So the Griff failed it's MOT!!
Discussion
It happens, odd little things that get missed but mine was the nearside front rubber brake hose which has cracks along the length of it! Tester said, quite rightly in my opinion, that it is a definite fail point on safety grounds and with the stringent monitoring of test stations by VOSA Inspectors he could not let it through. All of which I accept readily as being in my best interest, he will get a re-test fee out of it! I've been put out a bit and have therefore ordered a new set of braided hose from the good guys at TVRCARPARTS, so what is the point of this rant
I have just had the car back from a 12,000 mile service by a TVR expert having shelled out very close to a grand for the service plus some other work and,whilst he was aware of this cracking he failed to advise me of the problem, his view is that it is down to the interpretation of the tester and servicing TVRs is expensive and to keep adding to the bill ........blah, blah!
FFS this is a brake hose that is badly cracked and he didn't advise me!!!
Oh and the boot over the steering arm had no clip or tywrap on the outboard end, the tester fitted one for me! the excuse there was, well, they have the steering checked each time they are serviced and it gets removed etc etc............and it takes 5 seconds to put a new one on!!!
When I picked the car up the temperature gauge didn't work, yet it had been roadtested!! so I had to delve in the behind the distributor to connect it, hang on a minute, I've just paid almost £1000 of my hard earned for this expertise and for it I get profuse apologies and a promise to knock something off the labour next time it has work done!!!!!
Well that won't happen, I'll use the little garage down the road who has f_ck all TVR knowledge but has bags of genuine ability, is conscientious and who if he makes a mistake will do everything possible to sort it out.
The best solution is spend £35 on a MOT, let them find the problems and then take it to someone you can trust, to sort out the problems.
Don't ask me to name and shame on here, cos' I'm not that much of a sh_t, but I will reply to PMs
PS, it is no one to the North, East or West of my location.
One highly p-ssed off mug!
And breathe in 5,6,7
YB
PPS, Do I have too high an expectation?
I have just had the car back from a 12,000 mile service by a TVR expert having shelled out very close to a grand for the service plus some other work and,whilst he was aware of this cracking he failed to advise me of the problem, his view is that it is down to the interpretation of the tester and servicing TVRs is expensive and to keep adding to the bill ........blah, blah!
FFS this is a brake hose that is badly cracked and he didn't advise me!!!
Oh and the boot over the steering arm had no clip or tywrap on the outboard end, the tester fitted one for me! the excuse there was, well, they have the steering checked each time they are serviced and it gets removed etc etc............and it takes 5 seconds to put a new one on!!!
When I picked the car up the temperature gauge didn't work, yet it had been roadtested!! so I had to delve in the behind the distributor to connect it, hang on a minute, I've just paid almost £1000 of my hard earned for this expertise and for it I get profuse apologies and a promise to knock something off the labour next time it has work done!!!!!
Well that won't happen, I'll use the little garage down the road who has f_ck all TVR knowledge but has bags of genuine ability, is conscientious and who if he makes a mistake will do everything possible to sort it out.
The best solution is spend £35 on a MOT, let them find the problems and then take it to someone you can trust, to sort out the problems.
Don't ask me to name and shame on here, cos' I'm not that much of a sh_t, but I will reply to PMs
PS, it is no one to the North, East or West of my location.
One highly p-ssed off mug!
And breathe in 5,6,7
YB
PPS, Do I have too high an expectation?
No, i don't think you do. You should be advised of faults even if they don't fix them.
One thing I would say, if you are going to go to a non-TVR garage, give him a copy of the service schedule so that he knows what should be done. There are things you do on a TVR that you wouldn't bother with on a normal car (like torquing prop bolts).
One thing I would say, if you are going to go to a non-TVR garage, give him a copy of the service schedule so that he knows what should be done. There are things you do on a TVR that you wouldn't bother with on a normal car (like torquing prop bolts).
It's exactly these experiences that I had with so called TVR experts.
Maindealer - I'm 115 leptons when huge amounts of I'll smoke and oil start coming out of engine bay. I immediately turn it off, take my luck with a single dab of the brakes and get it recovered to said main dealer. They advise me there's a 2 inch gash in the side of the oil filter. I ask them to check the main crank pulley bolt. Collect car next day, lot's of assuranes and head off to a mates before going onto track day next day. At J18 of the M1 the alternator light comes on and so I pull over to discover - guess what - the crank pulley has nearly fallen off. So missed night out, track day, cost of initial fix etc etc
Simply none of them will look after your car as well as you will.
I get fed up with posts of 'thanks for an excellent service from x x x garage' - do these posters check that the diff breather has been inspected, that the brake lines are up to spec etc etc . . . The good service tag appears to come from nothing more than a good price and a smile.
Another experience of the previous main dealer, another main dealer and an independent expert was the diff oil. The filler has a metal tamper proof tag to precent it coming undone too easily. It also neatly shows that in the previous services not one on of them had ever topped it up let alone changed it until I did it.
That's why I simply refuse to let any of them near my car. I use RV8 engine specialists for the gine work if I need it, I use bodyshops for that work if needed and I'll let Steve Guglielmi's guys set up the geometry, but nothing else will get touched by the rest of the TVR experts.
Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done.
Maindealer - I'm 115 leptons when huge amounts of I'll smoke and oil start coming out of engine bay. I immediately turn it off, take my luck with a single dab of the brakes and get it recovered to said main dealer. They advise me there's a 2 inch gash in the side of the oil filter. I ask them to check the main crank pulley bolt. Collect car next day, lot's of assuranes and head off to a mates before going onto track day next day. At J18 of the M1 the alternator light comes on and so I pull over to discover - guess what - the crank pulley has nearly fallen off. So missed night out, track day, cost of initial fix etc etc
Simply none of them will look after your car as well as you will.
I get fed up with posts of 'thanks for an excellent service from x x x garage' - do these posters check that the diff breather has been inspected, that the brake lines are up to spec etc etc . . . The good service tag appears to come from nothing more than a good price and a smile.
Another experience of the previous main dealer, another main dealer and an independent expert was the diff oil. The filler has a metal tamper proof tag to precent it coming undone too easily. It also neatly shows that in the previous services not one on of them had ever topped it up let alone changed it until I did it.
That's why I simply refuse to let any of them near my car. I use RV8 engine specialists for the gine work if I need it, I use bodyshops for that work if needed and I'll let Steve Guglielmi's guys set up the geometry, but nothing else will get touched by the rest of the TVR experts.
Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done.
Johno said:
...Simply none of them will look after your car as well as you will...
...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
You clearly have no idea how limited my skills, ability, knowledge, facilities, toolbox, etc. are. You'd be better off taking a TVR to the bloke who cleans your car in the ASDA car park than me. ...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
General servicing on a RV8 TVR is straight forward. Learning the steps and what to look for is the trick. The benefit is knowing your car intimately - ooeerr - and therefore understanding what an issue may be connected with etc . .
A 6000 mile interval service is easily done in a day for a novice mechanic with parts available from any motor factors. For an accomplished mechanic it's less than 4hrs. It's only when you find a problem that the deeper experise come into play.
Some Indies seem to want the car for 2days for a 6k service and the average price I see (not looked recently) is about £500 to effectively change the oil, plugs, rotor arm, cap, top up fluids and check everything is done up . . .
If you read the TVR service booklet for what should be done versus what I'm suggesting actually gets done I believe there'll be a big difference.
I do appreciate garages have to make a profit, you pay for experience and there are differing standards between them. Also not everyone has the knowledge, skills, confidence or time to do it themselves.
As ever these are my own experiences/opinions and observations.
A 6000 mile interval service is easily done in a day for a novice mechanic with parts available from any motor factors. For an accomplished mechanic it's less than 4hrs. It's only when you find a problem that the deeper experise come into play.
Some Indies seem to want the car for 2days for a 6k service and the average price I see (not looked recently) is about £500 to effectively change the oil, plugs, rotor arm, cap, top up fluids and check everything is done up . . .
If you read the TVR service booklet for what should be done versus what I'm suggesting actually gets done I believe there'll be a big difference.
I do appreciate garages have to make a profit, you pay for experience and there are differing standards between them. Also not everyone has the knowledge, skills, confidence or time to do it themselves.
As ever these are my own experiences/opinions and observations.
Quinny said:
I'm actually quite proud of the fact, that during my ownership, my Griff has never been to a TVR "Expert"....
It has had the odd job done at a normal but conciencious garage, when I wasn't to well... But thats it..
Its my 10th year of ownership this year..And my car has never failed an MOT, and never recieved an advisory..
The funny thing is, there are folk out there that wouldn't want to buy it, cos it hasn't got a full TVRSH
Personally I wouldn't touch one with FTVRSH
I agree the only job that I have sent the car to the TVR dealer/specialist is for the geometry setting. Having said that the RV8 engine is a fairly simple engine to work on especially with PH forum as back up. Not so sure I would want to tackle a speed 6 though. It has had the odd job done at a normal but conciencious garage, when I wasn't to well... But thats it..
Its my 10th year of ownership this year..And my car has never failed an MOT, and never recieved an advisory..
The funny thing is, there are folk out there that wouldn't want to buy it, cos it hasn't got a full TVRSH
Personally I wouldn't touch one with FTVRSH
I think that half the pleasure of owning the car is tinkering and learning how it works but it can get a little OCD at times
Chris
daveb, it's a good point about using the service schedule especially as I know the guy at our local garage and his ability, we've known him for 30+ years and he will always question things with me if there is a doubt.
Johno, I will do more of the normal work myself including changing the brake hoses this week-end, but I take your well made point and agree with your feelings, we all have to learn sometime!
Quinny, you are a star with your vids, I love looking at what you've been up to and they are a great reference source.
Unlike Lord G I do have a mechanical background and have worked on race and rally cars up to F3 so it will mean dusting off the Snap-On box and getting me hands dirty!!!
Just thinking about it, for not much more than that service I could have bought a 4 post ramp.
YB
Johno, I will do more of the normal work myself including changing the brake hoses this week-end, but I take your well made point and agree with your feelings, we all have to learn sometime!
Quinny, you are a star with your vids, I love looking at what you've been up to and they are a great reference source.
Unlike Lord G I do have a mechanical background and have worked on race and rally cars up to F3 so it will mean dusting off the Snap-On box and getting me hands dirty!!!
Just thinking about it, for not much more than that service I could have bought a 4 post ramp.
YB
LordGrover said:
Johno said:
...Simply none of them will look after your car as well as you will...
...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
You clearly have no idea how limited my skills, ability, knowledge, facilities, toolbox, etc. are. You'd be better off taking a TVR to the bloke who cleans your car in the ASDA car park than me. ...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
Quinny said:
YB..... You've got Snap On Tools
...
To be honest, the ramp takes the backbreaking out of pretty much any job, even cleaning...
But for many people... Its "time" thats the issue.. But like Johno says, theirs no reason why someone who can hold a spanner, can't do the basics in 1 day.or so...
And if you think about it, for the type of mileages most of us do, a basic service just before the summer, and a bit of a more thorough going over in the winter, should keep these cars sweet..
LOL, yeah Snap-On, including the big red top box but like me they are all pretty ancient ...To be honest, the ramp takes the backbreaking out of pretty much any job, even cleaning...
But for many people... Its "time" thats the issue.. But like Johno says, theirs no reason why someone who can hold a spanner, can't do the basics in 1 day.or so...
And if you think about it, for the type of mileages most of us do, a basic service just before the summer, and a bit of a more thorough going over in the winter, should keep these cars sweet..
You right about finding the time, but really I need to make time as I also have the S3 too, it needs a good refurb, heads off, valve stem oil seals and a respray! Oh well sat here ain't getting it done!!
Cheers
YB
LordGrover said:
Johno said:
...Simply none of them will look after your car as well as you will...
...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
You clearly have no idea how limited my skills, ability, knowledge, facilities, toolbox, etc. are. You'd be better off taking a TVR to the bloke who cleans your car in the ASDA car park than me. ...Do it yourself, it's a LOT cheaper and you know it's been done...
Guys
If you know one end of a spanner from the other you can do a full service yourself. You dont get the stamp in the book but you do get piece of mind and save money and get to know your car. Follow the attached link from Derek Smith, it is a superb free resource for the wanna be mechanics like me (Hail Derek)
http://www.rv8r.co.uk/page96.html
Anything else you want to know just post - longest I have waiting for help is less than 24 hours - pistonheads and TVR CC website are both fantastic places for support and advice, use it! Anyway cant stop - still trying to get that F***ing fill plug back in the diff!!!!!!!!!!
Ian
If you know one end of a spanner from the other you can do a full service yourself. You dont get the stamp in the book but you do get piece of mind and save money and get to know your car. Follow the attached link from Derek Smith, it is a superb free resource for the wanna be mechanics like me (Hail Derek)
http://www.rv8r.co.uk/page96.html
Anything else you want to know just post - longest I have waiting for help is less than 24 hours - pistonheads and TVR CC website are both fantastic places for support and advice, use it! Anyway cant stop - still trying to get that F***ing fill plug back in the diff!!!!!!!!!!
Ian
Thanks Quinny, it is bloody spectacular, like you I just marvel at what they were able to acheive.
As for the unfenced side drop, here's a piccie from my flickr set, I was driving a 65ft narrow boat, while taking the shot on a P&S and dealing with a crosswind that was bouncing the bow off the walkway and the stern off the side of the tank. That was scary, it is a 126ft drop to the river below but well worth the visit. A lovely part of the countryside.......but I hate narrowboats!!!
Err is it possible to hijack one's own thread, if so I've just done it?
YB
As for the unfenced side drop, here's a piccie from my flickr set, I was driving a 65ft narrow boat, while taking the shot on a P&S and dealing with a crosswind that was bouncing the bow off the walkway and the stern off the side of the tank. That was scary, it is a 126ft drop to the river below but well worth the visit. A lovely part of the countryside.......but I hate narrowboats!!!
Err is it possible to hijack one's own thread, if so I've just done it?
YB
Edited by Yellabelly on Tuesday 13th April 20:47
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