Rebuild Advice?
Discussion
I have just found out my 2000 Tuscan has a worn follower, and needs the full engine rebuild - its done 18k, and was totally unware of this problem until it was in HL Gorner for some electricals..
Anyway, any helpful advice on the best place to go, would be appreciated (i am loathed to go to the dealer/factory as they are so bleeding arrogant about it)?
Also has anyone ever taken legal action to recover the cost of this, it would seem that there must be a claim here somewhere?
Cheers
Keith
>> Edited by 565jkr on Monday 3rd October 15:41
Anyway, any helpful advice on the best place to go, would be appreciated (i am loathed to go to the dealer/factory as they are so bleeding arrogant about it)?
Also has anyone ever taken legal action to recover the cost of this, it would seem that there must be a claim here somewhere?
Cheers
Keith
>> Edited by 565jkr on Monday 3rd October 15:41
Keith Hi,
I feel for you, its a sad day when it happens for sure.
This is the part that has worn in your engine.
They cost £10.58 Each + VAT from TVR Gear.
The trouble is, the engine needs to be dropped from under the car, as the timing chain cover can't be removed while its in place. It needs about 3cm to get the crank damper off, but it hits the chassis.
You might get away with an (un-recommended by me) "quick fix". If you drop the engine a little to get the damper off remove the chain cover. Extract the follower shaft. and replace the faulty "cheese finger"
I am not sure how long it would last, and certainly wouldn't recomend it.
Pretty sure though TVR's attitude would be "that'll do it" based upon the rebuild repeats...
Anyhow! Here's the best approach
It would be worth taking the head off to investigate the fault, which almost certainly will be the valve guides are starting to drag, so they will need replacing anyhow. It gets expensive here on in, but you can trust a good engine builder to make the modifications for you, and get some satisfaction that you will have a better stronger engine when its done!
I would recommend Austec Racing.
Austec Racing
Unit 5, Forgewood Industrial Estate,
Gatwick Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9PG
01293 531080
www.austec.co.uk/
info@austec.co.uk
Speak to Paul Austin.
Good luck, give me a call if you want!
I feel for you, its a sad day when it happens for sure.
This is the part that has worn in your engine.
They cost £10.58 Each + VAT from TVR Gear.
The trouble is, the engine needs to be dropped from under the car, as the timing chain cover can't be removed while its in place. It needs about 3cm to get the crank damper off, but it hits the chassis.
You might get away with an (un-recommended by me) "quick fix". If you drop the engine a little to get the damper off remove the chain cover. Extract the follower shaft. and replace the faulty "cheese finger"
I am not sure how long it would last, and certainly wouldn't recomend it.
Pretty sure though TVR's attitude would be "that'll do it" based upon the rebuild repeats...
Anyhow! Here's the best approach
It would be worth taking the head off to investigate the fault, which almost certainly will be the valve guides are starting to drag, so they will need replacing anyhow. It gets expensive here on in, but you can trust a good engine builder to make the modifications for you, and get some satisfaction that you will have a better stronger engine when its done!
I would recommend Austec Racing.
Austec Racing
Unit 5, Forgewood Industrial Estate,
Gatwick Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9PG
01293 531080
www.austec.co.uk/
info@austec.co.uk
Speak to Paul Austin.
Good luck, give me a call if you want!
I see you are new to the forum....
If you go into the archives this subject has been done to death over the last couple of years, plenty of advice on there.....
Some people have had three rebuilds in 20,000 miles, however others have been OK, it seems to be the luck of the draw.........
If you go into the archives this subject has been done to death over the last couple of years, plenty of advice on there.....
Some people have had three rebuilds in 20,000 miles, however others have been OK, it seems to be the luck of the draw.........
The only guys I can recommend are www.tvrcraft.com
Read the other Melling fix thread for more info.
Goodluck.
Read the other Melling fix thread for more info.
Goodluck.
Firstly you may want to get a second opinion (if they have gone that badly you should really have noticed yourself).
Secondly how you choose to do it depends very much on your budget.
If money is no object the Autocraft / Austec route may well be your best option.
If not then it is possible if you know a good enough engineer to just get the top end work done a lot cheaper.
You pays your money etc....
Secondly how you choose to do it depends very much on your budget.
If money is no object the Autocraft / Austec route may well be your best option.
If not then it is possible if you know a good enough engineer to just get the top end work done a lot cheaper.
You pays your money etc....
So many builders are not sorting out the reasons behind failure, they're just stock rebuilding. Thats no good IMO.
When an engine fails at 80k+, then a stock rebuild is all well and good, but if the engine fails at considerably less mileage, I'd personally recommend a serious engineering investigation to find the problems and 'upgrade' the issues. Which is exactly what Melling has done with the Craft team, so why anyone would pay less for a stock rebuild is beyond me, I suppose its cheaper to fix it up to stock and sell on, but if you are planning to keep her then put your thinking cap on and understand where I'm coming from.
An engines an engine, but its an engines a nightmare if there are design flaws, which Melling detailed very specifically at the talk.
When an engine fails at 80k+, then a stock rebuild is all well and good, but if the engine fails at considerably less mileage, I'd personally recommend a serious engineering investigation to find the problems and 'upgrade' the issues. Which is exactly what Melling has done with the Craft team, so why anyone would pay less for a stock rebuild is beyond me, I suppose its cheaper to fix it up to stock and sell on, but if you are planning to keep her then put your thinking cap on and understand where I'm coming from.
An engines an engine, but its an engines a nightmare if there are design flaws, which Melling detailed very specifically at the talk.
Well Put Ash.
Why would any engineer want to build a bad engine again.
It would still be beneficial for TVR Engineering and its customers to release the information on the known design flaws, and their revisions they have subsequently made to prevent further embarresment to themselves.
How long is it going to be before someone is killed as a result of these engine faults, imagine pushing a piston through the block at motorway speed and locking up the rear.
If it's reported as neglegence like on railway engineering, someone is going to end up on a man slaughter charge.
IT'S A KNOWN FAULT, my first whitness I call Autocraft M'lud
The rest of us that have spend thousands, say "guilty as charged"
>> Edited by justinbaker on Tuesday 4th October 17:00
Why would any engineer want to build a bad engine again.
It would still be beneficial for TVR Engineering and its customers to release the information on the known design flaws, and their revisions they have subsequently made to prevent further embarresment to themselves.
- Good on Mr Melling for coming clean!
How long is it going to be before someone is killed as a result of these engine faults, imagine pushing a piston through the block at motorway speed and locking up the rear.
If it's reported as neglegence like on railway engineering, someone is going to end up on a man slaughter charge.
IT'S A KNOWN FAULT, my first whitness I call Autocraft M'lud
The rest of us that have spend thousands, say "guilty as charged"
>> Edited by justinbaker on Tuesday 4th October 17:00
My engine is out of the car at the moment with suspected valve stretching. I was informed today that this is not the case and that poor engineering is the cause of the problem. One exhaust valve has completely closed so that is why valve stretching was at first diagnosed, as it appears to be a fault in earlier engines. However when the head was removed today it turns out that the valve was seating right on its edge and not in the middle of the valve surface. This has caused the valve to burn and so push itself up into the head and closing the clearance. Anyway I am going to have a look at it tomorrow complete with camera.
The garage that is doing the work is local to me and I have known the engineer for many years, he has worked on all sorts of engines and is very compitent. This is his first Speed 6 rebuild and is using my engine as a learning curve, he is keen to do more TVR engine work, so if everything works out OK I will post his details.
The garage that is doing the work is local to me and I have known the engineer for many years, he has worked on all sorts of engines and is very compitent. This is his first Speed 6 rebuild and is using my engine as a learning curve, he is keen to do more TVR engine work, so if everything works out OK I will post his details.
My Tuscan has made it to 34500 miles without the clack, clack, bang of doom. But I've just had a call from the guys at TopCats where it was being serviced and they say that the cams and the followers are shot. They've recommended TVR Power for a rebuild, but I've just booked it in down at TVR Craft for the Melling Fix. I'm no engineer but if it's a design fault, surely TVR Power can only replace like with like and then it's only a matter of time and miles before it happens again. Anyway I love the car to bits and bought it knowing the potential problems, so hey ho. Apparently the first four Craft rebuilds are about to hit the roads, and they're trying to acquire the unit next door as they have so many cars waiting to be done.
Would love to hear from anyone else who's sent their car down to Craft.
Cheers
Al.
Would love to hear from anyone else who's sent their car down to Craft.
Cheers
Al.
Al, have a read of
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=152&h=&t=211312
From reading PH over the last few months, I do believe that TVR have made changes since the early days, exactly what / when though isn't known!
If you talk to Autocraft, you may as well ask about Supercharging whilst your at it
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=152&h=&t=211312
From reading PH over the last few months, I do believe that TVR have made changes since the early days, exactly what / when though isn't known!
If you talk to Autocraft, you may as well ask about Supercharging whilst your at it
I've spoken to TVR and they claim not to have made any changes to the original design. Indeed they even implied that Mellings original design was flawed as it only lasted 15mins on testing - thus the reason for their changes to his design.
They still claim that majority of engine rebuilds are from abuse from owners!! Clearly TVR believe that sitting in a corner with their eyes closed and hands over their ears singing 'La la la' is the best way to maintain customer satisfaction...
They still claim that majority of engine rebuilds are from abuse from owners!! Clearly TVR believe that sitting in a corner with their eyes closed and hands over their ears singing 'La la la' is the best way to maintain customer satisfaction...
I did ask Paul at Austec about this because I was thinking about a Tamora and he gave the impression
that he had re-sourced just about all the components;ie, valves, seats and followers and that he was very happy with the results.
What I didn't ask was what this meant longevity wise and did you still need to go through warm up proceedures etc but I will
that he had re-sourced just about all the components;ie, valves, seats and followers and that he was very happy with the results.
What I didn't ask was what this meant longevity wise and did you still need to go through warm up proceedures etc but I will
Well I've never abused mine...and it made it to 34k. Bizarrely Topcats seemed to think that the engine had "little oil in it." There has been a leak from the oil pressure sender unit, but I topped up the car before every run. In my experience the difference between not showing on the dipstick and Max was about half a litre, and it was left standing there for a couple of days...but seems odd. Anyway i just hope that the damage is limited. i never heard any clack clack sounds on the way there!! thanks for the email red rose, will be in touch.
Al
Al
Not all of us can afford to run our TVR's on TVR prices. I have just had my Tuscan "S" sorted out (not engine problems than g-d) by my trusted mechanic who is a fabulous engine builder and hot rod builder by trade.
He has looked after my Griff 500 HC, My cerbie 4.2 and has done a wonderful job with the Tuscan. I know other high performance motorers that go to him and all are pleased with his work.
His rates are very competative, the service was excellent and he treats you like a person. He is based in North London area and in my honest opinion he is well qualified to do a Tuscan rebuild.
I have been ripped off left right and centre by mechanics over the years but I feel that my current mechanic looks after me..... Granted the bills are never small but they could be a lot lot bigger!!!!
E-mail me at nick_simmonds@hotmail.com if you want his number. nick
He has looked after my Griff 500 HC, My cerbie 4.2 and has done a wonderful job with the Tuscan. I know other high performance motorers that go to him and all are pleased with his work.
His rates are very competative, the service was excellent and he treats you like a person. He is based in North London area and in my honest opinion he is well qualified to do a Tuscan rebuild.
I have been ripped off left right and centre by mechanics over the years but I feel that my current mechanic looks after me..... Granted the bills are never small but they could be a lot lot bigger!!!!
E-mail me at nick_simmonds@hotmail.com if you want his number. nick
Similarly my car goes to a local engineer in Nottingham (where there is no TVR dealership)who was trained and qualified by Porsche. I have always found his work excellent along with his attitude (he is highly rated on the Porsche forum as well). And has no problems with any sports cars.
[quote=TUSC-AL]Would love to hear from anyone else who's sent their car down to Craft.
Cheers
Al.[/quote
Al
My 2003 S is the 4th in there, I have opted for the bottom end upgrades as well as the head and valve train work. Your car will be in good hands with the Autocraft team, but I urge you to be patient. They are professional engineers and the solution takes time to do properly. Dont expect a rapid in and out job.
Best of luck
Rgds
G
>> Edited by yzf1070 on Monday 10th October 09:04
Cheers
Al.[/quote
Al
My 2003 S is the 4th in there, I have opted for the bottom end upgrades as well as the head and valve train work. Your car will be in good hands with the Autocraft team, but I urge you to be patient. They are professional engineers and the solution takes time to do properly. Dont expect a rapid in and out job.
Best of luck
Rgds
G
>> Edited by yzf1070 on Monday 10th October 09:04
Gassing Station | Speed Six Engine | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff