what needs 2 be done?

[arthur dent]

i have just brought a 5ltr grif (95) 36000 miles. the car has only done a few hundred in last 6 months but was serviced 350 miles ago. is there anything i need 2 check or should the oil be changed? it seems 2 drive ok but has been stood in garage for a long time as owner has been away. prob sounds like a stupid question but is my first tvr and have been told(by people who have never owned one) they are always braking down.

[andyvg]

The service intervals are 6 monthly on most V8 TVR's regardless of the mileage done between services.

In your situation I would certainly have the car fully serviced (all the oils g'box, engine and diff changed etc.)

This will also serve to let you know how good the car really is.

In my experience TVR's only 'break down' when they are left in the garage - my Griff had only done 1000 miles between services before I got it - I've done nearly 3000 in the last 6 months with (touch wood) no problems.

Also don't be put off by the shock stories you'll hear about servicing there are some really reputable specialists around now that don't charge you the earth and will give you a subjective idea about what the car needs.

I find that the above reasons are the biggest causes of putting owners off driving the cars - stuff that and enjoy driving the thing (despite the weather...)

Andy


>> Edited by andyvg on Tuesday 27th August 23:37

[R6CKT]

Are you sure about servicing every 6 months ????

My service book says every 12 months or 6000 miles which ever comes first and all my other V8 TVR's have been the same don't know where you get every six months from ???

None of mine have ever broken down apart from the Speed 6 cerbie but thats another story !!!!

I would check the coolant first and oil obviously and just have a specialist give it the once over for peace of mind imho

Chim 500 99
Griff 500 96
Chim 400 98
Cerbie sp6 99

>> Edited by R6CKT on Wednesday 28th August 09:00

[RichB]

Ok first let's dispell the "TVR's are always breaking down" myth. You hear more about the breakdowns than the happy owners, human nature, people want advice, people like to tell a story, people like to moan, people don't often shout "Hey went for a great drive - car didn't break down"!
Second the service interval for the V8 TVR's is 12 months and/or 6,000 miles. If it was serviced a few miles ago there is now point in changing the oil. What else to do? Well I suggest it's the detail stuff that ALL dealers/service agents forget to do! Like, oil/grease the throttle cable both ends and check it isn't frayed, they have a habit of snapping! Do a check to ensure your fan/fans(?)is working, open the bonnet start it up and let it get v-hot, fan should kick in at around 95 deg. Check water level, half way up swirl tank. Get some grease on the steering column U/J's, most service guys just whack a bit of spray grease on these and it is not good enough, give them a good grease up! What else? Not much, check the brake pads to see if there is much left on them. Then go out and enjoy it! Rich...

[chibbard]

I just wanted to agree with regards to the throttle cable. I owned a Griff 500 for over three years. Three weeks after purchase the throttle cable snapped. The embarrasing thing was the fact it was my wife's first time as a passanger in the car and she said "are you sure it won't break down on the journey between Essex and Oxford" Severe ear bashing followed on the hardshoulder of the M40.

[simpo one]

Excellent advice from RichB.

[andyvg]

ok - stand corrected - I read the handbook for the first time and it does say 12 months or 6000 miles, however I get all my other cars serviced 6 monthly so thats where I was getting confused.....

[kevinday]

quote:
ok - stand corrected - I read the handbook for the first time and it does say 12 months or 6000 miles, however I get all my other cars serviced 6 monthly so thats where I was getting confused.....

6,000 miles should be in 6 months anyway, or you are not enjoying the car enough

[simon.b]

My Griff in particular is just like my wife and doesn’t like being ignored, you need to keep on top of all the little problems so they don’t develop into big ones (oooh sounds a bit iffy).

Remember there’s no such thing as a stupid question regarding a TVR and that’s what were all here for so welcome to the fold.

Cheers,

Simon.

[jamesk]

Indeed. If you got a good one (and I'm sure you have) it will be as reliable as any other car you've owned in my experience. Best bet, and without plugging the guy too much , by far the best investment you could make with your new car is to buy Steve's bible on Griffs/Chimps (Steve Heath).

In all seriousness it is a must have for all owners imo.

[mel]

One thing I would change is the fan belt as if they've been stood standing for a while the rubber has a tendancy to perish then it's break down time at the most inoportune moment. It will be £10 well spent, better still get two and leave the other in the boot, combined with a 2" bit of wire with a male spade connector on each end should cover most breakdowns.

>> Edited by mel on Wednesday 28th August 17:40

[arthur dent]

thanks to everyone for the advice. sounds like i've got some work to do this weekend. the bible sounds handy where can i get hold of a copy? car is fantastic i'm glad i didn't listen to the pub talk about the car braking every five minutes. my brother said i would be better off with a porsche! he must have been adopted

[Leadfoot]

The work on RichB's list (good list) will take you 1/2 hour. Sounds more complicated than it is. Worth taking the time for a good look around to familiarise yourself with the car whilst you're at it tho'.