1st Posting so please be gentle!
Discussion
Hi.. I have just bought my first TVR Chimaera after an 8 year obsession. Ive got a number of question so sorry if they have been covered in previous threads!
1- Where is the best place to fit the CD shuttle in the boot?
2- Which is the live and ignition live for the radio..(i.e. the coulour of the wires coming out of the dash) Ive got it working but cant find the ignition live.
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak .. I had one big down pour whilst it was stationary and the floor was in 2 inches of water (car is only 3 years old!)
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Thanks in advance!!
1- Where is the best place to fit the CD shuttle in the boot?
2- Which is the live and ignition live for the radio..(i.e. the coulour of the wires coming out of the dash) Ive got it working but cant find the ignition live.
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak .. I had one big down pour whilst it was stationary and the floor was in 2 inches of water (car is only 3 years old!)
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Thanks in advance!!
Hi.. I have just bought my first TVR Chimaera after an 8 year obsession. Ive got a number of question so sorry if they have been covered in previous threads!
1- Where is the best place to fit the CD shuttle in the boot?
2- Which is the live and ignition live for the radio..(i.e. the coulour of the wires coming out of the dash) Ive got it working but cant find the ignition live.
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak .. I had one big down pour whilst it was stationary and the floor was in 2 inches of water (car is only 3 years old!)
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Thanks in advance!!
1. Factory opt for on the fuel tank, standing vertically.
2. Not sure off hand, but wiring is in Steve Heaths book which certainly for me has paid for itself several times over with help on small jobs like these.
3. No, there are lots of possible ingress points and you should be able to eliminate them, obvious one being hood, but many others such as poor door seals, unsealed holes in bulkhead/front wings. (in the book again!)
4. Oil can be a long topic! I use Castrol 10W60, but Mobil 1 is good, there is 0W40 which in my opinion is too thin, or 15W50 (motorsport) which is better, I went for something in the middle, and aswell as topping up it's also what was used at the last service.
Hope this helps for starters,
Chris
Tomo, first - welcome to the club! You may get a few slightly differing opinions. Here's mine:
1. - above the fuel tank fixed to the rear bulkhead
2. - not sure, think it's red. I got the red and orange twisted together so the radio is permanently live. Get Steve Heath's Book (known as the Bible here).
3. - not necessarily, although most have at some time. It depends how the rain is getting in really. Check door seals, side window seals, header and roof seals to the side windows. Give the roof and header a good coat of Thompson's (do a search on here for tips) sealer.
4. - I use Mobil 1 5w/50 (from France). I wouldn't recommend 0w/40 but I believe 15w/50 Motorsport is the better.
Happy Tiving!
1. - above the fuel tank fixed to the rear bulkhead
2. - not sure, think it's red. I got the red and orange twisted together so the radio is permanently live. Get Steve Heath's Book (known as the Bible here).
3. - not necessarily, although most have at some time. It depends how the rain is getting in really. Check door seals, side window seals, header and roof seals to the side windows. Give the roof and header a good coat of Thompson's (do a search on here for tips) sealer.
4. - I use Mobil 1 5w/50 (from France). I wouldn't recommend 0w/40 but I believe 15w/50 Motorsport is the better.
Happy Tiving!
Congratulations, enjoy it. Who nicked your radio??
1- CD shuttle?
Most commonly mounted vertically on top of the fuel tank. Not screwed into tank obviously.
2- Which is the ignition live for the radio?
Put it in your mouth and switch on - (that's a joke, I don't know)
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak?
Seems quite common. Mine does, but not at an alarming rate and only if I park facing uphill. My leak occurs as water runs off the back of the sealing lip of the roof on the drivers side. Tried adjusting it, which helped a lot, but I don't think it's cured. A common route is also the black domed cover for the clutch fluid reservoir. This should have a sealant all around it, and the nearby grommets should also be water-tight.
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Important to know what's in there already. Synthetic oils must not be mixed. Ask previous owner what they used and give the garage that last serviced it a ring to ask what they used. You'll find LOTS of threads on oils for TVR engines. The Mobil1 5W/40 that my owners manual recommends is no longer available. Many seem to use Mobil1 0W/40 instead, but others (me too), use Mobil1 15W/50.
TVR are now recommending Shell oils.
1- CD shuttle?
Most commonly mounted vertically on top of the fuel tank. Not screwed into tank obviously.
2- Which is the ignition live for the radio?
Put it in your mouth and switch on - (that's a joke, I don't know)
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak?
Seems quite common. Mine does, but not at an alarming rate and only if I park facing uphill. My leak occurs as water runs off the back of the sealing lip of the roof on the drivers side. Tried adjusting it, which helped a lot, but I don't think it's cured. A common route is also the black domed cover for the clutch fluid reservoir. This should have a sealant all around it, and the nearby grommets should also be water-tight.
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Important to know what's in there already. Synthetic oils must not be mixed. Ask previous owner what they used and give the garage that last serviced it a ring to ask what they used. You'll find LOTS of threads on oils for TVR engines. The Mobil1 5W/40 that my owners manual recommends is no longer available. Many seem to use Mobil1 0W/40 instead, but others (me too), use Mobil1 15W/50.
TVR are now recommending Shell oils.
be gentle 
LIKE FCUK WE WILL! 
Seems that your answers are arriving (posh for coming)
by the bucket load (please don't mention buckets and TVR's in the same breath, as it makes the natives restless).
I'll just let the experts get on with the advice.
Welcome tomo1, and enjoy, sound choice.
Safe driving and keep it shiny side up PLEASE!
LIKE FCUK WE WILL! Seems that your answers are arriving (posh for coming)
by the bucket load (please don't mention buckets and TVR's in the same breath, as it makes the natives restless).
I'll just let the experts get on with the advice.
Welcome tomo1, and enjoy, sound choice.
Safe driving and keep it shiny side up PLEASE!
Hi.. I have just bought my first TVR Chimaera after an 8 year obsession. Ive got a number of question so sorry if they have been covered in previous threads!
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak .. I had one big down pour whilst it was stationary and the floor was in 2 inches of water (car is only 3 years old!)
Thanks in advance!!
Welcome on board. They don't all leak, mine is kept outside, so I cannot afford for it to. Check seals as people have suggested and you will be fine. Check rear window as I saw a couple last year which were badly stitched
T-J-K
Welcome.
I've just upgraded to a 2000W Chim myself after previously owning an early 400.
I think you've got your answers already, but both my TVR's leaked when I first got them - I found that i) sorting out the velcro fastenings, ii) liberal application of Thompsons Waterseal (get it from B&Q) and iii) keep an eye on the stitching and you should keep dry.
I've just upgraded to a 2000W Chim myself after previously owning an early 400.
I think you've got your answers already, but both my TVR's leaked when I first got them - I found that i) sorting out the velcro fastenings, ii) liberal application of Thompsons Waterseal (get it from B&Q) and iii) keep an eye on the stitching and you should keep dry.
welcome to the madhouse ... recommend getting steve heath's book ... definitely can be waterproof, but can take a while to track down where the water is entering. Sit in the car the next time it is pissing down and look for drips. Can be quite hard to spot. It's surprising just how much water will accumulate from a slow drip.
Thanks for the tips.... I feel like part of this (elite) family already!!
This fixing of the CD player to the top of the fuel tank.. is this something that can be done with No-Nails??
Think I'll get the book. Looked on Amazon and they said it was not in print.. (1998 latest version) is there a later version coming out?
Cheers
Nigel Thomas
This fixing of the CD player to the top of the fuel tank.. is this something that can be done with No-Nails??
Think I'll get the book. Looked on Amazon and they said it was not in print.. (1998 latest version) is there a later version coming out?
Cheers
Nigel Thomas
3- DO you just take it for granted that TVR's leak .. I had one big down pour whilst it was stationary and the floor was in 2 inches of water (car is only 3 years old!)
4- What oil do you use to top up the car.. its a 4.5 (W reg 2000)
Thanks in advance!!
they certainly should not leak in the way u describe.
As suggested, reseal your hood (thompsons or fabsil), liberally outside ut also give the inside a good splash, i have never had any problems since.
use a decent oil and you won`t have any problems. I use 15/50 Mobil1 Motorsport. Even though most people advise against it, i`ll have no problems using 0/40 as long as it was changed frequently...
welcome to the club!
tomo1 said:
Think I'll get the book. Looked on Amazon and they said it was not in print.. (1998 latest version) is there a later version coming out?
Second edition is in print. Steve Heath's website is www.tvrbooks.co.uk, and the book can be ordered from TVR Car Club (www.tvrcc.com).
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