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EFE 532X

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 06:06 am
by bob04917
Hey folks, EFE's still chugging along here in Northern New England. Anyone know where I can get a snowcap for the cowling vent? Snow has started falling.

Image

It really needs to be warmed up before setting off in the morning, especially when the temps have been in the teens and twenties (farenheit). Anyone else have this experience? She seems to buck and occasionally backfire if not warmed up enough. Fuel starvation due to the extreme cold? Maybe a radiator or grill cover will help.

I made sure I drained the cooling system in early October and refilled with 50/50 Prestone. Seemed like the old coolant was mostly dirty water.

I get lots of stares :shock: and comments about her here.

I will post more pictures when we get a big snow storm.

--Bob

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 09:56 am
by SteveP
Glad to hear it's going well Bob!

Surprised about the coolant, I put a new mix of anti freeze in when I fitted the new radiator in October last year!

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 09:58 am
by volvosneverdie
I'm with you there bob. I'd really like a snowcap too. Not because we get much actual snow in northern England (not new), but just because they look so cool.
Your car looks like a honey my friend, and I hope someone comes up with a cap for you. :P

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 10:57 am
by trabitom99
Hi Bob, thanks for keeping us updated! I sold a snowcap only very recently, keep looking in from time to time ...

Otherwise, there might be some people here who'd swap one for the rear foam aberration ;-) :-D

Tom

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 04:56 pm
by nomead
I manage without the snowcap here in Finland... and we get plenty!

There haven't been mornings below -10C yet, no problems starting thus far. Does the engine have a carburettor or injection? Either way, the fuel tank and fuel lines may gather some water through condensation, so check that you add some proper antifreeze to your gas (ethanol / isopropyl alcohol based, not glycol, naturally). I think carburettors are more sensitive to freezing though.

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 05:00 pm
by Chris_C
Bob, I've a feeling 1.4's have a different temp stat in some countries, might be worth you running one a few degrees different?

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 08:05 pm
by bob04917
Hi all, thanks for the responses. I've been putting E10 in the gas tank, seems all they sell around here. I didn't think about changing the thermostat. Is the thermostat in the upper radiator hose by the water pump? Know what the part number is? Maybe I can get one locally. It does get nice and toasty warm in the cabin when she's at operating temperature.

It was 10F :( this morning (the weather folks are forecasting 50F :D this Wednesday) and she just about started. Maybe a new battery with high cranking amps would help. She's a carburatored 1.4 btw.

I did buy a set of Thule snow chains for her. I'll let you know how those work out. Anyone have any experience with chains?

I still have that black foam thingy, if anyone's interested.

-- Bob

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 08:14 pm
by filthyjohn
bob04917 wrote:Anyone have any experience with chains?
Not in England bud, we get 1 inch of snow and everybody starts crashing into each other. :lol:

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 10:57 pm
by Chris_C
bob04917 wrote:Hi all, thanks for the responses. I've been putting E10 in the gas tank, seems all they sell around here. I didn't think about changing the thermostat. Is the thermostat in the upper radiator hose by the water pump? Know what the part number is? Maybe I can get one locally. It does get nice and toasty warm in the cabin when she's at operating temperature.
No idea on the part number, or even if it actually exists, but I'm pretty sure I've seen different temp stats available. Yup, stat is upper rad hose on the 1.4.

Posted: 08 Dec 2008 11:10 pm
by trabitom99
bob04917 wrote:I still have that black foam thingy, if anyone's interested.
Jay ????? :P

Tom

Posted: 09 Dec 2008 07:25 pm
by J340GLT
I'll have the foamy thing please!!!!

Pm me a price

REgards

JAy

Posted: 09 Dec 2008 07:31 pm
by volvosneverdie
Ok, i give up, i'll bite.

Whats the foam thingy?

Posted: 09 Dec 2008 10:26 pm
by trabitom99
When Bob bought the car, he removed the rear spoiler. Nothing wrong with that, but original Mk1/Mk2 rear spoilers are quite rare in the UK ... And Jay's been looking for one for ages!

Go on Bob, see if you can work out the postage for the guy ;-)

Tom

Posted: 09 Dec 2008 11:18 pm
by volvosneverdie
:D
Aha!

I thought they were rubber.
S'pose foams that much of a departure.

Now i understand.
:P

Posted: 09 Dec 2008 11:36 pm
by SteveP
The foam thing did have a little kink in it which would never straighten out :( But it still looked alright imo on there :lol: