Wait a few weeks and I'll yell yaOriginally Posted by LPH_UK
Wait a few weeks and I'll yell ya
Is there anything you can wipe over the surface, wipe off and leave colour in the stamped numbers? Paint probably too thick? How about a colour matching polish? Anything that might help the inspector on the day?
Guy
Regarding improving visibility of the numbers - I've tried pencil graphite, permanent marker, oil and then heating with a paint stripper, etc etc. However the photogrph you can see is the best result I've got and this was with a photoshop type filter. When I took my photographs (with my I-phone) and illuminated by an LED torch, the numbers did not show up at all (to the naked eye) whatever I did. I decided to look at each of my I-phone photos on a large screen - and surprisingly I could read them. The one I attached has a pale blue filter which enhances the digits just about enough to be legible. I am going to supply this photo to the IVA tester. I would imagine they are not expecting to be able to identify each engine by it's individual numbers - if there is an accompanying V5 document. However since I dont have one I think my evidence will need to be a bit more substantive. To get this photo I had to drain down my radiator , disconnect the hoses and air filter and MAF and sundry knock sensors and other electrics.
I'm hoping I wont have to do this on Test day!
Thanks for all the suggestions - and Chris you read the number correctly . (I was initially confused by the continental "1's" mistaking them for 4's - and the "R" from the initial AR is rather stylised ) The only other thing I need to try and get is an image of my block casting date - which I know is October 2002 - and am looking at getting hold of an endoscope . I'm thinking I can photograph the on-screen image.
Does anyone happen to have an endoscope they could rent out ?
In order to read engine or chassis numbers paint with acid, leave for 10-15 minutes and it'll be as clear as day (don't forget to thoroughly wash off afterwards)
They do look for the engine number, but if it’s difficult to see they accept a photo. Once you are confident it’s correct, why not just refresh it with some number/letter stamps? Avoid the angst of a potential fail for something so daft.
It's best not to mess with the engraved number.
Even if its faint it is better that it looks original.
Once you try to re stamp it it can look like it has been tampered with and the examiner may no longer accept that that is the actual number for the engine.
"You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead"
Stan Laurel
Good point, hadn’t considered that.
Pete, if you're looking for an endoscope, Lidl or Aldi sometimes have them (believe it or not). I got one a while back - it's got a small mirror attachment (for seeing backwards if necessary, behind the camera head), a light for illuminating dark areas (such as engine interiors!), blah blah. The neck, or whatever you want to call it (the bendy bit?) is about 3 feet long. It cost about £30...even had a set of batteries included!
Ann Summers do something similar but you have to buy the batteries separately.Pete, if you're looking for an endoscope, Lidl or Aldi sometimes have them (believe it or not). I got one a while back - it's got a small mirror attachment (for seeing backwards if necessary, behind the camera head), a light for illuminating dark areas (such as engine interiors!), blah blah. The neck, or whatever you want to call it (the bendy bit?) is about 3 feet long. It cost about £30...even had a set of batteries included!
Err, so I've heard.
Or, you can buy small diameter USB cameras on ebay, with illumination on the end.
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