[VW indicator light]

My Passat has a light in the wing mirror on the LHS. I need to take it out and fit a new one. The existing has two small screws which hold it in place. They are rusted up and the Torx screwdriver will not turn them. 

I need some help from the forum Please

Richard & B

[Rear spring recommendation]

Jones Springs in Wednesbury WS10 8BE

0120 568 7575

[Rear spring recommendation]

I used Jones springs to reset my original springs and it worked well. Unfortunately I asked them for 2" higher. I meant that to be 2" higher than present. But they had the factory settings and added 2" so I ended with a high ride. Very good service from Jones Springs.

Richard & B

[Weight of Engine+G/B]

You need help and Quaker Oats. Weetabix is not man enough for this task.

Richard & B

[Voltage Regulator]

Hi,

I am planning to replace my Voltage Regulator on the 3A and I need to replace some wiring.  I need to know the size and colours of the wires making the connections at A1,A F,D,E. I only plan to replace some short lengths of these wires. I do have some remains from my old loom so I need some advice with the correct specification.

If anyone can help it would be very useful.

Thanks Richard & B

[First frost of this winter]

Last night there was frost in my garden and the garage roof is now being warmed by the clear sky and sun.  I have checked my garage shelves  and I found that I have an unopened one litre of Comma Super cold master Concentrate. It must be at least a year old. In the notes on the label it confirms that it complies with BS 6580.2010 .  My maintenance TR notes show that the antifreeze was new four years ago. This must be out of date because I have similar worries about Antifreeze every winter.

I am tempted to flush out the existing radiator and refill with clean rainwater and my litre of Comma  super.

Please let me have some advice..

Thanks Richard & B.

[Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket]

I am trying to move the bonnet closer to the front panel by a small amount so that the gap between the two panels is smaller, and even on both sides. There is enough room for the hinges to move forward but the Dzus fasteners are stopping any further adjustment.

I will try again this afternoon.

RICHARD & B

[Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the suggestion I have had a quick look and  the mounting holes are too close to the edge of the bracket.  But while looking this afternoon I found a small file collection hidden on the garage table. I think I will carry on if the rain goes away.

Meanwhile my passenger door needs some skilled bodywork because the top front corner is away from the body by about 3/8" The rest fits fairly well. Do you have any time in Grampound Road to alter the bodywork?  You are a long way from here but I would be interested if you can help. We are very short of skilled specialists here in Sussex

Please let m know

 Richard & B

[Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket]

Thanks for the advice on this subject. I am trying to make the oval access hole for the Dzus a bit longer and need some help with a sensible way to do it. It needs to be about 1/16 " longer so that the Dzus fastener can move forward and is easy to turn. I have a useful round file but I can not push it through the retainer with the wire strip in place. I want to cause as little damage as possible and paint it afterwards so it is not visible. It is not possible to move the brackets any more and a small modification should be straightforward.

Thanks Richard & B

[Happy Birthday Marco]

Have  good day Marco. Raining here in the South of England.

Richard & B

[Long door]

The chassis number is TS 3456 which may be correct but I have never seen sequential numbers before. They may exist ??? Do we know the reserve yet ?

Peter, Your checking is very accurate. Is it correct to have the fuel pipe over the  rear SU when connecting the front carb to the rear one

Well done to all watchers

Richard & B 

[Starting issues]

I had problems with starting my TR3A after it was started first in the morning. I always had to park on a hill so that I could roll forwards and try starting by taking my foot off the clutch pedal with the car in gear and the ignition on. This worked for months until I changed the condenser that was supplied by a well known supplier of TR parts. But it was made in the far east and they did not use enough material inside the unit. I bought a racing one for £35.00 and the starting problem has gone away many years ago. 

There are other problems with my TR but I like mending it.

Richard & B

[Happy Birthday Andrew Smith]

Good luck Andrew

Richard & B

[Stormy weather]

We were away in Devon over the weekend near Exeter. We made it home early this week.  I am  now in East Sussex and was out with my dog this afternoon. The weather began to close in and it was cold and wet.  The wind was strong and the ground was very soft and all streams and ditches were flowing faster than normal.  We made it home before the  heavy rain. 

Unfortunately I parked the VW Passat close to the garage up-and-over. One of the rear tyres is flat and I need to get into the garage to find the hydraulic jack, special spanner and the spare wheel. It will have to be tomorrow. Luckily we have milk, bread, a freezer with treats inside and enough logs for a few days. Is there any reasonable TV on tonight ?

Will the weather get worse ??

Thanks Richard & B

[Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket]

Thanks for the reply and advice.  The brackets are made with long holes and a slot to fix the Dzus, neither of which are parallel to the wing or the front panel. The holes for the two mounting bolts are working well but if I move the bracket to a better position  the mounting holes are too far out of alignment. How can you identify the LHS and the RHS. I will try reaching in the engine bay next week after a few days in Devon visiting my son.

I am keen to fit the Dzus so that it is not tight on the fastener before being locked on with the special key. I did have a local friend who was neat with welding but he has closed his workshop and moved away. Anyway the brackets are new and it must be possible to fit them without a welder involved.

Thanks Richard & B

[Dzus bonnet fastener anchor bracket]

At last I have managed to make the bonnet fit better. There is now an even gap at each side and it aligns with the front panel. There are other problems but nothing for the owner out in the garage. The Dzus mounting brackets need some tuning. I have covered the RHS one  with masking tape and when the Dzus is closed it it makes a hole in the tape.It shows it against front part of the bracket opening. It does fit and lock OK although a bit tight. How can I adjust the bracket so the fastener is nearer the centre of the opening without  drilling new holes in the inner wing. It is difficult to see how it is fitting when the bonnet is closed and I am trying to keep the drill away from the car. I am using masking tape and a fine felt pen

Has any member found a better way to make any adjustments ?

Thanks Richard & B

[wiper box]

Thanks for the advice so far. Today I removed the RHS wiper arm and fired up the wipers. The splined connection was moving in an arc but at each end it was making a noise and lifting up . Is there any adjustment that I can make or is it a new wheel box ??

Thanks Richard & B

[wiper box]

I took the TR3A out last week end to the local group Sunday lunch. My car was one of only two TR and there were more than 25 people  in the group. It was raining and I had to use the wipers for about 2.5 miles. The drivers wiper moved well to the LHS and the RHS and parked up. But there was a mechanical crunch in the wheel box area behind the dashboard ,  as the drivers wiper arm reached the point at which it changes direction and moves back the other way. It may be that the actual wheel box has damage or the actual rack may have a worn place. It is possible to move it by hand but a small movement at the wiper mounting shows as much more at the end of the actual blade itself

Has anyone here repaired this problem and can offer me advice ? I am not pressed for time because I will not be out in the rain for a while. If it is dry tomorrow I will try some dismantling.

Pleas advise if you can.

Richard & B

[Mending Boots]

I tried to contact Timberland but they were not helpful. It was the nearest store to where I live and they're not interested at all. If I do not make any progress in a couple of days I will try Tiger seal. Thanks for the link Bob.

Richard & B

[Mending Boots]

At the weekend my grandson, aged 16 , came to visit and wanted to walk the dogs in the fields and  on the foot path.  He did not have any substantial shoes and he borrowed my Timberland boots which are in good condition but old. In a short distance the sole came loose on the right foot and after attempts to use the laces to  tie it on and locate it firmly, it came off completely.  The other side was the same after a few 100 yards. Inside the makers confirm that they are made in the USA and the materials are imported

I put them in the airing cupboard overnight and now will attempt a repair. The sole is glued to the leather. The glue must be flexible so that the boots can flex as you walk. 

Does any one know a suitable adhesive that will work in the boot repair market ?

Thanks Richard & B

[Body mounting pads]

I am looking for the material which is used for the body mounting pads on the TR3A.  Is it possible to buy a sheet 12" square for an experiment ? The small square that I have has the holes in the wrong place for my project. It is reinforced and quite thin black fabric about 1/8" and has one side thicker than the other.   Please let me know

Richard & B 

[Household electrical issue]

The light was changed and the cable was a push fit connection. Have never used them before but it was efficient. There were two copies of the instructions. I read them all and the light went in and is now working as normal.

So back out in the sun to adjust the gaps on the bonnet. Today is hinge day, ???

Richard & B

[Household electrical issue]

I am planning to change the light today. If it rains the garage will be less inviting.. 

Thanks Richard & B

[Household electrical issue]

Our current ceiling upstairs has four downlighters.   They are usually all working well. Recently one unit started flashing. I have done some work on it and the electrical connections are push fit. I have tried to check them but it would mean some dismantling. I have only moved them by hand , but not disconnected, and none are loose or corroded 

I turned the lights on after checking and the faulty light is hanging down from the ceiling by 12" It is made by Elite who are now Aurora. It is an EN-DE8/30  LED IP65 fixed 8w with fire protection Warm white dimmable.  The light was working well for 20 minutes and I was hoping that the problem was over until the flashing started again. It flashes three times and then remains off for a short time before flashing again. The unit can not be opened and there is no replaceable bulb. The case is well made and has  enough space for air to reach the working parts.

Can overheating be the problem and the answer would be a replacement light ??

Please advise

Richard and B

[Fan belt adjustment]

My fan belt has a loose fit. If I press down on the top part the fan belt it moves 1 1/2" or possibly a little more.It is a bit awkward to get the tape in place accurately .  I am hoping that this will avoid wear to the dynamo. But I am asking if this would affect the output and maybe the ammeter reading ? The ignition light goes off on starting and will show if the revs drop  to low tick over.

Any advice

Richard & B