V8 Catastrophies
Discussion
I don't own a TVR, but I have been eyeing one up for the last three years. My current sportscar, which shall remain unidentified, has now suffered it's second cam failure and resultant valve damage incident. Big cost, massive headache, no confidence left. I won't go in to detail, but this is due to an inherrent design fault (which I have now found is well documented on the web), so it has pushed me to finally get shot of it....and finally consider my longed for Chimaera.
I am under no illusions about the quirks and idiosyncracies of the car, but I can live with that. Would seem like a cake walk after the re-builds of late. Might be a difficult question, but how many of you have (or, just as importantly, have not) suffered some kind of full blown engine related catastrophe at some point...is it something I should prepare for? I have always considered the good old V8 to be fairly bullet proof...am I under any illusions?
Your comments could result in imminent purchase!
Cheers all.
I am under no illusions about the quirks and idiosyncracies of the car, but I can live with that. Would seem like a cake walk after the re-builds of late. Might be a difficult question, but how many of you have (or, just as importantly, have not) suffered some kind of full blown engine related catastrophe at some point...is it something I should prepare for? I have always considered the good old V8 to be fairly bullet proof...am I under any illusions?
Your comments could result in imminent purchase!
Cheers all.
I had a 4.0 Chim for 3 years, 20,000 miles with no engine issues, Current owner has put another 30000+ on the car with no engine problems. I think that the RV8 is pretty safe if you treat it properly. That said I have also has a 4.2 Cerbera which I did over 10000 miles and now a T350 which has covered 7000 miles in 8 months. To date I haven't has any engine issues, infact none of my TVR's have ever failed to get me where I was going. The only major work I ever needed was a new clutch and lever arm on the Chim @45000 miles.
loadblower said:
I don't own a TVR, but I have been eyeing one up for the last three years. My current sportscar, which shall remain unidentified, has now suffered it's second cam failure and resultant valve damage incident. Big cost, massive headache, no confidence left. I won't go in to detail, but this is due to an inherrent design fault (which I have now found is well documented on the web), so it has pushed me to finally get shot of it....and finally consider my longed for Chimaera.
I am under no illusions about the quirks and idiosyncracies of the car, but I can live with that. Would seem like a cake walk after the re-builds of late. Might be a difficult question, but how many of you have (or, just as importantly, have not) suffered some kind of full blown engine related catastrophe at some point...is it something I should prepare for? I have always considered the good old V8 to be fairly bullet proof...am I under any illusions?
Your comments could result in imminent purchase!
Cheers all.
Hi, I got my Chimaera after being badly burnt by a Subaru (supposedly bullet proof...my arse)
After the outlay on the Jap Crap, everyone warned me that TVRs would be worse...but I've not had 1 reliability issue in two years...go into it with your eyes open, put the odd issue down to character and you cannot go wrong....enjoy
Thanks all for your responses.
Interesting on the Jap Crap! Incidentally, was briefly contemplating Honda S2000 on reliability grounds. I'm sure they are fine, but as my girlfriend pointed out last week "you dont wind the window down to listen when a Honda goes past, like you do the TVR..."
Looks like a forgone conclusion!
Interesting on the Jap Crap! Incidentally, was briefly contemplating Honda S2000 on reliability grounds. I'm sure they are fine, but as my girlfriend pointed out last week "you dont wind the window down to listen when a Honda goes past, like you do the TVR..."
Looks like a forgone conclusion!
. So credit where it's due. (makes mental note look into AA/RAC etc prices just in case 
)
I have read no end on this one, my friend services the V8's in Range Rovers and his mates TVR. The biggest problem he has come across is people over running the service intervals, not changing the oil frequent enough. He also tells me it is better to give the engine a short warm up time of 2 - 3 mins and do not use the LOUD pedal until the oil has warmed up. As a guide 5 - 6 miles.
That's what I heard.........
That's what I heard.........
simon818 said:
I have read no end on this one, my friend services the V8's in Range Rovers and his mates TVR. The biggest problem he has come across is people over running the service intervals, not changing the oil frequent enough. He also tells me it is better to give the engine a short warm up time of 2 - 3 mins and do not use the LOUD pedal until the oil has warmed up. As a guide 5 - 6 miles.
That's what I heard.........
5 - 6 miles strikes me as a bit early to use full noise. It will hardly have brought the water up to temperature by then let alone the oil. I like to keep below 2/3 revs and light throttle until the water is up to temperature. Then, however long this took, gradually work up to full power over the same time again. It takes much longer in winter than summer, of course.
GreenV8S said:
I have read no end on this one, my friend services the V8's in Range Rovers and his mates TVR. The biggest problem he has come across is people over running the service intervals, not changing the oil frequent enough. He also tells me it is better to give the engine a short warm up time of 2 - 3 mins and do not use the LOUD pedal until the oil has warmed up. As a guide 5 - 6 miles.
That's what I heard.........
5 - 6 miles strikes me as a bit early to use full noise. It will hardly have brought the water up to temperature by then let alone the oil. I like to keep below 2/3 revs and light throttle until the water is up to temperature. Then, however long this took, gradually work up to full power over the same time again. It takes much longer in winter than summer, of course.
also worrying that he sounds like he just rags other cars from cold
I think that many mass production engines these days are so good that nobody bothers warming them up anymore, just like people don't generally bother with running in and so on. I guess that's a good thing, but some engines (like the venerable RV8) need a little more care. It is not that uncommon to find new TVR owners jump into a cold car and rev the nuts off it, not because they don't care but because they don't realize how much harm this does.
For the record I've now done nearly 59k in my Chimaera, I still love the car and I'm keeping it. Provided you warm the engine up appropriately and keep on top of the maintenance, I see no reason for concern over durability. Since you're Surrey based, why not come along and see us at the Jovial Sailor, Ripley from 8pm this Wednesday?
Look forward to meeting you,
Steve.
Look forward to meeting you,
Steve.
Steve,
Thats a good idea, I know where the pub is.
Thanks all for your comments in general, very useful. Seems to me like the general synopsis is that should be fine as long as warmed up, well maintaned, and nurtured. Would also seem to favour regular running, as opposed to long periods of non use. Perfectly acceptable for a hand built sportscar with unique performance (and an exhaust note that is surely unparalleled!)
Thats a good idea, I know where the pub is.
Thanks all for your comments in general, very useful. Seems to me like the general synopsis is that should be fine as long as warmed up, well maintaned, and nurtured. Would also seem to favour regular running, as opposed to long periods of non use. Perfectly acceptable for a hand built sportscar with unique performance (and an exhaust note that is surely unparalleled!)
Concur with all of the above but.. there are a lot of'dogs' out there so buy carefully and do pay for an expert pre-purchase inspection.
Be wrned about corroding chassis issues.
Had mine for a couple of months now, done about 3k and no problems (a few minor niggles excepted)
Still grinning from ear to ear!!
Steve.
Be wrned about corroding chassis issues.
Had mine for a couple of months now, done about 3k and no problems (a few minor niggles excepted)
Still grinning from ear to ear!!
Steve.
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