James, as ever, you are a complete Star, but Sadly I have a previous "work" engagement.... with a client... for Dinner and a Gig... But the offer is truly appreciated nonetheless .......
another billion brownie points for the man if you please Admin

I'll probably get the pipe-work anyhow chaps..... then whenever it does get looked at, the parts will be on hand...
I have the feeling that accumulating some spares might be a good plan.
once I've got the bits, I'll see what can be achieved "locally" if I can get them this weekend, I'll try and see if my Bro's free to give me a hand perhaps.... he's not local either.... but Blood is thicker than beer , just, and I'm already imposing on Mark & TB's generous natures as it is....
if it's during the week, it'll be a garage prolly... but no worries...
Dunno when the Cambelt party is yet James, it's entirely down to Their Saintlinesses respective Diaries....
as an interested, but perhaps not critical question.... Mark.... the pressure test gizmo....
how does it get around the Thermostat being closed when the engine's cold???
if the Steam escape happens immediately after the thermostat opens.... surely the garage would have had to run the engine to get that to happen before then using the pressurizing gizmo??
or am i thinking about this backwards somewhere?
Oh, and I'm told I should be interested in your V6 Aircon Compressor James... ...... I'll PM you shortly ish...
Best regards
Max