Steve Campbell

Hi folks, One of my rear wings could do with a bit of a paint tidy up...and I was going to ask a local guy who did our tin top when I need some paint repairs as he did a great job. I think he needs the paint code. How do I get the definitive paint code ? It's a 2008 R400D in "orange" and was painted that colour on delivery (as far as I know). Is it just a case of calling/e.mailing Caterham...do they keep these records ? Thanks

Nice day for a commute...though not on the M4 ! You were joining the queue to go towards the M25 so didn't get chance to say hi as I was in the tintop heading into London.

Got mine earlier this year from Tayna. Cheapest I could find and quick delivery, well packaged...no problems.

A few years ago... I got mine (Al) from Wickes and sprayed it black with some fireplace paint I had left over....then cut it to size. http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-13mm-Galvanised-Mesh-Panel-600mmx900mm/p/187723

Thanks folks..can't charge in use as I only have the full go pro case so no access to the USB charging port. Thx for replies...I'll give it a go....

Hi POBC ... I have a GoPro Silver 3+ but not really used it in anger yet. The main complaint appears to be battery life....and I only have the battery that came with it (suggested use time of ~1.5 hrs with wifi on...or even less ??) Could I use one of these to charge the GoPro battery (or keep it topped up) between track stints ? here What is the likely impact on my car battery assuming I'm re-charging the GoPro with everything switched off and not while running the car ? Would like to use it at this weekends Supercar Event and running the battery out in the first few sessions isn't on the plan ! Thanks

R400 Orange was me out for a blat around Henley / Marlow roads 😬

Thanks all. I am tempted to have a go on my own...but with personal time limited I'm concerned it will remain part dismantled / part assembled whilst the summer months tick by ! I'll be giving JW a call today for a quote / booking it in. Maybe next time I'll be braver and have a go myself !

Hi folks...back from holidays and now need to get this sorted before the sunny days are here ! I've always taken my car to J Whiting for a service and MOT, but this is a bit of a bigger job. Who should I talk to for competitive quotes ..or should I just go with JWhiting. I don't know why, but I never saw him as a Duratec expert so for this engine out job there is something saying I should go elsewhere...no logic..just gut feel ! Tell me I'm wrong or recommend a place ?? I'm in South Bucks...happy to drive ~ 1hr to the right place so West of London ?

hmmm....maybe more investigation then. Its' definitely going somewhere, all be it slowly, but there is no leak around pedal box, clutch pedal, master cylinder, hose or connections ! If it was only leaking 1 drop at a time, would it evaporate or burn away within the bellhousing ?

Thanks John....my best guess is it's leaking at the slave cylinder which is buried somewhere between the engine and gearbox...so as it's only leaking when used (ite hot)... it's leaking out and burning off inside bellhousing....... but I'm open to other ideas !! 1hr 20 minute blat (which included 15 mins stuck in traffic..so lots of clutch work) loses about 20% of the master cylinder ! Edited by - Steve Campbell on 29 Mar 2014 20:16:43

Hi folks I seem to be losing clutch fluid from the master cylinder...no obvious leaks so a search on here has yielded a likely problem with the slave cylinder....and an engine and gearbox out job to fix. ☹️ Its a 2008 R400 D That's way beyond my DIY skills....any clues how much this is going to set me back ? Off on holidays tomorrow so will be giving J Whiting a call when I return and wanted a ball park figure so I can break the news gently to SWMBO !! Edited by - steve campbell on 29 Mar 2014 17:00:03

You will get all answers on the spectrum for build / don't build, service / don't service 😬 When I first joined the ranks (way back in 2000), I opted for getting it serviced...mainly for peace of mind and the fact I wasn't bothered about the cost of servicing. After a couple of annual services, I then gradually started doing it myself. With my current car, I've had it 4 years and it's now 6 years old, I still take it for annual service at a local specialist...mainly for peace of mind to be honest...and it saves me a few hours work when I could be driving it. I do the odd job as it comes up but that annual check by a professional just gives me that bit of extra security (at least in my head, even if the reality is less value added) I echo all the other comments so far.. each to their own in the end.....enjoy. Edited by - Steve Campbell on 10 Mar 2014 17:29:08

Out for the first blat of the summer yesterday...after about 45 mins, gears start to get "sticky"...10 mins later...loss of clutch....completely. Had to phone the missus up and a quick tow home (luckily I was enroute home after the gears started playing up so not too far away). Quick check of the clutch master cylinder...hardly any clutch fluid !! A quick bleed and top up and all seems well. BUT : I can't remember ever having checked the clutch fluid 😳 ☹️ but the car has been serviced at J Whiting annually. So where has the clutch fluid gone ? Doesn't look like I've lost it on the garage floor over the winter ? Didn't have any problems pre-winter (that I remember) in selecting gears. Have searched the archives and am going to try the "broom handle" and leave the clutch depressed for 20 or 30 minutes to see if I'm loosing any. Any other thoughts ? Could this just be "check it more often" ! 😳 or something more serious going on. It's a 2008 S3 Duratec R400. Edited by - steve campbell on 10 Mar 2014 10:36:39

Very neat ! Mine's velcro'd to the scuttle :-)