Hints and Tips re MK2 Jags:
1. If you have replaced the cigar lighter with a modern one it is probably longer. This means when the meter panel is swung down (to access the wiring behind) the lighter can engage by being pushed in with contact to the wood strip beneath. The lighter does not pass through a fuse so a nasty little smoke up can result from the above if you are not careful.
2. Check the overflow hose from the top of the radiator is secured at the bottom. If flying free it can get caught up in the fan while driving with ensuing damage taking place!!
3. If you are rebuilding the engine, don't forget to get the new five lipped seal to go on the front of the crankshaft. This gets around the problem of worn grooves in the crank from the old seal with only one lip letting oil escape.
4. I have a kit I have made that installs "hazard" flashing on all four indicators. This was a factory option but many MK2's today still don't have that feature. My circuit is a little different and is designed to plug in to the existing system, using a second flasher unit.
5. When changing brake caliper seals keep the old ones. The front ones can be used as a temporary fuel bowl seal, they fit exactly however the rubber is not ultimately suitable for use with petrol and will "go silly" after time. Good as an emergency though.
6. If all the panel meters except the amperage meter stop going this means one fuse is out. Sometimes the fuse will still look OK but has no connection internally, probably up at one end. Always carry spares.
7. Remember when taking the car for a warrant of fitness (MOT) the front ballcup swivel joints are checked by levering the wheel up and down (after jacking the car up) with a length of wood to see if any "play" exists. This is often overlooked by owners.
8. If you have wire wheels give the knock on's one more whack, often they seem tight but there is still play in the wheel. A small amount of grease smeared around the point of contact (the outer angle bit) will help cure this as rust often starts here.
9. Make sure there is a seal between the wingnut and the top of the Coopers air filter (If that is what is fitted.) Also seal any small holes beneath the chrome bonnet strip. On a very rainy day I had water get through those holes, then fall onto the top of the airfilter and subsequently filling up the engine. I went to start the car and experienced hydraulic lock in the engine! the water in the cylinders just would't let the car turn over. Took me a while to figure that out. Made a bang too!
10. Getting a noise at the back somewhere everytime you go over a bump? check your jack, if it isn't stored properly in the mount the handle hangs down onto the car body and jumps up & down when going over a bump. I've also had a problem with the boot lid actually lifting and closing quickly (even though it is latched) and making a noise over bumps.
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