new to TVR ownership – all help welcome!!

[pagoda39]

Hey all,

Put this on the general forum without realising there's a specific 'S' series one... doh.

I've just bought an 1988 S1 with absolutely no idea what I was getting into but huge enthusiasm to learn.

It's not in great shape but the fundamentals are ok – ie, it's driveable! Am needing a few things looked at and am hoping someone can help point me in the right direction for parts / advice...

I had a friend look at it and he's done quite a lot to it already. In his opinion and in no special order, here are the things I know require work (it's a big list!!). MOT is due in July and am keen to remedy things that I need to help it pass (cosmetic things not high on the agenda right this minute, but all advice gratefully received!!)

HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION
HAZARDS DO NOT FUNCTION
NEARSIDE WIPER MOUNT REQUIRES FABRICATION
WIPER SPINDLES AND ARMS NEED REPLACED
NEW TYRES RECOMMENDED
FULL WHEEL GEOMETRY
HEATER CONTROL CABLE IS STIFF
OFFSIDE FRONT WHEEL INNER COVER NEEDS REPLACED
DUCTING FOR FRESH AIR VENTS NEED RENEWED (REPLACEMENT IN BOOT OF CAR)
HEATER ONLY WORKS ON FULL SPEED
WINDSCREEN NEEDS RESEALED PROPERLY/REPLACED
NEARSIDE FRONT INDICATOR LENS DAMAGED
AIR INTAKE HOSE SPLIT
REVERSE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDS RENEWED
PAINT RESTORATION
REINFORCE FOOT WELLS
REPLACE DIFF OIL

thanks in anticipation...

[tinks v8S]

Jules
WECOME to S ownership, not to much to do then .cosmetics
more will be along with HELP
Get yourself along to S Club meet ,to have a chat to a few of us
Good luck and you will Enjoy

Edited by tinks v8S on Thursday 24th March 23:12

[pagoda39]

Good shout. Where do I find out about them? (apols – I wasn't kidding when I said I'm new to this!!)

[MartinD]

Hello sister.

[orange_dodo]

pagoda39 said:

Good shout. Where do I find out about them? (apols – I wasn't kidding when I said I'm new to this!!)

S Club Heaven is an annual S meet. There is a link at the top of this forum or click here.

There is also an FAQ which you may find useful

Oh and if you haven't already buy the 'Bible'. It's the workshop manual for the S 'The TVR S Series'. Excellent book with a lot of answers.

As to your problems;

HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION
HAZARDS DO NOT FUNCTION
-both of these are probably fuse related. Fuse box is in the 'rats nest' under a cover in the passenger foot well. If not a fuse then you may need a multimeter to find the problem. Could be the switches or the 'yellow connector' connecting the steering column switches to the main loom. If you have it replace it!

NEARSIDE WIPER MOUNT REQUIRES FABRICATION
WIPER SPINDLES AND ARMS NEED REPLACED
-These 2 I can't really help with sorry. I'm sure someone with experience replacing wiper related gear will be along shortly though

NEW TYRES RECOMMENDED
- There are quite a few threads about this. Use the search facility up the top, go to advanced search, type your query and select the S series forum

FULL WHEEL GEOMETRY
-The geo is pretty easy to set up, any reasonably competent garage should be able to do it.

HEATER CONTROL CABLE IS STIFF
-mine too! The cable goes to a valve in the engine bay so the cable or the valve could be stiff. I personally leave it on hot all the time. If it is cold I turn the fan on, if it is hot I take the roof off!

OFFSIDE FRONT WHEEL INNER COVER NEEDS REPLACED
-Do you mean the brake dust guard (circular rubber thing) or inner wheel arch? My S2 doesn't have either but the brake dust covers aren't essential. In fact they have a tendency to catch fire if you use your brakes a lot (AutoAndy!)

DUCTING FOR FRESH AIR VENTS NEED RENEWED (REPLACEMENT IN BOOT OF CAR)
-Some people have rerouted or come up with different solutions to stop them dangling over the engine bay but they are fairly obvious as to where they attach etc.

HEATER ONLY WORKS ON FULL SPEED
-They generally only work on low and full anyway. Check the switch. The heater itself is a br to get to!

WINDSCREEN NEEDS RESEALED PROPERLY/REPLACED
-Apparently the windows are a pain and you can damage the trim if your not careful so get recommendations if you get a company to do this.

NEARSIDE FRONT INDICATOR LENS DAMAGED
-Don't go there!

AIR INTAKE HOSE SPLIT
-You should be able to get a new hose from a kit car supplier

REVERSE LIGHT SWITCH NEEDS RENEWED
-Does it need renewing or have the wires jut been pulled out? I think the switch is in the gearbox somewhere

PAINT RESTORATION
-T-Cut! Well that or a respray. The latter being a little bit more expensive.

REINFORCE FOOT WELLS
-Huh!? Think you need to explain this one!

REPLACE DIFF OIL
-There is a bolt on the side that needs undoing then you suck the oil out with a syringe and pipe. Refill with correct oil up to the bottom of the bolt hole.


Hope that helps and I apologies if any of it is condescending, I'm assuming you know very little about the cars!

Oh and welcome

Edited by orange_dodo on Friday 25th March 00:10

[Gerald-TVR]

pagoda39 said:

WIPER SPINDLES AND ARMS NEED REPLACED
OFFSIDE FRONT WHEEL INNER COVER NEEDS REPLACED

TVR Car Parts can help

pagoda39 said:

WINDSCREEN NEEDS RESEALED PROPERLY/REPLACED

Mobile Windscreens if they are in your area are the best bet http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

pagoda39 said:

NEW TYRES RECOMMENDED

This might help

pagoda39 said:

NEARSIDE FRONT INDICATOR LENS DAMAGED

Thismight help

I have recently had a limited supply of replacement lenses made but all are sold but have sent you a PM

Norman

[ketvrin]

pagoda39 said:

Hey all,

REPLACE DIFF OIL - see this recent link...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

thanks in anticipation...

welcome to the forum... now that you have found it, spend some time browsing the Wiki's at the top of the forum, get yourself registered on the Owners List, take a look at the FAQ's and generally join the discussions...

good luck with your purchase and dont forget to post some pictures of your p+j

K

[db800]

Y.H.M.

[pagoda39]

you guys rock – thanks for all your advice and pointers. Knew I'd come to the right place...

[Barkychoc]

Don't go and look at db800's car - you will come back depressed!

[tvrgit]

Barkychoc said:

Don't go and look at db800's car - you will come back depressed!

Not depresssed - inspired!

Just been speaking to Dave (DB800) - didn't realise you were local! There are a few S owners in the area who would be pleased to help / advise as necessary. It's not always easy on a forum, but bring the car along to a local meet and you'll get specific advice on these problems.

[safarijus]

Hi,

Any luck on the hazards and horn yet? I've got the same problems. Any tips on how you solved the problem?

Greetings from Holland

[Top Gear TVR]

Keep them posts coming. The footwell item looks unusual?

[AutoAndy]

Welcome Jules...maybe we may plan a trip out your way soon...Else you will have to come to Europe with us...before the UK leaves it

...you Will not regret owning an S...

Edited by AutoAndy on Tuesday 4th November 21:48

[Ceejay73]

Erm, date. Just saying.

[glenrobbo]

AutoAndy said:

Welcome Colin....maybe we may plan a trip out your way soon...Else you will have to come to Europe with us...before the UK leaves it

...you Will not regret owning an S...

Edited that for you Mr S. Editor sir

[vixen1700]

As far as the indicator lens goes, somebody helpfully posted up this link last week:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E30-ZKW-TURN-SIGNAL-INDICATOR-LENS-SET-ORANGE-L-R-MADE-IN-Austria-OEM-BULBS-/321222152155?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW



Enjoy, they're great cars.

[Ceejay73]

Ceejay73 said:

Erm, date. Just saying.

To clarify, I did mean date of the original post. Not at all suggesting Andy is some kind of forum stalker, will leave that to Glen.

[tvrgit]

Just to clarify - she sold the car over a year ago, so you don't need to add further "welcomes".

Also, where did Glenrobbo get "Colin" from" Or is this a cliquey in-joke that I am missing?

[glenrobbo]

Ceejay73 said:

To clarify, I did mean date of the original post. Not at all suggesting Andy is some kind of forum stalker, will leave that to Glen.

I'm feeling cheated here, just a tiny bit jealous.....

Andy welcomes Jules, who posted this topic on 24/ 3/ 2011,
but no sign of a welcome for me.

Will I be getting my welcome 3 yrs 7 months after my first post?

I was a very slow starter on here, but after a while I could lurk no longer, and plunged myself headlong into the melee of interwebnetting, even though I had no IT skills whatsoever. ( Nothing's changed there! )

Back to the thread:
Actually Colin is to be praised for using the search facility as a newcomer. Most people don't bother, they just start a new thread which results in an awful lot of repetitive threads on the same topic. This was lamented by Richard ( Greymrj ) a little while ago.
Seems whatever anyone does on here, confusion is king!
You gotta luvvit