Michael G

Hi Jonathan, Your post of today highlights a need for me to clarify my previously-expressed interest in being added to your list! Please can you list me for 2 canisters, plus 1 black and 1 red bag. Grateful thanks for your efforts. Michael Grier

Yes, 'twas me. Hi huwp and Ian. Took a visiting friend out for a demo run, saying to our wives that we'd only be away for 15 mns or so and, well, you know how it goes guys. The weather was good, the roads were quiet and after 55 miles we reckoned we'd better get home again! Michael

DRH, 2 issues for me: I'm keen to make the task easier, in particular by eliminating the need to lie on the ground and remove the nose cone. Also, the turbulence in the tank caused by the rapidly recirculating oil would make dipping the level problematic I reckon. Thanks for your thoughts. Michael

SKC, that's really interesting thank you. In fact a couple of days ago I was looking in there and wondering about fitting just what you describe! I'll follow this up. Michael

Thanks guys. My car goes in to Williams for its 1k service in the coming week, so I'm only just beginning to build up some experience on this issue. I'll chat to them again on the subject and will pass on any pearls of wisdom. I too have found that the apparent level is different on different days even although I'm adhering to the stipulated engine hot and running procedure. As I've already said, it's difficult to determine visually the actual level but, even so, I can't understand why/how it should vary. I'm perhaps being a bit anal on the subject but it does cause me some anxiety in that I do not know for sure what the oil level is.

Not overly clear? I'd use rather less polite words to describe the very unhelpful language used by Caterham to describe this important datum! If you look into the dry sump tank with the engine off - yes, off - there are two horizontal baffles each with a large central hole, arranged vertically one above the other. Dependent on the oil level you may of course see either one or two baffles - or no baffles at all if the oil level is above the uppermost baffle. The upper of the two baffles is roughly mid-way up the oil tank, which may go someway to explain the handbook's reference to the correct oil level being approximately "... 5mm below the middle baffle level..." You will now think "Ah, got it. It's easy. All I have to do is to take the oil tank cap off with a hot engine and, with the engine running, shine a torch in there to see where the oil is, and I'm looking for the level to be 5mm below the hole in the upper baffle. Piece of cake!" Wrong! It's nearly impossible to see the level. Once you shine your torch in there I find there's virtually no way you can get your eyes into a position where you can squint past your torch to see with any confidence where the level is. At best you get a monocular glimpse of a "boiling" mass of rapidly circulating oil thrashing around. So, good luck and please let me know if you find a way which allows you to confidently check your oil level. I'm rather hoping someone has come up with a mod which will allow an accurate check without the need to take half your car's bodywork off which of course includes the need to lie on the - probably wet and dirty! - ground to do this. Anyone, please? Michael

Fine David. Does £20 sound OK for the column? Say £25 if I have to post? Michael

David, I have an upper column assembly, with column bushes, attached to a Motolita wheel. It was removed from my 2011 car immediately after the IVA, stored in my attic thereafter and is as new. No idea if this differs from your 2002 spec though. PM me if there's anything there of use. Michael

And me too please Jonathan, one black and one red if you re-order. Many thanks. Michael

Wheelnut, Of the several woes I acquired with my new 150 three years ago, this was the the one which most spoiled my driving fun and for exactly the reason you describe. YHBM Michael

Hi Martin, Good to hear from you. My best wishes to your family. Tell Celia that I miss her after-blat cake! I have to admit to pangs of envy when I read on BC about the Kent blats which I remember so well. But there are some great - and quiet! - roads around here which I'm only now beginning to explore. Steve, I look forward to meeting up with you on the F&C Blat. M

Hi SMerK, that was me Nope, didn't spot you on the roundabout I'm afraid! Fabulous day for a shirt-sleeves blat. Moved over here last summer from Kent and been busy, busy doing up our new house since then so not much blatting to date unfortunately. I'm planning to make contact pretty soon now with the local Seveners so watch out you lot! Hi Ian, see you in a fortnight for fish & chips. Michael

I'm the guy who's toes you nearly ran over... What's the speed limit in our village?

...or for a modest NtL donation if you think it's worth it. Needs the rubber buffer glued back on in places but otherwise in good condition. Complete with balls and 2 cues. Lightweight but stable, 175 x 75 cm approx. Probably best suited for a youngster. Bit difficult to post, so available for collection in Westerham area. Michael

...and LHD with what looked like a large cabin trunk on the passenger seat! Whilst driving west on Pilgrims Way at around 1320 hrs, spotted you on the hard shoulder of the M25 just beyond J5 heading east. Joined the motorway to see if you needed a tow from my, err, Defender 😳 but you drove off just as I came up behind you. Hope the rest of your journey went OK. Michael