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Brakes bled and we are ready to fire up the engine. Again, it’s easier to explain in writing than draw a
diagram. The only thing you’ll need for this job is to ensure that you have put some fuel in the car. The
shape of the Caterham fuel tank does not lend itself to making use of every last drop, so we recommend
an absolute minimum of 10 litres in the tank before trying to start the car. With the tank filled, we are ready
forinitialisation.
But before anything else:
YOU DID REMEMBER TO PUT OIL IN THE ENGINE AND GEARBOX, RIGHT?
Reassure yourself the engine is full of oil.
Disconnect the inertia switch; it’s the black thing attached to the engine bay bulkhead under the
windscreen that has rubber cap on top and a plug with two wires connecting from underneath. By
disconnecting the inertia switch, the fuel pump will not work, so intentionally, the engine will not fire.
Ensure the gearbox is in neutral, then turn the ignition key and press and hold the start button.
As the engine cranks over, watch the oil pressure gauge. Keep cranking until the needle starts to
climb, then steadies out.
We now have oil pressure circulating in the engine, which means the engine is ready to be started.
Reconnect the inertia switch.
Take a deep breath, mutter 'this is it', cross your fingers and brace yourself.
Turn the ignition key, press and hold the start button. It will take a few moments for the fuel to get
through, so do not expect an instant start.
All things willing, the engine will start. Hooray! If it stops straight away, don’t worry. Try again and once
it starts give it a little rev.
That’s it. Your car is complete! Well done – you have built a car; a real live car; not many people can say
that. If you remembered to put in gearbox and dierential oil, and fill the system with coolant, then a
tentative edge out onto the driveway is in order. You’ll need to pop the wheels on first and lower it from
the axle stands.
Let’s just run through that quickly:
i. Put a wheel on and do the nuts up a few turns by hand (to ensure they do not cross-thread).
ii. Tighten them up the best you can with the wheels o the ground.
iii. Lower the car from the axle stands, front first; taking care that it doesn’t lean back on the axle
stands at the back (a helper might be handy).
iv. Torque the wheel nuts to 65lbft (about 85Nm).
v. That’s it, you’re ready to go!
Take care and good luck with the IVA and registration process.
You will soon be experiencing the sheer pleasure of being a Caterham driver. Once again, enjoy!
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