C7 Owl

Not sure if we are talking about same thing. The quickjack is an electric lift that once fully raised locks into position and acts as stand. Here is a link. https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/ Just bought one from costco as on sale to help with oil changes and servicing on my alfa. Hoping will be able to lift seven also. Although doesnt have jacking points so might not work.

Has anyone used a quickjack to lift and work on their seven?

My rear fog light disintegrated on a recent trip to Dorset. Due probably to petrol damage. I have bought a new unit from Just Add Lightness. Just fitted and connected into the same connector. I cant seem to get the light to illuminate. I have checked the connection is firmly in, checked the fuse is not damaged and it visually looks ok, have checked when on fully beam and on dipped. All other lights are working. Am I missing anything or is it a faulty unit from just add lightness? Didnt have my multimeter with me to check bulb but will do so when back at my garage. Any other things to check would be appreciated. Thanks

As an update managed to find a motor factor down the road from me that has the 5L concentrated version for £25. Considerably cheaper than the Halfords who wanted £19 for the 2L concentrated or £25 for the premixed 5L. Motor factor didnt have in stock but was happy to order for tomorrow so pretty rapid.

Been meaning to install new thermostat and fill antifreeze. Seems to be the g30 red antifreeze is recommended. Finally have a bit of time on Saturday but amazon and usual online suspects cant deliver until middle of next week. Halfords and eurocarparts don't seem to stock. Anyone out there know a bricks and mortar retailer that stocks this brand either national chain or in Sutton, Kingston, Croydon area particularly if a motor factor. Or else what other brands are good alternatives for 1.6k.

Well had an airlock when filling. Drained then refilled with front elevated and screw open on radiator. Couldn't get it to settle. Thermostat seemed most likely and cheapest part of system to replace. Thought it should be do-able job for me to do.

Yes seen the stuff on filling cooling system. Planning to do the 3mm hole, (although my memory of threads was 2mm). Will review those again. Couldn't find any on exact location in 1.6 k and how to take off thermostat to replace. Some mention of it being tricky.

I need to replace thermostat on my 1.6 K series. Does anyone have a how to guide or workshop manual they could share? Any tips on what to watch out for and easiest route to remove old part? First time working on the caterham so a bit in dark. Thanks

Thanks Jonathan. I think you sent me a link last week. Will check it is both of those. Will be very useful.

Thanks Everyone for input and advice. Viewed car over weekend and it was a cracker. Very clean and clearly well looked after. Felt guilty driving it home over wet winter rds. Tucked up in garage. Will take some pics later in week and post.

Can anyone tell me where to find the chassis number on the car?

It was to look out for leaks. Rather than check the item itself.

Ok have combined my normal points and also useful feedback from you guys. Here is the list as it stands. Please shout if missed anything. Buying Checks Caterham Seven 1 Checking paperwork Listed keeper on V5 matches address selling from. Log book registration and chassis number matches those on vehicle. Sales receipt to prove ownership and end of finance agreement. Check all service reciepts match MOT mileage listed. Vehicle chassis and engine number match original Caterham receipt?2. Inspect car condition Scratches on paintwork Tyres tread depth at least 1.8mm Do all the switches work? Does heater work? Is the fabric roof in good condition? Is carbon fibre in good condition? Is there rust between the chassis and body work under the car particularly under sills? Is there any bubbling under the paintwork along the lower part of the side bodywork? Are the shocks and suspension parts clean and well maintained? No dirt, mud, rust. Is the underside of vehicle free of mud, signs of harsh use or rust? Significant wear to drivers controls, ie steering wheel, Pedals, indicator switch markings, worn out seat bolsters and chafed seat belts. Engine – Check for leaks, oil level, head gasket condition, and exhaust smoke. Is bay in generally good condition? Leaks – Oil Brown or Black, Coolant Green, pink or yellow, gearbox or Power steering is reddish brown. Head Gasket- Smoky exhaust, loss of power, or rough sounding engine. Check engine is cool remove oil cap check for white or light brown sludge with mayo consistency. Blue smoke – Engine burning oil, White smoke – Coolant entering cylinders. Both mean headgasket failures. Turn the engine over. Does it start first time? What is condition of battery? Is there smoke from exhaust after steam burnt off. Is it lumpy sounding? Clutch / Gearbox – Bite point should be about the middle of the travel, when changing gears should be little resistance or grinding. Check the headlights, brake lights and reversing lights all work. At the back end where the exposed lower longitudinal chassis rails pass through the inside of the rear arch. The underneath of the attached looms are a grot trap. The joins to the rear longitudinal chassis tube below the fuel tank. The grot trap at the rear lower corners of the engine bay where the lower chassis rails disappear behind the skin. Test Drive Drive at various speeds listen for engine noise and rattles. Are brakes and Clutch responsive? Clutch is not too heavy or travel is too high or low. If bushes start to fail the steering and handling will feel loose. Clonks and knocks from rear also indicate a frame bush failing. When back from test drive check the engine bay again for leaks or any other issues.

Thanks for all this. Will combine with list I have already worked up. Attached are some pictures the vendor has sent. Can you comment on anything to look out for. Not much I can see from it that looks off.

yes the LSD makes a slight whine doesnt it? Nothing to be concerned about from that is there? Is it more pronounced on a Caterham?

Thanks all. Really helpful. Will collate and take with me when I go and take a look. Is there any tell tale signs of suspension issues on a caterham? Ie bushes groaning or suspension arms clicking / knocking? Can anyone recommend any checks for dampers / springs when car stationary?

Hi. New member here. I am seriously considering taking the plunge and buying a Seven. Been researching and considering for a while. Have finally got the funds free to do so. Im going to test drive and view one in a couple of weeks. I normally like to put together a list of common issues on cars to look out for and how to spot them. I have searched the forum here and online and cant find a 2nd hand Caterham buying checklist. So thought I would put one together for the spec of Caterham Im going to be looking at. It would be very handy if people who know the car well could give me a steer as to what need to look out for and techniques for identifying if the car suffers from these issues. So far I havent got a very long list. The car Ive been looking for is an original special edition Superlight. The one im looking at is a year 2000 1.6 K series 135bhp unmodified example. 6 Speed gearbox, LSD, Dedion suspension, 4 pot brakes, Full wet weather gear, Heater. It has quite low miles of 3200. So far on the list to look out for is: Head Gasket failure - White smoke from exhaust, overheating engine, white milky oil, Corrosion where chassis meets body work - I've been told sometimes rust occurs under the sills if you get your head or hands under and feel it is possible to spot. Is there anywhere else that can easily be reached without jack or tools to identify corrosion. Incorrect mileage - Other than checking the history etc best sign of this appears to be whether the car has wear on the steering wheel, gear stick, seats, pedals that would not match the advertised mileage. Any other things to look out for would be most useful. I of course will post the completed list back on to the forum for others starting out on the Caterham journey to use. Thanks Phiroze