Draining Oils

February 13th

First task today was to get the engine and gearbox oil out. But was a little early to start the car up and making a noise. So made a start on the wipe bits. This was just a matter off unbolting and disconnecting multiplug first. Then looking at the manual a special Rover tool. This tool look like a spanner wedge shaped. Got an old spanner from another tool kit and this work a treat. Now for the oils. I wanted get the oils hot so there would drain better. For this I thought get front wheels off the floor and run the car for a while. Easier said than done. Trolley jack would not fit under the car. So tried drive onto ramp. This caused all sorts of problems trying to jack car from ramps. Then light bulb in brain. Just remembered reading somewhere that to jack up the car drive the car up the ramps a little bit instead of all the way up. Just enough to get the trolley jack underneath. This worked a treat. Rested car on axel stands and run car for a while to heat oil. Things was going good. Wheels spin with car in second gear. Pumped throttle a few times and as before kept cutting out. But ok when warm. I notice ABS light staying on and temp gauge not rising. Tried again when warm and all was ok. So suspect Coolant senor I thought. Lowered onto one axel stand so passenger side was lower. This was to help the gear oil drain. By this time it was getting on in the afternoon. This was a job I thought would not take too long.

Drained engine oil. Now time for the gearbox. never done the gearbox oil before. First thoughts was I have not got the tool to remove the plug. I trip down to the local car shop to ask for tool. Very helpful guy's there. He asked if I had tried a 3/8" ratchet. he said if that don't work at least you will know roughly the size. Brilliant 3/8" fits perfectly!!! But would not budge with a ratchet. Luck had the 3/8" drive torque wench. Came undone with a little force.

Next thing to do was drain the coolant. Hose was on there very tight in a confined space. So thought about getting better access from top. One logical thing I could think of was take bit off this engine and put onto my original engine. This was so that I knew how things went back together. First thing that needed coming off was the dump valve. Fitted to other engine.

Next was the battery tray and air filter assemblies. This allowed me to get a better grip on the lower coolant hose and drain out the coolant. The battery tray was full of rust and need cleaning up. Ideas sprang to mind about Hammerite and a nice bold colour for under the finished bonnet.

February 14th

Phoned Chris up to chat about the project and what I was up to. Next thing I know Chris said I need a couple of days of break what about I come down and help strip the car. What a guy.

February 17th

Chris arrives late afternoon and can't keep his hands from the car. It takes him no time to remove the locking wheel nuts (key could not be found) and a few other bits from the engine bay.

February 18th

The only way I could describe Chris is like a termite is to wood Chris was to a car (sorry Chris). He in one day manage to strip out all in internals of the car, most of the suspension and the engine bay. Underestimated the space in the garage.

February 19th

Collected a hired engine crane. Lifted out engine with box. Remember this is a first for me so was totally fascinated by the whole experience. By lunch time the rest of the car, fuel tank and accessories.


	Draining Oils February 13th First task today was to get the engine and gearbox oil out. But was a little early to start the car up and making a noise. So made a start on the wipe bits. This was just a matter off unbolting and disconnecting multiplug first. Then looking at the manual a special Rover tool. This tool look like a spanner wedge shaped. Got an old spanner from another tool kit and this work a treat. Now for the oils. I wanted get the oils hot so there would drain better. For this I thought get front wheels off the floor and run the car for a while. Easier said than done. Trolley jack would not fit under the car. So tried drive onto ramp. This caused all sorts of problems trying to jack car from ramps. Then light bulb in brain. Just remembered reading somewhere that to jack up the car drive the car up the ramps a little bit instead of all the way up. Just enough to get the trolley jack underneath. This worked a treat. Rested car on axel stands and run car for a while to heat oil. Things was going good. Wheels spin with car in second gear. Pumped throttle a few times and as before kept cutting out. But ok when warm. I notice ABS light staying on and temp gauge not rising. Tried again when warm and all was ok. So suspect Coolant senor I thought. Lowered onto one axel stand so passenger side was lower. This was to help the gear oil drain. By this time it was getting on in the afternoon. This was a job I thought would not take too long. Drained engine oil. Now time for the gearbox. never done the gearbox oil before. First thoughts was I have not got the tool to remove the plug. I trip down to the local car shop to ask for tool. Very helpful guy's there. He asked if I had tried a 3/8" ratchet. he said if that don't work at least you will know roughly the size. Brilliant 3/8" fits perfectly!!! But would not budge with a ratchet. Luck had the 3/8" drive torque wench. Came undone with a little force. Next thing to do was drain the coolant. Hose was on there very tight in a confined space. So thought about getting better access from top. One logical thing I could think of was take bit off this engine and put onto my original engine. This was so that I knew how things went back together. First thing that needed coming off was the dump valve. Fitted to other engine. Next was the battery tray and air filter assemblies. This allowed me to get a better grip on the lower coolant hose and drain out the coolant. The battery tray was full of rust and need cleaning up. Ideas sprang to mind about Hammerite and a nice bold colour for under the finished bonnet. February 14th Phoned Chris up to chat about the project and what I was up to. Next thing I know Chris said I need a couple of days of break what about I come down and help strip the car. What a guy. February 17th Chris arrives late afternoon and can't keep his hands from the car. It takes him no time to remove the locking wheel nuts (key could not be found) and a few other bits from the engine bay. February 18th The only way I could describe Chris is like a termite is to wood Chris was to a car (sorry Chris). He in one day manage to strip out all in internals of the car, most of the suspension and the engine bay. Underestimated the space in the garage. February 19th Collected a hired engine crane. Lifted out engine with box. Remember this is a first for me so was totally fascinated by the whole experience. By lunch time the rest of the car, fuel tank and accessories.