Re: Fire at TVR Power
Discussion
Ok so after reading about the recent terrible event at TVR Power.
It’s come to my attention that there seems to be far to many incident lately regarding TVRs catching fire.
As a proud but concerned owner, has anyone who’s suffered from fire damage to their car, been given any reasonable explanation as to the cause of the outbreak ?
If as reported that the fire at TVR Power was caused by a customers car with a known electrical fault, surely TVR Power would have had some previous knowledge or idea as to the faulty or defect part of the electrical system?
Also is this problem just related to one model ?
Could there be other causes i.e. fuel lines or under body heat in the engine bay ?
Its bad enough that so many TVRs are lost through driving accident.
The last thing we need is to loss more through preventable fire damage.
It’s come to my attention that there seems to be far to many incident lately regarding TVRs catching fire.
As a proud but concerned owner, has anyone who’s suffered from fire damage to their car, been given any reasonable explanation as to the cause of the outbreak ?
If as reported that the fire at TVR Power was caused by a customers car with a known electrical fault, surely TVR Power would have had some previous knowledge or idea as to the faulty or defect part of the electrical system?
Also is this problem just related to one model ?
Could there be other causes i.e. fuel lines or under body heat in the engine bay ?
Its bad enough that so many TVRs are lost through driving accident.
The last thing we need is to loss more through preventable fire damage.
Edited by zooooom on Saturday 16th August 00:51
zooooom said:
Ok so after reading about the recent terrible event at TVR Power.
It’s come to my attention that there seems to be far to many incident lately regarding TVRs catching fire.
As a proud but concerned owner, has anyone who’s suffered from fire damage to their car, been given any reasonable explanation as to the cause of the outbreak ?
If as reported that the fire at TVR Power was caused by a customers car with a known electrical fault, surely TVR Power would have had some previous knowledge or idea as to the faulty or defect part of the electrical system?
Also is this problem just related to one model ?
Could there be other causes i.e. fuel lines or under body heat in the engine bay ?
Its bad enough that so many TVRs are lost through driving accident.
The last thing we need is to loss more through preventable fire damage.
I'm a bit worried at the number of recent fire incidents with TVRs aswell. I was shocked to read that Tusc_si's Tuscan caught fire on a normal run outIt’s come to my attention that there seems to be far to many incident lately regarding TVRs catching fire.
As a proud but concerned owner, has anyone who’s suffered from fire damage to their car, been given any reasonable explanation as to the cause of the outbreak ?
If as reported that the fire at TVR Power was caused by a customers car with a known electrical fault, surely TVR Power would have had some previous knowledge or idea as to the faulty or defect part of the electrical system?
Also is this problem just related to one model ?
Could there be other causes i.e. fuel lines or under body heat in the engine bay ?
Its bad enough that so many TVRs are lost through driving accident.
The last thing we need is to loss more through preventable fire damage.
Edited by zooooom on Saturday 16th August 00:51
last week. I shall be checking the fuel hoses etc, and taking a look at my ACT air box, as this could potentially be a cause for concern.I've A 96 Cerb where the Main positive lead from the battery is held away from the exhaust manifold (earthed & red hot) by a one pence cable tie....poor thinking / design.
I've an 01 Cerb with the same set up.
My friend has an 03 Cerb & things still hadn't changed.
I'm sure you're getting the picture by now.
I've an 01 Cerb with the same set up.
My friend has an 03 Cerb & things still hadn't changed.
I'm sure you're getting the picture by now.
I am also aware of a number of fires this year, especially on Speed 6's.
Unreps. Tuscan MK2.. on start-up ,best guess a backfire setting fire to the oiled filter in the std. plastic airbox.
One of the Cumbrian lads Tuscan Mk1s... after he parked it the garage at night, nearly burnt his house down..the worse one I heard about (before Power!!).
Tuscan Sis...after smelling petrol for a number of days...fuel lines would seem a far guess
A T350 a few weeks ago
and then the theory that it was an electrical fault on the car at Power..I don't know if that was a Speed 6
Like everyone else , I am concerned , I know ASH on the TVRCC site has negioated a discount for Fire Protection system for TVRCC members(guess PH aswell). I will be investigating getting a Gas Fire Protection system fitted over the next few weeks. Personally I think the ATC Carbon Airbox is advantageous over the TVR plastic one and I was considering fitting one. Now I think the money would be better spent on Fire Protection.
Unreps. Tuscan MK2.. on start-up ,best guess a backfire setting fire to the oiled filter in the std. plastic airbox.
One of the Cumbrian lads Tuscan Mk1s... after he parked it the garage at night, nearly burnt his house down..the worse one I heard about (before Power!!).
Tuscan Sis...after smelling petrol for a number of days...fuel lines would seem a far guess
A T350 a few weeks ago
and then the theory that it was an electrical fault on the car at Power..I don't know if that was a Speed 6
Like everyone else , I am concerned , I know ASH on the TVRCC site has negioated a discount for Fire Protection system for TVRCC members(guess PH aswell). I will be investigating getting a Gas Fire Protection system fitted over the next few weeks. Personally I think the ATC Carbon Airbox is advantageous over the TVR plastic one and I was considering fitting one. Now I think the money would be better spent on Fire Protection.
Edited by glow worm on Saturday 16th August 08:45
glow worm said:
I am also aware of a number of fires this year, especially on Speed 6's.
Unreps. Tuscan MK2.. on start-up ,best guess a backfire setting fire to the oiled filter in the std. plastic airbox.
One of the Cumbrian lads Tuscan Mk1s... after he parked it the garage at night, nearly burnt his house down..the worse one I heard about.
Tuscan Sis...after smelling petrol for a number of days...fuel lines would seem a far guess
A T350 a few weeks ago
and then the theory that it was an electrical fault on the car at Power..I don't know if that was a Speed 6
Like everyone else , I am concerned , I know ASH on the TVRCC site has negioated a discount for Fire Protection system for TVRCC members(guess PH aswell). I will be investigating getting a Gas Fire Protection system fitted over the next few weeks. Personally I think the ATC Carbon Airbox is advantageous over the TVR plastic one and I was considering fitting one. Now I think the money would be better spent on Fire Protection.
Good points. It certainly looks like a number of speed 6 cars are catching fireUnreps. Tuscan MK2.. on start-up ,best guess a backfire setting fire to the oiled filter in the std. plastic airbox.
One of the Cumbrian lads Tuscan Mk1s... after he parked it the garage at night, nearly burnt his house down..the worse one I heard about.
Tuscan Sis...after smelling petrol for a number of days...fuel lines would seem a far guess
A T350 a few weeks ago
and then the theory that it was an electrical fault on the car at Power..I don't know if that was a Speed 6
Like everyone else , I am concerned , I know ASH on the TVRCC site has negioated a discount for Fire Protection system for TVRCC members(guess PH aswell). I will be investigating getting a Gas Fire Protection system fitted over the next few weeks. Personally I think the ATC Carbon Airbox is advantageous over the TVR plastic one and I was considering fitting one. Now I think the money would be better spent on Fire Protection.
, the majority being Tuscans though. OK I accept that having the ACT air box is an improvement. I do have a fire exstinguisher both in the house and TVR though.On all the speed six cars the positive terminal is only seperated from the metallic heat shield by a piece of foam stuck to the side of the battery with contact adhesive.I sure cars have had batteries replaced without the foam being re-attached or it may simply have fallen off . It is worth checking this now . I believe you can buy a battery with the terminals reversed which should solve the problem ( the leads do normally reach ) I cannot think why this was not done at the factory , if there is a good reason I would like to know ,thanks , David
RUSSELLM said:
I've A 96 Cerb where the Main positive lead from the battery is held away from the exhaust manifold (earthed & red hot) by a one pence cable tie....poor thinking / design.
I've an 01 Cerb with the same set up.
My friend has an 03 Cerb & things still hadn't changed.
I'm sure you're getting the picture by now.
Ive changed all mine for stainless steel cable tiesI've an 01 Cerb with the same set up.
My friend has an 03 Cerb & things still hadn't changed.
I'm sure you're getting the picture by now.
Hang on guys, lets get this fuel hose debate into context.
In my 23 years odd in the motor trade I have worked in everything from a fast fit chain to various main dealers including Mercedes & obviously more recently a TVR indy just to clarify where I am coming from.
Any rubberised hose by its nature will perish/delaminate over time & the speed at which it will occur will depend upon its enviroment. So it does not matter whether the hose is fitted to a Mini or a Rolls Royce the same thing will happen.The best example I can think of is tyres, if you look at a tyre that is around the three year mark you will see the sidewall is cracking i.e. delaminating. I am not aware of any manufacturer that states a set renewal interval for fuel or brake hoses.
As I have commented elsewhere modern hoses do not seem to always display the classic perishing trait but sometimes just seem to split..see my reply on Tusc_si thread.
As I have replied on a couple of other threads, including the main TVR Power thread there are various types of hose designed for different applications.
SO THIS IS BY NO MEANS UNIQUE TO TVR'S
Yes, there are the other possibilities & as far Iam aware the airbox blow back incidents happen on the standard airboxes so are not unique to having an ACT part.
IMHO
Bodders
In my 23 years odd in the motor trade I have worked in everything from a fast fit chain to various main dealers including Mercedes & obviously more recently a TVR indy just to clarify where I am coming from.
Any rubberised hose by its nature will perish/delaminate over time & the speed at which it will occur will depend upon its enviroment. So it does not matter whether the hose is fitted to a Mini or a Rolls Royce the same thing will happen.The best example I can think of is tyres, if you look at a tyre that is around the three year mark you will see the sidewall is cracking i.e. delaminating. I am not aware of any manufacturer that states a set renewal interval for fuel or brake hoses.
As I have commented elsewhere modern hoses do not seem to always display the classic perishing trait but sometimes just seem to split..see my reply on Tusc_si thread.
As I have replied on a couple of other threads, including the main TVR Power thread there are various types of hose designed for different applications.
SO THIS IS BY NO MEANS UNIQUE TO TVR'S
Yes, there are the other possibilities & as far Iam aware the airbox blow back incidents happen on the standard airboxes so are not unique to having an ACT part.
IMHO
Bodders
I hear what you are saying Richard, but I'm prepared to spend money on sensible prevention measures on my P&Js, that includes regular servicing and checking by experienced TVR people. One major problem with Tuscans is the inaccessibility in the event of a minor fire, the inaccessability and inability to reach the seat of a fire with an extinguisher adds to potential for a catastrophic fire. So either a hinged bonnet and/or a fire prevention system seem like sensible ideas.
Obviously in the event of any fire, your own and others safety should be your first consideration.
Obviously in the event of any fire, your own and others safety should be your first consideration.
Edited by glow worm on Saturday 16th August 10:43
Well, the 'electrical fault' on the customer's car (presumably after midnight, so no hot engine issues) seems to have been sidetracked into fuel line problems...a subject that has been discussed at length elsewhere.
If ANY car has suspect electrics, especially if it's going to be sitting around, why not just disconnect the battery ?
Ok your alarm might not work, but better than a pile of ashes.
If ANY car has suspect electrics, especially if it's going to be sitting around, why not just disconnect the battery ?
Ok your alarm might not work, but better than a pile of ashes.
Bodmin said:
You have to wander how the Tuscan bonnet design got through the construction & use regulations....must be nightmare scenario for a fireman 
I always thought firemen preferred to keep the bonnet as closed as possible in the event of an engine fire to limit the supply of oxygen.In any case I don't think a few tiny areas of fibreglass would keep a burly fireman out if he really wanted it open!
Shouldn't the security of the main battery cable and condition of the fuel lines be checked at every service?
If you're unsure at all, I think you owe it to your P&J to have a quick butchers yourself - especially in the light of what's happened.
NCE 61 said:
On a recent service of my 2006 Tuscan S, dealer removed airbox and found the fuel lines had been rubbing on the bottom of the airbox,they have now been re-routed to avoid this.
Sagaris the same!! Also check for fuel line rubbing on the throttle cable bracket
Same applies on T350 & Tamora
Checking is/should be part of the service schedule.
G
I had an old Jag XJ12C (2 door pillarless coupe) years ago and it used so much petrol..... I just put it down to the 5.3 V12 engine. Then one day whilst doing a bit of routine maintenance, I had the engine running with the bonnet up and noticed that the fuel lines were perished with petrol dripping onto the exhaust! I must've driven 5,000 miles with the car like it and the car never caught fire (thankfully). So, I suspect a lot of it is down to luck. I always keep a fire extinguisher in the car - making sure it is very accessible!
Anyway, as I posted on another thread, from what I can make out, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that the cause of the fire was even a car at all. The fire officer may suspect an electrical fault was the cause - which is a fair assumption, based on the fact that most fires are caused by electrical faults. However, it may have been an electrical fault within the building. I've seen many, many buildings that have been gutted by fire. Some old and knackered, some brand new. There is no specific pattern, as all it takes is one loose connection (usually on a neutral conductor).
and the car never caught fire (thankfully). So, I suspect a lot of it is down to luck. I always keep a fire extinguisher in the car - making sure it is very accessible!Anyway, as I posted on another thread, from what I can make out, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that the cause of the fire was even a car at all. The fire officer may suspect an electrical fault was the cause - which is a fair assumption, based on the fact that most fires are caused by electrical faults. However, it may have been an electrical fault within the building. I've seen many, many buildings that have been gutted by fire. Some old and knackered, some brand new. There is no specific pattern, as all it takes is one loose connection (usually on a neutral conductor).
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