
Caterbroon said:
Hi Paul, I have a K series (1.8VVC) and have had no issues with leaving the battery for a fortnight while on holiday. I previously had an Elise and it would need to be kept on a trickle charger over the winter if not using for more than a few weeks - I'm guessing the Caterham will be the same. But anything less than 2 weeks seems odd.
Thank you. That helps. Glad my expectations are not unreasonable here.Just found a receipt for the battery from April 2010, so it is a little over 3 yrs old.
When I had a k series, 3 years was about what I got out of a Banner battery (10 years ownership of the car...3 batteries). If the car has been sat in the showroom for a while with little usage, it could have been drained...once that has happened you might aswell get a new one as they don't hold the charge. If you're not happy, I would ask Caterham to fit a new one at their expense ......
Hi Paul,
Firstly I'd second the recommendation to get along to your nearest Lotus 7 Club meet (and join!) as there will be lots of advice on tap there.
When I had a Banner battery my 1.6k with Rover immobiliser would stand for up to 2 weeks and still start, but longer than that it struggled.
As I ended up having to jump start it a few times I changed to a gelmat battery, and fitted a (non-FIA) battery isolator. No problems now, as long as I remember to use the isolator!
You could easily check the fluid levels in all the battery cells (just unscrew the 6 caps on the top) as if it's been used with a trickle charger, rather than a battery conditioner, the fluid levels can drop very quickly and reduce the capacity a lot.
Firstly I'd second the recommendation to get along to your nearest Lotus 7 Club meet (and join!) as there will be lots of advice on tap there.
When I had a Banner battery my 1.6k with Rover immobiliser would stand for up to 2 weeks and still start, but longer than that it struggled.
As I ended up having to jump start it a few times I changed to a gelmat battery, and fitted a (non-FIA) battery isolator. No problems now, as long as I remember to use the isolator!
You could easily check the fluid levels in all the battery cells (just unscrew the 6 caps on the top) as if it's been used with a trickle charger, rather than a battery conditioner, the fluid levels can drop very quickly and reduce the capacity a lot.
Hi All,
To bring this thread to a close, I collected the car on Saturday with the following work completed:
- Longer breather pipe on the diff (to minimise fluid loss). I have yet to be convinced that there isn't actually a leak from the diff. It definitely isn't petrol as it hasn't evaporated from my garage floor! Need to get the car in the aid and have a proper look myself I think.
- New battery fitted. Originally they were not going to do this, but with a little gentle persuasion replaced with brand new banner battery. Should now extend it's ability to start after more than a few days rest.
- Lubricated gear selection mechanism. First signs seem positive, with more fluid movement around the gate. More driving required to investigate
- Rear brake issue: no fault found although this doesn't surprise me as I had noticed it lessening with more use. Maybe just caused by the car being sat in a showroom.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. Enjoy the good weather.
Paul
To bring this thread to a close, I collected the car on Saturday with the following work completed:
- Longer breather pipe on the diff (to minimise fluid loss). I have yet to be convinced that there isn't actually a leak from the diff. It definitely isn't petrol as it hasn't evaporated from my garage floor! Need to get the car in the aid and have a proper look myself I think.
- New battery fitted. Originally they were not going to do this, but with a little gentle persuasion replaced with brand new banner battery. Should now extend it's ability to start after more than a few days rest.
- Lubricated gear selection mechanism. First signs seem positive, with more fluid movement around the gate. More driving required to investigate
- Rear brake issue: no fault found although this doesn't surprise me as I had noticed it lessening with more use. Maybe just caused by the car being sat in a showroom.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. Enjoy the good weather.
Paul
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