new cerb owner!

[Latty666]

after years of debate I have finally bought my first tvr, a 96 4.2 in green with tan trim, the car is mechanically sound other than needing a good service and general check over, although there is a few electrical niggles, 1st that the drivers door does not unlock from the button inside the car, the washers dont work and the drivers window/door needs some adjustments, apart from that the chassis is nice and solid and the bodywork is livable for the time been. Im guessing the washer issue is just the pump or wiring, but as for the window, how do I even get the door card off to have a look whats going on, I see no screws!!1

[Jonnie B]

Hi

Hope you like your new car.
To remove the door card they are a number of allen bolts, mainly near the lock/latch.

When it comes of it not light.

All the best

John.

[Bollycerb]

Check the washer tubing - the rubber tube perished on mine near the non return valve (beneath the airbox on a speed six but may be more accesible on a 4.2!) - simple to cut off a few mm and refit the tube....

Enjoy the Cerb!

Simon.

[Bigadz]

Congratulations mate, I only recently got my 4.2 and I love it to bits! Enjoy, the guys here will be able to help you with those niggles.

If she needs a good service then I would try to get a 12k one done which is more expensive bit includes the tappet adjustments.

[Latty666]

I think a 12k tappet service Is in order, the car has signs that it previously has been looked after although the past 12 month the last owner has done next to nothing to it, let it get a little run down but nothing I cannot handle. I enjoy a bit of a challenge...

[billy no brakes]

Latty666 said:

I think a 12k tappet service Is in order, the car has signs that it previously has been looked after although the past 12 month the last owner has done next to nothing to it, let it get a little run down but nothing I cannot handle. I enjoy a bit of a challenge...

congrats on buying a cerb I have had mine for 12 years so know quite alot about them, the door card comes off as said with allen keys and they are all round the side and bottom of the card if you look at the latch you can see them just follow them all round undo the bottom ones first and the ones by the latch lasy, be careful when takimg the card off as there are cables attached, as for the washer get someone to push the button and listen to the bottle which islocated at the front of the engine if you cannot hear the motor in i would start by taking of the conectors and cleaning them as they do get dirty if that does not work conect the motor direct to the battery with leads if that does not work you will need a new motor, if the motor does work then the tubes are split just trace them back i have replaced mine make sure you cable tie them away from the engine etc i did not and the tube at the back of the engine caught fire and caused the big fuse to blow and you don,t want that mine did on the way to Le Mans very embarising but i always carry spare big fuses make sure you do,

good luck

[billy no brakes]

billy no brakes said:

congrats on buying a cerb I have had mine for 12 years so know quite alot about them, the door card comes off as said with allen keys and they are all round the side and bottom of the card if you look at the latch you can see them just follow them all round undo the bottom ones first and the ones by the latch lasy, be careful when takimg the card off as there are cables attached, as for the washer get someone to push the button and listen to the bottle which islocated at the front of the engine if you cannot hear the motor in i would start by taking of the conectors and cleaning them as they do get dirty if that does not work conect the motor direct to the battery with leads if that does not work you will need a new motor, if the motor does work then the tubes are split just trace them back i have replaced mine make sure you cable tie them away from the engine etc i did not and the tube at the back of the engine caught fire and caused the big fuse to blow and you don,t want that mine did on the way to Le Mans very embarising but i always carry spare big fuses make sure you do,

good luck

forgot to say if motor works check fuses or it could be a break in the steering wheel ribon that works all the lights and horn

[BazMV6]

I have a 96 4.2 too - collected it one year ago today!
Happy to discuss "early model idiosyncrasies"...

[Latty666]

Well I did have plans to have a fiddle with it today but didn't get round to it, has anybody done there own tappets? I'm a mechanic by trade so I don't mind getting my hands mucky if it saves me a bob or two.. It's the clatter cam engine so she does chatter a bit on idle but I'd at least like to check them for peace of mind

[billy no brakes]

Latty666 said:

Well I did have plans to have a fiddle with it today but didn't get round to it, has anybody done there own tappets? I'm a mechanic by trade so I don't mind getting my hands mucky if it saves me a bob or two.. It's the clatter cam engine so she does chatter a bit on idle but I'd at least like to check them for peace of mind

Yes my friend done most of the work, you have to take cams out and either change shims or rub them down to fit, you will need a tool to keep the cambelt in place, see attached some pics.

[Latty666]

Thanks for the info, on a 12k service I am guessing the gearbox and diff oil is changed along with engine oil/filter, is there anything else that needs doing? Also what specs are the oils?

[gruffalo]

To do a 12K service takes the best part of a couple of days, valve gaps checked and re shimmed take a good amount alone.