Sagaris from cold
Discussion
I went to see a sagaris today in a dealer. When they started it they could not start it without idling and it continued to idol for the first five minutes. When I asked the problem they said it needs to be idled for the first few minutes, but when reading up on starting procedures I thought idling was bad for the sagaris. Basically I'm a bit worried that it took so long to get it up and running and even when it was the guy driving it kept stalling it. Is this an engine problem or is it as he says and all sagaris' are like this. Then again it could have just been on the forecourt for a few weeks untouched. If this is true then would this affect the engine long term, or once it's bought would it be back to normal once run every day? I very much appreciate any feedback on this as it will decide on a purchase or not, Thanking you.
It should not do that no.
It should start from cold, a little blip of the throttle and it will settle down to idle somewhere between 650 and 950 revs. Granted...and esp if cold...you will hear every clack,thrash and meshing of metal on metal in the engine, the gearbox will feel stiff and wading through treacle, but basically it should be fine.
It should start from cold, a little blip of the throttle and it will settle down to idle somewhere between 650 and 950 revs. Granted...and esp if cold...you will hear every clack,thrash and meshing of metal on metal in the engine, the gearbox will feel stiff and wading through treacle, but basically it should be fine.
A lot of SP6 cars are like this, especially the earlier ones. However they should not be. My Sagaris is not like this. I started it this morning with 3 degrees C oil temperature and it fired first time and idled perfectly at 950RPM.
They will be a little easier to stall and a bit noisier for the first few minutes of driving until the whole engine gets warm.
TVR’s are often a bit temperamental if they’ve not been driven for a while. Sounds like the one you saw needs a few adjustments.
They will be a little easier to stall and a bit noisier for the first few minutes of driving until the whole engine gets warm.
TVR’s are often a bit temperamental if they’ve not been driven for a while. Sounds like the one you saw needs a few adjustments.
That isn't right.
Certainly not in my experience (T350). Yes, a little lumpy when cold, with some odd noises, but even then she is not easy to stall - I think I've managed it once and that was largely my own stupidity. I just plug in the stereo head unit and go, and she is settled (i.e. idling smoothly) within a mile or so (in town).
Not normal, and probably fixable, don't let it put you off.
ETA: Make them fix her before you buy her, obviously.
Certainly not in my experience (T350). Yes, a little lumpy when cold, with some odd noises, but even then she is not easy to stall - I think I've managed it once and that was largely my own stupidity. I just plug in the stereo head unit and go, and she is settled (i.e. idling smoothly) within a mile or so (in town).
Not normal, and probably fixable, don't let it put you off.
ETA: Make them fix her before you buy her, obviously.
Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 1st November 09:47
They have had this sagaris for six months and theres only bout 40 miles on her. This is probably why it's so tempremental but will that have damaged the engine at all? Basically i'm looking for some confirmation that if i go for this car that those problems are 100% fixablev 
thanks all
thanks allHave experienced the stalling when cold on both my 350 and Sag, but it's just idle speed adjustment. Had the Sag tweaked last week to run slightly faster and it's now sweet, ticking at around 950 at start up and remaining there even when warm. I wanted it this way because I often run the air-con and so that puts about a 50 rpm drag on it. Before it was at 750 and aircon drag was about 100 so it felt like it was labouring a bit.
again no it shouldnt be like this.
My T350 starts with just this mildest blip of the throttle.
As griffiff said it is probably just the idle setting. When the engines warm for some reason the idle goes up.
Cold should be about 700-750 and warm 850-900
Mine came back from its 6k service and kept stalling cos the idle was too low, so i readjusted. Idle adjustment is dead simple a 2 minute job. But then again why doesnt the dealer know this
My T350 starts with just this mildest blip of the throttle.
As griffiff said it is probably just the idle setting. When the engines warm for some reason the idle goes up.
Cold should be about 700-750 and warm 850-900
Mine came back from its 6k service and kept stalling cos the idle was too low, so i readjusted. Idle adjustment is dead simple a 2 minute job. But then again why doesnt the dealer know this
it just needs the idle adjusting properly - thats all ....after 30K miles in SP6 engined cars I find ours goes 'out of tune' with the idle about every 5K or so...usually just in time for a service when they reset it...it should start on the key even on the coldest days and idle....although its a little lumpy and low idle at first (650ish) it will rise to 800-950 ish as it s gets warm...try making sure the aircons off...seems to affect it a bit if its on from idle on a real cold day
yellow peril said:
bogie said:
it just needs the idle adjusting properly - thats all ....I find ours goes 'out of tune' with the idle about every 5K or so...usually just in time for a service when they reset it...
Would agree with that
YP
Edited by yellow peril on Thursday 2nd November 07:28
Yes, I'll go with the above: find after about 3K that the idle tends to drop off a little. Fine after a tweak or service. If you want it go for it!!
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