|
|
[Home] [Search] [FAQ] |
| Bedford CF Message Board > CF Questions > CF Help Needed Quick Please!!! | |
| [Private Message] [Register] [Profile] [Member list] [Log-in] |
| Printable Version |
| This thread has 2 pages (1 2) | [Post Reply] |
| Author | Message |
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
CF Help Needed Quick Please!!! Only just discovered this site and need some help quick if anyone would be so kind.I've just been to look at an '82 2.3 Auto Sleeper that's really cheap. It's had a bit of filler under the respray but I'm not expecting it to be mint for the money I'd be paying. My concern is that there's mayo on the oil filler cap, now I know the van's not really been used since October 2009 other than a quick trip round the block by the owner to keep things from seizing so it may be that it's just condensation from lack of use and short trips. It also doesn't warm up much, another sign that the thermostats been taken out because the head gaskets gone, I might be worrying about nowt and it just needs a bit of fettling. Water in the rad looks good, there's no smoke or water from the exhaust and the van seems to pull well enough on a test drive. Problem is, I'm not too worried if it needed the head gasket doing under normal circumstances but I've never done one before (never had a CF) so not sure if I'd want to touch it, my local garage thinks they might need some sort of special tool they haven't got for the valve gear and they can't remember the last time they worked on such an old van so they're not too keen anyway. So I'm wondering if you could offer any advise?. Worse case senario is that it's the head gasket, is that a such a major issue if it was?, I don't suppose you know of anywhere in South Yorks/North Derbys area that could do the work do you? and an idea of cost or even how many hours it would take to do. It's something that I would be keeping for the forseeable future so I don't mind spending a bit on it over the years even though we're pretty skint at the moment. Thanks if you can offer any advise |
 Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 17:48
|
   |
|
Mikeyboy Card Holder Posts : 536 Location : Stamford Status : Offline 
|
cold and condensation can be the cause- had the same before and got advice from this site- ive done a few oil changes since and no problems now- but dont use synthetic oil ---------------------- |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 18:00
|
|
|
stesh Card Holder Posts : 73 Location : Durham Status : Offline 
|
as far as i'm aware there is no special tools required to do the head gasket (if it has definately failed).. These motors were built with maintainance in mind.. so if it's cheap enough, go for it 
As mikeyboy said, it's most probably condensation build up, just requires an oil & filter change followed by a good 20-40 mile run up the road |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 18:11
|
|
|
Greg Card Holder Posts : 341 Location : Shropshire Status : Offline |
Oh, and do not be tempted to use flushing oil either. You may live to regret it.
---------------------- |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 18:14
|
|
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
Thanks for your help so quickly everyone. Everyone including the garage keeps telling me to get a Tranny because spares will be impossible for a CF but I've had Trannys before and I've always prefered the shape of the CF so I really fancy it, I just didn't fancy buying a wrong 'un, I think I'll go for it and see what happens, cheers! 
|
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 18:27
|
|
|
stesh Card Holder Posts : 73 Location : Durham Status : Offline
|
Bookman wrote: Everyone including the garage keeps telling me to get a Tranny because spares will be impossible for a CF That may be true at the moment but it boesn't matter what you own, you will always encounter some problems finding parts ! |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 18:54
|
|
|
JimBeam Card Holder Posts : 205 Location : Yorkshire, UK Status : Offline |
I wouldn't be too worried about that to be honest, there's far more serious things that can go wrong with a CF, even if this is indeed a blown head gasket (or one on its way out). But to be able to offer better advice, I'd need to know a bit more. For a start, what's the mileage? Does the speedo work well? If the mileage is low, then it is very unlikely it is a head gasket, unless it has overheated in the past. As for the temperature, it's COLD out there. Mine doesn't warm up much either, and it's got the proper thermostat fitted! Could just be a sign that the cooling system works well. Pull out the dipstick, and give it a good clean. Put it back in, all the way, and pull it out again. Is there any white stuff on the bottom of it, or just oil? With the engine running, remove the dipstick. Is there any smoke coming out? With the engine still running, remove the oil filler cap. Is there smoke coming out of there? A bit of smoke is normal. If it's like a barbecue, then something's not right. How much mayo are we talking about anyway? Just a tiny bit or like someone's emptied the whole jar in there? A bit is absolutely normal in this weather, especially during short drives. Mine does it too. I clean it often. If I go for an hour-long drive though, there's nothing like that in there. It's condensation, visible to such an extent because 10-15 minutes with the engine running is not enough to get it all fully warmed up and drive all the moisture out. You don't need an oil change because of that. But you do need an oil change immediately after you buy it, because you can never be sure what the previous owner has done. SAE 20W/50 mineral-based oil is fine. Don't get it from Tesco or Asda... Even Halfords will do though (what I'm using at the moment). Castrol, Mobil, Duckhams, and more decent brands out there.. I personally avoid carlube. If it meets SE/CC specs, it's fine. As for spares, yes, some of them are hard to get. But gaskets are dead easy to get and very cheap compared to other vehicles. Same applies to belts, and pretty much anything engine-specific. Absolutely no special tools needed for the engine, apart from the standard tools you'd need for an engine overhaul. Garages nowadays know nothing about nothing, so no matter what vehicle you have, you'll have to put up with that. But from your post, I understand you've done some vehicle maintenance in the past. If you're keen on doing stuff on your own, a CF is one of the best vehicles you can get. Transits SUCK! Sorry trannyheads, but I just absolutely hate them. Mk1's look pretty, but that's about it. As for location, I'm generally based in South Yorkshire, and I'm currently rebuilding a 2.3L Petrol CF engine. I'll be off on a roadtrip abroad (in a 1979 CF) though and won't be back until late April/early May. But if you don't need it for a daily driver until then, when I'm back I'll be more than happy to have a look at it and you're welcome to come over to mine and see the insides of the engine so you know what yours will look like if you need to take anything off. I just got some gasket sets for it, and there's loads more in stock where I get them from. Changing a head gasket on it is not too hard if you've done some engine work before. The head is heavy though, keep in mind! Anyway, if it really is cheap and it drives well, get it!! Anything else can be sorted. Mine was a non-runner when I got it, and I went for it cause it was the only CF I could afford. But it's more than a runner now! It's AWESOME!! |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 21:27
|
|
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
What a great bunch you are! The van is eBay item 220564603498. I hope it's ok because I offered the guy £1000 cash in his hand and he accepted and ended the listing even though he had 89 watchers. I was the only one to actually go and view it and he didn't want any messers as he has no garage for it anymore and isn't happy with it on his road. It's got loads of history with it, I think the 78000 mileage is right as it's got MOT's going back to the late 1980's and most years it's covered under 3000 miles. It does reach a decent temperature eventually but takes about five miles to do it. There was no cream on the bottom of the dipstick, virtually no smoke from the dipstick pipe, oil has been changed a couple of months ago along with the filter. I had a feeling the head gasket wasn't anything major, just nuts and bolts stuff. He did state that when he first bought the van it wasn't running great so he changed the points/leads/dizzy cap and it was then superb, he also checked the timing which was slightly advanced over what the book stated so he retarded it plus a bit extra as he wasn't confident about running it on unleaded with an additive but to me it seemed to pull really well even uphill (mind you I am used to driving an old 1.9 diesel Pilot) but I might have to look into the timing a bit more as I'm thinking that might affect the warming up process. I'm away over the weekend so I'll see how I get on with it next week once I've done the oil change and took it on a good run Cheers |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 22:23
|
|
|
Ed-Don Card Holder Posts : 729 Location : Exeter, Devon Status : Offline 
|
Good work - hope the Bedford serves you well! Send off for a membership card. Not only do you help keep this great site running - you can use it to get a big fat discount when you come to insure your van! Happy travels ---------------------- |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 22:31
|
|
|
philbradshaw Card Holder Posts : 2336 Location : Haslingden Status : Offline 
|
Use lead replacement additive in the fuel, or fit a Flashlube automatic dispenser. The slant engine suffers from what's called valve recession, more so on unleaded fuel, for which the only remedy ultimately is another cylinder head or valve seat inserts. ---------------------- |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 22:33
|
|
|
JimBeam Card Holder Posts : 205 Location : Yorkshire, UK Status : Offline |
Welcome to Beddie ownership! Just noticed you're in Sheffield too.. We could meet up briefly next week if you'd like any help, before I leave. Dunno how well you know Sheffield, but there's LOADS of places to find bits and pieces.. Look around Attercliffe, Neepsend and Queens Road area.. I can give you more specific info as and when needed. I've got all the good ones well-trained by now, dusting off old parts catalogs to find spares I need... Enjoy yr CF!! |
|
Fri 05 Mar 2010 @ 23:43
|
|
|
Greg Card Holder Posts : 341 Location : Shropshire Status : Offline |
Yes, welcome to CF ownership. Couldn't resist a quick look at your aquisition and a mighty fine vehicle it looks. Good luck.
---------------------- |
|
Sat 06 Mar 2010 @ 00:09
|
|
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
Well just drove the van 15 miles home, it steers straight, brakes well, pulls great so pretty good overall. Only problems are a misfire under light throttle (disappears if you give it some wellie), valve clearances are miles out and a bit of a crunch as you change from 3rd to 4th not sure if it's a clutch issue or gear linkage, don't think it's the box itself. It's got a Weber carb fitted, not the one that the handbook states it should have. Is that a good thing or bad??? I have registered as a cardholder as advised and already had useful info off it so that was a great buy. Many thanks to Jimbeam, you sound a very useful chap to know with your local knowledge and all, not sure what bit's I'll need yet as it will be the weekend before I manage to have a good look round it. One thing I have noticed was what a smashin van the CF is, despite the lack of PAS the steering is as light as a feather when your on the move, handling seems surefooted and it barely notices speedbumps. Cheers everyone! |
|
Mon 08 Mar 2010 @ 18:32
|
|
|
JimBeam Card Holder Posts : 205 Location : Yorkshire, UK Status : Offline |
Awesome, that's all good then! As a general rule, if you can drive it, steer, brake, etc, then there's not too much to worry about! Misfire at light throttle could be due to the carb setting or the choke not being adjusted properly. Or the sparkplugs needing a clean... Nothing serious. Did you check the valve clearances or is it just the sound? As for the gearbox, make sure it's topped up, and make sure what's in it looks like SAE 90 hypoid gear oil. If it's way too thick, looking more like grease than oil, even when warm, then it could do with a change. Mine was VERY neglected when I got it. Take the filler plug out (passenger side, on the side of the gearbox, about half way up, 1/2" square) and stick a finger in (with the engine OFF!)... Oil should drip out when the van is level. If it doesn't, it could do with a top-up. The Weber carb is meant to be better than the Zenith carb, so that's a good thing. Better mostly in terms of fuel efficiency as far as I know. The other good thing is that Weber carbs (you should have the Weber 34 ICT) are still quite common and it's easy to find overhaul kits cheap. You're absolutely welcome. I had no end of frustration trying to find decent parts when I first got my Beddie (last October) so I'd be more than happy to save others from having to go through the same trouble. Yup, the CF really rocks! Far cooler than anything else commonly found around here.. You'll find that once you get fully used to the lack of PAS, you'll start to like the fact that there's one less thing you have to maintain! Mine doesn't really like my local speedbumps though...! |
|
Mon 08 Mar 2010 @ 21:15
|
|
|
Ed-Don Card Holder Posts : 729 Location : Exeter, Devon Status : Offline
|
JimBeam wrote: Take the filler plug out (passenger side, on the side of the gearbox, about half way up, 1/2" square) and stick a finger in (with the engine OFF!)... Oil should drip out when the van is level. If it doesn't, it could do with a top-up. I was taught (rightly or wrongly!) to jack the side of the vehicle with the drain plug, allowing you to fit a bit more oil in when filling a gearbox or back axle. JimBeam wrote: Yup, the CF really rocks! I agree! ---------------------- |
|
Tue 09 Mar 2010 @ 11:17
|
|
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
Hmmm! Managed to have a quick look inside the dizzy before it went dark, the points and cap appear brand new as the last owner said but there's a bit of scoring inside the cap, wondering if the shaft has worn or could it be summat else??? condenser hasn't been changed though so that might be the answer to the misfire. Plugs and leads also look brand spankers though it's been running a bit rich. Good news though..........it starts from cold the first second you turn the key! 
|
|
Tue 09 Mar 2010 @ 20:41
|
|
|
JimBeam Card Holder Posts : 205 Location : Yorkshire, UK Status : Offline |
If the condenser goes, you'll notice that the points will wear out very soon. So I kind of doubt it is that. Is the rotor arm clean? Does it look ok? Did you remove the plugs to read them? Running rich could well cause some uneven running at idle or low revs. Another thing to check with the sparkplugs is the gap. Very important and often overlooked. I assume it's got a manual choke, right? Do you pull it out at all to start it from cold? Setting the carb is not too hard, it should only take a few minutes. Start with the engine off but after it has been warmed up, turn the mixture screw all the way in (not tight, just until you can feel it resisting), then turn it out two full turns, and leave it to that. Turn the engine on. Then turn the mixture screw in until the engine revs drop. Go quarter of a turn each time, waiting for 10 seconds for it to catch up.. Keep on doing that until it is barely running. Then turn it out half a turn. Then start closing off the throttle (butterfly valve) using the screw that touches against the side of the damper (canister on the right) bracket until the idle speed is good. Go for a drive. Read the plugs again. Worked for me... Mixture screw in is leaner, out is richer. Mine is set a tad bit on the lean side, but runs perfect. Needs the choke fully out to start from cold though. |
|
Tue 09 Mar 2010 @ 22:09
|
|
|
STUT Member Posts : 7 Location : Coventry Status : Offline |
DESPERATE FOR HELP/ADVICE HELP NEEDED - BEDFORD CF1 (RARE) ???HELP NEEDED ... IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE EMAIL ME STUART_A_TALBOT@HOTMAIL.COM I BOUGHT THIS BEDFORD LATE LAST YEAR AND NOW I WANT TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING THIS SUMMER. THING IS, I HAVE NO PAPERWORK, AND CANT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON ANY 'BEDFORD CF1' THAT WERE MADE IN 1967??? HERES SOME PHOTOS www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6011&id=1767417191&l=0ec002ce0c DO YOU KNOW ANYONE THAT HAS ONE?? ANY INFORMATION ON THEM, HELP!! |
|
Thu 11 Mar 2010 @ 17:43
|
|
|
Skoota Card Holder Posts : 517 Location : Shropshire Status : Offline 
|
Hi Stut and welcome. Your's a 1967? Doubtful. From what I can make of your photo's, it looks like it has a "K" suffix on the number plate, if so, then it was registered between August 1971 and July 1972. Can you clear this up please? If it is what I think, then the Haynes manual number 163, which are usually available through secondhand booksellers, or on "greedbay", should be of help to you. Cheers, John. ---------------------- |
|
Thu 11 Mar 2010 @ 18:59
|
|
|
Bookman Card Holder Posts : 21 Location : Sheffield Status : Offline |
Hi Stut Agree with above, I'm new to CF's but looking at your photo it does appear to be a K reg so a 71/72 not a 1967. It would have been a CA I think if it was that vintage, good news though is that it will be tax exempt
You can apply to the DVLA for a registration document/V5 no problems |
|
Thu 11 Mar 2010 @ 19:32
|
|
| Time in GMT |
| [Post Reply] | This thread has 2 pages (1 2) |
|
New posts since your last visit |
|
 Old post |
Back to the CF-UK Homepage ][ Email CF-UK
Powered by FunkBoard vCF0.73b6
Owner of the longest CF on this forum