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targarama

Original Poster:

14,715 posts

305 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Car currently on its way to dealers on a low loader. Suspected head gasket failure. Basically decided to dump its fluid through the combustion chamber.

At first I thought it was raining, turned the wipers on. Then noticed the smoke screen behind me. Gauges all looked OK, pulling in when I could, water temp started to rise a smidge to 99deg or so. Engine bay looked like a hose had split. Now won't start, solenoid clicking, guessed got wet or similar. AA come, have a good look, pressure test cooling system, losing pressure quickly. Get car started after a bit of fiddling - smoke/water vapour out of exhaust. Shut down immediately. Low loader just dropped me off and is taking car to main dealer.

Car is 22 months old, so within the 24 month for 'major mechanical failures' which I assume this is.

AA turned up within 30 minutes, spent an hour or so fiddling, then low loader came within an hour. Can't complain about their service.

Hope it comes back soon, more healthy than ever! First time ever in a recovery truck for me. First real TVR breakdown in 8 years. Plus I was fully enjoying the car before it let go.

Can't wait to get it back now, this happening has just reaffirmed the need for warranties on these Speed Six cars (who was on this forum spouting about not needing a warranty recently?)

chris watton

22,545 posts

282 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Trefor, really sorry to hear that , what a nightmare. I hope it is sorted and you're driving it with aplomb ASAP.

Now, where’s that warranty Co. number I mislaid………..

nevpugh308

4,436 posts

291 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Ah cr*p mate, that's bad news. Hope they sort it quickly, and it's only a minor internal glitch (er, relatively speaking)

targarama

Original Poster:

14,715 posts

305 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
nevpugh308 said:
Ah cr*p mate, that's bad news. Hope they sort it quickly, and it's only a minor internal glitch (er, relatively speaking)


Well it was pi55ing water/steam out the exhausts so its at least the head gasket. It didn't cook the engine at all - could the head crack without being cooked?

Frankly, I don't mind what it is - it broke my 'low loader cherry' and I didn't crash. So long as its fixed fine and dandy prontissimo. Not sure if my dealer can do the work or the engine has to go back for the work. Fingers crossed (or not in this case (joke - Speed Sixes eat finger followers)).

sideways mostly

2,681 posts

263 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Hope you are back on the road soon! Not very good driving weather yet anyway.

sp6forever

10,670 posts

240 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
sorry to hear that mate i know the feeling only too well but will keep my fingers crossed for you. im hoping to get mine back this friday

david godfrey

3,857 posts

246 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
sad to hear - hope it gets sorted as quickly as possible....

MartinP

1,275 posts

260 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that! Thank goodness for that 24 month engine warranty though. Hope it's sorted out soon.

Looks like our engines will be sitting next to one another up in Blackpool.

targarama

Original Poster:

14,715 posts

305 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
MartinP said:
Sorry to hear that! Thank goodness for that 24 month engine warranty though. Hope it's sorted out soon.

Looks like our engines will be sitting next to one another up in Blackpool.


Yeah. Form an orderly queue now everyone

What was the diagnosis on yours?

steve350

86 posts

263 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that, i know first hand what a bummer that can be (surprisingly). Factory had my engine sorted in 4 weeks, hope its as quick for you.

Will you not get a 12month warranty with a rebuild (assuming it needs one)? I did when they rebuild by last cars speed 6.

T66ORA

3,474 posts

279 months

Monday 24th April 2006
quotequote all
Unlucky Trefor, most of us have been there The good news is, that it has been 5 hours since you posted and theres been no "Speed 6 are crap" posts yet

Daftlad

3,324 posts

263 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
targarama said:
Car currently on its way to dealers on a low loader. Suspected head gasket failure.

Sorry to hear the bad news, hope you have it back in time for 22nd May and Cadwell Park.

milu

2,483 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
sorry to hear this.
out of interest what was the mileage?
mike,

targarama

Original Poster:

14,715 posts

305 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
milu said:
sorry to hear this.
out of interest what was the mileage?
mike,


Around 13,000 miles. Treated properly and all the usual BS about being sympthetic to the engine. Only owned by me so I know 99.9% of the cold starts. However, like I say its most probably a head gasket - I'd guess gone between a water jacket and a cylinder. Worst case a buggererd head.

Hopefully back in time for Cadwell

TheArb

446 posts

269 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
look on the bright side. The engine will come back with all new moving parts and a further one year warranty.

milu

2,483 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
although i dont know you personally,i did think the car would have been treated properly.

i think its a funny thing with head gaskets,they seem to go at all sorts of high or low mileages on many different cars. its a bit of PITA all the same though.

fingers croosed for a quick repair.
mike.

grumbledoak

32,330 posts

255 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
Sorry to hear that Trefor.

But, as you said, you didn't crash and she should be covered by the warranty.
Hope you get her back soon.

dvpeace

611 posts

262 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
That's a bit unlucky. Still as you said it will be sorted and fine soon.

Glad to hear that you are enjoying the car.

MartinP

1,275 posts

260 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
targarama said:
MartinP said:
Sorry to hear that! Thank goodness for that 24 month engine warranty though. Hope it's sorted out soon.

Looks like our engines will be sitting next to one another up in Blackpool.


Yeah. Form an orderly queue now everyone

What was the diagnosis on yours?



Our engines might not get to meet up in Blackpool afterall. RG got the go-ahead to from TVR to do the repair themselves so long as it is the scavenger pump chain and no other significant damage, otherwise it will be reviewed again. The engine should be stripped down today to find out.

Hopefully this will speed the repair somewhat.

targarama

Original Poster:

14,715 posts

305 months

Tuesday 25th April 2006
quotequote all
MartinP said:
targarama said:
MartinP said:
Sorry to hear that! Thank goodness for that 24 month engine warranty though. Hope it's sorted out soon.

Looks like our engines will be sitting next to one another up in Blackpool.


Yeah. Form an orderly queue now everyone

What was the diagnosis on yours?



Our engines might not get to meet up in Blackpool afterall. RG got the go-ahead to from TVR to do the repair themselves so long as it is the scavenger pump chain and no other significant damage, otherwise it will be reviewed again. The engine should be stripped down today to find out.

Hopefully this will speed the repair somewhat.


Good news for you!