Forum Post–More help needed!! (Pretty Please)

I've just tried starting the cat and no luck, so I've tried spraying some cold start in the air intake. It seems to burst to life with very high revs only to then die out with no reaction to the throttle at all. Does anyone have any idea's or any similar experiences as mine? I have a track day looming and desperately want to get it sorted in time. Help a damsel in distress PLEASE!!!!!!!!

P.S Battery has been charged, so doesn't appear to be that. Ignition is turning over nicely.

Just in case I can help others or I need the information again I thought it would be good to post on here.

Response 1 – thanks to Dan: Assuming there is fuel in it, turn the ignition on to get the fuel pump going, press the accelerator pedal to the floor a few times (but don't hold it down), put the clutch in and then turn the engine over. Hopefully you will start to hear the engine catch. Repeat a few times and hopefully it will start. Usually works for me!

 

Response 2 – thanks to JP: Give it some Whiskers and if that doesn't work set the dog on it!

Mine is not a great starter, particularly if it is cold or damp. If it starts straight away with cold start then it certainly sounds like fuel rather than electrics. I always do as Dan suggests and just keep trying. Eventually it fires then falters and stops, and then goes for a bit longer until finally it goes. If it doesn't try doing as I do - swear at it; get out and kick it; swear at it again and then threaten to sell it. That normally does the trick.

 

Response 3 –thanks to Andrew:

Classics' carbs are set up to run rich to avoid blowing the engine at high revs, and that makes them more difficult to start from cold. As such they are very easy to flood and the spark plugs/HT leads/coil/general electrics need to be in good condition or it won't like it.

That said, some cars are better than others. My old one (now Dan's) wanted priming with the throttle pedal but even then never liked the cold and I remember struggling to start the bu99er at Spa in October. Always went in the end though. If you're still struggling after trying everything in the advice below, you should probably seek professional help as it may be that something needs replacement.

My Sunday Bush Experience!

Firstly, I would like to thank Paul for my instructions for how to change a Caterham’s A-frame bush. They were clear and easy to follow. I knew exactly what it is I had to do. Paul stated it was a 10 minute job.

After trying for 1 1/2hrs I had to stop for lunch. It was easy unscrewing and taking the old bushes out, but could I get the new ones in! I was squeezing for all my life! They just seemed to be 4mm to wide. When I managed to get one side in the other side was out. I really thought I would have to give up and get someone else to do it. But after lunch I made one final effort and I managed to get it back in. WOW. What a natural high. It was amazing. I was so impressed with myself.   

 

Are you sure this goes back in this hole?

Old vs New Bushes

  

Bushes and Bolt are back in. RESULT!

I then decided to have another look at my fog light. Wired it back up using the butt connectors I had got from Halfords. Went to turn the lights on and its didn’t come on. So I thought ‘maybe the engine needs to be running?’ Then I couldn’t get the car to start! Any tips could be greatly appreciated. It was like 1 step forward and 2 steps back! I have borrowed a friends battery charger so hoping that might work. My fingers are tightly crossed. Have I bitten off more than I can chew?

 

Above: Examples of my new wiring!

I also decided to take out the grill and mest, to see if I could smarten that up as well.

 

I have still yet to join the club. Still ummming and errrring about what race number to go for. The top 10 from the previous year get 71-79. Number that still remain that are available for me are; 87, 88, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99.

MSA 2011 License

My MSA 2011 License has arrived today, so I’m another step closer to racing! It was a shame I had let the license lapse after not racing again in 2006. You never know when you may need these things! How exciting is 2011 going to be!

 
2 weeks today is Mallory Track day!! Not that I’m counting down the seconds!

Officially a member

I am now officially a member of the BARC and one step closer to racing in 2011.

Official Caterham Test Day Announced.

Track day – Saturday 12th March at Rockingham. How cool! Loads to do before then!

Wanted – Tow Vehicle – approx £1500.

Provisional 2011 Calendar

Below is the racing Calendar for the Caterham Graduates Racing Series for 2011. It is provisional but it is unlikely to change. Look at the classic circuits - its amazing. I love it. The only thing I think it is missing is Cadwell and Spa!

2/3 April                Silverstone (Nat'l?)     x 2
16/17 April            Snetterton (SN300?)   x 2
14/15 May             Brands (Indy?)           x 2
30 May (bank hol)   Mallory                      non-champ, 2 x 10
mins, "Live TV"
17/18 June             Donington                  x 1
9/10 July                Zandvoort                  x 2
13/14 Aug              Castle Combe             x 1
10/11 Sept             Pembrey                    x 2 (one at 40 mins)
1/2 Oct                  Rockingham              x 2

Just need to get the car up to scratch now! Not that much work to do on it! New windscreen, Upgrade on rear half shaft, need to plug in the fire extinguisher, move the fog light, change the oil sender feeder, fix the new harness that I have, add the 2011 stickers (have pretty much taken off the old ones now) and get it service/race prepped for the season. Ohh and sort out my tow car situation – which is pretty important really. Love it – cant wait!

P.S 70 days until F1kicks off again!

Fog cancels Snetterton track day

Having waited for this date for a good few weeks. We packed the car on the trailer Friday night and left early on Saturday to travel down to Snetterton for the first track day in the Classic Caterham. There was a lot of fog around and there had been on Friday night. Another member of the graduates racing club said ‘Snetterton is always foggy but it does lift’. So I knew that we would be having some fog.

We arrived at Snetterton and it was very foggy. Our fingers were crossed that some wind would come along and blow it all away. (After trying to blow it away personally with no luck, the only thing left to do was to cross our fingers). I signed on and got my Snetterton wrist band, had a briefing and got the car noise checked. I then took the car to the pit lane to wait for the sighting laps. I had 3 sighting laps behind a van and an Evo. I couldn’t let you know what was behind me because I had forgotten to put on any of my mirrors! It was horrible, the fog was still very thick (approx 50m’s visibility). 3 laps went very quickly, the conditions where not that pleasant. But it felt great to be back on a motor racing circuit. I travelled back to the pits and met up with my parents. There was going to be no track time until the fog had lifted so the marshals could see!!

We decided to go and get a hot drink in the restaurant and was very tempted by the cooked breakfast but we managed to stay away. We  were hanging around entertaining ourselves. But unfortunately at 12 there was an announcement to say they had had to cancel the track day because the weather was too bad. At first I thought this decision had come a bit early as there was plenty of time left in the day, however on hindsight it was the correct decision. In fact at the circuit it appeared to be getting worse rather than better. It was a long way to go for 3 laps around Snetterton but I have enjoyed the day immensely. I feel like I have achieved a lot without doing that much!

(Look how good the car looks in bright orange on such
a foggy day – don’t think drivers are going to miss me!)

Lessons learnt!
-> Fog stops races/track days.
-> That we can now get the car on the trailer quite quickly.
-> Can put the car away quite quickly.
-> Fitting only 4 tyres to the tyre rack caused problems however we have learnt a solution.
-> The trailer now has a registration plate on it.
-> The car is running well.
-> One piece of foam makes my seat very comfortable!
-> The car passes the noise limit check. (Something that I had assumed but nice to get confirmed).

So looking into the future. Registration started this week for the 2011 championship. It is currently only open to members, with new members allowed to register on 29th November. So now counting that day down! I’m going to see whether I can get a few track days in before the start of the season. With the idea of going to slightly nearer circuits – Cadwell / Mallory. However I still have issues with transporting the car so I’ll have to wait and see. Fingers are crossed for no more fog (and I’m also going to include snow in that one with reference to the winter weather we had last year!)

I have just ordered all my clothes etc. Expensive but of course necessary in the name of safety. Looking forward to that arrival (Suit, Helmet, Underwear, Socks and Harness).

Fingers crossed I’ll get my chance to have a good play soon!

Don’t worry about Korea Mark

AutoGlym is here to help! It will be as new for Brazil!

Progress

I am extremely pleased to announce that I have purchased a Caterham to race in the 2011 Caterham Graduates Classic Series. As pictured below. I am hoping to get out in it very soon. It needs a few bits and pieces doing to meet the regs for racing in 2011.

Just wanted to share my new toy. Am currently trying to come up with a name for it. Send your answers on the back of a postcard. (It seems to work for Vettel!) Will keep you posted.

Horrific Brands Hatch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je71qzTdzx0&feature=related

Van der Drift very lucky to only have broken bones!