MattB

https://www.caterham7diaries.com/post/fuse-and-relay-box-layout

MattB

Caterham tweaked the idle on my 420 as part of the first service (the one where they get you to pay for them to check if they built the car properly …).

MattB

I bought some spares for my 2022 420 on eBay.

Do a search for “Spare Keys x2 for FIA Battery Master Cut Off Switch Kill Switch GRAYSTON KEY55”.

MattB

Radtec haven’t updated their website, so this page doesn’t yet show the option of buying just the radiator:

https://radtec.co.uk/shop/radiators/caterham/r300420r-road/

Just give them a call when you want to order one, as they also need to know the model number of your fan.

Be aware that they don’t have them on the shelf. Mine took 6 weeks …

MattB

Quote

At the top of the rad I see yr2022wk38 - 300C004a 

My second radiator, same model but built yr2022wk36, started leaking in February after just less than 6k miles. The original unit also did just less than 6000 miles.

I’ve just replaced it with a Radtec unit.

I had a tuned mk3 MX5 with a 2.0l Duratec pretty much the same as my 420. I used red coolant in it from new for 15 years and never has an issue with a leaking radiator. 

MattB

Supposedly when NSU RO80 owners passed each other they’d hold up fingers to show how many replacement engines they’d had. Perhaps 7 owners should do this to show how many replacement radiators they’ve fitted (although I’d need to be careful as I’ve had 2 replacement radiators so far)?😀

MattB

Mine was one of the first cars built by Caterham with the new lights. There were no grommets so I fitted them myself.

MattB

Now sold. 

Would these suit?

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/pitking-products-universal-alloy-race-mirrors-pair-1097933/

Don’t forget the club discount …

MattB

I used a plastic plug from a set I had in a drawer.

Search for ‘Mazda hood insulation retainer’.

MattB

According to the plate on my 2022 420 the Spies Hecker paint code for firecracker yellow is CAT004SH.

MattB

Appreciate this isn't a 7, but just in case someone's interested before it's advertised elsewhere:

One owner from new 850 Turbo (T-5) saloon, first registered 26 Jan 1994, with the following options: Verdigris green metallic paint, automatic gearbox, TRACS traction control system, air conditioning with climate control, remote central locking, front fog lights, front and rear mud flaps & floor carpets. It comes with its original sale documents and brochure.

The car has done 116000 miles (mostly long-distance motorway journeys), and has a full Volvo service history up until it was SORN’d in Feb 2017. Since then it has been stored in a garage, on flatstoppers, with stabiliser in the fuel tank, the handbrake off and a battery maintainer on the battery.

The obvious issues with the car are: The headlining on the sunroof is sagging, the glovebox catch is broken so the glovebox can’t be opened, the electric aerial has been replaced with a rubber one, a piece of trim is missing from the roof, the battery won’t hold a charge, the chrome exhaust finisher has almost rusted away & there are some small dents in the bodywork.

Given the age of the tyres, the state of the battery and the age of the fuel and the fuel system the car needs to be properly recommissioned before it can be safely started and driven. Any purchaser will therefore need to trailer it away from where it is garaged in Woking. We will not try and run the engine before sale. There were no mechanical issues with the car when it was last driven into the garage.

Please note that the car is being sold by the executors of the owner’s estate. Although viewings and offers can be accepted now, a formal sale and handover cannot be completed until probate has been granted.

OIRO £3500

Contact: Matt Bowden, 01489 571264

Mine is attached to the battery so that when the master switch is off nothing in the cabin is live.

It’s easy enough for me to just lift the bonnet to see the indicator lights.

MattB

Would one of these be a neater solution?: https://www.ctek.com/uk/battery-chargers-12v-24v/accessories/car-accessories/indicator-panel-1-5m

MattB

The old website used to log me out every 2 or 3 weeks if I remember correctly.

This new website logs me out every 2 or 3 days, even if I tick the ‘remember me’ box.

Is there any way to remain logged on for longer?

MattB

Everyone - many thanks for your prompt and helpful replies.  I now have a way ahead, once Caterham are able to provide the gaiters.

Jonathan - thanks for the search help. I'm very happy using the website's own search function, it just doesn't seem to be available at all right now, returning a "The website encountered an unexpected error. Please try again later." message every time I enter a search on either my PC or my iPad.

MattB

I need to remove both front upper balljoints from the hubs to replace split gaiters.

Is there a 'best' balljoint splitter for the job?

I did try a search of the forums but the search facility appears to be down.

MattB

This photo, taken at Caterham Gatwick's last open day, shows how Caterham put cars on a lift.

MattB

Do you have a battery isolator switch fitted?

MattB

I found this photo online a while ago - sorry, can't remember where.  Saved it for when I have time and nice weather to go digging around the propshaft to find the 12v feed (one of the two white plugs).

MattB

#9 - yes. Higher octane doesn't give more power, but allows the map to be adapted to generate more power.

If a knock sensor is fitted the ecu can reduce that advance if it senses knock, so filling up with lower octane fuel is even less of a risk.

MattB

I had the 2.0 Duratec engine in my MX5 rolling road tuned some years ago. The tuner said that using 99 octane wouldn't make a difference in a naturally aspirated engine, but he was surprised to find that he could add much more advance than he had on other engines, resulting in what was a better tune for me.

I carried a bottle of octane booster in the boot, but never used it. It's now in the boot of the 7. The MX5 did, however, have a knock sensor.

MattB

My sister saw this in Stoke Newington.  Apparently it's been there for months and hasn't moved. The MOT ran out last July and it doesn't appear to have been SORN'd.

Note the parking ticket.

MattB

I sent a query to Caterham Gatwick through the website and got a phone call within an hour. Apparently those wires are for an older speed sensor which is no longer fitted.

MattB