A few niggles - or serious?
Discussion
All,
I am attempting to get 'back in the TVR saddle' after a few years absent and this weekend I had some interesting viewings of prospective secondhand cars. The one I like best is a decent 97 4.5 Chim, but there ara few worrying things that I would appreciate comment on.
1) There is an oil leak, I think from both rocker covers and I think it has probably been brought about by an overfill of oil. I took the oil filler cap off whilst the car was running and it didn't change a note. It sems the oile seeps out and into the small lip on the rocker cover, then to be pushed backward when the car moves. It drips downward and on to the floor. Apparently its been leaking for a while but isn't a concern for the owner. I am a bit worried about it and would like to have it attended to if I go for the car. Any one know how much it would cost to replace both gaskets? Could it be that 0W oil is getting through the gasket barrier because it is so thin?
2) Surface rust (I think) on the chassis. Some of it is very bobbly. Could probably be wirebrushed and painted. I have read a few posts here on the subject and it just seems tiresome to do. I don't have a particularly good garage (no electricity etc). Are there people around who do this sort of work for a living? How much?!
3)A bit of lamination on the windscreen, ingressing about 2 inches in a 'flower' pattern....how long before it 'goes'?
Any help appreciated.
Rgds, Big Brin
I am attempting to get 'back in the TVR saddle' after a few years absent and this weekend I had some interesting viewings of prospective secondhand cars. The one I like best is a decent 97 4.5 Chim, but there ara few worrying things that I would appreciate comment on.
1) There is an oil leak, I think from both rocker covers and I think it has probably been brought about by an overfill of oil. I took the oil filler cap off whilst the car was running and it didn't change a note. It sems the oile seeps out and into the small lip on the rocker cover, then to be pushed backward when the car moves. It drips downward and on to the floor. Apparently its been leaking for a while but isn't a concern for the owner. I am a bit worried about it and would like to have it attended to if I go for the car. Any one know how much it would cost to replace both gaskets? Could it be that 0W oil is getting through the gasket barrier because it is so thin?
2) Surface rust (I think) on the chassis. Some of it is very bobbly. Could probably be wirebrushed and painted. I have read a few posts here on the subject and it just seems tiresome to do. I don't have a particularly good garage (no electricity etc). Are there people around who do this sort of work for a living? How much?!
3)A bit of lamination on the windscreen, ingressing about 2 inches in a 'flower' pattern....how long before it 'goes'?
Any help appreciated.
Rgds, Big Brin
Big Brin said:
All,
I am attempting to get 'back in the TVR saddle' after a few years absent and this weekend I had some interesting viewings of prospective secondhand cars. The one I like best is a decent 97 4.5 Chim, but there ara few worrying things that I would appreciate comment on.
1) There is an oil leak, I think from both rocker covers and I think it has probably been brought about by an overfill of oil. I took the oil filler cap off whilst the car was running and it didn't change a note. It sems the oile seeps out and into the small lip on the rocker cover, then to be pushed backward when the car moves. It drips downward and on to the floor. Apparently its been leaking for a while but isn't a concern for the owner. I am a bit worried about it and would like to have it attended to if I go for the car. Any one know how much it would cost to replace both gaskets? Could it be that 0W oil is getting through the gasket barrier because it is so thin?
2) Surface rust (I think) on the chassis. Some of it is very bobbly. Could probably be wirebrushed and painted. I have read a few posts here on the subject and it just seems tiresome to do. I don't have a particularly good garage (no electricity etc). Are there people around who do this sort of work for a living? How much?!
3)A bit of lamination on the windscreen, ingressing about 2 inches in a 'flower' pattern....how long before it 'goes'?
Any help appreciated.
Rgds, Big Brin
Get it checked by a TVR garage.
Engine problems--if in doubt chuck it out.--save your quids till the right one comes along.
Getting the chasis done was my first job on my 97 Chim.
Cost £40 exc. from Horizon Motorsport in the West Midlands and the guy took the exhaust off and sprayed the whole lot. However, it took the oil pressure gauge a few days to get back to normal.
For that kind of money I wasn't going to tackle it.
Cost £40 exc. from Horizon Motorsport in the West Midlands and the guy took the exhaust off and sprayed the whole lot. However, it took the oil pressure gauge a few days to get back to normal.
For that kind of money I wasn't going to tackle it.
Delamination is common and shouldn't extend far enough to be a problem unless you are in the habit of leaving it outside over winter.
Rocker cover leak, you can get disposable cork seals for a couple of quid or reusable rubber ones for £15 or so. It's possible this is the symptom of a blocked breather so if I were you I'd take the breather hoses off and check they are all clear.
Rocker cover leak, you can get disposable cork seals for a couple of quid or reusable rubber ones for £15 or so. It's possible this is the symptom of a blocked breather so if I were you I'd take the breather hoses off and check they are all clear.
Rocker cover leak - when the rocker cover gaskets went on mine, the valley gasket went within 5000 miles, a bit more work to change that one so maybe budget it in.
Having said that, if the power fluid steering resovoir is leaking where the pipe goes in the bottom it can run round the rocker cover as you describe and look like engine oil dripping.
My screen has had a little milky delamination for 2.5 years now, still going strong.
Having said that, if the power fluid steering resovoir is leaking where the pipe goes in the bottom it can run round the rocker cover as you describe and look like engine oil dripping.
My screen has had a little milky delamination for 2.5 years now, still going strong.
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