Battery terminal check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or 12 months)
Caution: Before carrying out any work on the vehicle battery, read through the precautions given in “Safety first!” at the beginning of this manual.
1 The battery fitted as original equipment is “maintenance-free”, and requires no maintenance apart from having the case kept clean, and the terminals clean and tight.
2 To clean the battery terminals disconnect them, after having first removed the cover (later models) - negative earth first. Use a wire brush or abrasive paper to clean the terminals. Bad corrosion should be treated with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, applied with an old toothbrush. Do not let this solution get inside the battery.
3 Coat the battery terminals with petroleum jelly or a proprietary anti-corrosive compound before reconnecting them. Reconnect and tighten the positive (live) lead first, followed by the negative (earth) lead. Do not overtighten.
4 Keep the top of the battery clean and dry.
Inspect the battery tray for corrosion, and make good as necessary.
See also:
Automatic transmission fluid level check (Every 12 000 miles (20 000 km) or
12 months)
1 Fluid level should be checked with the
transmission at operating temperature (after a
run) and with the vehicle parked on level
ground.
2 Open and prop the bonnet. With the engine
idling and th ...
Sump - removal and refitting
Note: New gaskets and sealing strips must be
used on refitting.
Removal
1 Disconnect the battery negative lead and
drain the engine oil (see Chapter 1).
2 Refer to Chapter 5, Part A and remove th ...
Front tie-bar - removal and refitting
Pre-May 1983 1.1 litre models
Removal
1 Jack up the front of the car and support it
on stands (see “Jacking and Vehicle Support”).
2 Unscrew and remove the nut which holds
the tie-bar to the larg ...
