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Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:12 am
by Jin
Whilst improving the cooling system, and still trying to bleed the remaining bleeding air out the system I set about making a bleed pipe for the matrix top hose.
Off cut of brass pipe, turned up a threaded boss also in brass and reused the bleed screw from my old rear coolant pipe,
Made up a stainless support
Painted and fitted
Seems to work

Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 9:51 am
by Jin
The problem with my current scuttle panel is although it looks nice, it's just a ledge that allows water from the screen to pour in and fill the bulkhead ledge and pours all over the fan motor invariably giving it excuses to play up
Also, back when I made it I just coppied the shape from the original one including the big cutout for the wiper arm
Time for a redesign.
Fresh piece of board obtained plus some 20mmX20mm PVC angle and some nifty stainless flange head screws only 6mm long
Ain't the Internet a wonderful place?
Drilled the PVC to accept a 1/2" tube support
Screwed it all together
And upgraded to 2 washer jets
Piece of half inch PVC pipe on the brass tube support
And
Works a treat, even copes with the hosepipe

Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 11:14 am
by kelvink
Nice smart easy job for anyone to follow. Only trouble is I don't have a Mk4, but I know a few who do!
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 12:32 pm
by Hans Efde
Simple and smart. Just a remark on the expansion tank I am seeing in the last pics. I had such a tank in my mk3 Gold and blew up 2. It seems that plastic cap is prone to clogging up. So the pressure gets too high and the tank will look like an inflated pig. It may be wise checking or replacing that plastic cap regularly. I ended up installing a Metro mk1 tank (but now replaced with more reliable VAG equipment) with metal cap which won't clog up.
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 12:40 pm
by Jin
Thanks guys and thanks for the tip on the expansion cap, I must admit the last time I checked the level on minimum it soon shot up to Max upon releasing the cap indicating the fluid had been displaced somewhere.
Can anyone recommend a particular brand of cap that is to be relied upon?
Thanks once again
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 12:56 pm
by Jin
Found a Bearmach one on ebay with a brass valve - that's gotta be good hasn't it?
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 7:25 pm
by benofbrum
That scuttle mod looks somewhat familiar, just better executed than mine.
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 7:35 pm
by Jin
benofbrum wrote:That scuttle mod looks somewhat familiar, just better executed than mine.
You are my inspiration

Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 9:22 pm
by Hans Efde
Jin wrote:Found a Bearmach one on ebay with a brass valve - that's gotta be good hasn't it?
If it has a spring it should be fine. But make sure the cap has the same thread as the tank. I wasn't able to find a replacement because of this, so had to replace the whole tank.
Re: J171 NJO Cortez / 2+2 rebuild and modifications
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:49 pm
by Jin
New one on the left, looks a bit more convincing than the all plastic version, plus it another "new" bit which is always good
