V8 starting problem

[JimexPL]

Does anyone here have a problem starting their RV8 when the engine is very warm e.g. off roading?
I had to get a tow start on a particularily muddy lane today...
I have tubular manifolds which are close to the starter motor, but they do have exhaust wrap on.

What's the solution?

[Steve_D]

Your reference to hot pipes beside the starter perhaps implies it did not even turn over. I doubt that is the case but some more detail is required.

Steve

[BIG DUNC]

Definately more detail is required.
However, for your info, my first TVR had manifolds that were so close to the started motor you could not get a rizla paper between them. When hot, it turned over much slower than when cold.
Occasionaly on track days, if it stopped when very hot ( say I stalled it after a spin ), it would refuse to restart and needed a push or a tow.
For normal road use, it was fine.

[eliot]

had same issue, also had tublar header and also had heat wrap on them.
Made it better (not solved) by smashing the tubes flatter in that area (only a little) and fitting an ally heat shield.

[JimexPL]

It wouldn't turn over, so we had to tow start the car. By the time I had driven home (30 minutes 30-70mph) it turned over and fired perfectly.

I was trying to work out if the battery is past it's best, or if the heat of the maniflds affects the starter motor. I cannot move the manifolds as there is very little clearance between the chassis rails.

[Ledaig]

I've also got wrapped tubular manifolds on mine (3.9 Discovery), and haven't yet got around to re-fitting the heat shield for the starter motor.

No problems starting here under any conditions and it's been like this since around February.

HTH

[ruaricoles]

The "hot start" issue is reasonably common on RV8 TVRs, even when the manifold isn't as close as the previous poster's. Apparently one fix is to dismantle the starter relay and file/sand the sliding shaft slightly so when it expands with the heat it's less likely to stick. I've never done it mind, but I'm sure a search on the TVR section here will bring up lots of related threads. Hope that helps!

Ruari

[Bartell]

JimexPL said:

It wouldn't turn over, so we had to tow start the car. By the time I had driven home (30 minutes 30-70mph) it turned over and fired perfectly.

I was trying to work out if the battery is past it's best, or if the heat of the maniflds affects the starter motor. I cannot move the manifolds as there is very little clearance between the chassis rails.

Motors, (whether they are a V8 engine or a starter) have to work harder to turn when hot. Their metal has expanded and more energy is needed. A hot engine start will draw more current and expose more weaknesses.

First test you should try is taking the voltage at the starter;

1. with a cold start

2. with a hot start when your starter is giving you problems.

This will determine whether the issue is simply an iffy earth. If not, we can go on from there.

By the way, if one is looking to cool their engine bay temperatures and improve their exhaust speed, all metal heat shields are of doubtful value. Exhaust wraps can help but are unsightly and encourage speedy corrosion.

Ceramic coating is certainly the best solution, done professionally. Sandblasted inside and out. Multiple coats inside and out. Very common process Downunder and NA. Excellent results.

James