Bleeding the brakes properly. I had been trying to bleed the brakes on my own and thought I had been successful. I had replaced all the brake fluid, I flushed through just over 1.5 litres of fluid and wasn't getting any air bubbles at any of the nipples. A friend of mine came round and found that the brake pipe for the rear NS had a real high point along its length. We just bent that to some semblance of straight then bled the system with two of us... that pipe was almost full of air, but it cured the soft pedal. I suppose the message there is that a half full jar of brake fluid is not as good as a friend, though I didn't have to take the jar to the pub afterwards. A lot of the advisories on the MOT were brake related, the tester tells me that these are almost certainly because the car has sat for so long and should improve with use.... I guess time and distance will reveal the truth of that. The only point he said should be dealt with urgently is the inboard and outboard n/s cv gaiters. What are your thoughts on the split gaiters? I have used them on several vehicles previously with mixed results.
I thought about dirt as a possible cause but discounted it (ok I didn't check but will do today) because the cut out is almost like a switch being thrown. There is an instant loss of power and it comes back just as quick. Also my background is electrical and I am far more comfortable with wiring than fuel systems. I have a vague recollection that it did this once or twice in the last few days I was using it before it went into 'storage' but I didn't worry about it as I wasn't going to be using the car. If I had known then how easy and cheap it was going to be to get her back on the road she wouldn't have been parked up for so long. total costs: 1 Exhaust....£113 and 2L Brake fluid at £8.40. 4 grazed knuckles and an embarrassed neighbour (the air did turn blue once or twice). I also drained off the old petrol, someone told me that petrol goes off over time and it had been in the tank for 18 months. Again thank you for the help, I look forward to meeting the guys from here. Mark ________________________________ From: Jim Hearne <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Thu, 24 June, 2010 9:49:49 Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] Re: 2+2 Paintwork Hi Mark, What fixed your brake problem in the end ? I've had similar cutting out problems due to dirt in the carb. Jim On 24/06/2010 09:27, taximark wrote: > I do have a couple of suitable trees and did give it a try. I think > that fear of damaging the pipe stopped me from trying too hard though. > The MOT guy has given me an advisory for the exhaust touching the body > so I must sort this at some point in the not too distant future. > > I got to go out and play for a while last night and found a really > irritating problem. On really hard left turns the engine cuts out,,, > then just starts going again. The harder the turn the longer it cuts > out for. It is so instant that it seems electrical and never lasts > more than a second, I have checked the obvious wiring (coil, dizzy > etc) but can't see any probs there. Has anyone else experienced this > problem? > > Mark > > On Jun 23, 11:11 pm, "jon jackson"<[email protected]> wrote: > >> Got any trees with "V" branches on them near you? They are great for bending >> pipes a little. >> I have to say that I have got really attached to my Quantum 2+2 RS and can >> easily see why some of you use them all the time. >> Not many kit cars have a big boot and sensible screen with good looks too. >> I must join the club. >> Cheers Jon >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "taximark"<[email protected]> >> To: "Quantum Owners Group"<[email protected]> >> Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2010 7:18 PM >> Subject: [Quantum Owners] Re: 2+2 Paintwork >> >> Thanks Jim, >> >> Having started to drain the system the brake fluid is coming through >> cloudy so I am guessing that it is not much good.... some munchies and >> then off to finish the job. >> >> Got the new exhaust fitted, I thought I needed to bend the exhaust, it >> runs the length of the car as far as the back box quite nicely. The >> tailpipe is about 5 inches to the right of the recess in the bodywork >> but it doesn't foul anywhere so I think I will put up with that until >> I can find someone with kit to bend it properly. >> >> Thanks for all the advice. >> >> Mark >> >> On Jun 17, 3:00 pm, Jim Hearne<[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> 2L should be enough to flush through all the dirty stuff. >>> >> >>> Jim >>> >> >>> On 17/06/2010 14:18, taximark wrote: >>> >> >>>> Just off to buy some brake fluid... anyone have any idea how much the >>>> system will need? >>>> >> >>>> Mark >>>> >> >>>> On Jun 17, 10:32 am, taximark<[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >> >>>>> The pads have not been changed, According to the paperwork the car has >>>>> only done around 4500 miles since being converted and it would appear >>>>> that new pads were fitted then, The tyre condition would also tend to >>>>> reinforce that impression still appearing almost brand new. I did 3k >>>>> of those miles in the few months I had the car on the road. >>>>> >> >>>>> I was hoping to get the car on the road for this weekend and head up >>>>> to the show. It would be good to meet some other owners. My car would >>>>> also make everyone elses look much better. This project is a first for >>>>> me as I have always been a 'throw it at a specialist' kind of car >>>>> owner. I must be getting old now because I begrudge spending the money >>>>> and quite fancy the satisfaction of driving something I have worked on >>>>> myself. I last did that with a mkIII cortina 25 years ago. >>>>> >> >>>>> Mark >>>>> >> >>>>> On Jun 17, 10:20 am, Jim Hearne<[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >> >>>>>> Not if nothing has been done to the brakes but if you'd changed the >>>>>> pads >>>>>> recently it's easily done. >>>>>> >> >>>>>> Jim >>>>>> >> >>>>>> On 17/06/2010 10:01, taximark wrote: >>>>>> >> >>>>>>> And regards the spring clip, is that likely as the brakes were fine >>>>>>> before the car was parked up? >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> Mark >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>> On Jun 17, 9:35 am, Jim Hearne<[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> Something seizing would normally make the pedal harder (but probably >>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>> noticeably so). >>>>>>>> I've had problems with rust in the master cylinder bore caused by >>>>>>>> water >>>>>>>> sitting there. >>>>>>>> This was with silicone brake fluid so the water stays separated and >>>>>>>> sits >>>>>>>> at the lowest points in the system. >>>>>>>> With normal brake fluid the water gets absorbed into the fluid and >>>>>>>> shouldn't cause this problem. >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> It could just be old fluid so try flushing it through with new >>>>>>>> first. >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> Also, just a though, make sure the spring clip is fitted to the >>>>>>>> outside >>>>>>>> of the front calipers, this missing gives a soft pedal. >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> Jim >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> On 17/06/2010 09:24, taximark wrote: >>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> Hi Jon >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> I look forward to seeing the pics of this. My hood is going to have >>>>>>>>> to >>>>>>>>> wait for a while so hopefully it isn't going to be a wet summer. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> I shall be spending the morning trying to find out why the brakes >>>>>>>>> don't work very well. I have very litttle braking effort and the >>>>>>>>> pedal >>>>>>>>> is like pressing treacle, very spongy and soft. There is some >>>>>>>>> braking >>>>>>>>> effort but way short of any real use. I am guessing that something >>>>>>>>> has >>>>>>>>> probably siezed while the car has been parked up. If anyone has any >>>>>>>>> suggestions they would be appreciated but I don't think a strip >>>>>>>>> down >>>>>>>>> and rebuild is going to do any harm to the brakes, after all they >>>>>>>>> are >>>>>>>>> kinda important. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> Then this afternoon I will be fitting the exhaust and hopefully ** >>>>>>>>> test drive time!! **. >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> Mark >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>> On Jun 16, 11:01 pm, "jon jackson"<[email protected]> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Hi I have just had a hood made by this man [email protected] >>>>>>>>>> When the hood arrived I was amazed at how good it was and have to >>>>>>>>>> admit that I have not fitted it yet. >>>>>>>>>> You will need to use your old hoods front fixing bar as the new >>>>>>>>>> one is left unattached at the front. >>>>>>>>>> I will be doing a photo series for interested parties to see how >>>>>>>>>> its done. >>>>>>>>>> cheers Jon >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>>>>>>>> From: Mark Miles >>>>>>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 10:59 PM >>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] 2+2 Paintwork >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Hi Jim, >>>>>>>>>> When chatting to her I reiterated the accident several times in >>>>>>>>>> the conversation and she confirmed that was the correct premium. I >>>>>>>>>> don't know if it had any bearing but I have been a professional >>>>>>>>>> driver for over 20 years and had almost a million miles claim >>>>>>>>>> free... >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> As regards the body repairs you make it sound quite easy. I shall >>>>>>>>>> go google for the gelcoat... I would prefer to do the work myself. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> I have to say that having seen the attention that driving this car >>>>>>>>>> gets (and a previous kitcar (renault 4 Malibu) my ex wife owned) >>>>>>>>>> that I am sorely tempted to throw away my hovercraft plans and buy >>>>>>>>>> a new kit to build. I would also like to upgrade the engine to an >>>>>>>>>> RS turbo lump. Having had the car for almost 2 years now and only >>>>>>>>>> driven it for 6 months or so I can't wait to get it back on the >>>>>>>>>> road. It is on axle stands at the moment awaiting a new exhaust >>>>>>>>>> for the MOT. I get a little tingle every time I see it knowing >>>>>>>>>> that in a few days I will be able to drive it again. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Thanks for the advice. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Mark >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>>>>> --- >>>>>>>>>> From: Jim Hearne<[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>> To: [email protected] >>>>>>>>>> Sent: Tue, 15 June, 2010 22:39:18 >>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Quantum Owners] 2+2 Paintwork >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Hi Mark, >>>>>>>>>> Welcome to the group. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> I suspect your local paintwork chappie isn't very familiar with >>>>>>>>>> fibreglass cars. >>>>>>>>>> I'd say gelcoat finish is easier to fix than a paint finish. >>>>>>>>>> You just need to grind out any cracks and if they aren't deep just >>>>>>>>>> fill >>>>>>>>>> the cracks slightly proud with the correct colour gelcoat. >>>>>>>>>> When it's set carefully sand the repairs back flush. >>>>>>>>>> As long as you can match the colour it;s easy. >>>>>>>>>> If the damage is deep then repair with mating and resin leaving >>>>>>>>>> the area >>>>>>>>>> slightly recessed and fil with gelcoat. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> If it's a common colour then the gelcoat can be obtained from many >>>>>>>>>> boat >>>>>>>>>> companies. >>>>>>>>>> www.sailboats.co.ukisonei'veusedbefore. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> I'm afraid you may be disappointed on the insurance front, the 175 >>>>>>>>>> only >>>>>>>>>> applies if you have had no claims so you won't be eligible. >>>>>>>>>> The woman at FJ should have known that. >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> Jim >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>> On 15/06/2010 21:09, taximark wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi all, I have just joined the group and have been reading >>>>>>>>>>> through >>>>>>>>>>> some of the posts. It appears that this is a very friendly and >>>>>>>>>>> helpful >>>>>>>>>>> group. >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> A couple of years ago I bought a rather tired yellow 2+2. The >>>>>>>>>>> paintwork is starred in a few places from what would appear to >>>>>>>>>>> be >>>>>>>>>>> stone impacts and car park knocks. I understand that it is a gel >>>>>>>>>>> coat >>>>>>>>>>> finish and my local paintwork chappie says that it is more >>>>>>>>>>> expensive >>>>>>>>>>> to repair than to respray the whole car (which is double what I >>>>>>>>>>> paid >>>>>>>>>>> for the car!). Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can >>>>>>>>>>> pretty >>>>>>>>>>> this up without having to spend big bucks or spending a year at >>>>>>>>>>> college to learn how to drive a paint sprayer. >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> I also made the mistake of leaving the car parked under a tree >>>>>>>>>>> for the >>>>>>>>>>> last 18 months and am astonished at the damage that natures >>>>>>>>>>> finest >>>>>>>>>>> have managed to do to the hood. I looked at the qsc website and >>>>>>>>>>> a new >>>>>>>>>>> hood is loadsamoney, can anyone recommend someone reasonable >>>>>>>>>>> near >>>>>>>>>>> Reading that might be able to make one for me. >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> Other than that I love my little car, It has the 1.4 engine but >>>>>>>>>>> is >>>>>>>>>>> quick enough for me and returns almost 50 mpg at 65 mph. >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> The other thing that I was amazed about was insurance. I got a >>>>>>>>>>> quote >>>>>>>>>>> from an insurance company this morning and was horrified at 560. >>>>>>>>>>> (no >>>>>>>>>>> no claims discount as I have only been using my cab for years >>>>>>>>>>> and a >>>>>>>>>>> knock with an audi last year). The girl at the insurance company >>>>>>>>>>> suggested joining the owners club as the special rates brought >>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>> premium down to just 175!! WOW, a 400 saving almost. My cheque >>>>>>>>>>> will >>>>>>>>>>> be winging its way to the owners club forthwith. >>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>>>>> Looking forward to getting to know you all. >>>>>>>>>>> >> ... >> >> read more » >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/quantumowners?hl=en IMPORTANT NOTE: All information presented herewith is provided on an "As Is" basis, without warranty or the implication thereof. Neither the Quantum Owners Club nor the individuals associated with the Quantum Owners Club or in the preparation of the above information shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained within this or related message(s). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Quantum Owners Group" group. 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