Overheating... at last!

[LordGrover]

Y'know... I was beginning to think all this "TVRs are unreliable" malarky was just a line to draw you in - but it's true! I thought I'd never get to join the club. It's taken two months and eleven days, but my Griff overheated today! Yay!
80 miles down to Cullompton, no probs... 70 miles back no probs... decided to leave the M5 early so I could enjoy proper roads and got stuck in traffic. The needle crept up into the red - my first proper breakdown! A quick glance under the bonnet - no fans. So long as I could keep moving it was ok, so after a rather circuitous route avoiding any possible hold-ups to arrive at motor parts shop to purchase a small selection of fuses. After fifteen or twenty minutes trying different fuses in the N/S footwell I couldn't find one blown (didn't have bible with me - mental note: keep in motor). Soon spotted an in-line fuse tied to a crossmember - the plastic had melted and the fusey-bit was corroded. Out with the old and in with the new - now I are an mechanic! I fixed me broken car!
Clearly, I've had to install a fresh tank of V-Power so that I can give this new fuse a good test run - see you in an hour or three.

[clive f]

welcome to the brealdown clubout of interest, which cross member had the fuse taped to it?

[GJR]

This happened to me once....

Left my parents place in Wiltshire for an hour and a half drive to Portsmouth. Went to beep my horn as I came off of their drive, but there was no horn !!

It was dark so I figured I'd fix it the next morning at home and went on my way. No problems or indication of overheating on the way home. At the other end... got out the car to open the garage door and a torrent of steam poured from under the bonnet.

So lesson was learned.... on my car at least, the fuse that controls the horn also controls the fans!!! Always kept some spares in the car from then on.

G

[LordGrover]

clive f said:

welcome to the brealdown clubout of interest, which cross member had the fuse taped to it?

Alright, so it wasn't a cross member - d'oh! I am working with a failing memory! It's the ARB (I think...)

Edited by LordGrover on Tuesday 27th March 15:01

[that daddy]

You really need to tidy up that wiring you got going there,i would not suggest putting any wires around the roll bar(its constantly moving and twisting)even though the bar is not earthed you are asking for broken wires and breakdowns

[Pasco]

LordGrover said:

[quote=clive f]welcome to the brealdown clubout of interest, which cross member had the fuse taped to it?

Alright, so it wasn't a cross member - d'oh! I am working with a failing memory! It's the ARB (I think...)



Where did you get the mans and cat replacement pipe from mate?
I realise its a pre cat but that is not the factory junk

Paul

Edited by Pasco on Sunday 25th March 18:14

Edited by Pasco on Tuesday 27th March 15:51

[LordGrover]

Pasco said:

Where did you get the mans and cat replacement pipe from mate?
I realise its a pre cat but that is not the factory junk

Paul

Courtesy of previous owner:
August 2005 from Peninsula-TVR;
1 off Y-piece @ £93.34 each +VAT
2 off stainless steel manifolds @ £228.34 each +VAT

[Pasco]

Thanks Ian most kind

[burriana]

Might be a daft question Ian ... but is that a welded on plate with your VIN No on?

[Griffter]

Reminds me of the fans relay someone had installed on my car. They'd screwed it to the expansion tank mounting plate. Unsurprisingly, it melted...but remarkable kept working! Until I replaced it, properly.

[Lord Grover]

burriana said:

Might be a daft question Ian ... but is that a welded on plate with your VIN No on?

I'd not even noticed before... will have a closer look at the weekend. I have bills, receipts, MOTs, etc. going back to day one, plus an HPI check, so I'd be surprised if it's an issue - but you've got me thinking now...

[burriana]

It's a TVR Ian, could be nothing, just stood out like a sore thumb. Even in the 911 it didn't have a second vin No stamped where it should ... but apparently loads of them got "forgotten" to do!

[Griffter]

Most Griffs seem to have the chassis plate welded to the removable cross-member. Which of course means the chassis is 'transferable' between cars!! I have seen photos of them welded to the front cross-member as in LG's car though. Just fewer of them.

[burriana]

Both my Griffs had had the No stamped into the front cross member over on the top driver's side.

[LordGrover]

that daddy said:

You really need to tidy up that wiring you got going there,i would not suggest putting any wires around the roll bar(its constantly moving and twisting)even though the bar is not earthed you are asking for broken wires and breakdowns

It's better than that... you can just make out the wire crossing the oil filter on it's way to the coil! The other end then goes just under the exhaust manifold on it's way to the otter switch.
I can't imagine what was in the mind of whoever did it, but it shall be remedied ASAP.

[richb]

Griffter said:

Most Griffs seem to have the chassis plate welded to the removable cross-member.

Out of interest which bit are you calling the "removable" cross-member?

[97octane]

LordGrover said:

clive f said:

welcome to the brealdown clubout of interest, which cross member had the fuse taped to it?

Alright, so it wasn't a cross member - d'oh! I am working with a failing memory! It's the ARB (I think...)

Edited by LordGrover on Tuesday 27th March 15:01

Oh, and nice crotch bulge, by the way!!!

Had my first breakdown in the Griff today. I took the roof off, started the engine, blipped the throttle and..... sudden total failure of everything - engine and all electricals, including the clock!

Hmm, then first impulse - check electrics, look for battery and bingo! Main live cable disconnected from battery terminal... never heard of that before. Quick and again.

I've joined the club! (Not bad for 21 months of ownership)

[Griffter]

richb said:

Griffter said:

Most Griffs seem to have the chassis plate welded to the removable cross-member.

Out of interest which bit are you calling the "removable" cross-member?

The square section cross piece which bolts between the two front suspension top mounts, behind the exhaust manifold. It's removable to allow camshaft change with the engine in place. It's mostly hidden by the Y piece in LG's photo, but is just visible in front of the front pulley.

Edited by Griffter on Wednesday 28th March 07:34

[richb]

Griffter said:

richb said:

Griffter said:

Most Griffs seem to have the chassis plate welded to the removable cross-member.

Out of interest which bit are you calling the "removable" cross-member?

The square section cross piece which bolts between the two front suspension top mounts, behind the exhaust manifold.

Sure looks like it's welded to the round section top-rails to me I must have a proper look at mine when I get home.

[intune]

LG, I think you may find that early 4x Griffs had inconsistent chassis number detailing and that your is very original, here is another two vehicles with the same arrangement.