Other under-bonnet jobs
Mounts
Make sure the engine mounts and the mount at the rear of the gearbox are in good condition
Water pump
Grease it if a nipple is fitted. Rock the fan hub to check for bearing wear. If you remove the fan belt, give it a spin to check for smooth rotation.
Oil leaks?
Fit a new copper sump washer when changing the oil, unless the original is in excellent condition. Don’t try to solve sump leaks by overtightening the bolts – it’ll distort the sump and make it worse. Fit a new gasket with RTV silicone sealant and tighten the nuts to just 8lb ft.
Dynamo
Apply a few drops of engine oil to the dynamo’s rear bearing.
Air filters
Clean the gauzetype air filter elements in para n, dry thoroughly and lightly re-oil.
Ignition timing
Aligning the notch on the crankshaft pulley with the centre pointer on the timing case represents 5° BTDC. The pointers are at 5° intervals. Initial static timing varies between 5° BTDC and 10° BTDC, depending on model.
Electrical system
Look for deteriorating insulation and cables routed close to hot or moving objects. Check all connectors for corrosion, including the battery terminals and major earth points.