Have Warranty & 5 yrs old but dead!

[Dazzlar]

Hi folks

I've had a slight hitch with my S6, about seven weeks ago, blue smoke poured out of my cerb and off it travelled to my local tvr garage. Being a S6 it travelled up to Blackpool for the experts to take a look. I was reasonable calm about the whole affair because i had a two year warranty, but today they've said that where the seal broke and oil poured out of the engine and i've damaged the block, probably needing a extensive work that my warranty wouldn't cover. I'm covered for two grand, how much is an engine for a S6, does anyone know?

Since it is a 99 on t-plate which is about or under 5 years, a couple of people have said to me that if it's under 5 years then it should be a manufacturers problem, is that right? Does that count for anything, or am i just kidding myself? I suppose it's a bit late to say i wished i had a V8!

If i do get a new S6 engine, would i benefit from the new tvr's S6 engine?

Any opinions would be appreciated, as i'm just getting fed up with driving my mum's mx5 like a proper hairdresser!

Dazzlar

[BCA]

Dazzlar said:

Hi folks I've had a slight hitch with my S6, about seven weeks ago, blue smoke poured out of my cerb and off it travelled to my local tvr garage. Being a S6 it travelled up to Blackpool for the experts to take a look. I was reasonable calm about the whole affair because i had a two year warranty, but today they've said that where the seal broke and oil poured out of the engine and i've damaged the block, probably needing a extensive work that my warranty wouldn't cover. I'm covered for two grand, how much is an engine for a S6, does anyone know?

Not sure, but the factory have been known to occaisionally help with the bill, I suggest you give them a call, explain your situation and see what they say.

Dazzlar said:

Since it is a 99 on t-plate which is about or under 5 years, a couple of people have said to me that if it's under 5 years then it should be a manufacturers problem, is that right? Does that count for anything, or am i just kidding myself? I suppose it's a bit late to say i wished i had a V8!

Nope, AFAIK they are only obliged to keep to thier own warrantee mileage/time scale. Although there is a 12month period with dealers for some reason, not 100% sure on this - but they have to accept resposibility for major problems?? Again, you need to talk to TVR directly, they will try and help cut your costs where they can if you speak to the right people. Havent got a clue who these people are because I have never had to deal with the factory (V8 you see and yes, too late).

Dazzlar said:

If i do get a new S6 engine, would i benefit from the new tvr's S6 engine?

I shoudl think so, from the sounds of things there isnt much of the old engine thats salvageable. Thinking about it, try and contact "Bandit" - IIRC he had a new everything after an accident/rebuild(?). They are getting better apparently, so good luck with the new one.

Dazzlar said:

Any opinions would be appreciated, as i'm just getting fed up with driving my mum's mx5 like a proper hairdresser! Dazzlar

I dont know, they arent too bad - mx5s are quite balanced and I have heard they like being thrown sideways alot. Sorry I couldnt be of much help, I just suggest you contact the factory. They are better at dealing with these things in many cases than most will give them credit for.

One thing I will say though, is dont hold your breath - it'll take a while to put humpty back together again. Good luck with it all, sorry if I sound a little harsh im just tired and mean no offence to you or your car.

[anonymous-user]

TVR did pay for my complete engine rebuild.
There were several reasons why.

1) Car still had full TVRSH
2) This was my second rebuild.
3) Andy at APM helped put me in contact with the right people at TVR (thanks Andy!).
4) Found some very helpful people at the factory.

I am very pleased to tell you that the 2003 spec engine I have is the dogs knackers. Feels bullit proof and goes better than when I originally bought the car.

I'm one of the biggest sceptics of the engine (from experience).... but I think they might just have cracked it.

[and]

Sorry to hear this.

Speak to Paul Forrest at TVR, was very helpful to me in similar circumstance.

[Dazzlar]

Thanks for the advise chaps, i think i'm gonna have to need it. Because today i've recieved the bad news.

9,635.66 pounds sterling then minus the the two grand the warranty company will pay and i've got a bill for 7,635.66. GUTTED!!! I've only driven it for 8 months and 2 of those it's been in the garage. So i'll have to try my best in negiotiating with the tvr garage and anyone else who will listen.

Well, i hope this isn't the end of my tvr experience because it was too short lived!

[GCerbera]

Good grief Dazzlar!


Full sympathy on that, why such a high bill?
Can you elaborate at this stage as to the break down
of the cost?

[Dazzlar]

I'm no expert on engines and it's in and outs, but they said that when the oil seal broke along with the oil chain?! causing major damage including the cam shaft to melt. Apparently the leak must have been extensive because the engine contains alot of oil for this not to happen, obviously not in this case. And so what is left of the engine that doesn't need replacing is the engine block. I'm going to get them to fax me the breakdown of the damage so i can have a proper look at this. Maybe i could frame this and remind me to buy a fiesta next time!

I've been checking through other threads on what other engine rebuilds and costs are but haven't seen much near this price. Am i unlucky or what!

[jimbob2]

Get it down to Paul at Austech racing

[olly]

£10k (near as damn it) for an engine rebuild sounds RIDICULOUS.

I'm sure the V8 AJP is "only"? about £6-7K worst case.

I'd give TVR power a call on 024 7636 6177 (www.tvrpower.co.uk/)

[bruciebabe]

This contrasts with Jaguar's attitude over their Nikasil problem. If you have FJSH they will replace your motor totally free of charge up to 100,000 miles whether in or out of warrantee. Just had mine done.

[joospeed]

Well i think that's a very big bill!.

Surely better to get a SP6 engine from a specilaist breakers (3-4k), get it fitted on the cheap (500pounds?) and sell the car asap ..?
Pity everyone on here knows about it now though ..

[dazzlar]

Thanks people, i'll get onto the tvr garage where i bought it first and see what they can do, if not i'll look into Austech racing and tvr power.

Bruce - shame tvr hasn't the same attitude as Jaguar, i'll still be smiling!

[RUSSELLM]

This should make interesting reading to jcumpsty on the jaguar forum....

>> Edited by RUSSELLM on Wednesday 7th April 08:05

[olly]

dazzlar said:

Thanks people, i'll get onto the tvr garage where i bought it first and see what they can do, if not i'll look into Austech racing and tvr power. Bruce - shame tvr hasn't the same attitude as Jaguar, i'll still be smiling!

I see your based in Kent - did you buy the car from Walldonway ? If you did - definatley speak to Paul (servicing manager), he's always been very helpful with our car......

[dazzlar]

That would be a cheaper way of buying an engine and getting it sorted. I certainly wouldn't be happy selling it on half slapped together and having another poor victim suffer, but there again should i keep it after all of this?

[dazzlar]

Yer Paul from Waldenway phoned yesterday about the bill, since it's a S6 Blackpool are where he sends them and from the sounds of things he was slightly dumbstruck by the bill too!

[olly]

dazzlar said:

Yer Paul from Waldenway phoned yesterday about the bill, since it's a S6 Blackpool are where he sends them and from the sounds of things he was slightly dumbstruck by the bill too!

Ah bu99er - if he told you the bill, there probably isn't much else he can do (hopefully he'll have already tried.....

Definatley give TVR Power a call.

Does anyone know anyone else that can/does rebuild the Speed 6 engine ?

Trying to brighten things up a little, have you got any pics of your car ? I'm guessing it's VERY similar to ours (if it's the Green Cerb that Walldonway had for a while) ?

[Buster4.2]

Surely with the 'chequered history' the S6 engine has TVR ought to cough for the rebuild???

Keep reading about owners that have forked out huge sums for rebuilds when the cars have done less than 12000 miles in total. I know we all love our cars, but I'm not sure I'd shrug my shoulders and reach for the plastic so quickly.

I think if I was on the receiving end I would try the polite (begging!) approach first, and if this proved fruitless I'd be speaking to Trading Standards for advice.

The consumer still has extensive rights outside of any warranty period, and the underlying principle is 'fitness for purpose'. Clearly the early S6 engines would fall into this category as any reasonable person would expect a properly serviced road engine to last in excess 50000 miles.

I'd try and speak to TVR, if you don't get a result, advice (and any subsequent action) by Trading Standards is FOC.

Hope it all works out for you without having to sell any vital organs - Good Luck.

[GCerbera]

olly said:

Definatley give TVR Power a call.

Indeed, speak to Dom at TVR Power, however Blackpool would send the car there to be fixed anyway.

A friend had a full rebuild on a V8 Cerbera and that was only around 5k,
so not sure where the other 5K is coming into play?

Hopefully if you can obtain a breakdown of costs things might be clearer.

Keep us posted and good luck.

[joospeed]

I guess the other 5k is the engine! .. sounds like it's totally destroyed.