Seriously? This is getting stupid

Message

control_67 · #1 Post by **control_67** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 7:10 pm

It all started with the fan switch...

I bodged it to work with a blade fuse while I waited for a new switch. When I got the new switch I found that it needed a 29mm socket, a siz I didn't have and neither did halfords or screwfix. As it was a Sunday I had to order a new socket online. Cue another week's waiting for delivery.

Once I had the socket I set back to the garage, what should have been a 5 minute job turned into frustration and me conceding setting about the bike with 'Mr Thumpy' when the thread on 3 way manifold accompanied the old thermal switch on the way out, I tried to fit the new switch but it was well and truly threaded. Cue desperate eBaying for a new manifold.

I got the manifold yesterday, new jubilee clips bought (why did aprilia use those stupid screwless clips) and much jiggling and wriggling later it was in place. Coolant topped up and warmed up, still no fan. There was however a small pool of coolant forming. I thought that this may have been from where I had removed the pipes during fitting or overflow from the refill so put it away overnight. Went back today and the coolant is definitely leaking. It looks like its coming from the three pipes at the top of the manifold.

Bollocks. I've pretty much give up on making the rideout that I was planning to go on on sunday, I'll try to pull the pipes off tomorrow but I have no idea if I'll be able to find a replacement anywhere.

Aladinsaneuk · #2 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:56 pm

short term - plastic metal/weld

flatlander · #3 Post by **flatlander** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:00 pm

Mine pissed itself after my last bump when it got too hot been fine since its what they do sometimes apparently and it looked like the fan switch had gone but started working again later so I decided to leave well alone

control_67 · #4 Post by **control_67** » Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:01 pm

It looks like its in a pretty awkward place TBH, I'm going to take the old manifold with me tomorrow and visit my local motor factors in the hope that I can buy a metre of hose to cut to length, then I can give it a go tomorrow evening. I wish I'd just left the bugger with the fuse keeping the fans running, still a least I know the coolant's circulating in the system

control_67 · #5 Post by **control_67** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 9:24 am

Well, you would think that with a big unipart depot and camberley auto factors nearby that coolant hose would be easy to find. You would be wrong.

Luckily there is also a small independent motor factors round the back of the local halfords who had some, a metre of which was £4. Bargain, now to see if I can get the falco back on the road for Sunday or will something else go wrong?

control_67 · #6 Post by **control_67** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 6:48 pm

And we're fixed, although the fan doesn't seem to come on any owner so I think the wires may be a little frayed inside. I'll investigate that tomorrow, however go no I'm just happy that the leak appears to have gone. Baffles are out and ready for Sunday's tunnel run

szrdave · #7 Post by **szrdave** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:45 am

Good to hear you got it sorted, you can't beat a quiet cruise through the countryside on a sunny Sunday

control_67 · #8 Post by **control_67** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:03 pm

szrdave wrote:Good to hear you got it sorted, you can't beat a quiet cruise through the countryside on a sunny Sunday

Too true, are you coming along on this one?

szrdave · #9 Post by **szrdave** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:52 pm

Yep, I'll be there

On the red Falco in my avatar

control_67 · #10 Post by **control_67** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:51 pm

See you in the morning then!