The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Good Day All,

I have just purchased a lovely Dolomite 1500HL and need to know if there are any improvements that I would need to do to keep it reliable ie. to avoid overheating, running problems etc. I want to keep mine mint and in top order so any requirements I would do. Fuel supply!! any thoughts. Am running additives at the moment. Many thanks. Frankieboy21.

Which additive are you using? I used Castrol Valvemaster on and off when I had my Dolly 1300 with no ill effect. A permanent solution would be to have hardened valve seats fitted or to replace the head with one that has had it done. Regular maintenance will help keep your car reliable. A Haynes manual or a factory workshop one will help.

Thanks for that. Could you advise which version of the Haynes manual I should be looking for? I have seen many on ebay but seem to cover only Dolomite Sprints and 1300's.
I am experiencing the smell of petrol fumes not so much as thinking there is a fuel leak as I think there isn't but there is enough fumes to cause me a concern as it is constant. No visible leaks so far. Any ideas anybody? Thanks.

the Haynes you need will be the one that says Triumph 1500TC as it covers the later 1500/1500HL. This is what the cover looks like on my copy (sorry about the poor quailty scan!)

Hello and welcome first of all. Whereabouts are you?

Might be good form to change the fuel hoses anyway, that way it's done and you can forget about them for quite a while.

I know you said you had no visible leaks, but it wouldn't hurt to check the underneath of the car as the main fuel line runs along side the rear bit of the n/s sill. Also check the exit pipework from the tank, the tank itself might have some pinholes. Is the sender sealed properly and is the filler pipe secure/leak free? Just a process of elimination really. Oh and fit an inline filter too, don't forget to clean out the guaze filter in the fuel pump as no doubt it will be a bit crudded up.

Hope it helps.

Ken

I've thought of something else. Are the float chambers overflowing? I was on my way to S&S Preparations for some points and there was a smell of petrol and thought that the pipes going to the float chambers were leaking so I bought some fuel pipe and clips as well as the points. I fitted the pipes and clips and the problem was still there but I noticed that the front carb had petrol coming out of the overflow. S&S's carb guru was on hand and the problem was quickly diagnosed as a sliver of rubber pipe stuck in the float chamber valve keeping it open. Once it was removed the problem was solved so it might be worth checking to see if petrol's coming out of the overflow. (if your carbs have an overflow)

Good idea mate, but I would still replace the hoses as a matter of point. My SE hoses looked ok but the one by the front carb piddled++.

Also take the bootfloor cover out and check teh tank hasn't overflowed into teh boot.

On the reliabilty side, keep it serviced and good quality oil, non return oil filter, clean points and plugs and decent leads. the car should serve you well.
Fuel additive, we use shell Millenium, cost £5 and last 500 lites (you add so much per litre of fuel) or shell optimax or any brand super fuel without additive, more costly but you will find your car runs smoother with it.
Avoid supermarket fuel at all costs.
fitting a inline filter just before the fuel pump would be a cheap way of avoiding crap going trough the pump, but make sure you fit it the right way around or it wont let the fuel trough (eh Ken )

And just for the hard of seeing, this is what Ken whispered and yes he was speaking from experiance (i have proof)


Yes, it would stop the fuel getting to the pump wouldn't it.

Wow!! Hi All and many thanks for all of your comments.

I have taken on board all of your recommendations and will process these now. I will do my best to look and investigate all the areas mentioned.
Ken, I'm located in Milton Keynes. Fancy meeting up so you can give me some pointers on the car? You seem to be the closest to me.
Anybody know these two things - thr passenger rear door is slightly out of alignment as the gap between the door and body is just about big enough to get my little finger in. Wind roar is a problem. Is this an easy fix? Also, the front passenger and drivers quarter windows require the rubber surrounds replacing. Where do I get these from and is it easy to replace? Thanks again for everbody's input. Cheers!!

FrankieBoy21 wrote:Wind roar is a problem. Is this an easy fix?

If you consider turning the radio up an easy fix then yes.

Aerodynamics weren't on the mind of the designers of these cars that much, so they didn't really think about wind noise. Conceivably you could shave the gutters, fit "cleaner" wing mirrors and cowl in the wiper blades, but it would be a lot of work.

A quick one on the wind noise, as mine is'nt too bad. try some simple things first like, are the quarter light seals fitting correctly and are the door gaps and seals all ok? i changed the door seals on my 1500hl and it made a lot of difference, also i had to slightly adjust the drivers quarter light as it did'nt close properly. try these before going too in depth.

got any pics of your dolomite frankie boy?