Tech you car often!

[yellowss7]

I usually do a front to back inspection of the major componenets after each trackday or long drive. Check fluid levels, belts, wiring, tighten key bolts etc. Just to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be.

 

After back to back trackdays on Monday and Tuesday, I finally got around to checking things over as I'm am doing another trackday on Sunday.

 

I noticed that my coolant level looked slightly lower, a little under the full line. I thought that was strange so I topped it and ran it for a while. All seemed fine, it came up to temp and held steady, once the stat opened, temp dropped a bit but held steady.

 

I turned it off and noticed a small wet spot where the waterrail attaches to the head. This gasket is a known weak point on the K series. However, upon closer inspection I noticed that a bolt that holds the waterrail to the head was missing:ack: I would never had noticed it if I hadn't remembered it when I built the car as it's only a 5mm bolt.

 

Luckily I ordered an extra gasket and bolt on my last order from Caterham.

 

Lesson is that these cars can vibrate just about any component loose.

 

A few minutes looking over the car might save you money and help keep you safe.

 

Tom

Edited September 17, 2011 by yellowss7

[S1Steve]

Seems to be a day for things falling apart or breaking. Out enjoying the nice weather,

 

and half way thru my ride I hear a banging sound under my seat and on my left leg.

 

Turns out the rubber mount that holds the side pipe to the bracket thats welded to the

 

frame broke. And the side pipe was banging against the bracket. I thought I broke the

 

frame under the seat. Just did a nut and bolt, so I thought, Oh No. All fixed and ready

 

for the Poconos.

 

Steve

Edited September 16, 2011 by S1Steve

[MichaelD]

I wish mine could be so easy to find. A short somewhere keeps cutting my motor out. Things like potholes, expansion joints or even rapid acceleration can cut it out or bring it back.

 

It will be a fun weekend.

[Kitcat]

My tail light fell off recently-didn't think to ck that. So what? When asked abt cost, I was told "unobtanium" was cheaper.

 

Michael D-as far as I am concerned, the mystery short is the ultimate maddening problem(:!

Edited September 17, 2011 by Kitcat

[breezy7]

When I built my car I added torque stripe to critical fasteners like suspension bolts and engine mounts for a quick visual reference ,but a bottle of paint and a brush has the same effect. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/f900.php