Jonty Wild

I am sure that you are right . . . . . . so, not knowing the consequences of the wrong person picking it up, do I feel lucky?

Thank you, now that is very interesting! I wonder if changing from 1600 to 2000 might make them think about it a little more.

None found so far. Even Ford don't want to know.

The engine number is there. It is a 205 block which means that it is a 2.0l block so there is no doubt, by no one is so far willing to sign to that effect. I it seems so obvious, I don't really understand why.

When I bought my Robin Hood 2B Plus I was aware that it was registered as a 1600cc, even though it has a 2000cc engine. It was also registered as yellow, when it is in fact orange. I did investigate the possibility of amending the engine size, but likelihood seemed to be that they would require a garage or engineers confirmation that it had been done 'properly'. Although as it has a 205 Pinto block everyone agrees that it is a 2.0l, I have never managed to persuade any garage to put pen to paper to confirm this officially. I am worried that without this I will open up a whole can of worms with the DVLA. It doesn't bother the insurance company that it is 2.0l, so in many senses it doesn't bother me. However, I think that I will get the colour changed, and am wondering about slipping the engine size in as well, hoping it goes under their bureaucracy radar. Anyone done it, got any thoughts, or any experience of falling foul of the DVLA over this?

I agree, always nice to know and it provides other readers with the information they need on what was successful. Must post some other stuff now!

Now fitted, and I no longer need a cushion behind me to drive

Just to finish this off. My car is started and running well. Although the gunge in the fuel filter would not have helped, the main problem turned out to be the battery - which I had some doubts about! - it no longer had enough oomph to turn the engine enough, to get the mechanical pump to drag the fuel through. I have also fitted a none return valve, but too soon to tell if this made any difference yet. There were other useful benefits of this investigation and fitting seat runners: It made me spot the broken earth from the windscreen washer pump (MOT failure) It made me spot how bad a length rubber fuel pipe was - looked fine but was crumbling away - must check any hidden under the car now. Found a really easy to access and available, ignition controlled live, to power an auxiliary socket - yippee, I thought this would be a nightmare.

True!!!

Update. This is what I found in the fuel filter - do other people find this an issue? The car was used last year no problem, the fuel was last year's, and it has a stainless steel tank. I have yet to prove that this is the problem causing no fuel to be drawn through, I suppose it must be, but I could blow through the filter and back in to the tank. I'll test it after the replacement filter and non-return valve have arrived, which should have been today. Still a productive day in the sun, with one set of seat runners installed - would have been two if the previous owner had used a jig to drill the holes rather than semi randomly drilling holes in the floor! Also fixed a fault with the windscreen washer spray that I didn't know I had, until I spotted the lose earth wire!

No problem, one seat was out (passenger - just in case!) so I could measure the centres. It should be captive, because obviously that makes sense . . . . but then do these cars . . . . . ? I will remove one and find out, prepare for some swearing if it is not captive! I have the same worry about the seat belt mountings, so I must have a better look as it would be so much easier to remove the whole lot to fit the slides.

Sorry it is not a Superspec so it would not have come with seats (I expect). The nuts I am talking about are in the seat. The studs will unscrew from the seat, and common sense would say they go to captive nuts, I just have visions of unscrewing them only to find the nuts wander off into the seat somewhere never to be seen again!

I am about to order runners for my RH car seats. Currently my seats are fixed and bolt through the floor, before I remove the current studs coming out of the seats is it safe to assume that they screw into captive nuts and I am not going to end up with nuts floating round the inside of the seats?

I am going to try this as soon as I can buy one, any recommendations for a supplier - does it also act a filter? Maybe that is why mine hasn't started yet - there is no fuel at all in the filter, but I haven't looked properly yet! Soon though with this weather!

Great work, well done. I presume it was a DIY security feature intended to isolate the ignition?

Haven't got mine started yet. Thought it was battery problem as it is a bit sluggish turn over - might still be part of the problem! I replace the (main) earth lead and cleaned up the seating areas last year. However, there is no fuel coming through. I haven't had much time to look at it yet, but seeking advice. I have mechanical pump. I sure that there is fuel in the tank (stainless steel), but I will put some more in to be sure, and I will blow back through the pipe to make sure it is not blocked. I have never had a problem with a mechanical pump before - is that a thing? Should I just buy a new pump?

Except the we will all want to know what the solution was . . . . . when it is found!

Have you changed the spark plugs? When I first got mine, I thought it had the wrong plugs (from the number) bought new quality ones for a 2l Pinto, put them in and had similar problems, put the old ones back in and it was fine after that. If you are low on fuel, could be something floating around in the tank and blocking the outlet, but it sounds like you have filled it. Back in my Triumph car days, I am sure I had similar problems when coils aged and broke down.

A miracle at this time of the year?

Thank you, Happy New Year to you and all members. I hope you (we) all have a trouble free motoring year.

Welcome, looks good

Well I have pressed it at all sorts of times; engine running, engine not. One day I'll go behind that dash and tract the wiring to it - if there is any!

Could be but I was hoping for a faulty ejector seat and that I could fix it when I take the seat out to fit runners. It can't be for the heated rear screen or central locking or sun roof. Any other suggestions

I suppose that might be nice, but it serves no purpose to them and the bottom line it is not really what they are paid to, so yes they would want payment and I suspect there would still be data protection issue. I might add that I found the person who built my car and he would not respond to any of my enquiries/messages. He probably thought that I had found something wrong with it and didn't want leave himself open to criticism or a load of questions - there isn't anything wrong as far as I know, but I would like to know what the silver button on the dash is supposed to do!

It is called data protection. Personally I am glad random people cannot find out who owns a particular car (registration) and where they live. It would be a wonderful tool for car thieves, scammers. Even the Police can get into trouble if they try to find out details of car owners without reasonable cause/need.