Questions for my 1985 280i

[Jeremy280i]

Hey everyone!

I have a couple questions that I hope can get some recognition. I have an 85 TVR 280i currently sitting in my fathers garage. I have had the car for over 5, maybe 6 years now and it is soooo close to running. I actually had it idling the other day but it was very VERY sluggish. However, now when i try to start it, it'll idle for maybe 10-15 seconds and then die. I've read about every article out there and just cannot figure this thing out.

Now I am in the United States so it's not like i can just go ask a mechanic to take a look. Every mechanic I've called, I ask them if they even know what a TVR is and they say, "Yeah, a triumph? We work on those" But when I explain what the car is and the engine they still say..well because it's nothing i've worked on before it would be very very expensive and would take a long time. Even though the mechanic just told me yeah i know the Bosch K-jetronic system like the back of my hand.

I'm not mis-informed when it comes to working on a car, just a bugger to diagnose the problem. I live on the west coast so of course it's even just that much harder to get help on anything TVR Related.

I just picked up a 1968 Vixen S2 and a 1965 Griffith 200 so I'm looking to try and move the 280i to support the funds for these other 2 projects. Would it hurt the value to just scrap the MFI (but keep it around) and go with some kind of EFI system or Carb system?

Here is some information that might help.

• Replaced the original Head unit/airbox for the fuel injection system with one off of ebay that "was working at the time of takeoff" my original system was leaking
• New fuel pump
• New Swirl Tank
• New air filter
• Verified fuel pressure to all the lines and fuel pump
• New oil lines
• New cold start injector
• New thermostat control unit (i think that's what it's called)
• New spark plugs
• New spark plug wires
• New Fuel accumulator

Misc info about the car in case anyone is interested

• Found the car in a barn, rabbits ate through most of the wiring but has been replaced/fixed since
• Color of paint is red (original paint in very good condition)
• New material on the Targa Top (black)
• New weatherstripping on the Targa Top
• New vinyl top (black) with new plastic window
• New carpet throughout the car (charcoal grey/black)
• New Material/Foam on the seats (black w/dark charcoal grey middle)
• New material on the center console (black)
• New material on the door panels w/dark charcoal grey/black)
• New shift boot cover
• New radio
• New speakers
• New Power mirrors
• New Front windshield
• Original carpet in trunk area
• New paint on the hood
• Removed the original rubber bumper on front and purchased the Euro style (2 of those 1 new 1 used)
• repainted the front spoiler
• full restoration of entire engine compartment
• full restoration of all 4 wheel wells, brake calipers, suspension, arms
• original wheels (need some work) red w/silver trim
• 2 original tires, 2 new,
• original spare wheel and tire (perfect)
• every light works
• original lucas headlights
• New vinyl decals (Front TVR and 280i to go on the sides and rear done in silver)
• has the original Dash face (the wood etc.. is cracked but looks reasonable) i was going to recover this with material or just get a new wood dash made.
• has the original dash pad (no cracks from what i remember)
• No rust on the frame, I have had the car up in the air and power-washed the entire under carriage it is Grey and the powder coat is still thick.

Any help is very appreciated because currently my mind is fried with trying to figure this out.

Thanks a lot in advance!

- Jeremy Gunn

Edited by Jeremy280i on Thursday 28th June 20:57

Edited by Jeremy280i on Thursday 28th June 21:00

Edited by Jeremy280i on Thursday 28th June 21:58

[jeff m]

Hi Jeremy,
I'm on the right coast (NJ)
As you have it running a little, I would stick some "techron" in the gas.

The fuel injection although mechcanical in nature is refered to as CIS, MFI will cause confusion 'cos I'm going to send you to a Porsche site.(and MFI is different)
Pelicanparts.com

You will find some great info on our injection system there.
The P cars have AAD and AAR we just have a AAD, that's the main difference.
AAD can get coked/gummed up and should be cleaned before you start messing with the idle.

There is system pressure and control pressure. Basically system pressure is total pressure and control pressure is what is reaching your injectors as allowed (by the WUR and Fuel mixture control and fuel dist) CIS likes to have very clean fuel it will not tolerate a dirty filter.

It looks like you have changed a lot of stuff already.

I hope that Fuel dist you bought off e-bay was good. These cars get stored in the winter. One winter w/o stabaliser is not good for a fuel dist.
If you suspect it has "varnish" try soaking it in B12 Chemtool, available at Pep Boys.

I can give you all the control and system pressures if you need them. either post or e-mail me.

A bosch or Porsche independent shop will be able to help you with CIS if you want pro help, just tell 'em same as a '74 but with good access.

[Jeremy280i]

Thanks for that information Jeff, i'll be sending you an email

[jeff m]

Jeremy280i said:

Thanks for that information Jeff, i'll be sending you an email

Jeremy
You may have got an "undeliverable" if you've already sent an e-mail.

I have just updated my address in profile (sorry about that)
Resend..... should be ok now

Jeff

Re the vixen and Griff, money spent on the wedge will not produce a car with the same potential as those two, but I would sooner drive a 280 than a vixen.
I think top price for a good 280 is about 13, top for a vixen is over 30, Griff, not sure, but def more than a 280.

My pricing may be a little out of date, there could be some data on TVRCCNA.

[Jeremy280i]

I'm basically wanting to get my 280i running so it holds more value. There is nothing worse than having a good looking car and it just sit's because it doesn't run.

Edited by Jeremy280i on Friday 29th June 23:39

[TXcoyote]

Hey Jeremy,

Russ from TX here. I think those were my FI parts you bought. The FI system is Bosch KJetronic as used on mid 80's VW, Audi and Porsche products. It is a Mechanical Injection system and a real POS. The one part you didn't replace was the WUR (Warm up Regulator). Problems with the system usually revolve around it. Unfortunately, new one's are about $900 from Bosch. A good used one is going to cost half that. Try Marshall at Classic Motor Works http://www.cmw-tvr.com He has them in stock rebuilt I think. I may have one laying around but I am not sure so email me if you need one at [e-mail] .

[Richybaby]

Hi, have had a simillar problem on 280i, if idle is gradually dieing away then you will probably have an air leak somwhere on the induction hoses, if stops suddenly after finite time every time then will have to have a think about that one.