Unfortunate start to Chim ownership

[brazenskies]

Hey all. Today I picked up my chim from the garage after being treated to a new clutch, wheels brakes and a damn good service.

Took it on the road and was wetting myself with excitement for the first 10 miles until *BOOM*

Sounded like the engine had exploded.

Fortunately it was just this...



Any ideas of the best place for a replacement?

Cheers,
Greg

[NiceCupOfTea]

Welcome to TVR ownership!

When I picked up my S2 I had a horrendous journey home in torrential rain (discovering the window would wind down but not up - got very wet!), and on the next day I took my brother out for a spin - about a mile from home lost all gears! Turned out the clutch hydraulic line had sprung a leak!

Cheap and easy fix - enjoy the rest of the summer!

[Richard 858]

Looking at the condition of that hose and bearing in mind the likelihood of the others being of a similar age & condition I would strongly suggest changing the lot, I'd recommend a full set of silicon hoses from somewhere like Auto Silicon Hoses (ASH), Samco etc.

[brazenskies]

Bearing in mind it's a 500, is there a particular type I need I look out for?

[Richard 858]

I don't believe the 500 hoses are any different to any other model.

[shake n bake]

The way the hose has failed I'd say it's more likely to have been an airlock finding the quickest route out unfortunately.
Race tech hold a good parts supply from my experience.

[Pupp]

ACT will be able to supply a full set of properly shaped and sized hoses for the job (at least one is a tapered job) and also the swan neck tube in stainless, which is a good upgrade. Second the suggestion of an airlock being the cause (look for the blanked little hose off the inlet manifold next to the plenum for a bleed point when filling)

[quattrophenia]

Bet that sent a huge cloud of steam out of the bonnet? That split opens right on to the manifolds! Glad there is no internal damage done.

[Mr Nordic]

Hi

Treat yourself to a set of silicon hoses from ACT which includes new stainless clips.

I have had hoses fail on cars before but once you fit the silicon hoses these are a fit and forget item.

[Richard 858]

Pupp said:

ACT will be able to supply a full set of properly shaped and sized hoses for the job (at least one is a tapered job) and also the swan neck tube in stainless, which is a good upgrade. Second the suggestion of an airlock being the cause (look for the blanked little hose off the inlet manifold next to the plenum for a bleed point when filling)

+1^ meant to suggest ACT also.

[brazenskies]

quattrophenia said:

Bet that sent a huge cloud of steam out of the bonnet? That split opens right on to the manifolds! Glad there is no internal damage done.

Absolutely SHAT myself.

Thanks to everyone, will check out ACT

[Pupp]

ACT can do you a good replacement for that corrugated hoover style air hose too

[brazenskies]

shake n bake said:

The way the hose has failed I'd say it's more likely to have been an airlock finding the quickest route out unfortunately.
Race tech hold a good parts supply from my experience.

The whole system had been flushed and bled and seemed to be fine. Once the pipe has been replaced it'll be done again so we'll see how that goes.

When I got the car home initially it did seem to have a bit of a leak directly under where it eventually blew so I'm guessing it was probably on it's way out already

[Hedgehopper]

Some people have had trouble with the small aluminium spigot on the swirl pot and/or the overflow tank furring up. This would cause the system to over-pressurise if completely blocked.

[TVRJAS]

This was posted a few days ago by member gtwebb on the TVRCC site under topic Chimaera hose kit

Quote... I have received a newsletter today from Viper Performance of Telford offering a a 7 piece silicone hose kit for TVR Chimaera serpentine engines. Colours are red, blue and black and are priced at £112.50 + Vat.

Cheaper than when i got mine from RT a year ago.

[brazenskies]

Excuse my novice ignorance but how do I know if my engine is pre-serpentine or not?

[TVRJAS]

brazenskies said:

Excuse my novice ignorance but how do I know if my engine is pre-serpentine or not?

What year is your car? If you have 95 or later it will be serpentine. They changed over in year 94 but being TVR there may be some 95's that escaped.

Does it look like this.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpU4c04-SqQ

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

Edited by TVRJAS on Sunday 31st August 14:55

[QBee]

Simple. Look at the auxiliary ("fan") belt. Is it a V cross section (per-serp) or is it flat with about 8 grooves (turpentine)?

[Milky400]

Had this happen to me when I had the Chim , was booting it then all of a sudden booooom and massive clouds of steam, it had the ex missus rushing for the fire extinguisher bless her, happy times.

[brazenskies]

Thanks everyone.

I've ordered a full replacement silicon set from Viper so will hopefully be back on the road in a few days!