Remembering Smurf

[renaultvation]

My son broke down last night, just yards from where Smurf broke down on the A1 by the A505 junction. Luckily, he was just overheating, so was able to let it cool down, top up and limp to Tesco in Baldock, so did not have the Highways Agency preventing anyone from assisting!
Went out to meet him and diagnosed a leaking thermostat (Ford Fiesta 1.4 zetec). Called RAC who diagnosed leaking thermostat. RAC guy was helpful, but couldn't bring us home as his shift finished at midnight and he didn't get paid overtime, so arranged for contractor to bring us home. Got home just before 1am. [|)]

I know what I am doing tomorrow. Unfortunately he has air conditioning, so access to the thermostat is not easy!

'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'

 

[commerchris]

Just driven past that junction got off at the next one
I couldn't help think of every one involved!

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard

 

[renaultvation]

Crikey, has anyone tried to change a thermostat in a 2004 Fiesta. I thought Renaults were bad, but this takes the biscuit. First I removed the airbox and all the plastic clutter on top of the engine to get a glimpse of the thermostat buried below. Next job was to remove the alternator to gain access. However, that requires removing a headlight to access the lower bolt and remove it (it won't fit through the space above). Then remove the hoses (one did not wish to shift) and the clips holding them which are awful. Eventually got to the thermostat and removed the upper two bolts, but one of the lower two is almost impossible to access. Eventually removed the plastic thermostat housing which appears undamaged. New thermostat comes with its own gasket, but there is a second gasket fixed to a groove in the thermostat housing. This gasket needs replacing, but I bet I can't buy the gasket without buying the whole housing. Off to Marshalls tomorrow to find out!

Remind me, how do you do this job on a Commer?

'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'

 

[commerchris]

So much for moderm cars eh! Nice to hear your getting your hands dirty!

Commer Dandy by Dandy Caravans
The Colonel Mustard

 

[Panky]

quote:
Originally posted by renaultvation


Remind me, how do you do this job on a Commer?

'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'



Erm - easily

Summer's Coming

 

[commeracer]

I had to do one on the Riley once, 3 nuts..................it was hell

"You,re only supposed to blow the bloody SLIDING doors off"

 

[bazzateer]

Two nuts on an Imp, slightly awkward access but not difficult.

Reminds me of when my ex father-in-law had a Renault Clio 1.4. The water pump failed and had to be replaced. Luckily it was under warranty but it took 2 days and would have cost him over £300, this was in 1995. At the same time I had to replace the water pump on my Frogeye. £30 and 30 mins is all it took me.

I am not a person, I am a number, 395 actually......Be seeing you!
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?

 

[renaultvation]

Fortunately the gasket was available on its own for about £4. All went back together ok and it is running fine now, but my arm is bruised up to the elbow due to the tight access.

'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'

 

[Panky]

Well at least that's the same, my arms are full of scratches and nicks after being elbow deep in Bonnies bay for the last couple of days:I

Summer's Coming

 

[Enigma]

They say 'every cloud has a silver lining' and Smurf braking down there made me meet that guy who turned up at the meet with a whole van full of Commer spares.......I wonder what your silver lining will be[8D]

For most bad things that happen, at least 2 Good things happen, it's just we too blinkered to see it most of the time

''COMMER'EnSayThat''

 

[renaultvation]

Well, it was too good to last. The thermostat gasket was the symptom, not the cause, it's a blown head gasket. Being an alloy block which may have warped, I have been advised that it is probably as economical to buy a second hand engine and have that fitted, so I am now on the lookout for a decent 1.4 zetec engine.

'I intend to live forever - so far, so good'