Discussion
PapaButch said:
Jheesus. Why doesn't the oil pressure ever go above 30? it sticks at 15...10 etc and why the hell does my car seem to always want to stall when im downshifting from 3rd to 2nd for instance.
Two separate issues there.Others will tell you about the oil pressure issue and what to test. I assume your oil is up to the top mark. What oil are you using?
I think I had the stalling issue. In my case it was the stepper motor sticking. Mine was actually heat sensitive, but most just need cleaning. It's a simple process to clean it. It is located between the plenum and the windscreen. It unscrews. You will find threads on how to do it by using the search.
PapaButch said:
Does it fluctuate depending on the amount of oil in there? It was getting low then I put another 3 litres in.
If it is fluctuating while it is just idling then I would suspect a problem with gauge/wiring/sender check the connection at the sender and make sure it fits tightly.You may also want to have a read of this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
PapaButch said:
Does it fluctuate depending on the amount of oil in there? It was getting low then I put another 3 litres in.
Stepper motor, i did clean it not to long ago...it was really black and all i had was some parafin cleaner, which did not do to well
3 litres of oil is over 50% of the capacity, if you have been driving around with only 2.5 litres in it, no wonder the oil pressure was low. Did it get really hot?Stepper motor, i did clean it not to long ago...it was really black and all i had was some parafin cleaner, which did not do to well
That's either one hell of an oil leak, or serious lack of care of a fine British sports car. No car likes that sort of oil shortage -last one I saw with that little oil had a seized engine. So I rather think you have answered your own question regarding oil pressure.
It is the stepper that cuts in and stops the idle from dropping to zero - can anyone suggest with what to clean it? They are around £100 new IIRC, so cleaning it would seem to be the better option. You also need to check it is operating - you will be able to hear/see it.
Someone will tell you what to do/see. I tried disconnecting mine when I had a good cold idle, but didn't get as far as cleaning it as I lost the idle when the car got to operating temperature, so took it to an expert just beyond the back of beyond in Lincolnshire (the lads will know who I mean), who eventually diagnosed the heat sensitivity and replaced it to prove the point.
It's a quick fix for a TVR expert if you aren't sure what you are doing, so shouldn't cost you much.
It is the stepper that cuts in and stops the idle from dropping to zero - can anyone suggest with what to clean it? They are around £100 new IIRC, so cleaning it would seem to be the better option. You also need to check it is operating - you will be able to hear/see it.
Someone will tell you what to do/see. I tried disconnecting mine when I had a good cold idle, but didn't get as far as cleaning it as I lost the idle when the car got to operating temperature, so took it to an expert just beyond the back of beyond in Lincolnshire (the lads will know who I mean), who eventually diagnosed the heat sensitivity and replaced it to prove the point.
It's a quick fix for a TVR expert if you aren't sure what you are doing, so shouldn't cost you much.
Cleaned my Stepper Motor with Carburettor and Choke Cleaner. Comes in an aerosol can available in most Car Parts/Accessories shops.
Also need to clean the corresponding hole/orifice that the Stepper Motor screws into and (after removing the Plenum large bore induction pipe), spray in and around the throttle butterfly, cleaning/drying it out with tissue paper . Use thread tape on the Stepper motor and don't over tighten.
Also need to clean the corresponding hole/orifice that the Stepper Motor screws into and (after removing the Plenum large bore induction pipe), spray in and around the throttle butterfly, cleaning/drying it out with tissue paper . Use thread tape on the Stepper motor and don't over tighten.
Noo one day I did my oil check since I had a service, must of done over 1000 miles since. And there was less than half oil - so went to the shop and put 3litres in to keep it nice, checked today and was still full of oil. So nothing major. I think it was 5w20 oil from GSF car Parts.
I think the rocker cover may need tightening...
Thanks for all your help guys, i'll let ya know how it goes
I think the rocker cover may need tightening...
Thanks for all your help guys, i'll let ya know how it goes
Yep, first get a mechanical gauge to the engine before condemning it...
Also make sure base idle is OK if you still get the stalling issue after cleaning the stepper etc. - IIRC the engine should turn at about 450-500 rpm (or at least try
) when pinching the line to the stepper motor completely shut.
Also make sure base idle is OK if you still get the stalling issue after cleaning the stepper etc. - IIRC the engine should turn at about 450-500 rpm (or at least try
) when pinching the line to the stepper motor completely shut. 
PapaButch said:
Noo one day I did my oil check since I had a service, must of done over 1000 miles since. And there was less than half oil - so went to the shop and put 3litres in to keep it nice, checked today and was still full of oil. So nothing major. I think it was 5w20 oil from GSF car Parts.
I think the rocker cover may need tightening...
Thanks for all your help guys, i'll let ya know how it goes
Why have you put that in your engine? even this time of year is to low a viscosity that is for modern engines with far far tighter tolerances I think the rocker cover may need tightening...
Thanks for all your help guys, i'll let ya know how it goes
there is enough topics on PH TVR forums for you to gauge what oil to use/top up 
if you mean the oil was half way between min and max and you put in 3 litres of oil then you have now over filled your engine 
You should be running a much better oil than 5w20. at least a good 5w40 or a good 20w50. And there's zinc content to consider too. These are big performance engines, going cheap on the oil is a nonsense. I do track days and run mine on 10w60 Shell or Castrol. I am not suggesting you go that far, but the quality and grade of your oil is possibly the most important thing you can do for your car.
Use the search to read the threads on which this has been discussed in detail.
Use the search to read the threads on which this has been discussed in detail.
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