Amazon 121

I own a 1965 Amazon 121. Recently I have experienced many problems with the vehicle. The most vexing and expensive is that rubbish in the fuel tank is clogging up the carb and tubes etc and causing breakdowns. One garage which I don't trust has reccommended a company who do fuel tank clean-ups. Another garage, the well respected Volvo specialists Amber, in Southwick nr Brighton, say they don't know of anyone that does this job on the south-coast. Can anyone help by either verifing that there is a company down here that do an effective job or suggesting an alternative remedy.

My second problem is less important but quite annoying - my boot won't hold up unsupported. Brookhouse say I need a complete rod/spring set to solve this one but I would have to get it from scrap. Does anyone know of another fix for this or know where I can get the parts, again on the South coast please.

[Peter Milnes]

Basically drain your tank, disconnect fuel lines and electrical connections and drop the tank. Remove access lid (fuel guage sender) and swill out tank with either parrafin or steam clean with pressure steamer. While you are waiting for it to dry, make sure that the fuel lines are clean and clear of unwanted material. When everything is dry refit to the car, refill with fuel and check that motor runs OK. There may be filters in the pump and carburettor fuel inlet and the bowl will certainly need cleaning. The filter over the pick-up in the tank may need to be replaced if there is one, if not fit one to stop further occurences of your problem.

For your other problem it should be possible to have the rods retensioned by, say a College with blacksmith facilities.

All the best, Peter.

pie finger. aha i think can help with th eboot holding up problem, when i first had my amazon the boot was held up by what i was told was the same clip that the 1800 uses for either the boot or bonnet, i am not totally sure about this because when i had it restored it was removed. suffice to say,maybe you could check the 1800 parts list to see if there is something that does the job. good luck

[Mike Arnold]

I had a similar problem on my '66 after adding some soundproofing to the boot lid (making it heavier). There is limited adjustment to the torsion bars where they link into the body. Try the higher setting.

Thank you for your advice unfortunately I am nowhere near competent enough to attempt this, even an oil change is beyond me so do you know of anyone who can do this safely. I was told by my garage, Amber in Southwick, that this could be done but that it has many dangers including ruining the whole tank becouse all the fittings are 36 years old and probably haven't been touched for that long. I don't want to give it to someone to do and just cause more problems, I suffered from that syndrome all last year!

Thanks I will look into that

how do you adjust a torsion bar and is that what is refered to as a spring in the Haynes manual... thanks for your reply

Just ask tony barrett for a reconditioned tank and enjoy life. or put a filter in the engine bay on the fuel line before it enters the carburettor.

Thanks for your reply...AMber have fitted filter so we will see if that works if not Tony used to work on my vehicle when I lived in London so I'll call him...and yes I'll enjoy life more when the car stops breaking down!