Crany

One of my buddy’s who runs a small independent garage has an A3 with non operating air con, the car isn't showing any fault codes, but isn't driving the compressor – any ideas of any common faults on this system ? or how to find the problem ? Turns out after a lot of investigating that there is a shear pin in the clutch mechanism that drives the compressor, such that failure of the clutch won't throw the drive belt off, so it won't show any fault codes !! Not sure yet if you can fit a clutch "housing" or if it needs to be complete compressor - all for a shear pin !! Mark. Edited by - crany on 12 Aug 2008 16:56:38

Anyone got one floating around for a 52 plate TT, radio, single cassette or single CD ?? Mark.

I am an exhaust system project engineer working for an OE system supplier, currently working on a bolt failure where the design (not mine or the company I work for) puts the bolts into bending. It is trying to restrain 10KG of Diesel Particulate Filter hanging off the end of a turbo !! Bolts are currently 2 x M8 8.8. I know I roughly need a factor of ten improvement in the current performance of the bolt (based on how long they are taking to brake on the rig test and what the duration for a test pass is) and that we (me and the CAE engineer) have worked out that we are currently seeing between 250N/mm2 and 1000N/mm2 depending on how we construct the constraints. Any suggestions on a good number we should be aiming for ? Mark.

As a picture paints a thousand words, there are some on this website of a part that has failed due to high temperature (this is typical of what I would expect), http://www.2bular.com/news.htm and the issue is now solved using the Saveguard material. Mark.

Mark, This material performs well in all of our tests (I work for the OE exhaust manufacturer mentioned in the text). If you can get them to supply the relevant shape for your muffler, this material will last longer than basalt due to the fibre length. It is important to know either know the temperature in your muffler (in the middle next to the tube) or specify the highest spec. material, if you get any of these e glass type materials to the softening temperature (some can be as low as 650 deg) they will “close” the perf tubes and make your muffler a straight through with no absorption, therefore loud !! Mark.

Looked very nice, but a bit out of place with all the rally cars !! Edited by - crany on 31 Oct 2006 13:32:47

1.6 Supersport 97 P – Factory built car. Six speed, tax, MOT, 32,000 miles, metallic blue (including roll bar), cycle wings, prisoner alloys, S type leather, quick release momo, black pack, oil pressure guage converted to mechanical, Caterham harnesses, full weather equipment (includes tonneau with headrest “ears”), alloy gear knob, indoor and out door covers included. Located Preston - Lancs, £10,950 – Mark 07887 720 630 Pictures here - http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/100391.htm Edited by - crany on 15 Sep 2006 12:28:55 Edited by - crany on 24 Sep 2006 14:55:00

Anyone involved in the design and development of any of the various electric power steering systems that are available on main stream cars ? We have a rear wheel drive rally car running 18 inch front wheels and are struggling between getting the geometry correct for turn in and being able to physically turn the steering wheel - we were wondering about the pros and cons of going down the electrical power steering route ? Mark.

My Caterham (1.6K Supersport) has an electrical fault that is draining the battery, this is with the ignition off and the imobiliser not set, something is drawing 0.46 amp ? Occasionally something around the ECU (the MFU ?) position is cycling on and off (clicking noise), when this happens the drain comes and goes, any ideas what the cause could be ? Any ideas where and what to check ? Make it simple for me please as I don't do electrics !! Mark.

I have just put a new battery into my car and decided on a higher output, smaller unit than the standard Caterham one (1.6K Supersport, 97 vintage). I now need to modify/re make the tray that the battery mounts in, anyone got any advice of the best way to go about this ? A new tray from an aluminium fabricator ? Or attempt to modify the existing one ? If anyone has already done this and has pictures or drawings that I could have, that would be a big help ? Mark

BTT New car now arrived, anyone interested at ONO ? Mark.

Does anyone know what the specification should be for the standard battery in my 1.6K Supersport ? Amp Hr and Cranking Amp ? Thanks, Mark.

A the title says, 2000 X Ford Puma Black (Ltd Edition), Leather, Air Con, ABS, Traction Control, Heated Screen, Single disk CD, 4 new Toyos, Alloys, 10 months tax, 11 months MOT, just serviced, 70K miles - £4,300.

Does anyone know if the K series EU 2 has any form of knock control ? If not how does it take into account 95 to 98RON fuel ? Thanks, Mark.

Thanks for that Rich, idiot is a little strong I feel as I have done 140 miles today and not only have I got paid for it I am claiming expenses ? Mark.