Benton Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 Hence my earlier question as to whether this solution is for the wider 620 community, guess I'll ask Caterham directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtrMint Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 I saw your question, but I'm not in a position to offer a statement with respect to how CC with deal with the matter for the wider community. I suspect given the language they've used with me they are happy with the design and don't see it as an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 "they are happy with the design and don't see it as an issue" is the standard response to any design/technical issue.............and of course it's not an issue. For them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted August 11, 2021 Share Posted August 11, 2021 #52No problem. Hope they get it sorted for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Hi, im catching up as away on holiday but can I confirm, you have a 620 and CC have accepted that it needs work because it is over-cooling? They basically told me that they don't think it is a problem. However, the car is with them while I'm away so I will push for them to do an upgrade if they have agreed to do one for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtrMint Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I have a 620R, but CC have never accepted there is an issue at any point in time. They always maintained the position that the car is fine and no technical issues have or will occur as a result of the perceived issue. My experience does appear to be worse than most, potentially due to the driving environment, I'm not sure. Either way they've had significant written comms from me detailing my experience, in response they've offered to modify my car along with one other to see if it improves the situation. This isn't an upgrade as such and I don't believe CC are ready to release the revision as a kit or upgrade. I can't tell you how much effort, stress, formality and time went into getting to the current position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted August 12, 2021 Author Share Posted August 12, 2021 Thanks, that's really useful to know. I am also going to push back, if I get through a lambda sensor every month there will clearly be other issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CtrMint Posted August 12, 2021 Share Posted August 12, 2021 I'm not sure if mine would chew sensors as I parked it at 900 miles and stuck to my position. Driving it while complaining about the issue in my view wasn't a credible approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 As a matter of interest does anyone know if CC are selling new 620's with the new modification to the cooling system? I have a friend that has one on order so just wondered if he should confirm with CC that the car will have the new modification.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Having posed the question to Caterham over the last couple of months I have yet to be informed that an "official" solution is on offer/in production, or indeed any timescales .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted August 21, 2021 Share Posted August 21, 2021 Hmmm, interesting, I think I will suggest that my friend makes inquires about the matter, he has ordered it through Oakmere because the build time is shorter.David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 A 60's fix for 2021 620S cooling problems, courtesy of Kumficar, and really cheap at just 3 quid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 You're giving Caterham ideas now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Well, BMW uses active radiator blinds with no thermostat with their latest "B" series engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 So, my car has been parked up over the last few months and plugged into the battery conditioner (which has worked flawlessly now since it's initial hiccup).However, having gone for a very short run on Saturday it seemed to start grumbling on my way home. Pulling away with little gas it drove off comfortably and then leapt forward, it did this repeatedly. It's as if it was struggling to run and then suddenly went full throttle without me applying any more gas.I suspect that this is 'just' the lambda sensor again so I have emailed CC and get them to replace it while it is under warranty. Interestingly the engine remained very cold for my 10km drive to the station but then was nicely warm when I had this issue for the10km drive home having sat idle in the car park for a good 10+ minutes.So, I'm going to cover about a third of the radiator to see what difference this makes. Any recommendation on what material to use? I am thinking just simple, wide masking tape from Homebase/B&Q but I don't want to add something that could burn, melt or cause damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Black cortex sheet cabletied to grill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 If this was my car, I wouldn't cover the radiator. There is a CC fix for the 620 cooling issues, and I would look to have that applied. The lambda adjustment is only used if the engine coolant is warm enough, 60C for a 420R, so this may explain why your lambda fault was intermittent. The problem with covering the radiator is your also covering the supercharger oil cooler, and as far as I know there is no temperature gauge for that oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benton Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 There is a CC fix for the 620 cooling issues I stand to be corrected, but as of end of November I was informed by Caterham it was imminent but not yet released, as finalising suppliers. The conversion done for CTRMint appears atm to be a one-off. PGM are the only ones offering a solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Meyer Posted February 7, 2022 Author Share Posted February 7, 2022 I wish this was the case but unfortunately Caterham are simply saying to me that there is no problem and that running the engine cold will not lead to any damage to the engine. Many people here have disagreed with this but that is their line. Obviously if CC accept that there is a problem it leaves them open to a large recall and potential bill for any damage.I suspect that my car is one of the early ones that doesn't even have a thermostat so short of going to PGM and getting their conversion, sadly I have no option but to either run it cold or cover the radiator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Oops sorry, I was only quoting CTRMint car, given what he had said before about not wanting to be a product tester. I still think I wouldn't cover the rad without knowing the full picture, and I am not sure as a owner there is a way you can get that. Then again as more owners find solutions, the unknown becomes the known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420R Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Quick question.Why doesn't the 420 not suffer from this issue? Having a Duratec. Does the 620 have a different cooling circuit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 The 420 has a better cooling system, with a stat. With no stat it wouldn't get hot either. Not good, really......... and to think CC plan to develop an EV! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Just need CC to sort the oil cooling system now on both models by adding a stat to that too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David aka Blue7 Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I don't see how CC can deny that there is a problem when there was a whole article in one of last years LF magazines in which CC admitted the problem and were working on a fix?Personally, I would bite the bullet and get the PGM fix. I don't know your location but there is a factory tour planned for March so if possible you should consider signing up for that and put your case to CC face to face?David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 They also admitted the LSD issues, which they've been 'working on' for over a year now .......From an article a year ago:CC spokesman said:"We do not want to make ownership onerous, but in the respect of the differential it is increasingly apparent that the team at the time got this wrong....it needs to be corrected and I would be first to admit it is taking an extraordinarily long time"Good luck with the cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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