Potenital engine needed - does anyone have anything?
Discussion
The Big G said:
Is it somewhere ...tech'nical and near gatwick too? If so there is a good reason they are trying to branch out of TVRs. That's because they don't have a great reputation and their customer service is awful!!! Let alone the quality of work they do.
Good luck with getting your car fixed, I've had displeasure dealing with them in he past. Thought they cant be that bad and they were local at the time. Definitely a experience and not one I'm wanting to repeat. The exact opposite of the two specialists I've used since. Only have good things to say about st8six and track v road (where my car is at the moment!). Unfortunately I move around a bit
V8d have a wonderful reputation and are highly in the running if/when I require serious work in my engine. Lots of goodies to play with in their catalogue too 
I had my car serviced near a G airport Good luck with getting your car fixed, I've had displeasure dealing with them in he past. Thought they cant be that bad and they were local at the time. Definitely a experience and not one I'm wanting to repeat. The exact opposite of the two specialists I've used since. Only have good things to say about st8six and track v road (where my car is at the moment!). Unfortunately I move around a bit
V8d have a wonderful reputation and are highly in the running if/when I require serious work in my engine. Lots of goodies to play with in their catalogue too there was a small oil leak and I was told the sump gasket was leaking and needed replacing also that the O/S track rod end needed replacing so I gave them the go ahead. I got the car home and the oil leak was worse, in fact I later discovered that the original leak was coming from the power steering hose loop but now the sump was also leaking. When looking at the car head on it was obvious that the tracking was way out in fact it was towing out by 2.5 degrees!!. Also I'm sure that my Estoril wheel centre caps that at the time were a year old were exchanged for an older cracked set, could I prove it of course not. I did offer them the chance to sort out the issues but really got nowhere so I bit the bullet and did it myself........... So beware
Spent the afternoon replacing the injectors (thanks Peter), sadly to no avail. She continues to smoke again only whilst hot.
This also continues for a while after the engine has been switched off, almost like its smoldering. Any other ideas, this all seems very strange. I guess next step will be to whip off the heads and have a look to see if anything is a miss
This also continues for a while after the engine has been switched off, almost like its smoldering. Any other ideas, this all seems very strange. I guess next step will be to whip off the heads and have a look to see if anything is a miss
QBee said:
So to recap, your car runs fine, but when hot you see white smoke.
Clouds of smoke, so nobody behind can see you?
Or just a little?
Driving straight or turning?
Constant or intermittent?
What starts it?
Yeah quite a bit of smoke but not clouds. Not driving the car at the moment as the mot has run out. It's constant when hot, which makes it a little more complicated. there does seem to be some condensation when cold and a little water comes out of the exhaust on start up.Clouds of smoke, so nobody behind can see you?
Or just a little?
Driving straight or turning?
Constant or intermittent?
What starts it?
Are you sure it's engine oil it's burning?
I ask this because you say the smoke is white
Have you noticed a drop in brake fluid level by any chance?
If the brake master cylinder is weeping the fluid can attack the servo diaphragm to the extent a small split can form, not enough to be felt as a loss in braking assistance but enough to allow a small amount of brake fluid pass to the vacuum side of the diaphragm down the servo pipe directly into the inlet manifold.
Even a tiny amount of brake fluid ingested down the inlet manifold into the combustion chambers will expel a surprising large amount of smoke out of the exhaust.
And burning brake fluid makes white smoke!
The last car I saw doing this trick literally filled the whole workshop with white smoke, so much so you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
The traditional smoke colour rules are....
Blue Smoke = Burning Oil
Black Smoke = Excessive Fuel - IE An over rich mixture
White Smoke = Burning Brake fluid
Check your brake fluid level and remove the servo pipe from the inlet manifold to check for signs of brake fluid, both simple 5 minute checks.
I'm not saying its your answer, but its well worth making these quick and simple checks before condemning the engine and embarking on an expensive rebuild
I ask this because you say the smoke is white
Have you noticed a drop in brake fluid level by any chance?
If the brake master cylinder is weeping the fluid can attack the servo diaphragm to the extent a small split can form, not enough to be felt as a loss in braking assistance but enough to allow a small amount of brake fluid pass to the vacuum side of the diaphragm down the servo pipe directly into the inlet manifold.
Even a tiny amount of brake fluid ingested down the inlet manifold into the combustion chambers will expel a surprising large amount of smoke out of the exhaust.
And burning brake fluid makes white smoke!
The last car I saw doing this trick literally filled the whole workshop with white smoke, so much so you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
The traditional smoke colour rules are....
Blue Smoke = Burning Oil
Black Smoke = Excessive Fuel - IE An over rich mixture
White Smoke = Burning Brake fluid
Check your brake fluid level and remove the servo pipe from the inlet manifold to check for signs of brake fluid, both simple 5 minute checks.
I'm not saying its your answer, but its well worth making these quick and simple checks before condemning the engine and embarking on an expensive rebuild
Intrigued now.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
QBee said:
Intrigued now.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the smoke definitely emanate directly from the tail pipes, or generally from under the car?The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the car have power steering?
I did check the brake fluid and pipe on Wednesday, just checked again and appears to be normal level with no trace residue in the pipe. Good suggestion though.
Some of this started when I had power steering issues, including a leaky u bend which has since been replaced. Im tempted to drop off the exhaust tomorrow to make sure it doesnt have any oil in it, especially as over a three week period it dumped the entire contents on the floor
Some of this started when I had power steering issues, including a leaky u bend which has since been replaced. Im tempted to drop off the exhaust tomorrow to make sure it doesnt have any oil in it, especially as over a three week period it dumped the entire contents on the floor
s off the neighbours ChimpOnGas said:
QBee said:
Intrigued now.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the smoke definitely emanate directly from the tail pipes, or generally from under the car?The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the car have power steering?
I believe it was a PS car - I can check if you think it relevant
QBee said:
ChimpOnGas said:
QBee said:
Intrigued now.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the smoke definitely emanate directly from the tail pipes, or generally from under the car?The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the car have power steering?
I believe it was a PS car - I can check if you think it relevant
The "U" pipe arrangement at the PS pump chosen by TVR is a dreadful design, while I appreciate its on the low pressure line TVR should never have used an un-flared bent copper pipe connected to the flexi hoses with Jubilee clips.
Invariably fluid leaks from the hose ends where they are fitted to the copper "U" pipe, the PS fluid then drips on the N/S exhaust manifold creating smoke.
Normally this smoke generally emerges from under the rear of the car when your moving as its blown back by airflow, but others have reported the PS flid can be drawn into the manifold if there's a crack at the 4-1 join.
If this is the case the smoke would indeed be expelled from the tail pipes, but personally I've only ever seen general smoke emanating from under the bonnet or blown back by airflow or the rad fans.
Either way the TVR "U" pipe is a shockingly bad effort, I spent a few years working on hydraulic plant (forklifts, straddles ect) and I've seen some bad pipe fittings in my time but that TVR "U" pipe takes the biscuit.
Anyone with the original Jubilee cliped bodge should pop down to their local Pirtek and ask then to make up a "U" pipe with proper crimped fittings.
For £20 or so its an absolute no-brainer!
Edited by ChimpOnGas on Saturday 2nd January 08:33
Hi,
If it's WHITE smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, then it could be related to the Cylinder Head (gasket/crack)- a water related issue. I had the same problem about 45 years ago with a Cooper S and that car had an internal crack in one of the water galleries in the head - white smoke when the engine was at normal running temperature.
Is there any sign of oil or bubbling in your expansion tank (be very careful when undoing the cap).
If it's WHITE smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes, then it could be related to the Cylinder Head (gasket/crack)- a water related issue. I had the same problem about 45 years ago with a Cooper S and that car had an internal crack in one of the water galleries in the head - white smoke when the engine was at normal running temperature.
Is there any sign of oil or bubbling in your expansion tank (be very careful when undoing the cap).
So the good news, ran the car up to temp and as usual starting smoking. Disconnected the y piece with the engine running and no smoke from the manifolds at all.
So after all that it does appear to be pas fluid that got in the exhaust, which was exactly what Austec told me it couldn't be!
Thanks for the help and encouragement, nice to finally have a resolution and plan to solve it
So after all that it does appear to be pas fluid that got in the exhaust, which was exactly what Austec told me it couldn't be!
Thanks for the help and encouragement, nice to finally have a resolution and plan to solve it
QBee said:
ChimpOnGas said:
QBee said:
Intrigued now.
The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the smoke definitely emanate directly from the tail pipes, or generally from under the car?The last time I saw a Chimaera make enough white smoke to elect a new pope was on a South Yorks TVRCC track day at Blyton Park.
Lovely Chim 500, everything well maintained, and had no problems on normal road driving
But it was on its first track day.
Every time it went into the left/right/left chicane at the start of the lap, it completely covered the car behind in white smoke.
We assumed it was some sort of oil surge, so we drained his oil out and put it back in exactly to the top mark, as he felt it was overfilled, but to no avail.
Still not aware what the issue was.
Did the car have power steering?
I believe it was a PS car - I can check if you think it relevant
It was my Chimaera that you followed at Blyton and it did send lots of white smoke out of the exhaust pipes during and just after the chicane under hi g forces. The car does have power steering but there doesn't seem to be any reduction in pas level. I also checked the brake servo which has no leakage or reduction in level.
The flame trap on the drivers side rocker cover has now been replaced as it showed signs of oil contamination as did the breather from that to the plenum. My conclusion at the time was oil surge as the car does not have a baffled sump.
To improve things I have now fitted a oil catch can between the flame trap and the plenum breather return but as yet have not been back out on track or elsewhere to induce the high switchback g force to see if the problem is sorted.
The fact the smoke according to you and Sapper was definitely from the exhaust pipes and definitely white makes me still think I haven't got this 100% confirmed as oil surge yet. Are you likely to be out at early season track day somewhere so we can retest the cornering? Perhaps I could pay for half a day to test incase the issue persists?
My thoughts for the original post are that if the white smoke is coming out of the exhausts on his car whilst stationary it is likely a different cause to mine which only ever happens on high speed switchback cornering in track.
Phil
Hi Phil
I will be out on track come March/April. I have given up on January/February track days - can you imagine how much fun it wouldn't have been at Blyton yesterday?!!
As you say again, yours only occurred on fast switchbacks, and the opinion at the time was some sort of oil surge (I rang a TVR expert and that was his best guess without seeing the car). It will be interesting to see what opinions turn up here, and what results we see back on track. I will email you when i book something in your part of the world.
I will be out on track come March/April. I have given up on January/February track days - can you imagine how much fun it wouldn't have been at Blyton yesterday?!!
As you say again, yours only occurred on fast switchbacks, and the opinion at the time was some sort of oil surge (I rang a TVR expert and that was his best guess without seeing the car). It will be interesting to see what opinions turn up here, and what results we see back on track. I will email you when i book something in your part of the world.
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