Maintenance Checks Weekly.

[victorgte]

Originally Posted by first-things-first

- Check tyre treads for stones or debris such as glass. If required turn wheels so that front or rear of tyre is pointing outwards. Remove any debris found, might save a puncture later. Especially if you live in areas with flint stones.

This should not cause any problems. They are just a stoneage family from the town of Bedrock.

[wraymond]

There are quite a few newer members on here who may be in their earlier years of car ownership. This thread will be of great value to them and in the long run save them a lot of money.
An on-board tyre pressure pump was mentioned. Tip: if the tyre is well down on pressure, jack the wheel off the ground before pumping up - much easier and quicker.

[Arctic]

Hi Keith.
You can use any fluid to Dexron III specification, and are suitable for temperatures between -20c to + 30c the colour may differ from manufactured power steering fluid but most are red.

I use Granville but there are other makes that can be used as long as they meet the requirements

[Bastelmann]

Thank you very much for this thread. I am interested in this vis motor self testing modification. Does there exist an own thread about this issue?

[Arctic]

Hi Andreas.
Your welcome with regards to the Vis motors drop My vis himself a PM and I am sure he will forward to you what you need to know about the vis motors.

Just finished my weekend checks on both cars FL 1 and the MGZT.

[aguy]

I look at the reports of damaged V6 motors and the negative comments often given and think, 'if only people would check them as per this thread, there would probably be far less problems'.

The KV6 seems to suffer more damage from overheating as a result of coolant leaks and it does seem to me that most, if not all of this might be avoided if these weekly checks were adhered to.

Just taking off the filler cap and checking the coolant level should indicate immediately if there is a leak. Thermostats, water pumps and hoses are the most obvious areas to look and any coolant leak at all must be immediately rectified.
The problem lies with those who do not check levels week in week out. Leaving an engine until it starts to boil and seriously overheat can result in serious even terminal damage.
It's also why, when buying a car, it is good to know the history and determine that such overheating has not taken place or worst still K seal or such has been added in an attempt to stem the problem.

Now I'm no motor mechanic and I will gladly accept correction from those who are, but that's how I see it and I think this thread is a really excellent guide as to how we should look after our cars.

[bl52krz]

Hi Steve . Just another easy check 10 seconds. Heating system:- hold the Auto button and the Distribution button in on the heating/aircon system, turn ignition to position 2, and this will check to see if there is anything wrong with the system. Faults ,if I remember correctly wil show up in the right hand side of the panel. If there are no faults, the system will return to normal operation without showing any faults. Turn off ignition.

[arnosvale65]

Makes me feel ashamed. I, and I suspect lots of other owners, am lucky if I check the tyre pressures once a week. I do check the oil but only before a long run and the water. We have become so accustomed to our cars checking themselves, my Renault does, that we just jump in and drive them. Very old school all this checking but none the worse for that. Even trucks don't get weekly safety checks any more. My only defence and a very poor one at that is that I live on a street with a very steep camber and I don't have the luxury of a drive or garage.
Strangely enough I do a much more thorough job of checking my 1.8VVC MGF as they are notoriously susceptible to HGF and water levels are critical as you 1.8 75 owners will acknowledge.
My 75 cdti is a tough old girl but she does get an oil and filter change every 5000 miles by me.
My wife never, ever checks anything to the extent that her old Laguna broke down on the way to it's MOT as it had no oil in it!!!!!!

[Arctic]

Nice mild day here in the west midlands, so once again weekly checks taken out on both cars all is as it should be.

Remember a car looked after and serviced regular will give you good service try and make time for those essential checks each week cheers Arctic.

[stevestrat]

As mine lives in a garage I check the coolant level with a small LED torch against the back of the reservoir, saves disturbing the cap every time. Not gonna work of you have an early black tank or in bright light!