A few questions!

[NiceCupOfTea]

So, having owned my S for a month or so now, I have just managed to go for my first quick blast in it (was going around the block, but went for an hour or so around my favourite lanes!).

A couple of questions if you will indulge me - apologies if they have been covered before!

• every time I hit a pothole the bonnet pops open . 6 times in total! Slightly alarming, and worrying on a country lane when there is nowhere to stop to close the bonnet again! Is there any way of adjusting or tightening them up?

• gearknob - I am not a fan of the Sierra item, do they screw off or are they the grub screw type?

• the rubber seal is coming adrift from the rear hoop at the bottom rear corner of the driver's door window. There's a rivet that has pulled through the rubber - is contact adhesive the best bet for this?

• there are a couple of flat patches of paint - will these respond to polish/t-cut in the same way as paint on a metal car?

• on undulating roads the car doesn't feel very settled and wanders slightly. Is this normal? I am comparing it to the harder lower suspension of my old MX-5 which is obviously a more recent and more resolved design...

Proof that it has moved off my drive:

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Wednesday 4th July 19:08

[zombeh]

NiceCupOfTea said:

* every time I hit a pothole the bonnet pops open . 6 times in total! Slightly alarming, and worrying on a country lane when there is nowhere to stop to close the bonnet again! Is there any way of adjusting or tightening them up?

Check that the bonnet release lever is going all the way back properly, if it is then you probably need to adjust something.
The hinges allow adjustment of the front end of the bonnet then when you've got it in the right place you need to get the pins to line up with the catches properly.

Tie the release lever back so you can just drop the bonnet down without it locking in then stick some masking tape over the catch (do one side at a time) the pins should nicely mark the tape so you can see where they are, adjust them so they're in the right place and it'll stay shut when it should

warning: the nut on the back of the pins is probably rusted solid and they will be a complete bd to adjust properly because of this

[Gerald-TVR]

zombeh said:

warning: the nut on the back of the pins is probably rusted solid and they will be a complete bd to adjust properly because of this

Nope have been removed cleaned and refitted with new stainless washers

[zombeh]

Nice easy job then \/

ETA: I've only just realised this is Gerald... I really should pay more attention to these things

Edited by zombeh on Wednesday 4th July 19:43

[Gerald-TVR]

NiceCupOfTea said:

So, having owned my S for a month or so now, I have just managed to go for my first quick blast in it (was going around the block, but went for an hour or so around my favourite lanes!).

A couple of questions if you will indulge me - apologies if they have been covered before!

• every time I hit a pothole the bonnet pops open . 6 times in total! Slightly alarming, and worrying on a country lane when there is nowhere to stop to close the bonnet again! Is there any way of adjusting or tightening them up?

• gearknob - I am not a fan of the Sierra item, do they screw off or are they the grub screw type?

• the rubber seal is coming adrift from the rear hoop at the bottom rear corner of the driver's door window. There's a rivet that has pulled through the rubber - is contact adhesive the best bet for this?

• there are a couple of flat patches of paint - will these respond to polish/t-cut in the same way as paint on a metal car?

• on undulating roads the car doesn't feel very settled and wanders slightly. Is this normal? I am comparing it to the harder lower suspension of my old MX-5 which is obviously a more recent and more resolved design...

Proof that it has moved off my drive:

Bonnet was fine while i had the car, could be someone has attempted to adjust since, I have some notes on the art of bonnet adjustment which I have emailed to you.

Gearknob screws on

Rubber seal contact adhesive is suitable but the seal is very vunerable to being pulled off while getting into and out of the car so a new pop rivet would help.

Paint was always flat on N/S rear while I had the car. If you look closely the 'crazing' is actually in the paint BELOW the lacquer so its a strip and respray job I'm affraid

Concerned about your comments saying it doesn't feel very settled and wanders slightly. It was well settled when i had the car and I could throw it around with abandon. I would check tyre pressures in the first instance and if they are OK check the shock absorbers, they are adjustable AVO's and should give the car a firm and settled drive. Could be one is leaking or perhaps they have been adjusted incorrectly

Good Luck

Norman

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks for all the replies! Norman, paint also a little flat on the o/s rear as well. Am going to give it a polish the next time it's not raining!

I may be mistaken about the ride, first time I have had a proper drive in it. I must confess I haven't checked the tyre pressures yet, and the seller said he had played with the damper settings and not found they did much...

[Gerald-TVR]

NiceCupOfTea said:

and the seller said he had played with the damper settings and not found they did much...

That could well be the problem 'coz they certainly do! I'm too lazy the type out the process for adjusting so I've sent an email with my mobile number and I'll explain!!

Cheers Norman

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks Norman, will give you a ring tomorrow.

Not going to mess with the hinges just yet as it looks involved and I don't want to upset them if it's something else. They were fine on the drive home from buying but I was cruising on major roads.

Re the gearknob, what thread do I need when looking for a replacement? Is it standard Sierra?

[Scoobimax]

You could always try one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pool-Ball-Gear-Knob-For-...

Granted, not for everyone but I love mine and there's got to be a colour to match/contrast most interiors :-)

[NiceCupOfTea]

Heh, that's not bad! I was looking at a simple alloy ball type but most of the ebay stuff looks awful! As far as I can work out the thread is M10 x 1.5mm, but not sure what other cars have the same thread.

[phillpot]

NiceCupOfTea said:

I was looking at a simple alloy ball type

Scroll down a bit..... clicky

CX 101 is what I have (universal fitting, held on by a grub screw)

[wizzer]

Got my alloy ball gear knob from Demon Tweeks. Could only say that on this forum and get away with it!

[v8s4me]

Be wary of the cheap ones on Ebay. The plastic self threading inserts are crap and wear out in no time.

I have a brand new grey & black one with a metal insert you can have for the cost of the postage if it’ll match you interior. PM me if interested and I’ll send you a photo.

[NiceCupOfTea]

phillpot said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

I was looking at a simple alloy ball type

Scroll down a bit..... clicky

CX 101 is what I have (universal fitting, held on by a grub screw)

Any chance of a piccy in situ?

[phillpot]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Any chance of a piccy in situ?

As you asked nicely you can have two........

[Sandgrounder]

Philpott, looks excellent.

Have you shortened the gear stick??

Thanks

Graham

[phillpot]

Sandgrounder said:

Have you shortened the gear stick?

No, it's standard length but I do have one of these fitted

[S2Mike]

Not sure of the thread, but I have a MOMO knob on mine !! Oh er missus ... ! Was on the car when I bought it.
Photo to follow.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Thanks guys - one ordered, will post pics once fitted

A couple more for you:

• What tyre pressures do you guys find work best? EDIT: just checked and fronts are roughly 22-23, rears 25-26 which corresponds with what is on the sun visor - should the rears really be higher?
• I assuming there is no benefit to running super unleaded?
• I have a whining noise that is rev-dependant that has been present since I have had it. I am wondering if it is the alternator or possibly water pump, but does this sound familiar to anybody? Getting it booked in for a service/check over soon so will mention it then.

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 8th July 19:58

[Ragtop]

NiceCupOfTea said:

* What tyre pressures do you guys find work best? EDIT: just checked and fronts are roughly 22-23, rears 25-26 which corresponds with what is on the sun visor - should the rears really be higher?

Does it really say "fronts are roughly 22-23, rears 25-26" on the sun visor??
I used 22F 24R on my S3 and now my V8S, and it seems to work. I read recently you can adjust tyre pressures 'scientifically' by putting a broad chalk mark across each tyre and driving around a bit... If the chalk goes from the centre first the pressures are too high, if it goes from the edges first the pressures are too low. Haven't tried it.

NiceCupOfTea said:

* I assuming there is no benefit to running super unleaded?

Not much if you aren't taking advantage of the higher octane rating (ie running advanced timing that would 'pink' with regular). I've heard it said that some super unleaded has superior detergents and 'stuff' in it, and a tankful every so often helps keep the fuel system in good shape.

NiceCupOfTea said:

* I have a whining noise that is rev-dependant that has been present since I have had it. I am wondering if it is the alternator or possibly water pump, but does this sound familiar to anybody?

Leave the wife at home - that should cure it
Seriously, my V8S has always done something similar - I believe it's simply the alternator and/or alternator belt.

Have fun,
Graham