Service

[R400CAT]

Guys

 

Looking for some words of wisdom here.  My Duratec R400 with the Roller barrels, is due its service soon.

The car is a 2013, dry sump.  Till now it has a full Caterham factory service history.  Now I have all my own equipment and have serviced the biggest % of my cars over the years.  Nothing really phases me on looking after the Caterham.  

But would you keep up a dealer history on the car, or cherish it and pamper it yourself.   It will get the best of everything doing it by myself, but I just wished to hear if others have chosen a similar route.

 

If I do go ahead, can someone direct me to the volumes for diff and gearbox oil. 

I have a garage in mind, who is more of a Loti specialist, but they know there way around these cars, and I full trust them, but is a dealer stamp worth anymore to a car like this.

[Wrightpayne]

1 service at classic carriage ( pre cursor to Caterham Midlands) and 19 by me. My thinking was that if I built the thing then changing the oil would be the least of the worries for potential buyers if I ever sold it.

Also, I had already been fiddling with cars for 19 years!!

Most years I take the opportunity to upgrade / replace something - eg last year had the rubber hose replaced on the fuel pipe to engine connection.

Do it!

Ian

[Jim 123]

Fluids for gearbox etc and Service Schedules are in the Owner Handbook.  You can download this from the CC website. 

[R400CAT]

I am the same Ian, been tinkering for over 20 years.  A few Subarus, and Lotus I've had, I got done at the dealer, as they where new cars, but all others I've taken care of myself.  I have a scissor lift, so access is easy, which makes the job all the more pleasurable. 

 

[R400CAT]

Thanks Jim for the pointer.  I will have a gander. 

[Tazio]

What Ian said...

[Jonathan Kay]

... but is a dealer stamp worth anymore to a car like this.

Usual conclusion is that it isn't worth much, but good documentation of what's been done regardless of who did it can help when selling.

Jonathan

[tomwood]

I'm with everyone else on this one and have done every service on the car myself thus far.

ive always maintained my tin tops as well and have never felt that I've taken a hit come resale time because of it. The fact that you can talk extensively about the cars history and all the parts you've changed and why is often seen as beneficial. I've been to garages where they know absolutely nothing of the cars history and it's far more of a punt than buying off a private seller who really knows his stuff/the car.

Get fiddling :)

Tom

 

 

 

[R400CAT]

Thanks guys.

I am OCD with files anyway, so any future owner of my car will be more than happy with the history.  Made my mind up now I am doing the car myself.  Just need to get researching how much of the fluids I need.  Got a Master Cylinder to change on the car anyway, so will just get the full service done.  

Front bearings have been regreased already when I put new discs on.

[Jonathan Kay]

Just need to get researching how much of the fluids I need.

See Jim's post #3 above. But if you need an Assembly Guide or Handbook that isn't there please let me know.

Jonathan

[R400CAT]

Thanks Jonathan, much appreciated.

 

Paul

[R400CAT]

Hi Jonathan,

 

I am looking for the link to the guides on the CC website, and handbook info, but cannot locate.  Do you have a link?

 

Paul

[Jonathan Kay]

... logged in... Downloads.

Jonathan

[John Vine]

I too have an R400D with RBs, built from a kit.  I do a lot of work on the car myself, from simple things like oil changes, to the more complicated ones like sump replacement.

But the one thing I value is an independent assessment of the car from time to time by an expert (and something more than an MOT from a knowledgeable garage).  For that reason, I take it to Millwoods (who supplied the kit) for its annual service.

JV

[R400CAT]

Thanks Jonathan.