1st time service - any useful tips

[Nathanb]

Okay so initial engine service now complete. Managed to complete everything on my initial list.
Everything went pretty smoothly apart from replacing the fuel filter. The old one just wouldn't pull out, was so stuck in the fuel rubber pipe that one end of the plastic fuel filter started to just stretch and twist around, like pulling chewing gum if you get what I mean. It was like it had melted and bonded with the inside of the rubber fuel hosing. Anyhow after some serious tugging it eventually popped out, damn thing.

I'm going to invest in some new fuel hosing and replace the part from fuel tank to filter' then filter to the plastic pipe that runs all the way into the engine bay.

I do have one question: noticed that my old spark plugs had oil deposits on them when I pulled them out. Quick search said engine is either running rich or engine could be knackered! Any advice?

[300CE]

Well done on completing your service - I'd advise to replace all the fuel hoses and you can buy this handy kit here:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/152055975955" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With regards to the plugs, they could simply be like that due to a lot of short journeys so my advice would be to take the old girl on some longs runs and after say a few weeks check them again. I'd rather the engine was running slightly rich rather than to lean.

Had a look at your earlier post re: the calipers - as Kev says the outward appearance doesn't mean much and you can clean them up and paint them if you wish. Mine looked like yours but cleaned them up, repainted & bought a caliper kit (the red is a bit marmite but I like em'):



Where you need to recoat with anti corrosion wax, get yourself some Bilt Hamber Dynax S50. I use this everywhere on mine as it kills existing corrosion & self heals. I just top it up each year:

http://www.bilthamber.com/dynax-s50" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[California Dreamin]

Okay so initial engine service now complete. Managed to complete everything on my initial list.

I do have one question: noticed that my old spark plugs had oil deposits on them when I pulled them out. Quick search said engine is either running rich or engine could be knackered! Any advice?

Appearance can only be gauged when removed from a 'HOT' engine...otherwise you may be looking at the over rich mixture of an engine on its warm up cycle.

Martin

[Nathanb]

Check out those calipers! Can't quite believe that they used to look like my old rusty things.

I've ordered that fuel hose kit from EBay. I remember you posting a link to it on an older thread and 'Smosh' used it on his van and said it was a good bit of kit. Thanks 300CE.

Thanks for the advice Martin on the spark plug deposits, I had only been doing a number of very short trips so that could explain. I'll wait until I've done some longer trips and then have a check to see if the new plugs have deposits.