Finally got myself a Tuscan but....

[billy_cas]

I have today joined the TVR Tuscan owners club. Have had such a huge smile on my face the whole day that my jaws are now hurting!

It's 2000 and has an engine rebuild about 12k ago. Have been driving it round all day and has been fine. Towards the later part the disply started to beep at me and warning me of the water temperature. When stationary it was hitting 115 - 120 degrees. Once I would start driving it would stop beeping and be close to 95 - 100.

Is it doing this because I had been driving round in built up areas for pretty much most of the day and it finally got too much?

Or is this a normal thing?

I am just hoping it is the later...

Am so happy I have bought it but this is the only thing that isn't letting me enjoy it the way I should be. I've been dreaming of this day!

Any light on this from you (the experts) would be great...

Billy

[anonymous-user]

115 - 120 sounds v v high. The fans should cut in at 90 and 94 IIRC. I would get that checked.

[Tuska]

Fans probably arent cutting in. The electrical connection often dry out. There is a couple of tests yoy can do. Firstly, warm her up on your drive and see if the fans do kick in. One should start around 92 and the other at around 94.

Assuming they dont then take the main bonnet off and the air box. Find the temp sender and with the engine running, un-plug it. If the fans are OK then they will kick-in straight away and you will know that it is a problem with the sender or the connection to the sender. (this test works at any temperature, fans will stay on if sender is dis-connected)

If the fans dont kick-in then it may be a fan motor or ECU problem. As said above though it is most likely that the connection to the sender is dry and needs cleaning.

Good luck!!

Edited by Tuska on Monday 5th February 11:58

[H10TVR]

Definatly too high,do BOTH fans kick in one should kick in at 94 the next a couple of degrees higher.

Silly question, but have you checked and filled up the coolent ?

[dvs_dave]

Running at those temps for any length of time will break down the oil and potentially cause the engine block to warp (This has happend to others on here). Then its a new engine, big bucks and

[jcpgasoline]

Same happened to me & no, it is not normal. Get it fixed or it may result in serious engine damage.

[basil brush]

I'm guessing there's no coolant in it as otherwise you'd have a cloud of steam by the time it got to that kind of temp.

[R TOY]

sounds like the cooling system is working ok as it cooled down once you where moving and getting airflow thro rad. Get the fans checked out and hopefully will cure things. I sat in queuing traffic for 1 1/2 hours in 30*c + at Lemans 05 and car never hit 100*c. I boiled tho

[billy_cas]

It was just the bloody water level! It was serviced less than 1000 miles ago! Presumed it wasn't needed.

Then read the handbook and read the frequency of checks needed!

Am totally in love with it now!

It's in the garage getting an Alpine IVA-D100R installed!

Can't wait to get it back!

Thank you for your help

[anonymous-user]

billy_cas said:

It was just the bloody water level! It was serviced less than 1000 miles ago! Presumed it wasn't needed.

Then read the handbook and read the frequency of checks needed!

Am totally in love with it now!

It's in the garage getting an Alpine IVA-D100R installed!

Can't wait to get it back!

Thank you for your help

Umm... In 4 years of Tuscan ownership, 30,000 miles across 2 cars I've put about 1/2 pint of water in. If it's using a lot of water I would suggest you get it checked.

[billy_cas]

Hmm... I'll check it when I get the car back and see if the levels have changed. Fingers crossed I guess?!

Will let you know

Cheers

[sidewayz]

I have had two rads on my 2005 T350 so it might be the same type of micro-leaks.They were both done under warranty but you may have a bill for yours.As I expect I will have in the future.

[b2tus]

I'm with Unrepentant again. 5 years of TVRs and never had to top up rads.
Get it checked pronto before you end up

[basil brush]

I had the same symptoms when my rad started to leak. The rads can crack where the mounting brackets are attached to the sides. If it's an early all alloy one then it can be repaired, otherwise it's a replace job.

[billy_cas]

Car is still in garage so haven't checked yet... Fingers crossed!

Also, I need to get a Heater ECU for the Tuscan. Can anyone suggest a good place to start looking? Can't find anything on ebay, google etc...

[mercurius]

possible radiator leak my friend...it may have cracked.

[R TOY]

Not sure but if the rad is the same as Chim then R rover rad fitted. Took mine in for repair few yrs back and was told it was identical. Worth having a price to repair as new from dealer = arm+leg. Mine cost £90 for recon (this was in old chim, not tuscan)
hope you get sorted D