Chrome air vents - again

M

MAF260

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Thanks for the good wishes guys, my wrist is on the mend and thankfully now out of plaster after 10 weeks. The work front is looking somewhat less promising!

David Askew kindly sent me some parts, but I'm left a little confused and could do with some help - he's sent me 2 parts, one of which I recognise and one which I don't:

PICT1489.jpgPICT1486.jpg

The black tube on the left is what I remember as the part that needs replacing as the chrome flakes off. I have no idea what the large chrome part on the right is and without a car to reference it against I'm a bit stuck.
I think that the black tube comes in 2 sizes within the car, again from memory the smaller size is for the vents nearest the doors and in the rear (4 required), and the larger size is the middle vents either side of the clock (2 required) - can anyone confirm this please? I've measured the parts that David sent me - the diameter of the black tube is 75mm and the diameter of the 'ring' within the large chrome part is 92mm. Any chance of somebody taking a tape measure out to their car at some point and confirming measurements please?

Once I know exactly what's required I'll go and see the engineering firm.
 
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M

MAF260

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Got the pictures to work finally!

A bit more digging on this. From the Eurospares picture (of a 4200 dash) I think the large chrome piece is number 16 on the diagram and is part of the vents either side of the clock. I'm not sure that this part is required, just the larger tube with chrome plating around the rim (ooh err!). I think that the replacement parts needed are numbered 18 & 15 on the diagram. Can anyone please confirm this?

4200 dash.jpg
 
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conaero

conaero

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That is correct MAF, 18 and 15 are the flaking parts, the bases dont seem to have this problem, probably due to the fact that the paint sticks better to metal than a plastic.
 
M

MAF260

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Went to the engineering firm yesterday......not back until next week. Progress report after I've been.
 
M

MAF260

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Small update:

Visited the engineers today and gave them the 'tube' for the air vent to have a look at. We discussed various options including complete replacements in stainless steel and aluminium. My concern at this stage is that it could be costly due to the need to replicate the notches etc. in the tube. Another possibility is for a ring to be made which would push fit over the chrome part of the tube, covering the flaky chrome part. This would probably be considerably cheaper and also more of a DIY fix for anyone not confident in removing their air vents.

Once I've heard back from the engineer, hopefully next week, I'll report back.
 
Tiburon44

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Great, thanks for the update, I think there are quite a few of us keeping an eye on your progress.
 
lozcb

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MAF260 said:
Small update:

Visited the engineers today and gave them the 'tube' for the air vent to have a look at. We discussed various options including complete replacements in stainless steel and aluminium. My concern at this stage is that it could be costly due to the need to replicate the notches etc. in the tube. Another possibility is for a ring to be made which would push fit over the chrome part of the tube, covering the flaky chrome part. This would probably be considerably cheaper and also more of a DIY fix for anyone not confident in removing their air vents.

Once I've heard back from the engineer, hopefully next week, I'll report back.
Click to expand...

Cheers Mark for keeping on top of this one , waiting a positive outcome

regards loz
 
Parisien

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I still try not to look at them..............plus maybe not so obvious in my car as it has a cream dashboard...;)

P
 
M

MAF260

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I'm still working on this, just haven't had much time to follow up. Went to the engineers this morning to be told that the guy looking at it has had recent health issues and is currently in hospital. SHould be out in a few days though. The consensus is that the tubes will be too difficult (and therefore expensive) to replicate so we are now exploring a solution to either replace the ring at the top where the flaky chrome is, or to manufacture a part which will fit over the flaky chrome bit. This would be made of either aluminium or stainless steel. I hope to have a bit more of an update next week.
 
goatherder

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I tried to sort out two of my air-vents, rubbed them down, cleaned them up etc but was never happy with the end result - therefore decided to order a couple of new sets from Eurospares :)
 
goatherder

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yep - did the two side and the two rear vents - the central ones do not appear to have peeled much so will leave them be for now...
 
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