Your fleet running reports

[mik]

I have a special lotus-branded head-bag (TM).

[integrale_evo]

I have a special lotus-branded head-wand (TM).

[mik]

I have a special lotus-branded head-wand (TM).

It’s only for low-speed typing.

COME OUT JAMES

[Sundayjumper]

WFH, so I’ve been able to get stuck in with the trailer refurb

New wood, new tyres, and a coat of paint in the wheels. Light rub down on the frame. Next job is to take it all apart again and give the wood several coats of preservative and some varnish.

Having found the chassis plate it turns out it was made in 1983. I’m trying to make a good job of it so that it lasts another 30-40 years.

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[Matty]

Looks lovely, I spotted on seloc. Shame 12 months early for me. Torn between evora and cayman.

Drive and Evora and you won't even consider the Cayman. These are facts. I mean, EVO even picked the 276bhp, long-boxed car over the Cayman GT4 worth more than double.

[mik]

[mik]

Was using the new petrol leaf blower this evening as a leaf hoover for the first time. You hold it in a slightly different orientation, and when the fuel got low it cut out without any prior coughs or splutters. OK - refil and restart. But it wouldn’t restart

After many unsuccessful pulls on the starter cord I decided there might be a problem with the plug. Pulled it out and it seemed fine, but the clip on the plug wire came unseated from the insulated section. FFS.

Spent 20mins rebuilding it, before I realised that - because you hold the whole machine in a different orientation and it is less comfortable to hold the throttle trigger on, I’d been using the throttle “brake”. And I had forgotten to take this off when I went to refuel it. So after refuelling I was trying to start it on approx 90% throttle. Doh!

Took nearly a further 10mins to get it to clear its lungs properly. Feckin idiot.

[integrale_evo]

The mito comes with a crappy fabric strap to pull the boot closed.

For some strange reason I've always fancied a red one to match the other red touches on the car.

I am a cheapskate and reduce to pay the £18 fiat / Alfa want for a red one from a fiat 500 abarth, so bought some strapping and an eyelet kit to make my own ( and about 20 more ) for considerably less.

Just need an RS badge for the boot

[JonMad]

Had a look at taking my sump guard off so I can get to my radiator thermoswitch to see if my fans are running properly at both speeds.

Two issues trying to remove the sump guard.
1) it’s a massive sheet of metal so probably a two man job, certainly to get it back on again.
2) one of the Allen bolts for it has stripped so I can’t get it off even if I wanted to

[integrale_evo]

Smack a torx bit into it

[McSwede]

Smack a torx bit into it

I discovered this very cheat/hack last weekend. Worked a treat!!

[NotoriousREV]

Had a look at taking my sump guard off so I can get to my radiator thermoswitch to see if my fans are running properly at both speeds.

Two issues trying to remove the sump guard.
1) it’s a massive sheet of metal so probably a two man job, certainly to get it back on again.
2) one of the Allen bolts for it has stripped so I can’t get it off even if I wanted to

If smacking a torx bit into doesn’t work, get a set of Irwin Bolt Grip nut removers. They work a treat.

[JonMad]

Ah, thanks chaps, I shall see if I can try that tomorrow.

[McSwede]

Had a look at taking my sump guard off so I can get to my radiator thermoswitch to see if my fans are running properly at both speeds.

Two issues trying to remove the sump guard.
1) it’s a massive sheet of metal so probably a two man job, certainly to get it back on again.
2) one of the Allen bolts for it has stripped so I can’t get it off even if I wanted to

If smacking a torx bit into doesn’t work, get a set of Irwin Bolt Grip nut removers. They work a treat.

This is also something I tried after failing to remove some 30yr old bolts/nuts on the MX5. They're superb!!

[Mito Man]

Sounds like I need a set of these nut removers

[JonMad]

Banging a torx bit in is proving tricky. Smaller ones go in but don’t grip. Is it a case of keep banging to try and get it to stick?

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[integrale_evo]

Yep, use the size that just won't quite fit. Don't be shy with the hammer. You might need to use a small pick or screwdriver to remove any burred over material from the bottom of the hole before going back and knocking it in further to try and get it as deep as possible.

[Rich B]

Yep, use the size that just won't quite fit. Don't be shy with the hammer. You might need to use a small pick or screwdriver to remove any burred over material from the bottom of the hole before going back and knocking it in further to try and get it as deep as possible.

removing a rounded bolt is like making love to a beautiful woman...

[mik]

Try a torx bit on the end of an impact driver if there is space. Otherwise buy a proper extractor tool - they generally work well.

[V8Granite]

Tighten before loosening.

Dave!