A handy little bit of information some users might find helpful

Mickyboy · 20th July 2017, 19:26

As most of you will probably know by now I regularly dismantle salvaged vehicles that are beyond repair mainly Cat B ( Breaking only )

Something I have noticed that has come to my attention is that you can easily identify a rough build date for the car just by removing the fuel filler cap and looking at the date that is stamped on it.
I've also noticed that the date stamping changed from preproject drive cars to later built cars, because on preproject drive cars it appears they stamped the week then the year, but on later built cars they stamped the month and then the year.

I've attached a photo showing a pre-project drive built vehicle also with a sticker removed from the dash that indicates when the ATC vent was installed first week of Feb 2000, but the filler cap is dated week 51 of 1999.

Obviously some people may have had their filler caps replaced at some point, but I wouldn't imagine many have.

It is however an example of another preproject drive change minor as it maybe I thought it may have been of interest to some members, as anybody wishing to view a car can easily remove the filler cap and get a rough idea of build date without going online to check it

Hope this is of interest and benefit to some members.
Mick

Stickman · 20th July 2017, 22:41

Thanks mick
Useful bit of info I wasn't aware of

Regards
Chris

Sprinter · 20th July 2017, 23:29

While there is nothing wrong with my current fuel cap I think this is a worthwhile mod, but I can't decide whether to go for a PPD cap or make my car look newer with something like an 05 cap.

stevenicks · 21st July 2017, 05:36

Thanks Mick, as soon as this heavy rain eases I'll be going out to check mine. Our car's never cease to amaze me

.

Mickyboy · 21st July 2017, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenicks

Thanks Mick, as soon as this heavy rain eases I'll be going out to check mine. Our car's never cease to amaze me

.

Yeah that's for sure mate, some stuff I discover while dismantling still surprises me too

Mick

dbt01 · 21st July 2017, 08:50

Quote:

... but on later built cars they stamped the month and then the year...

Think you may be wrong there. My R75V8 built on 7 January 2005 has 31 04 on the filler cap neck and my early 2003 V6 Tourer has 26 02 there. Both are obviously week not month markings.

David

Mickyboy · 21st July 2017, 09:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidBytheway

Think you may be wrong there. My R75V8 built on 7 January 2005 has 31 04 on the filler cap neck and my early 2003 V6 Tourer has 26 02 there. Both are obviously week not month markings.

David

Hi David, that's quite odd because I've just checked our cars that I have in my possession my blue MG ZT was built in mid March of 04 and the filler Cap is 03 04

And also my trophy yellow Rover 75 ambulance car is 04 05 build 48 hrs before the factory stopped production

Strange

I also checked a Rover 75 that was built in December 04 and had a 1104 stamped on the filler cap

Mick

dbt01 · 21st July 2017, 09:17

Strange indeed. However if you are right, my 31 04 couldn't exist!
Maybe production fell off even faster than feared such that "JIT" became "was in amply time, and then some"
All stock became old stock!

David

Mickyboy · 21st July 2017, 09:36

I'm sure around 2004 that production numbers dropped quite fast

Mick

suzublu · 21st July 2017, 09:38

Just checked mine & it's 23-01 which is about right as it came of the line off the 28th Oct 01

Nice one Mick

20th July 2017, 19:26	#1
Mickyboy SERVICING AND DEALER DIAGNOSTICS MG ZT CDTI 135 + & MGZT CDTI AUTO 160 & ROVER 75 TOURER CDTI 160 TROPHY YELLOW Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hernebay Posts: 4,331 Thanks: 818 Thanked 2,414 Times in 1,141 Posts	A handy little bit of information some users might find helpful As most of you will probably know by now I regularly dismantle salvaged vehicles that are beyond repair mainly Cat B ( Breaking only ) Something I have noticed that has come to my attention is that you can easily identify a rough build date for the car just by removing the fuel filler cap and looking at the date that is stamped on it. I've also noticed that the date stamping changed from preproject drive cars to later built cars, because on preproject drive cars it appears they stamped the week then the year, but on later built cars they stamped the month and then the year. I've attached a photo showing a pre-project drive built vehicle also with a sticker removed from the dash that indicates when the ATC vent was installed first week of Feb 2000, but the filler cap is dated week 51 of 1999. Obviously some people may have had their filler caps replaced at some point, but I wouldn't imagine many have. It is however an example of another preproject drive change minor as it maybe I thought it may have been of interest to some members, as anybody wishing to view a car can easily remove the filler cap and get a rough idea of build date without going online to check it Hope this is of interest and benefit to some members. Mick __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] T4 Owner Jobs done : new UBP, Spy hole mod, Rear hub(wheel bearing),plenum cleaned and emptied, Inline thermostat fitted,Full service, In car Digital tv/DVD Bluetooth Satnav etc, Replaced UBP, Restored headlights,Fixed airbag connection.replaced HP pump,replaced rear light seals,changed intercooler O rings. Jobs to do: ,replace drivers lock,.[/SIZE]

20th July 2017, 23:29	#3
Sprinter Posted a thing or two Jag S-Type 4.2 V8 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Derby Posts: 1,645 Thanks: 271 Thanked 427 Times in 293 Posts	While there is nothing wrong with my current fuel cap I think this is a worthwhile mod, but I can't decide whether to go for a PPD cap or make my car look newer with something like an 05 cap. __________________ “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.”

21st July 2017, 05:36	#4
stevenicks This is my second home MG ZT 180 Auto / Rover 75 2.0 Diesel Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brecon. Posts: 7,465 Thanks: 3,297 Thanked 1,666 Times in 1,264 Posts	Thanks Mick, as soon as this heavy rain eases I'll be going out to check mine. Our car's never cease to amaze me . __________________ "You're Not Laughing Now Are You?" Steve

21st July 2017, 09:36	#9
Mickyboy SERVICING AND DEALER DIAGNOSTICS MG ZT CDTI 135 + & MGZT CDTI AUTO 160 & ROVER 75 TOURER CDTI 160 TROPHY YELLOW Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Hernebay Posts: 4,331 Thanks: 818 Thanked 2,414 Times in 1,141 Posts	I'm sure around 2004 that production numbers dropped quite fast Mick __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] T4 Owner Jobs done : new UBP, Spy hole mod, Rear hub(wheel bearing),plenum cleaned and emptied, Inline thermostat fitted,Full service, In car Digital tv/DVD Bluetooth Satnav etc, Replaced UBP, Restored headlights,Fixed airbag connection.replaced HP pump,replaced rear light seals,changed intercooler O rings. Jobs to do: ,replace drivers lock,.[/SIZE]

20th July 2017, 22:41	#2
Stickman Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bordon Posts: 1,856 Thanks: 250 Thanked 403 Times in 352 Posts	Thanks mick Useful bit of info I wasn't aware of Regards Chris

21st July 2017, 09:17	#8
dbt01 Retired Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 378 Thanks: 15 Thanked 106 Times in 85 Posts	Strange indeed. However if you are right, my 31 04 couldn't exist! Maybe production fell off even faster than feared such that "JIT" became "was in amply time, and then some" All stock became old stock! David

21st July 2017, 09:38	#10
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,912 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	Just checked mine & it's 23-01 which is about right as it came of the line off the 28th Oct 01 Nice one Mick