A couple of questions after a month of ownership

[gem_man]

Hi all

Happy New Year

I have had my 2000 Chim 450 for about a month now and have a couple of questions:

#1. Jungle Juice.
I have just noticed a little foil sticker by my petrol cap stating that I should use 98 octane fuel.
Do you think I have done any damage using "normal" unleaded? and is there really a need to use 98 octane? (happy to do so if its best for the car). I was not sure is this is a factory fitted label or if the previous owner stuck it on.

#2. Interior stink.
My car has a distinct "pong" about it in the cockpit. I have heard the hamster refer to new tivs smelling like "a canoe factory". Not knowing what one of these smell like and am not sure if it was just new cars, I am none the wiser. Mrs Gem_man said its smells like a "gent's public lav" :-( I know what they smell like and she is not a million miles off the mark. Is this a normal Tiv pong? or has someone come home pissed one night and used the car rather than the wardrobe?

Regards to all

Adrian

[ntel]

When I had a 450 I always used Optimax (V-Power now) or BP ultimate. I found the car ran better. If I had to put 95 RON in, it always pinked.

In relation to the pong, check behind / under the seats for fungal growth and check in both footwells for dampness.

[dougc]

Hope you're enjoying it so far!

#1 Have you noticed any perfomance issues with the engine stuttering or cutting out at high revs under heavy load? This is usually an indication that the fuel you are using is not potent enough. I'm sure someone will be along in a minute to explain the science of 'pinking' Give it a try on a few tanks of V-power other high octane fuels are available and see if you notice a difference. FWIW I always run mine on the strong stuff though it is a very differfent engine so probably not a great comparason.

#2 The canoe factory reference is related to the plastic and glue - honestly I have never smelt a Tiv that smells like this (not that I go around sniffing them) but it would be a chemical smell anyway. The niff you describe sounds like it could be mould/mildew related. Do you have a leak somewhere? The carpet could be getting wet and then not drying properly. The resultant pong is like a student bedsit bathmat. Find the leak, plug it up and give all the carpet a good clean to get rid of the smell and job's a good'un.

Hope this helps

[gem_man]

Thanks for the speedy responses.

Actually I am having a ball with the car. Terrific (at this point, if I knew how to do it, I would follow this sentence with a stream of big grinning smiley faces)

I have not noticed any running probs but it sounds like I should shift to the rocket fuel stuff anyway (hmph, more expense).

Re the stink. Actually I have been extremely smug in the fact that my car seems to be as dry as a bone even in thrashing rain. I will rummage a bit further and see whats what under the seats etc.

Thanks again