Peter Carmichael Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 My new engine installation has a habit of emitting a lovely popping spit of flame from the exhaust on the overrun. I noticed the other day, under circumstances which would have given rise to such pops that there was a flickering glow reflected in the passenger side wind deflector. Eeek! The exhaust can was on fire. Dip clutch to drop the revs then a blip and the flame is blown out. From my strapped in position I couldn't readily see what it was that caught fire. Just after that I came to a roundabout and stalled. The starter motor has been suffering from overheating (not direct application of flames, I think) and was not going to get me going again. Hazards on I jumped out, bonnet off, tickle starter and throttle while passenger turns key, scanning road behind to be certain that I am not creating a hazard. Bonnet on. Strapped in. Plod walks up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissQuote Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 Is that it? Did he prevent you from continuing with this posting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 23, 2000 Author Share Posted October 23, 2000 Plod switched from helpful, concerned ("Have you broken down?") to nasty, sarcastic ("You've been making me dizzy. You do realise that's a fifty limit. If I see you again I'll have you in front of a magistrate.") in a trice. The data logs show that I gave due consideration to the fifty limit and to the deceptive bends. This was down near Box Hill and I know that plod likes to keep an eye on the bikers so I was being pretty well behaved, interspersed with interludes of being not very well behaved. The problem is that although those interludes were of very short duration, that's about all it takes to get into very doubtful territory. In this instance I guess that I wasn't seen, but I was heard. (I've discovered what wheelspin in the damp is rampant in the first three gears and worrying in fourth. Fourth is good for 118 mph these days). Plod will continue to feature in my Seven owning life but I would like to get rid of the pilot light in the exhaust can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 Peter - you mention 'wind deflector'. I was trying to catch my breath at speed without sidescreens yesterday and I wondered if there were any deflectors available that slot into the side screen mounts on the screen. Is this what you have...if so where did you get them ? Breathless Minty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 23, 2000 Author Share Posted October 23, 2000 Wrong end of the stick, Minty ol' chum. Windscreen anathema never been near the car. Race style half width aeroscreens in lieu of windscreen. In many people's experience, the wind deflectors of which you write (which do exist from Caterham parts) do not actually achieve anything apart from making your car look naff. There are many more people who have tried 'no windscreen' and not gone back than started without and added a windscreen for the sake of practicality. The smoother airflow with aeroscreens leaves you quite able to breathe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 ...Oh...noted ! I'll carry on with the 'screen for now and try removal in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 23, 2000 Share Posted October 23, 2000 Minty I am going to have to disagree with Peter on the use of 'wind deflectors'. This is probably the first time 'cos I actually know what he's talking about!! I bought mine s/hand from Keith Jecks & love 'em. I do agree that they whip away some of the cockpit air and some people (my partner inc.) find it harder to breath at certain speeds. It clears my nostrils a treat. As for looking 'naff'; no way! Beauty/beholder etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dartmoor7 Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 I find that the deflectors delay the 'unable to breathe' factor by about 20 mph. Worth it in my opinion and I also think they look quite good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Well, I think I need to see some or at least the (out of print) catalogues and decide from there. Minty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Minty, I have a pair of caterham wind deflectors from my x-flow, I've never used them, are you interested in a pair ? and the reason for not using them ? I think they look like a leftover from starsky and hutch .....:-) actually I'm after an aeroscreen setup for mine. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Peter L, quite possibly, thanks but first does anyone know where there is a picture of them fitted to a 7.. (do they hang off the sidescreen mounts?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 I think I have may have a spare set in the garage. Let my know if your interested ? In my view the best thing for them is to remove the screen then use them upsidedown as wind deflectors bolted on the scuttle ? A cheap test and you can replace the screen easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Lydford Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Minty, yes they hang off the sidescreen mounts. where abouts are you ? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Hertfordshire, I'll mail you. Anyone out there got a picture of a car with them fitted ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Minty I'm herts too. May have a photo of my old car with them fitted. I will have a look for you tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Line Components Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 Steve - or, here's a radical thought..as we're in the same County...7 and I could come and try them on for size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted October 24, 2000 Share Posted October 24, 2000 So Peter, do you have a plumbed in fire extinguiser for your exhaust??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted October 25, 2000 Author Share Posted October 25, 2000 Arnie, No I don't, but I will be sighted on street corners in Oxford Street selling roast chestnuts with a slight petrolly tang in the run up to Christmas. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius Posted October 25, 2000 Share Posted October 25, 2000 Yum yum, roasted Mobil1 chestnuts.... Send me a pound over ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS CLARK Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 Peter. Keep wearing the nomex 'cos if the exhaust (won't call it a silencer!) problem worsens I'd hate to hear about more roasted nuts!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISmall Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 On the strength of a good picture on an old Caterham brochure, I bought deflectors last summer. I sometimes find the sidescreens limiting in terms of elbow movement and thought that the deflectors would kill two birds with one stone- looks and room. In fact, it achieved neither. Above 50 mph, not only is it impossible to breathe, but I've lost one contact lense in the airflow as well as having my glasses lift off my nose! Aesthetically, the car looks OK but the design is flawed. Even on short journies, the small rubber nipple on the tip protecting the paintwork comes off because heat from the exhaust melts the glue. All in all, I'm glad they only cost me about £35 because they now have pride of place on my garage shelf next to the ashtray I use on my Kawasaki and the chocolate blow-torch. Don't bother- spend the money on a bunch of flowers for the wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISmall Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 On the strength of a good picture on an old Caterham brochure, I bought deflectors last summer. I sometimes find the sidescreens limiting in terms of elbow movement and thought that the deflectors would kill two birds with one stone- looks and room. In fact, it achieved neither. Above 50 mph, not only is it impossible to breathe, but I've lost one contact lense in the airflow as well as having my glasses lift off my nose! Aesthetically, the car looks OK but the design is flawed. Even on short journies, the small rubber nipple on the tip protecting the paintwork comes off because heat from the exhaust melts the glue. All in all, I'm glad they only cost me about £35 because they now have pride of place on my garage shelf next to the ashtray I use on my Kawasaki and the chocolate blow-torch. Don't bother- spend the money on a bunch of flowers for the wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Walker Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 We seem to have wandered of the topic of flaming exhausts - however, regarding the wind deflectors, someone needs to work on a kind of ventury (how's it spelt?) style deflector. A bit like the wind screen on a Lotus 25 or 49 etc.. Channeling the air into a curtain and past your right ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Russell Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 What's this? You want to fit curtains to your Seven!!! I suppose it will be ok if you drive in slippers and smoke a pipe! I doubt if curtains would be any better than the deflectors and probably a bit of a fire risk...... Andrew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big daddy Posted October 27, 2000 Share Posted October 27, 2000 Sounds perfect for Grandad Jecks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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