Discussion
Just introducing myself to the community. I have just purchased a 400 HC Chimaera and it has what appears to be a misfire, I have ordered some plugs and leads hoping that will cure it.
The car starts shunting below 1500 revs at higher revs(3000) it seems to clear itself and to run on all eight. Any ideas if the above remedial work does not work? because I thought if it was faulty plugs and leads the misfire would be apparent at higher revs as well
The car also smells very fuelly on start up
I am very impressed with the Forum some very enthusiastic and knowledgeable people on here
The car starts shunting below 1500 revs at higher revs(3000) it seems to clear itself and to run on all eight. Any ideas if the above remedial work does not work? because I thought if it was faulty plugs and leads the misfire would be apparent at higher revs as well
The car also smells very fuelly on start up
I am very impressed with the Forum some very enthusiastic and knowledgeable people on here
Hi Phil, welcome aboard! 
While you're waiting for your plugs and leads to arrive, you could have a look at the condition of the distributor cap and rotor arm.
Also, while it is dark, start the engine and have a look to see if you can see any arcing from the HT leads.
Have you checked all the leads to see if you can confirm a misfire/no spark on any particular cylinder?
Hope this helps,
Ged
While you're waiting for your plugs and leads to arrive, you could have a look at the condition of the distributor cap and rotor arm.
Also, while it is dark, start the engine and have a look to see if you can see any arcing from the HT leads.
Have you checked all the leads to see if you can confirm a misfire/no spark on any particular cylinder?
Hope this helps,
Ged
You could do the cable-tie test on the outlet manifolds:
Run the engine to warm, then touch a cable tie to each manifold - without touching it yourself.
If it melts, its hot and the cylinder is firing. If it doesn't, there is no combustion in that cylinder and you need to investigate further.
Rich
Run the engine to warm, then touch a cable tie to each manifold - without touching it yourself.
If it melts, its hot and the cylinder is firing. If it doesn't, there is no combustion in that cylinder and you need to investigate further.
Rich
phazed said:
QBee said:
In my case a new set of plug extenders solved the problem
EFAStill one short.......
Brand new set fitted March 1st.
First failure was an extender that didn't grip the spark plug. Replaced.
Second failure was an extender that was electrically dead (causing the misfire at Curborough). Replaced with a used one
Third failure was the used one - tracking, so removed.
Replacement sent by supplier for second failure.
Fourth failure was the replacement - I put it on and it clearly wasn't clipping onto the plug, or any other plug for that matter.
All I want is eight working plug extenders. Is it too much to ask?
Why dont you do away with them and eliminate the problem?
A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
ch427 said:
Why dont you do away with them and eliminate the problem?
A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
Very tempted - ceramic leads have been suggested.A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
QBee said:
ch427 said:
Why dont you do away with them and eliminate the problem?
A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
Very tempted - ceramic leads have been suggested.A good quality set of leads should not be affected too much by the heat, i used a set of taylor 8mm make your own leads on a ford 302 with stainless headers, the plug ends were almost touching the manifolds with no issues in 5 years.
For additional protection I sleeved the plug ends in MSD Pro-Boot Guard & finally popped a DEI Titanium Protect-A-Boot over the whole lot.
You can read about it here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Probably overkill if I'm honest but this system totally removes the need for plug extenders which are ultimately another point of failure.
I also recommend getting shot of the the unsuitable shrouded NGK B7ECS spark plugs used by TVR, switch to the projected electrode NGK BPR6ES or better still NGK BPR6EIX iridiums.
Immediately after fitting these plugs (still on 14CUX & distributor at the time) I enjoyed a noticeably smoother idle, better cold starting, and a smoother drive at lower RPMs.
Read about the plug switch here in my 2012 post when my pre-gas name was ChimpOfDarkness:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a...
Decent spark plugs, quality HT leads with no extenders, and removal of the big catalytic converter which made my engine hunt at idle all combined to transform the way my Chimaera drives.
Finally it's good practice to fit a new good quality distributor cap, a Bosch brand coil from any Range Rover parts specialist, a new/old stock genuine Lucas rotor arm (or red one from The Distributor Doctor) and set/adjust your timing with a decent dynamic strobe.
After that lot I guarantee you she'll purr like a kitten
These are the leads i used without issue, not sure if the 90 ends would fit the tvr engine though.
http://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/index.php?route=produ...
http://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/index.php?route=produ...
Success on the misfire
As suggested looked for which header was running cool using an infra red temp. gun and found a burnt HT lead boot and wobbly extender
Robbed a lead of my Mustang no misfire
Will try to do away with extenders though. Thanks for all the very helpfull replys and welcome
glad to be aboard
As suggested looked for which header was running cool using an infra red temp. gun and found a burnt HT lead boot and wobbly extenderRobbed a lead of my Mustang no misfire
Will try to do away with extenders though. Thanks for all the very helpfull replys and welcome glad to be aboard QBee said:
Progress update.
Still one short.......
Brand new set fitted March 1st.
First failure was an extender that didn't grip the spark plug. Replaced.
Second failure was an extender that was electrically dead (causing the misfire at Curborough). Replaced with a used one
Third failure was the used one - tracking, so removed.
Replacement sent by supplier for second failure.
Fourth failure was the replacement - I put it on and it clearly wasn't clipping onto the plug, or any other plug for that matter.
All I want is eight working plug extenders. Is it too much to ask?
To save others suffering the same issue it would be worth stating which manufacturer's plug extenders you bought that were so poor. Still one short.......
Brand new set fitted March 1st.
First failure was an extender that didn't grip the spark plug. Replaced.
Second failure was an extender that was electrically dead (causing the misfire at Curborough). Replaced with a used one
Third failure was the used one - tracking, so removed.
Replacement sent by supplier for second failure.
Fourth failure was the replacement - I put it on and it clearly wasn't clipping onto the plug, or any other plug for that matter.
All I want is eight working plug extenders. Is it too much to ask?
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