redex car care robot

[beckyman]

A former owner has fitted my old car with a "Redex car care robot". It is a meter graduated from zero to twenty seven. What is it? what does it measure and what should it read? Mine fluctuates wildly on tickover then settles to about 18-20 when driving. The car is a Daf 33. This has a twin cylinder engine and CVT transmission - the original!

[FredPuli43]

That's going back! From memory, Redex made an additive that you could buy to put in your petrol, with supposedly magical effects on engine life and efficiency. Presumably, this device was some reader of supposed engine efficiency (Combustion?Exhaust gases?) , made by the same company.You probably have to give the fuel a shot of additive when it reads below some figure !
The Daf.That's a memory in itself, from the '60s. Dutch maker. Constantly variable transmission, with belts. Allegedly a system used on tanks and heavy lorries.

[tonyav]

Daf 33, that takes me back a fair bit, how old is it ?.

[ChuckFickens]

Far as I can see there are two possibles.

It's either just a vacuum gauge.

Or it's a vacuum gauge with a small tank you could fill up with fuel additive to keep the engine clean (probably to stop it coking up)

If its just the vacuum gauge it's meant to help you drive economically.

If its the gauge and the additive system the additive system then the additive system shouldn't be needed these days as modern fuels already have detergents and additives in them.

Either way it's an after market add-on and isn't required.

[beckyman]

I think that you are right about it being a vacuum meter but there is no redex storage jar. I do have a beautifully made and very heavy duty Redex dispenser - rather like a portable spirits dispenser in a public house. The Daf was made in 1973 and is in daily use as my shopping basket. I have another made in 1966 which awaits restoration. Over the years I have owned several Dafs but these are the only two I have left. they are splendid little cars, very well engineered and very reliable. The bodies do rust out however and need a fair bit of eagle eyed attention to maintain them in good fettle. The "Variomatic" belt drive CVT transmission is a really successful work of genius by Hub Van Doorne, one of the two dutch brothers who founded DAF . Many of the modern CVT transmissions fitted nowadays are also of Van Doorne manufacture, though I believe that they sold out some time ago now.

[tonyav]

Thanks, very interesting. haven't seen one for years.

[Graham-W]

The "Car Care Robot" was, indeed, just a vacuum gauge, but if you added a "Lubro Charger" it would inject the "correct" amount of Redex into the inlet manifold as an upper cylinder lubricant.
I wonder what the emissions would be at MOT time. Think I'd disconnect it for MOT.

[beckyman]

I think I'm right in saying that Redex is still manufactured and available.

[tonyav]

Yes, beckyman.

[mjwman]

My Spitfire runs a lot better when I use Redex. - true.
(But it is not cheap so it is irregular)

[SpikeyBush]

I remember tipping Redex into the air inlet on the Viva (tricky as it was a side-flow Stromberg carb) whilst revving the engine and seeing the clouds of sh!te coming out of the exhaust. Still lived with the parents at the time and once did it when my ma had the washing out. Got clobbered over the head with the floorbrush, all the white towels ended up soot-grey. Viva ran much better afterwards though, once the double-vision had gone.

[harley_Husky]

Quote: - " I remember tipping Redex into the air inlet on the Viva (tricky as it was a side-flow Stromberg carb) whilst revving the engine and seeing the clouds of sh!te coming out of the exhaust. Still lived with the parents at the time and once did it when my ma had the washing out. Got clobbered over the head with the floorbrush, all the white towels ended up soot-grey. Viva ran much better afterwards though, once the double-vision had gone. "

This is like the American equivalent of ' SeaFoaming ' ..... Caution though as if it doesn't burn it all you could hydraulic and bend stuff ..