Another Texan, not an owner, but a bunch of pics from an Ecotec oil change today

[revenuer]

Looks like the wing is holding the tea tray captive:



Some life insurance documents burning on the muffler?


Overdrive pulley on the supercharger (3"):


Aftermarket airbox/intake pipe?:


See the supercharger:


Finally got it out:


After a tiny bit of cleaning, ready to go back together:

Take note of where the oil fill cap is located.

Can't read it but that is 80 psi oil pressure with cold oil. Calls for 60+ psi hot.


It ended up taking 5.5 quarts. I grabbed a sample for Blackstone to analyze.


Almost back together:


At last:

Tires pressure are set at 18 front and 20 rear.

And it turns out my red car doesn't have to sleep outside.


If anyone is curious, these are the instructions: Ariel Atom (Ecotec) Oil Change Procedure

I really want to buy an Atom or build the Altra kit (I dubbed that a Fauxton) , but probably won't have the finances for a bit. The owner of this one was generous enough to let me put a few hundred miles on it.

[revenuer]

I do have a couple questions:

1. Clutch pedal squeak. Advice?

2. Parking brake adjustment?

3. Brake light activation. This needs to be a little bit higher on the pedal, meaning the lights don't activate quite early enough.

[MadMaxAtom]

1. Wear a helmet..squeak gone..
2.Park brake cable adjustment is on the caliper end of the cables
3.Factory brake light switch is a pressure switch and sucks.It usually stops working or leaks. It is easy to convert to a motorcycle pull/on setup. See write-up---> http://arielatomchat.com/forums/thread1773.html

[Lane]

Brake light activation. This needs to be a little bit higher on the pedal, meaning the lights don't activate quite early enough.

There's a pressure switch that isn't the most reliable. You've described the first symptom from when mine went bad. For what others have done to address it, see this thread and this thread.

[revenuer]

Thanks for the tips.

I detailed it today and checked fluid in both brake circuits, clutch, engine coolant, and intercooler.







First the scratches on painted or shiny CF were hit with Klasse All-in-One, then the green and black fenders were polished with 2 coats of Pinnacle Souveran paste wax. Finally the windscreens were washed with Invisible Glass, the interior sprayed with Cockpit Premium, rubbed in by hand, then the excess wiped off after letting it chill.

I still have to wipe down the wheels again; the brakes dust nicely. Otherwise she is ready to go home.

[revenuer]

Thanks for the tips on the parking brake adjustment. It was pretty easy once I read the manual. It has the Track brake package.

I don't want to take it apart again to check, so is it possible to add engine oil with just the airbox cover off with an Ecotec? It doesn't need oil now, I am just curious for future reference.

Another question is this car doesn't have a back-up light, like it physically doesn't exist. I assume there is a lead we can tap for signal somewhere. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

[MadMaxAtom]

With just the top scoop off,you can add oil..IF you can find someone with really really thin arms to reach in there to get the cap off,and use a flexible funnel. No back-up light.You can't see behind you anyways.. I was hoping you were going to paint it..man,that color is hard on my eyes..

[Terry Kennedy]

No back-up light.You can't see behind you anyways.

Cars with the road lighting kit have one. It's the same size as the rain light, but white.

[revenuer]

The point of the backup light is to pass inspection. The lights were changed out on this car at some point. Is there a wiring diagram available online?

I like the color FWIW, although I'd probably paint mine in a General Lee color scheme, since ingress/egress is about the same.

[bolus]

there isnt a good harness diagram unfortunately. But there was a back up light at some point since they all had one. so the wire to it is still probably near by since it was built into every harness. I'd check for any wires that arent attached to anything right near the back and test them out.