Done somthing stupid..

[Clueless_newb]

Ok I've bought a TVR Chim 500 with almost no knowledge of car mechanics.
My previous involvement in cars usually goes like this:
1) Buy a cheap car,
2) Check oil & tyre pressure once every so often,
3) Pay too much to get my gross negligence fixed by a garage when service time rolls around.

But I love my Chim, every one who sees it loves it and every one who rides in it is left grinning like a loon.
So it is my mission to look after this thing like a new born baby.... and if I can stop it from falling apart, and funds permitting, then me and the mrs want to enter the Cannonball Run Europe next year.

So where the hell do I start looking after a car like this and learning to maintain it on a long road trip?

I'm checking the oil almost daily, I read in the big post on engine oil's that Mobil synthetic W15/50 was good for the chim?

I'd like to give the engine a clean, it's already pretty tidy but I'd like it to really shine, any advice?

The chassis, (well the parts I can see under the hood and while getting on all fours and peeking under) seem to be loosing their coating and a couple of scrapes at he rust seem to show it as largely superficial... but I'd really like it cleaned and painted/sealed with something that will give me peace of mind that it's not rotting out from underneath me... Can I do this my self? is there a place in the Midlands I could get this done? what's the cost?

I need to go from idiot to competent TVR owner in a year (hopefully less)... please help and thank you all in advance.

[Ace-T]

1. Buy this http://www.tvrbooks.co.uk/
2. Read this http://www.tvrcc-eastmidlands.co.uk/
3. Turn up here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

HTH

Trace

[Clueless_newb]

Many thanks,

1 came with the car, been reading the last 2 days... a lot of it is hard to get my head round as it refers to things I cant look at / get at without getting under the car (is there a safe way to do this at home?). But I guess its more of a reference manual than light reading material.

2 Thank you, I'll be signing up this week.

3 Can't make it this week but hopefully the next one

Edited by Clueless_newb on Monday 15th June 23:23

[srebbe64]

Clueless_newb said:

My previous involvement in cars usually goes like this:
1) Buy a cheap car,
2) Check oil & tyre pressure once every so often,

Blimey, I can only dream of such technical nouse!

You'll be okay. Just treat it like a spoiled wife (forget rational thought, be prepared to get you wallet old every now and then, take it out it regularly, don't look at any other cars, don't compare it to previous cars, don't let your mates drive it, enjoy the noise it makes, etc...) and you'll be just fine!

[Hoover.]

I've no idea either... managed 5 years now......

[Blown2CV]

Once a week/fortnight is plenty for oil checking, unless you spot a leak! I have to say I am the same sort of 'category' of owner as you, and have owned my 500 for 18 months or so. I long for the time required to become a competent owner!

[so called]

Its not stupid.
Try buying a Tuscan unseen of the internet.

[scotty_d]

Get a copy of the "bible" very useful and have a read through it. First thing i bought when i went for the chim.

[Zippee]

Get that chssis sorted NOW! Else you will discover what big bills are when it rots too far.

[Gazzab]

take it to the place in Sheffield for them to look at the chassis.

[JR]

Gazzab said:

take it to the place in Sheffield for them to look at the chassis.

That'd be RT.
I'd add check the water levels frequently.

[Clueless_newb]

Thanks guys

I've booked in with RT this Sat'

As I've posted in another thread I don't have the owners manual, so I'm hunting for a copy on line.

One thing I have noticed is it's hard to read the oil.... some times I get a clean mark upto just above the "Add" line yet just as many times i get a a more broken, patchy level up past "Full".
Do i need a better dipstick or is there somthing wrong with the oil?

Edited by Clueless_newb on Wednesday 17th June 22:09

[AlexanderV8]

Clueless_newb said:

One thing I have noticed is it's hard to read the oil.... some times I get a clean mark upto just above the "Add" line yet just as many times i get a a more broken, patchy level up past "Full".
Do i need a better dipstick or is there somthing wrong with the oil?

Edited by Clueless_newb on Wednesday 17th June 22:09

Don't know why this should be unless you are trying to read the level too soon after a run, when it is still draining back to the sump. Also needs to be on level ground of course.

[GJOSDDLO]

Well done mate.

www.chimaerapages.com has some worthwhile reading...

...but nothing is as good as the reading on PH!!!

Cheers, G

[Clueless_newb]

Hi guys RE: the oil issue.

I tired this morning, after she had been sitting all night, and could not get a clear reading... just a patchy smear 6 inches up past "Full" on all 4 tries.

Last night, an hour or so after driving, I got a very clean reading just above "Add".

The oil pressure is reading fine (according to the Bible)... but I'm terrified to fill the oil any more in case I grossly overfilled it before and the 6 inches above full reading is the correct one.

I know I'm a newb but I could read the oil in my BMW 10 out of 10 times, with no problems and a clean mark on the dip stick each time??? Am i doing something wrong with my TVR?

Cheers.

Edited by Clueless_newb on Thursday 18th June 07:30

[davemac250]

Doesn't sound like you are.

Taking oil readings should be done when the engine is warm and the oil has had a chance to settle.

Take it for a run, let her stand for 30 mins or so and then check the oil.

At least that is how it was explained to me.

[Blown2CV]

I have been told that on RV8 engine oil level measure should only be taken cold otherwise you will underestimate (and consequently overfill). Sp6 and AJP should be taken warm.

[LordGrover]

Hello granny, how's the egg sucking going?

You do wipe the dipstick when you first remove it and return it before taking the reading don't you?

[5.0ltr]

Clueless_newb said:

......As I've posted in another thread I don't have the owners manual, so I'm hunting for a copy on line.

For some reason I have a Chim owners manual as a pdf file which I can email you, except your account don't accept mail, so PM me if interested.

[Clueless_newb]

Thanks guys I've managed to get a manual sent to me from another forum user (peebee).

Add yes I do wipe the dipstick before each reading.

Cheers.