What to check when buying a Seven???
Discussion
Hi folks,
Contemplating buying my first Caterham and would be grateful of any advice on those essential things to check. My budget will be towards the bottom of the market (10k ish) so will be looking at private sales.
Having browsed through a number of posts on PH and blatchat I've come to the conclusion that an early K series would be my best bet. What are the issues to look out for mechanically particularly regarding K series head gaskets. What temperature & pressure readings will give an indication of good health.
Also would like to know where are the critical points to check for accident damage and corrosion. Would you recommend having a specialist check over any potential purchase or should a keen amatuer be able to see the tell tale signs of any bodges.
Cheers
Slack
Contemplating buying my first Caterham and would be grateful of any advice on those essential things to check. My budget will be towards the bottom of the market (10k ish) so will be looking at private sales.
Having browsed through a number of posts on PH and blatchat I've come to the conclusion that an early K series would be my best bet. What are the issues to look out for mechanically particularly regarding K series head gaskets. What temperature & pressure readings will give an indication of good health.
Also would like to know where are the critical points to check for accident damage and corrosion. Would you recommend having a specialist check over any potential purchase or should a keen amatuer be able to see the tell tale signs of any bodges.
Cheers
Slack
When my dad was on the hunt for one late Summer last year he was invited to the local club meet with a Caterham owning friend, he came back with a wealth of information from all of the members!
It's certainly a good bet and if you look at local cars they might know the history behind them.
Good luck!
It's certainly a good bet and if you look at local cars they might know the history behind them.
Good luck!
As mentioned get along to the local area Caterham meet. Have a look at the club page link from www.blatchat.com (top left corner > 7 club logo).
Good oil pressure is around 4 bar when cool dropping to just over red when ticking over and hot. The oil pressure should come up very quickly when you blip the throttle or move off. Water temperature should be 80 degrees under most driving conditons. Likewise if the temp sensor is there for the oil (optional sensor can be fitted in the dry sump or Apollo tank if fitted) with a switch to toggle the display between oil and water temp, this should also read 80 degrees when hot and under normal road conditions - note the oil can take a long time to get to full temperature and may never do so on a very cold day unless you are really pushing on! When cold, do not exceed 3-4k until the oil has some temp in it and this can easily take 5-10 minutes driving even on a warm day. An Apollo tank has 7 litres of oil in the system (instead of 4.5 litres) and ths can take a lot longer to warm up.
Otherwise, general overall condition of the car including the powder coating of the front wishbones and the rear chassis should be good unless its from the 1997 era when the quality from new was very poor. There is very little that can be hidden on a seven so you should be able to spot whether its a tired car or not.
Some people steer clear of repaired cars (where significant chassis parts have been replaced e.g long front (from footwells forward), short front (front cruciform area), sideskins etc.) but if these have been done by Caterham or Arch Motors themselves, the quality of the work should be as good as new and not worthy of doubt.
So find a good car, ask another seven owner to pop along for you as we are very helpful bunch and get out blatting...
Cheers
T
Good oil pressure is around 4 bar when cool dropping to just over red when ticking over and hot. The oil pressure should come up very quickly when you blip the throttle or move off. Water temperature should be 80 degrees under most driving conditons. Likewise if the temp sensor is there for the oil (optional sensor can be fitted in the dry sump or Apollo tank if fitted) with a switch to toggle the display between oil and water temp, this should also read 80 degrees when hot and under normal road conditions - note the oil can take a long time to get to full temperature and may never do so on a very cold day unless you are really pushing on! When cold, do not exceed 3-4k until the oil has some temp in it and this can easily take 5-10 minutes driving even on a warm day. An Apollo tank has 7 litres of oil in the system (instead of 4.5 litres) and ths can take a lot longer to warm up.
Otherwise, general overall condition of the car including the powder coating of the front wishbones and the rear chassis should be good unless its from the 1997 era when the quality from new was very poor. There is very little that can be hidden on a seven so you should be able to spot whether its a tired car or not.
Some people steer clear of repaired cars (where significant chassis parts have been replaced e.g long front (from footwells forward), short front (front cruciform area), sideskins etc.) but if these have been done by Caterham or Arch Motors themselves, the quality of the work should be as good as new and not worthy of doubt.
So find a good car, ask another seven owner to pop along for you as we are very helpful bunch and get out blatting...
Cheers
T
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