Picking up the Cerb next Friday
Discussion
Everything's pretty much wrapped up and I'm picking her up next Friday.
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
I'm going to try to grab 30 mins of Byffs time when he's free to get shown round a cerb by an owner, but I've got a couple of newbie questions to put to the floor:
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Byff: I'll give you a ring when I get 5 mins mate thanks for the help.
Pete
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
I'm going to try to grab 30 mins of Byffs time when he's free to get shown round a cerb by an owner, but I've got a couple of newbie questions to put to the floor:
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Byff: I'll give you a ring when I get 5 mins mate thanks for the help.
Pete
mackempete said:
dc53 said:
Nice one! the car look's a beaut.Good price for a 4.5! HAVE FUN!!!
Its a good price, plus I'm getting a good part-ex too. I'm very happy with the deal even tho theres a few bits and bobs that need doing to the car to make it A1.
we have just brought our new cerby,there was a few problem's most being sorted out as we speak,and as soon as all is done it will be A1.hope you have as much fun as we did when we first got the car!
Dan
Oh Nice colour - That's a very vibrant blue.
Questions - I can answer from my 4.2 which I've now had for 18 days.
1. temp. Mine runs around the 90 degress on a run, 90-95 in slower traffic, up to 100 in traffic when the fans come on. I plan to panic if I see it get over 110.
2. Oil pressure - Mine runs at 65 when cold, 55-60 when hot , dropping to about 50 at idle. However others have reported as low as 45.
3. Fuel Guages - I believe they are accurate. I had about 1/8 tankful showing on the guage when I picked it up and subsequent fillups seem to show it more or less linear. Oh and it does go down very quickly when you're having fun. You can see the gauge move - Gulp.
4. Any noises - anything unusual I guess
5. Anything else - Check the chassis for surface rust and treat. Check for a suspension recall sticker or call the factory and check the VIN number. Don't give it huge bootfuls of welly when the car isn't straight, especially at first.
Oh and Enjoy! I've got to try and stop driving mine so much otherwise my 7K mileage a year limit on the insurance is soon going to be reached
I've discovered PH is a valuable source of info - search and you shall find
Questions - I can answer from my 4.2 which I've now had for 18 days.
1. temp. Mine runs around the 90 degress on a run, 90-95 in slower traffic, up to 100 in traffic when the fans come on. I plan to panic if I see it get over 110.
2. Oil pressure - Mine runs at 65 when cold, 55-60 when hot , dropping to about 50 at idle. However others have reported as low as 45.
3. Fuel Guages - I believe they are accurate. I had about 1/8 tankful showing on the guage when I picked it up and subsequent fillups seem to show it more or less linear. Oh and it does go down very quickly when you're having fun. You can see the gauge move - Gulp.
4. Any noises - anything unusual I guess
5. Anything else - Check the chassis for surface rust and treat. Check for a suspension recall sticker or call the factory and check the VIN number. Don't give it huge bootfuls of welly when the car isn't straight, especially at first.
Oh and Enjoy! I've got to try and stop driving mine so much otherwise my 7K mileage a year limit on the insurance is soon going to be reached
I've discovered PH is a valuable source of info - search and you shall find
mackempete said:
Everything's pretty much wrapped up and I'm picking her up next Friday.
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
I'm going to try to grab 30 mins of Byffs time when he's free to get shown round a cerb by an owner, but I've got a couple of newbie questions to put to the floor:
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Byff: I'll give you a ring when I get 5 mins mate thanks for the help.
Pete
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
I'm going to try to grab 30 mins of Byffs time when he's free to get shown round a cerb by an owner, but I've got a couple of newbie questions to put to the floor:
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Byff: I'll give you a ring when I get 5 mins mate thanks for the help.
Pete
This is pretty much my dream car mate.
Very envious.
Well done.
mackempete said:
Everything's pretty much wrapped up and I'm picking her up next Friday.
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/carria
She looks a beaut!
mackempete said:
I'm going to try to grab 30 mins of Byffs time when he's free to get shown round a cerb by an owner, but I've got a couple of newbie questions to put to the floor:
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
The short answer is: higher than you would want/expect. From my experience, ambient temp makes a big difference, ie it's the rad/fans rather than the stat that regulates temp. On a cool day (15c) expect 85c above 50mph, 90-95c standstill. In summer (30c), expect 95-100c even at speed, and 95-105c in traffic. My fans kick in around 105 on the gauge but do control the temp. In a huge jam in the south of France @ 35c (worst case) the fans managed to keep the gauge between 98-110. These are scary numbers but the car managed a 2000 mile round-Europe trip without a hiccup. Use the a/c, if you have it, in hot weather in traffic because the cerb has a fuel cooler that will help avoid vaporisation and stalling. According to Andy @APM, the temp gauge is notoriously inaccurate so don't panic too much. If you're really worried, use the heaters on full, it helps. On a really hot day in traffic, I can't use my a/c because the temp goes > 110c on the gauge so I sacrifice my personal hygiene and sweat it out with the heaters :-/ I have lots of ex-friends..
mackempete said:
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
idle cold should be 55+
idle hot should be 40+
higher revs cold should be 65+
higher revs hot should be 55+
(this is my personal point of view for engine health, my numbers are 65, 50, 78, 70 respectively, but only since APM replaced the spring, was lower before)
mackempete said:
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
I've never run out, but have always been surprised at how little it takes to fill up (max is £55 of optimax) so maybe when it reads empty there is some left
mackempete said:
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
It will sound tappity from cold but should not smoke at all (except some white mist from exhaust in cold weather during warm up, like any car). Take it over some really pot-holed roads and listen for rumbles (shocks or exhaust). Steer it severely round tight bends and listen for any noises - either wheel bearings or exhaust manifolds touching chassis (neither hugely serious but must be resolved by vendor prior to purchase). Engine-wise it should sound fantastic, and really pull smoothly above 4k rpm up to 6.5krpm. It should pop/bang on overrun but not under acceleration (mine used to spit on full throttle at low rpm, traced to cooked HT lead).
mackempete said:
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Not much that's specific to the Cerbera. Check the oil and water before a long trip. Getting a good reading on the dipstick is difficult - just look at the lowest part of the stick that has no oil, it might take a few goes. Look after the battery (try an optimate via the cigarette lighter if you have a garage, your starter motor and battery will love you for it). My car drains a good battery in 2-3 weeks otherwise. Carry some basic tools and fuses. Learn how to open the boot in the absence of power (or solenoid plays up). Over time you will find out what your car's weeknesses are. It should start easily hot and cold (give it some throttle), shouldn't rattle or rumble, should stop in a straight line. The windows might not shut properly when you close the door, but arming the alarm should close them up tightly. The only other thing to check is that if it doesn't make you smile when you stretch your right foot all the way to the bulkhead, try another example.
Byff: I'll give you a ring when I get 5 mins mate thanks for the help.
Pete
mackempete said:
Everything's pretty much wrapped up and I'm picking her up next Friday.
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
- What temp do they generally run at, when do the fans switch on and at what temp do I switch off and
blow on it?
- What Oil Pressure do they generally run at i.e. Idle - Load when hot and cold?
- Are the fuel gauges accurate?
- Any noises I need to listen out for?
- Anything else I need to know for general day to day running?
Hmmmm, this is a classic example of how individual these cars are coz my figures are diff from most others posted here. Mine's an '01 4.5 with 42K on the clock.
Engine temp is VERY dependant on the ambient.
If it's a cool day it'll cruise at 75 deg.
If it's hot, it'll cruise at 80-85 deg.
If it's slow moving for more than 5 mins it'll go to 94 Deg and the first fan cuts in. I think the second cuts in at 99 Deg (but I could be wrong there !)
I've never hit the 100 mark despite terrible jams in London and Lille.
Oil pressure.
You will hear this 1000 times in these pages but be VERY gentle with revs until the motor is fully warmed up. No thrashing or wheelspins away from adoring on-lookers with a cold motor.
Over 3K is 75 - 80 psi
Normal tickover is 55 - 60 psi
Fuel guage.
Takes an age to move after it has been filled but shoots down the last 1/4 in a nano-second. I was once lucky enough to pull into a station after the warning siren and mil had come on just for the motor to konk-out, dry - Phew !
Noises:
Well it looks like you've already bought it so it's a bit late to check for noises.
In the first few thousand miles mine developed a 'clunk' at the rear when the suspension travelled excessively - which turned out to be a 'frozen' anti-rollbar bush (Had a girlfriend with that once) Also had a 'clunk' in the middle under acceleration which turned out to be the exhaust touching the chassis cross-member. Both fixed at service time. The motor is smooth and sweet at all revs.
Geberal running:
Just warm her up gently (starting to sound like Capt. Flasheart) and give her runs that get all the condensation out of the engine. She'll give you evrything you can ask. If you have no mechanical empathy then be careful with the accelerator. Doesn't matter if you're in straight line or not. Best analogy I can think of is try to imagine you're stroking a well-fed tiger with your bare, right foot.
Thanks for the help.
I'll be taking it easy for months never mind waiting till it warms up...
100c+ is ok??? Thats going to take some getting used to, if my Chim goes past 90c i'm switching off and looking for answers!
The inspection gave the chassis a clean bill of health and I've already got the car provisionally booked in for a strip and waxoil.
I cant wait now
I'll be taking it easy for months never mind waiting till it warms up...
100c+ is ok??? Thats going to take some getting used to, if my Chim goes past 90c i'm switching off and looking for answers!
The inspection gave the chassis a clean bill of health and I've already got the car provisionally booked in for a strip and waxoil.
I cant wait now
Fuel capacity is 67 litres / 15 gallons according to my handbook. When I picked mine up it had 1/8 of a tank showing on the gauge and I put in 60 litres.
Yesterday was showing a bit under 1/2 full and I put in 37.5 litres so my fuel gauge is fairly accurate. I'm trying not to let it drop below 1/4 full as it's too easy to use it up
Yesterday was showing a bit under 1/2 full and I put in 37.5 litres so my fuel gauge is fairly accurate. I'm trying not to let it drop below 1/4 full as it's too easy to use it up
redleicester said:
That garage is just down the road from me! Welcome to drop in on your way back if you want...
Nice one mate. I'm on a tight schedule got to be back in Sunderland for 2ish, but should have time for a flying visit. Would be good to get shown round the car by someone whos owned a cerb.
keithyboy said:
My temperature gauge shows 10 degrees over what the ECU says - as do those of many others I believe. Some comfort when the guage was up to 110 in traffic the other week 
As others have said the ambient air temp has a marked effect on the running temp in these cars.
As others have said the ambient air temp has a marked effect on the running temp in these cars. I believe that the tube from the temp gague runs pretty close to one of the manifolds causing it to over read, some people have re routed it or even used a different type of gague to rectify the problem.
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