Black and grey smoke

[Rob_H]

Hi everyone

This is my first post, so i'm hoping you can help if possible.
I've always wanted a TVR and went to look at a cerb today (P reg) When the dealer started it up there was a big black and grey cloud from the exhaust. Is this normal???? or is it because its probably been stood for a week or two??? I never seen a TVR start up just usually heard them a few miles away!!!

[andy4200]

Wouldn't have thought this was normal, sounds like some oil getting burnt.

Mine gets left for a few weeks at a time when I'm off working and doesn't have any smoke when I fire her up (except for the condensation type on the cold damp mornings).
If anything it seems to have less smoke than previous cars I've owned.

[malman]

Isn't black and grey over fuelling. Oil being slightly blue?

[andy4200]

malman said:

Isn't black and grey over fuelling. Oil being slightly blue?

You may be right there, I'm having a particularly sleepy day. Still doesn't look too good though

[kojak69]

You can get a little bit of black soot from the exhaust, but not a big cloud of smoke.
Also. I didn't think synthetic produced smoke...but I might be wrong.

[Rob_H]

great stuff, many thanks for that!!! may have to stay clear of hat one!!!

[hut49]

Don't walk away too quickly - if it just needs setting up then it may not be a show stopper. Does it have a reputable indie or TVR dealer service history? When was it last serviced and what was done/replaced? If it's been regularly serviced by the same garage give them a call and see if you can find out more.

Good luck

[larco]

I would look at a couple of others first that don't blow black smoke.
You will always have this nagging doubt that all is not right. Everytime you start her up you will be looking to see the smoke is getting worse.

[chris.g.wood]

larco said:

I would look at a couple of others first that don't blow black smoke. You will always have this nagging doubt that all is not right. Everytime you start her up you will be looking to see the smoke is getting worse.

Got my P reg a couple of months before christmas, it has turned me into a fanatic. The car has been more of a pain than I care to mention, but I enjoy the car, from the look of the car to the sparks from the exhaust it's just a dream.
Battery can be a pain but if want a car/hobby type of car, then it's got to be worth it.

CGW

[trooper1212]

Considering I have had every type of smoke out of my cerb, I know a little bit about this

A puff of black/grey smoke should be nothing to worry about. It'll happen either at startup or when first flooring the throttle after running at low revs. It's just a build up of unburnt fuel being ignited. Getting the smoke on startup means that the car hasn't been stretched in its last one or two runs, which should lead you towards some other questions.

Blue smoke at high revs (above 5000) can happen and is not the end of the world, but it does mean the piston rings will be worn. Keep it topped up with oil and it'll be just as lubed and reliable as other engines, except with a james bond effect when you gun it. Fixing this is an engine rebuild job.

Blue smoke at low revs means walk away...

[Rob_H]

Many Thanks for the help. I think i'll have to go back when all my finances are in place to barter!!

Just out of interest is the chim 500 as fast as a cerb??? or will i get a biast view???

[kojak69]

Rob_H said:

Many Thanks for the help. I think i'll have to go back when all my finances are in place to barter!! Just out of interest is the chim 500 as fast as a cerb??? or will i get a biast view???

No its not as fast.

>> Edited by kojak69 on Tuesday 6th January 00:13

[RUSSELLM]

TVR spring 96 catalogue figures.
Griff 500 0-60 4.1 secs, 0-100 10.5 secs, max 167 mph
Chim 5.0 litre HC as above,
Cerb 4.2 0-60 4.2 secs, 0-100 9.9 secs, max in excess of 160 mph.
Only driven a cerb, this one does 140 mph @ 5000 revs & there's a lot more left (2000 + revs)
Will stand corrected anyone ?