willitgo

oops, sorry, didn't think of that...

Lost my keys to the Seven and panicked a bit when I couldn't locate the spare set. After a day I did remember where they were so panic over. As a matter of interest, how difficult would it be to get the car going bearing in mind its fitted with an immobiliser? Have to say that my knowledge of electronics is such that i just don't know. Can the immobiliser be by-passed? What about the lack of an ignition key? Curious of Zurich

Hello all, Working in Brussels so thinking of going to the Spa track-day. Never done this before so can someone kindly tell me what I need for the car (and myself!) in order to go along and paticipate, or point to somewhere I can find out? Car is a 1.8 K series SV, fitted with an FIA roll-over bar. Thanks

I had lots of problems at one stage with this kind of issue - and they started for no apparent reason. In the end I bled the system with the engine running, opening the bleed screw on the radiator (posted details a while ago) - I don't believe it is necessary to jack the front of the car,this seems to be in order to cause any trapped air to rise to the highest part of the system. However, you can still have air trapped in the header tank of the radiator which is what usually causes the problem. Hope you get it fixed. Colin

Me too please.

My sympathies for your over-heating issues - I've just been through something similar with my 1.8 K series. Its now on the third thermostat and second heat sensor for the temperature gauge, all part of the learning curve! In my case I found that, although the car ran fine for a long trip the next time I went out it seemed Ok and then also had the temp. shoot up to approaching the red line at which point I switched off. I have changed the thermostat and made considerable effort to bleed the system and I think there was an air-lock (mind you, not too sure how it got there...but thats another issue). Heres what I did, 1, disconnected the upper heater hose (assuming you have one) 2, loosely blocked the heater hose i.e. that connect to the heater 3, filled the other, 'engine side' heater hose with coolant until some began to dribble through from the heater side hose 4, reconnected the two heater hoses (with a little coolant spillage) 5, opened the radiator bleed screw and opened the coolant expansion tank and filled this with coolant to the max mark 6, filled the radiator through the bleed screw hole until full 7, closed bleed screw (hand tight) and closed the expansion tank 8, ran the engine 9, once warm - around 80 degrees on the gauge, opened the bleed screw to see whether just coolant emerged or a mix of coolant and bubbles. if coolant only, close bleed screw. 10, if engine temperature goes towards the red, shut it down, let it cool down for 15 minutes and then repeat - on the second 'go' I found a mix of air and gas emerged from the radiator bleed screw and the car has since run with the temperature gauge rock solid just over 80. Also, whilst engine was coming up to temperature, check by hand how hot the cooling system hoses are, especially the top hose from the engine to the radiator and the bottom hose back to the engine (via the 'submarine pipe' and the thermostat). You can manipulate these hoses by hand to assist coolant flow and should get movement in the coolant expansion tank when you do so. Worth checking whether the bottom of the radiator gets hot to the touch. If the bottom hose and the bottom of the radiator do not get hot and the gauage is showing over-heating I would check whether the thermostat is functioning or not - it is actually easy to change even though a little awkwardly located by the engine block. Approved technique is to place it in a pan of boiling water to see if it functions. Sorry for the legthny explanation - I think it would be helpful if, time permitting, stuff like this could be placed in the FAQ to help those new to the vagaries and foibles of the 7! p.s. searches on thermostats and cooling wil glean lots of info - note, I did not need ot jack the front of the car up. Hope you get it fixed!! Cheers

Fester, the Gnomes are thriving but winter is fast approaching so I expect them to hibernate soon. Maybe the 7 should too buts its great fun on a dry sunny day when its cold and clear and, yes, they do happen. The engine is an 1800 K series and has driven me up the wall in the last couple of weeks but (fatal last words) I seemed to have cracked the problem now. I scoured the forums for ideas and found them very useful albeit there are some conflicting and un-clear words of advice. Not much on the dangers of large piles of cow dung - dodge 'em if you can. I was thinking of suggesting that some of these well worn threads be cleaned up and put into the FAQ? Would be very helpful for newcomers I think. Come over anytime - drop me a line or call. Cheers

Hey, Uncle how you doing? Good to hear from you. Temperature sensor was changed a couple of months ago along with the thermostat which I have now changed again and become adept at bleeding the bleedin' cooling system! Anyhow, have had some great blats over the mountain passes - did four in one day a couple of weeks back. Will have a fiddle with the fuel sensor time permitting. Lastly, on the way back from the Swiss meet my son actually went to sleep in the passenge seat whilst on the way back - anyone else done that? Cheers Colin

Considering what the purchase cost is, the quality of the product leaves a lot to be desired. Whilst de-bugging the various problems over the last year -OK, I know its home built and maybe I am not the worlds best mechanic- I have not yet got around to doing something about the petrol gauge which happily indicates full regardless of the contents of the tank for example. 'They all do that guv' - same story on the differential whine......... The worst problem has been getting persistent over-heating resolved which has made me not trust the car very much. This does not detract from the thrill of driving the beast and I have learnt a lot, however, looking at the price of a CSR and considering what other sports cars you can buy for that money they are only going to sell to wealthy enthusiasts. Mind you, just been for a happy and cow pat splattered spin down the lane.......

Bricaol, I would like one too - please drop me a line at colinwrobinson@hispeed.ch. In the UK on and off.... Cheers Colin

Can anyone please advise where I can obtain a bleed tee to fit to my K series 1.8? Am in Bath - Gloucester area. Thanks Colin

Thanks Gents - the temperature sender was replaced along with the thermostat last time.....

Car was new last year, Kumshicks put a new thermostat on it 3 months ago and now its jammed shut again - local auto repair just took it off and hardly any water came out. Car has travelled 2500 miles and will be on its second theermostat - engine is a 1.8 k series. Am I unlucky or does this point to some other issue? Drove over 4 mountain passes last week-end and everything was fine, next time I start, the car is over-heating because of the stuck thermostat. Any comments welcome! Also, I am now taking the car to Kumshicks again without the thermostat - its about an hours drive, clearly not going to cane but it should be OK to drive like this? Thanks

Thanks Bozz and Colin - shoudl be a gereat week-end!

Well, I hope this is the final installment, due to time and work pressures not to mention the looming Swiss INternaiotnal meeitng this week-end, took the car to Kumshicks the Swiss agent and they confirmed the diagnosis of a faulty thermostat. There is now one in place with a small hole drilled in it to ensure coolant flow. Going to check the warranty with Caterham since the car is less than a year old and only done 1500 miles and was not exactly cheap! Looking forward to the drive for the Swiss week-end and meeting anyone who has contributed to this thread. Should be a good week-end, weather has been extremely hot and thundery. The website and club are a great resource.