240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

I'm about 95% sure I've fixed the issue by modifying the constant air temperature device Dave. I've tuned it by ear and checked the plug colour after a 20 mile run. I agree though: the only way of testing and adjusting properly is with a CO meter, so I've treated myself to one. It is a Gunson G4125, new and should be here early next week.

As I think I mentioned, F1 would let me use their gas analyser during a quiet period next week, but I don't mind investing in tools that I will use again; this one will also be useful for the Amazon and my two motorcycles.

:-)

Ah, the good ol' Gastester - owned and used one for many moons now!

Don't be too surprised if you find it still shows as running excessively rich when you connect it up and test it, i've had many engines seem to be running spot on and then found they were running rich.
Also if by some chance you've made the mixture excessively lean, the Gastester is likely to show it's too rich - this is due to the HC content rising, causing a false reading and enriching the mixture will cause the reading to drop.
This is a compromise between a cheap tester and one costing a few thousand pounds, as long as you're aware of this anomaly and know the remedy, it's easily worked round.

I'm surprised you were able to find a new Gastester, i thought Gunsons had stopped making them due to lack of demand as most cars these days are closed-loop Lambda controlled and as such, not possible to adjust so the days of the home mechanic tuning their car for optimum efficiency are largely gone.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

... I'm surprised you were able to find a new Gastester, i thought Gunsons had stopped making them due to lack of demand as most cars these days are closed-loop Lambda controlled and as such, not possible to adjust so the days of the home mechanic tuning their car for optimum efficiency are largely gone.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174644972180

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174644972180

You did well on that but i suspect that it's NOS, sellers listing is "Out of stock" now, and Gunsons list nearly £200 :

https://www.gunson.co.uk/Product/G41...tester-Digital

Also their "approved seller" from the link on that page is also out of stock :

https://toolsmart.co.uk/gastester-digital

Nearly £30 cheaper than Gunsons RRP, suggests they were selling "last of line". Either way a very useful tool and one that will last with care.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

You did well on that but i suspect that it's NOS, sellers listing is "Out of stock" now, and Gunsons list nearly £200 :

https://www.gunson.co.uk/Product/G41...tester-Digital

Also their "approved seller" from the link on that page is also out of stock :

https://toolsmart.co.uk/gastester-digital

Nearly £30 cheaper than Gunsons RRP, suggests they were selling "last of line". Either way a very useful tool and one that will last with care.

It's out of stock because I bought the last one this morn Dave (the seller claimed to have already sold 25 - I'm guessing in the life of the ad, maybe 28 days?). I think that is a pretty good price for a useful tool; I can use it on the Barge, GAM, my Triumph and Royal Enfield (plus any project motors in the future).

That was £100 cheaper than the RRP Dave: £199.28 ex VAT £239.14 inc VAT.

:-)

[Othen]

With this recent cooler weather the Barge seems to be warming up slower than I'd expect. I took it out for a run (probably 5 miles or so) this morn and when I got back the thermostat housing was still only at 78C, but the radiator was quite hot (68c at the top). I suspect the thermostat is opening a bit too soon; I probably didn't notice it during our very warm summer as everything would have got hot quickly. I could take the old one out and test it - but that is a messy job and a replacement is only £11, so I'll just fit a new one.

Red block engines are so simple - and common user parts are cheap - hence I like them :-).

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

With this recent cooler weather the Barge seems to be warming up slower than I'd expect. I took it out for a run (probably 5 miles or so) this morn and when I got back the thermostat housing was still only at 78C, but the radiator was quite hot (68c at the top). I suspect the thermostat is opening a bit too soon; I probably didn't notice it during our very warm summer as everything would have got hot quickly. I could take the old one out and test it - but that is a messy job and a replacement is only £11, so I'll just fit a new one.

Red block engines are so simple - and common user parts are cheap - hence I like them :-).

Alan

That could easily hve contributed to your high CO level at MoT time Alan, might be worth checking the CO before and after fitting the new 'stat.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

That could easily hve contributed to your high CO level at MoT time Alan, might be worth checking the CO before and after fitting the new 'stat.

I was thinking exactly that Dave, if the motor wasn't getting right up to its working temperature that might have thrown the CO level off a bit.

It was exactly my thinking to do as you say: test the exhaust gas, then swap the thermostat and test again. The analyser and new thermostat should both be here in the next few days; it will be interesting to see if I've got to the bottom of this issue.

This is why we love our older motor cars!

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

I was thinking exactly that Dave, if the motor wasn't getting right up to its working temperature that might have thrown the CO level off a bit.

It was exactly my thinking to do as you say: test the exhaust gas, then swap the thermostat and test again. The analyser and new thermostat should both be here in the next few days; it will be interesting to see if I've got to the bottom of this issue.

This is why we love our older motor cars!

Alan

If the CO still doesn't come down, give the PCV system a thorough clean out, particularly the vacuum stub on the inlet manifold. Also make sure the dashpot in the carb is topped up with ATF as well

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Othen

It's out of stock because I bought the last one this morn Dave (the seller claimed to have already sold 25 - I'm guessing in the life of the ad, maybe 28 days?). I think that is a pretty good price for a useful tool; I can use it on the Barge, GAM, my Triumph and Royal Enfield (plus any project motors in the future).

That was £100 cheaper than the RRP Dave: £199.28 ex VAT £239.14 inc VAT.

:-)

I’d been watching a couple of eBay auctions for second hand Gastester machines. I’ve just watched the first of them (a Mk2 unit with the analogue output) sell for £87 with shipping. It would seem that second hand meters sell for good money, so I feel vindicated in buying a new one for only another £50.

:-)

[Othen]

I bought a pair of these LED H4 bulbs, on the recommendation of Tom (the chap to whom I sold the B230e motor). They were just £31 (on Amazon) and arrived today:



The instruction booklet is useless of course, but fitting them is easy and obvious - and they come with a natty pair of white gloves in case I ever get a job as a wine waiter:



The right side one took just a couple of minutes to fit (very clever fittings and well executed), there is room to fit the standard rubber boots, which should keep everything clean. The quality of manufacture looks excellent.



I just fitted the right hand bulb this afternoon so I would be able to get a side-by-side comparison after dusk. So, how do the LEDs compare with H4 halogen bulbs, the answer is:



... Light Up The Sky With Standard Fireworks (very apt on Guy Fawkes night). As you may see, the comparison is stark. I'll fit the nearside bulb tomorrow (it will take a little longer of course because I'll have to move the battery out of the way) and take it for a run after dark. Driving report to follow.

:-)