JFReturns' TVR Chimaera 4.0

[JFReturns]

Thanks Eggs, very useful.

The old girl made me proud today, whoop



She had to take the emissions test twice, but no advisories!

[JFReturns]

Well the Chim has been off the road for a few months now, and it's killing me not driving her

I've been starting her up and moving her around the private land round the back to keep the engine lubricated and battery topped up, but its obvious the battery isn't getting enough juice. I think by next week she won't start at all. Whats the best way to sort this - new battery, jump starter or trickle charger?

Also, what is this button meant to do? I can't see it does anything


Couple of pics of the gorgeous curves and colour to stop it being a boring update

[JFReturns]

Thanks chaps. Can you recommend me a trickle charger? I've had a quick Google but not getting anywhere fast...

[JFReturns]

s p a c e m a n said:

Do you leave it unlocked in your garage? I got me one of these: battery isolator

I don't, no. When I get the wheels refurbed it will be a little more difficult to wheel away so the isolator might be an idea.

J4CKS said:

I've been reading with interest as I got my Chim at around the same time as you did.

I use an acumate trickle charger and just keep it plugged in if I'm not going to use the car for more than a few days at a time - it just keeps the battery at it's best, rather than it running and down and degrading.

I really like the wheels by the way. What type of paint did you use? Just plain matt black spray paint?

Thanks for that, I'll order one now.

The paint was all Halfords stuff, which is fine for a quick refurb. I've done a guide back when I did my 206 GTi wheels, might be useful (ignore the lacquer bits if you are going matt black):



DIY refurb guide (pasted from my post in another forum, so ignore bits that don't make sense!)

Heres a list of what you need:

- Three large cans of primer
- Three large cans of colour
- Three large cans of lacquer
- Wet and dry sandpaper, range of low to high grits
- Filler e.g. Davids Isopon P38
- Lots of masking tape
- Newspaper
- White spirit

Heres what you do:

1. Clean wheels
- Use your wheel cleaner, then maybe some fairy liquid and warm water
- Wash with plenty of water then dry

2. Mask up tyres
- Obviously this only applies if you are leaving tyres on
- Let some air out
- Apply plenty of masking tape behind the wheel lip
- Mask the rest of the tyre with newspaper




3. Sand down wheels
- Start with a course grit, and sand down the entire wheel
- If the wheel paint is flaking or really corroded, you will need to go down to the metal
- Use less course grit sandpaper until the finish is smooth


4. Fill imperfections, dry and then resand
- Follow filler instructions to get the right consistency - you don't want the filler to set too soon!
- Leave to dry for A LONG time - 48 hours is best
- Sand down using progressively lower course grit, until S-M-O-O-T-H


TIP! This is the most important stage - the more time you spend here, the better the finish. Paint WILL NOT cover up any imperfections!



TIP! Sanding in between coats helps prevent the orange peel effect!

5. Prime wheels
- Clean wheel using white spirit, rinse with water and dry thoroughly
- Leave primer in warm water for half an hour before using, to loosen
- Shake VERY can very well - Apply several thin coats (at least three)
- Do not spray too close
- Leave to dry, and sand in between each coat using a very fine grit



5. Paint wheels
- Leave primer to dry for 48 hours
- Sand lightly, then rinse with water and dry thoroughly
- Again, leave cans in warm water for a while and shake thoroughly
- Aim for lots of very light coats, allow each layer to dry and sand down using a very light grit sandpaper

TIP! When spraying, aim away from the wheel then sweep across. This clears any drips and gives a more misty, fine spray with fewer blobs.



6. Lacquer wheels
- Leave paint to dry for 48 hours
- Same as the other cans, leave in warm water, aim for several thin coats

7. Clean and admire
- Apply some sealant, get the wheels rebalanced and enjoy your hard work















Any questions / corrections let me know!

J

EDIT: I only did the front of the alloys, as I don't think the back of the spokes etc. are painted. However, there is nothing stopping you from doing this, and will probably make the refurb last longer. I think Brian did the whole wheel and it looked ace.

EDIT: By sealant I mean wheel sealant - Poorboys do a good one. However, I used my Nattys paste wax and it did a good job!

EDIT: I put my GTi on steelies whilst working on the refurb, but didn't really drive it!

Edited by JFReturns on Tuesday 11th February 18:38

[JFReturns]

Righto chaps, as expected, the Chim wouldn't start today as the battery was dead as a dodo. I've bought an Accumate, but the problem is access to the battery is restricted as I like to park nice and close to the wall.

So I managed to dive head first into the footwell (got stuck too) and gained access to the battery. WHAT A MESS! Bloomin' heck there are wires and goodness knows what surrounding it. I've managed to locate what I think are the battery point thingys (positive red on left, negative black on right). No idea where the screws are to remove the fibreglass case.

So my question is, do I just attach the crocodile clips as near as I can to the point thingys, or do I have to remove the metal connecters first?? Ideally I want to remove the battery completely but the car needs to move first!

Heres what I mean:



If you haven't guessed already, I'm a mechanical n00b. I know it already so no laughing at the back!

Edited by JFReturns on Tuesday 11th February 18:41

[JFReturns]

Thanks for the help QBee, and everyone else I managed to get the bolts undone and battery fully removed. The battery was dead as a dodo, but after seven hours the ACCUMATE brought it back to life (think its a nifty ACCUMATE that can deal with dead batteries). Whoop, I fixed something!



So now my question is, how do I get the bolts lined up with the case and back??

[JFReturns]

Yeah I'll get my ever suffering SWMBO to lend a hand Thanks QBee.

Just flicking through some paperwork, so far I've done the following:

- Kumho tyres all round, balancing, alignment: £365
- Full service, Walldonway TVR: £472.70
- ACT induction kit, magnecor leads, spark plug extensions: £384.60
- Inspection, Taylor TVR: £39
- New engine bay fuel pipes, supply and fit Gaz Gold Pros: £1025.46
- MOT: £25

So about half way through a 'to do' list that all us TVR owners have Thing is, my situation is changing.... marriage and children are just round the corner (hopefully) and if I change jobs I'll need a car to commute more than 24 miles a day. So I don't know what to do with the Chim.... try and sell now relatively cheaply bearing in mind the work that needs doing, or get the work done and sell for more in Spring time. What do you all think?

Either way, it looks like my time with the Chim may well be coming to an end

Saying that, every time I go into the garage I'm once again seduced by the looks and hatch a plan to keep her!

Edited by JFReturns on Wednesday 12th February 19:07

[JFReturns]

Hah, very good point Qbee. I got some good advice yesterday regarding values, and have decided to keep her

Spent the whole day on her half yearly polish / wax and I'm still pretty amazed at how good the paint work is. Absolutely stunning and has to be the best colour for a Chim

I don't mean to come over all Detailing World, but check out these reflections!





And a couple more:





Finally, I made a cheeky video - sounds pretty good I think

.... Click for awesome sounding Chim ....

[JFReturns]

A sweet, sweet day - shes back on the road!



She's developed a sticky starter motor, had to wait 40 minutes before I could restart after taking that picture

Just found out that Walldonway TVR has closed, but the good news is the chap who serviced my car (Paul) has set up his own TVR / Alfa specialist that is ten minutes away from me! Booked in a couple of weeks for a good service, starter motor and a few other bits and pieces.

Unfortunately, she may be up for sale soon But for now, I'm just going to enjoy

[JFReturns]

Rubbish weather today so she stayed in the garage. Got a few bits done though, engine bay clean, fed the leather and a fresh coat of wax.



Difficult to tell where the car ends and the toolbox starts





Fed leather, smells nice

[JFReturns]

And she's sold

Really, really hard letting her go but I'm happy she's gone to a PH'er who will carry on looking after to her.

I'll be back!

Might be in 25 years time, but I'll be back!!!