Loss of power

[mattg7]

This afternoon I was taking a friend out for a spin when all of a sudden the car lost power...

Circumstances were as follows:

Blatting it down a road, suddenly noticed a massive pot hole, slammed on the brakes (front locked up) went down the pot hole (BANG!) and then re-applied the power to find that the car was misfiring and had lost power. It was almost as if a cylinder wasn't firing.. Car sounded ok but there was no power. I should also mention at this point that whilst coasting to the end of the road after going down the pot hole there were 4-5 "ticks" that came from the engine bay.

Anyway, pulled over, stopped the engine, left it for about 5 mins - restarted it and it seemed fine after that

Had just filled up with Tesco 99 RON fuel so it can't be fuel starvation and all the dials were reading as normal. Is there a massive engine failure waiting to happen? I'm rubbish with engines and mechanics in general so any help or opinions would be appreciated. I have also recently had it looked at by Barnet TVR for another type of ticking noise which I thought could be a blown exhaust manifold to be told that it sounded completely normal, and what I was hearing whs the normal noise of an RV8 breathing and working...

[Flintstone]

Don't know about the loss of power but my last Chimaera ticked. Worried me at first and I waited for it to get worse so I could get it fixed but it never did. Ran like that for about 15,000 miles with no adverse effects.

[spend]

Could have been an HT lead shorting they make nice clicks

Dave

[mattg7]

Should I ask someone to check the HT leads then - can an HT failure cause a loss of power or any lasting damage?

[hut49]

HT failure does cause loss of power and the loss of power after the bump could be something that's loose, although you said that normal power was resumed after you turned off the engine and re-started, so a loose connection seems a tad unlikely. Nervertheless lift the bonnet and check that all the plug extenders are firmly seated on the plugs (and that one isn't lying on the exhaust - yes, it can happen!). For a cheap way to check if there's anything on the HT circuit shorting to earth go out tonight and find a dark spot and lift the bonnet - if you see any small blue-white flashes then you'll know 'summats up' and where it's at.
The other cause of the loss of power might be an earthing problem - earthing on this type of car is a problem and can be a pain. The jarring of the pot hole might have caused a transient disturbance of an earthing connection. Another source of a loss of power (though total) would be if the bump triggered the inertia fuel cut off switch.

[mattg7]

Great thanks!

Will check all the HT leads are in place before I go out today and will try to avoid pot holes in future!! A bit of a brown trouser moment though as I've only had the car 3 weeks and thought I'd bought a good one!!!!

[blueyonder]

mattg7 said:

I have also recently had it looked at by Barnet TVR for another type of ticking noise which I thought could be a blown exhaust manifold to be told that it sounded completely normal, and what I was hearing whs the normal noise of an RV8 breathing and working...

Hi Matt - I've had this ticking noise too but it comes and goes and is more than likely a sticky lifter that was detected by Leven's at it's inspection, but wasn't considered as a major problem by them. It concerns me because when it comes (usually at lower revs and idling) it is louder than it ever has been, but when I increase the revs the ticking goes David Gerald TVR thinks the oil might be too thin - Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40!

Anyway, was just wondering when Barnet TVR said your ticking was a normal noise, was it noticeably loud and does your ticking come and go?
I'm hoping that as I put some miles on, the lifter 'frees up' with use (previous owner didn't use the car very much). If not then may consider trying Wynn's 'sticky hydraulic lifter' additive, if that fails then an oil change to something a little thicker may help

Cheers

[mattg7]

The "ticking noise" that I have is not particularly loud and sounded more like a blown exhaust manifold gasket than a tapety type noise..

Barnet TVR said that there was a very slight blowing noise coming from one of the exhaust manifolds (used a stethascope type devise to listen) but that it wasn't serious and would affect the performance of the car...

Hope this helps, but as always if in doubt get it checked out!

[Andychim400]

Mine's got a bit of a tick, and has done for the last 10k miles or so.

Had the local TVR dealer and an independant Aston Martin workshop listen to it and both reckon it's prob a noisy lifter. Don't worry, just drive it was the advice! It's the other end you should be listening to

[blueyonder]

Andychim400 said:

Mine's got a bit of a tick, and has done for the last 10k miles or so.

Had the local TVR dealer and an independant Aston Martin workshop listen to it and both reckon it's prob a noisy lifter. Don't worry, just drive it was the advice! It's the other end you should be listening to

That's what Leven's and David Geralds told me....drive it and the sticking lifter should free up! I went for a blat yesterday and I didn't hear it tick at all! I think it's a case of the more you drive the RV8 engine the sweeter it runs!