Engine cut out !

[philr]

Guys, any ideas on the following ? Yesterday I set off in the Chimp and got to the traffic lights a few hundred yards from my house. The engine was cold so the revs at tick over were a little higher at say 1400-1500 while I sat in the queue. Sudenly they dropped and the engine cut out. Then the thing just wouldn't restart. It seemed to be turning the engine on the starter but just refused to fire ! Eventually it started to sound like it was trying to fire. It tried harder and harder until it finally di start. After that it seemed to handle just as if nothing had happened ! I know that it is heading towards its next service (about 1K away) but didn't think that would have much to do with it. Maybe the plugs just need cleaning ? Also, I don't recall "blipping" the loud pedal before I set of. I was told to do this so as to clear out the Cat before I set off. Could this have affected things ? Phil

[trefor]

Not sure about why it cut out, but mine is a sometimes a bit lumpy first thing on a cold morning (the car is too). Which leads on to why it probably wouldn't start easily straight away again - the engine runs v. rich on cold startup and you probably flooded it without meaning to. Happened to me once (I took my other car instead, the TVR started first turn of the key that evening). Trefor/.

[tvrdude]

Yep, mine does the same on v. cold mornings and as I've just had it serviced that will make no difference. Worth allowing it to warm-up a bit before setting off, couple of mins usually does the job. If you blip the throttle whilst you are waiting, the engine revs will increase smoothly when it is warm enough, otherwise it can cough and stutter a bit.