Re: Getting OGU roadworthy again
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:52 pm
Well fixing that proved a little easier than expected.
I was able to get the nylon plug out, by first ising an appropriate size tap in the centre hole, then with an old long bolt of that thread and a heavy-ish socket spanner I was able to improvise a lightweight slug hammer to pull the nylon out. I did it with hand inside a big plastic storage box so that I would not lose the spring and the valve-piece.
I had to clean up all the orange Instant Gasket goo, which didn't set properly.
Before putting the valve bits back in the correct sequence I first decided to make a positive engineering modification to ensure that it would not fall out again. So I drilled two tiny holes sideways in the aluminium where the nylon plug goes in.
Then I put the bits back, first the valve piece with the stem and O-ring facing inwards towards the top of the unit, then the light weight spring, then the nylon plug with the flat surface towards the spring. All taking care to ensure that the stem of the valve piece goes through the valve hole where it can meet with the stem of the adjusting screw on the top of the unit. then I tapped the nylon plug into place with a tack hammer.
Then I completed my reliability modification, by extending the holes in the aluminium through the sides of the nylon plug. Next I used some thin steel wires (as used for securing brake mounting bolts) poked it right through the holes in the aluminium and nylon, then bent it over and twisted the end together. This wire will now have to be removed before the nylon plug can come out.
Finally I finished cleaning off the orange goo, and made a new rubber ring seal from a sheet of rubber that i have handy. Then with the top of the Filter King upside down, put the filter cartridge back in, balanced its spring on top and put the bowl on. I had to do up the securing screw of the bowl rather tight as my rubber ring is a bit uneven, but if you can stand the taste of residual petrol, you can test for leaks by ptutting a finger over the outlet pipe and sucking on the inlet pipe.
Anyway I put it all back on the car and went for a short run. Can't really tell if my surge symptoms are still there as the roads were not clear enough here in London, but at least she is running fairly well.
Difficult to tell the difference between undesirable surging on acceleration and the normal surging caused by having a doughnut transmission. Maybe there's nothing wrong with the car, just maybe my Elan driving reflexes are shot to pieces from her being off the road so long.
I was able to get the nylon plug out, by first ising an appropriate size tap in the centre hole, then with an old long bolt of that thread and a heavy-ish socket spanner I was able to improvise a lightweight slug hammer to pull the nylon out. I did it with hand inside a big plastic storage box so that I would not lose the spring and the valve-piece.
I had to clean up all the orange Instant Gasket goo, which didn't set properly.
Before putting the valve bits back in the correct sequence I first decided to make a positive engineering modification to ensure that it would not fall out again. So I drilled two tiny holes sideways in the aluminium where the nylon plug goes in.
Then I put the bits back, first the valve piece with the stem and O-ring facing inwards towards the top of the unit, then the light weight spring, then the nylon plug with the flat surface towards the spring. All taking care to ensure that the stem of the valve piece goes through the valve hole where it can meet with the stem of the adjusting screw on the top of the unit. then I tapped the nylon plug into place with a tack hammer.
Then I completed my reliability modification, by extending the holes in the aluminium through the sides of the nylon plug. Next I used some thin steel wires (as used for securing brake mounting bolts) poked it right through the holes in the aluminium and nylon, then bent it over and twisted the end together. This wire will now have to be removed before the nylon plug can come out.
Finally I finished cleaning off the orange goo, and made a new rubber ring seal from a sheet of rubber that i have handy. Then with the top of the Filter King upside down, put the filter cartridge back in, balanced its spring on top and put the bowl on. I had to do up the securing screw of the bowl rather tight as my rubber ring is a bit uneven, but if you can stand the taste of residual petrol, you can test for leaks by ptutting a finger over the outlet pipe and sucking on the inlet pipe.
Anyway I put it all back on the car and went for a short run. Can't really tell if my surge symptoms are still there as the roads were not clear enough here in London, but at least she is running fairly well.
Difficult to tell the difference between undesirable surging on acceleration and the normal surging caused by having a doughnut transmission. Maybe there's nothing wrong with the car, just maybe my Elan driving reflexes are shot to pieces from her being off the road so long.