Atom's finally fixed and running again!
Discussion
Hurrah!!!
Finally managed to get the new petrol tank back in my Atom today and it actually started and ran without a problem from the off. Mint, can't believe it's been nearly 8 months since I last ran it.
Anyhow, a couple of things to watch for:-
1. My tank developed a crack - I couldn't see it but I suspect it was at a weld joint. That's after about 3000 miles and perhaps I was just unlucky - however I think it's just down to a lack of vibration isolation for the tank as they're just stuck to the bottom cradle thingy with some gum type stuff. I wouldn't be surprised to find out someone had had a similar problem. I've now used some neoprene rubber sheeting (about 3 or 4mm thick, available from RS Components) between the tank cradle and the tank and the tank and the GRP floorpan which effectively clamps the tank in a rubber shell. Not sure if it will help but I didn't want it happening again.
2. One worrying thing I did come across when I took my old tank off was that one of the bolt stems that mounts the fuel pump assembly to the tank cradle had almost bored a hole through the tank casing. I've trimmed the length of the bolts and inserted a small neoprene cushion between the bolt stems and the tank - thinking about it now though I wish I'd bent the mount down a bit so the bolts didn't come anywhere near the tank shell. If this mount hasn't been modified on later models, I'd check this out on your own Atom.
All in all, changing the tank's was a bit of a pain - mainly through having to unmount the coolant pipes that pass under it to get the tank out. A couple of those bolts are a bastard fiddle to get to with spanners.
Next thing's an oil change and clean-up and I can get back to actually having some fun with it - last year was a total write-off thanks to a number of faults, the tank crack included.
I quite fancy going back to Oulton Park as the Atom really suits that track so I'll post if I book anything (probably with EasyTrack). Rockingham looks like a nice track as well if I can be arsed driving it down there.
I've also got vid cam - I'm planning on mounting a couple of bullet cams around the car to get some decent video footage so I'll get those posted as soon as I have'em - expect to see a lot of the Cat & Fiddle
How's everyone else's Atom's after the Winter?
PS. what tyres are everyone running now? Mine are the standard Continentals which it came with - these seem shite to be honest so I'll have to think about changing them some time.
Finally managed to get the new petrol tank back in my Atom today and it actually started and ran without a problem from the off. Mint, can't believe it's been nearly 8 months since I last ran it.
Anyhow, a couple of things to watch for:-
1. My tank developed a crack - I couldn't see it but I suspect it was at a weld joint. That's after about 3000 miles and perhaps I was just unlucky - however I think it's just down to a lack of vibration isolation for the tank as they're just stuck to the bottom cradle thingy with some gum type stuff. I wouldn't be surprised to find out someone had had a similar problem. I've now used some neoprene rubber sheeting (about 3 or 4mm thick, available from RS Components) between the tank cradle and the tank and the tank and the GRP floorpan which effectively clamps the tank in a rubber shell. Not sure if it will help but I didn't want it happening again.
2. One worrying thing I did come across when I took my old tank off was that one of the bolt stems that mounts the fuel pump assembly to the tank cradle had almost bored a hole through the tank casing. I've trimmed the length of the bolts and inserted a small neoprene cushion between the bolt stems and the tank - thinking about it now though I wish I'd bent the mount down a bit so the bolts didn't come anywhere near the tank shell. If this mount hasn't been modified on later models, I'd check this out on your own Atom.
All in all, changing the tank's was a bit of a pain - mainly through having to unmount the coolant pipes that pass under it to get the tank out. A couple of those bolts are a bastard fiddle to get to with spanners.
Next thing's an oil change and clean-up and I can get back to actually having some fun with it - last year was a total write-off thanks to a number of faults, the tank crack included.
I quite fancy going back to Oulton Park as the Atom really suits that track so I'll post if I book anything (probably with EasyTrack). Rockingham looks like a nice track as well if I can be arsed driving it down there.
I've also got vid cam - I'm planning on mounting a couple of bullet cams around the car to get some decent video footage so I'll get those posted as soon as I have'em - expect to see a lot of the Cat & Fiddle
How's everyone else's Atom's after the Winter?
PS. what tyres are everyone running now? Mine are the standard Continentals which it came with - these seem shite to be honest so I'll have to think about changing them some time.
Wow!
Well, we're probably going to change our tank too, as we're still getting very severe stuttering on left handers with less than 10 litres on board. This can't go on. As for the bolt issues - I guess if Simon knows about it, he'll make the mods - even on the new model released in today's Autocar.
As to tracks, we'd be pleased to join you. Steve says Rockinham is an absolute riot! I have yet to try it out. I'm off to folembray in May which should be fun. Let me know when and where you're off to and we'll see if we can join you.
Tyres - we're still on the originals - maybe we aren't tring hard enough!
Well, we're probably going to change our tank too, as we're still getting very severe stuttering on left handers with less than 10 litres on board. This can't go on. As for the bolt issues - I guess if Simon knows about it, he'll make the mods - even on the new model released in today's Autocar.
As to tracks, we'd be pleased to join you. Steve says Rockinham is an absolute riot! I have yet to try it out. I'm off to folembray in May which should be fun. Let me know when and where you're off to and we'll see if we can join you.
Tyres - we're still on the originals - maybe we aren't tring hard enough!
What are doing with the tank to actually fix the problem? I get that as well, a real pain in the arse.
I'll check with Simon on the bolts as I wouldn't be surprised if they were still as they were.
Which tyres did you get originally? Mine are no where near needing swapping, but I am conscious of the fact that there is very little grip in them. Also what pressures do you run on the road and track?
I'll have to get a copy of Autocar to see the new Atom.
I'll check with Simon on the bolts as I wouldn't be surprised if they were still as they were.
Which tyres did you get originally? Mine are no where near needing swapping, but I am conscious of the fact that there is very little grip in them. Also what pressures do you run on the road and track?
I'll have to get a copy of Autocar to see the new Atom.
Checked with Tom at Ariel, they are aware of the potential problems with those fuel pump mounting bolts. Seems like the car builders now know to bend the bracket away from the tank a bit during assembly.
Still, if you haven't already, I would check that on your Atom asap. A possible quick fix would be to just wedge a thin/small stainless steel plate in the gap - might save you an awful lot of trouble in the long run.
Still, if you haven't already, I would check that on your Atom asap. A possible quick fix would be to just wedge a thin/small stainless steel plate in the gap - might save you an awful lot of trouble in the long run.
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