[T3] Flaps Closed for Business

[Chris Sheridan]

>Remember, the spring doesn't open the flaps, the thermostat does. The
spring is only there to take the play out of the linkage, prevent
>rattles, and reduce wear.

Upon Deceleration (highway off-ramp) I hear quite a bit of rattling - this
coupled with the return spring I found, tells me that there is
plenty of play in the linkage, and the linkage may not be linked, since the
flaps don't appear to be opening.


>I'm assuming you have a thermostat in place and connected to the vertical
pushrod up to the bell crank.

This is also my assumption, however I will confirm.


Study the photos in the Bentley ch. 3, pg 15, right column. Get yourself
familiar with the linkage. Then go to your engine and remove
the plate that covers the RHS spark plugs; that the little plate that's #1
in ch. 3, pg 17. That shows the one on the left, but you'll
be removing the one on the right. It will take some effort to get the 2
screws out and then the plate should come up and out fairly easily.
You'll have to remove the #1 & 2 spark plug wires first.

Then reach in the far rear of that opening (rear is rear) and find
the horizontal rod that comes forward (forward is forward) from the
flaps. Where the rod enters the bell crank, there will be a small
cylinder with a hex head screw (maybe) still in it. That screw has an
8 mm hex head that points straight to the right side of the car. You
should be able to get a socket on that hex.
With the engine cold and the thermostat collapsed, turn the flap
shaft to close the flaps, then open them slightly. In this position,
tighten the 8 mm hex. That should get you back close to the correct
adjustment.

I've looked at the photos. I can probably get the small tin off and even
get a socket on the barrel nut, assuming it's still there, however, this
won't do much for me if the linkage has become detached at the flap end, or
in re-attaching the return spring at the flap end. For that, I'm assuming
I'll need to remove the FI gear and Intake Runners, and Right cover plate,
at a minimum.
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