New Owner With Newbie Questions
Discussion
Hello,
Well I have been the proud owner a '99 Speed 6 Cerbie for a whole 3 weeks now and loving it. Well, although I love the car, I am starting to get a bit worried about everything I have read on this site about my engine and in particular the top end rebuild/valve stretching. The motor has done around 17,000 miles and has not been rebuilt. Now I understand it doesn't happen to all speed 6 engines, but I would be grateful if someone would answer a few questions I have.
1) How do you tell if it needs a rebuild without being a mechanic? Any tell tale signs/noises?
2) Assuming this happens to my cerb and assuming it has no warranty, how much will a rebuild cost me?
3) After washing my car and starting it, the MIL light came on and stayed on, I turned it off immediately and assumed that I gotten a sensor wet. Sure enough I left it 24 hours and it is OK, although it did flicker a few times whilst out in it. Where is the sensor in the engine bay so I can check connectivity/damp connectors?
4) When I boot it, occasionally the oil light flickers, although the oil level/ pressure is fine, does this indicate an oil pump/sensor problem? Or could this be an indication of a pending rebuild?
5) Now I know this is going to sound stupid, but the min and max oil levels are indicated by the recessed part of the dipstick, is this right? I just want to be sure....
6) If the oil level is a little higher than max, can this cause any engine problems?
Sorry for all the questions, but I have no one else to ask.
Thanks,
Craig.
Well I have been the proud owner a '99 Speed 6 Cerbie for a whole 3 weeks now and loving it. Well, although I love the car, I am starting to get a bit worried about everything I have read on this site about my engine and in particular the top end rebuild/valve stretching. The motor has done around 17,000 miles and has not been rebuilt. Now I understand it doesn't happen to all speed 6 engines, but I would be grateful if someone would answer a few questions I have.
1) How do you tell if it needs a rebuild without being a mechanic? Any tell tale signs/noises?
2) Assuming this happens to my cerb and assuming it has no warranty, how much will a rebuild cost me?
3) After washing my car and starting it, the MIL light came on and stayed on, I turned it off immediately and assumed that I gotten a sensor wet. Sure enough I left it 24 hours and it is OK, although it did flicker a few times whilst out in it. Where is the sensor in the engine bay so I can check connectivity/damp connectors?
4) When I boot it, occasionally the oil light flickers, although the oil level/ pressure is fine, does this indicate an oil pump/sensor problem? Or could this be an indication of a pending rebuild?
5) Now I know this is going to sound stupid, but the min and max oil levels are indicated by the recessed part of the dipstick, is this right? I just want to be sure....
6) If the oil level is a little higher than max, can this cause any engine problems?
Sorry for all the questions, but I have no one else to ask.
Thanks,
Craig.
Hi Craig,
I have a similar car (1999 Speed 6) and a general recommendation might be to do what i did. When I got mine it was on about 34000 miles and hadn't been serviced for 10 months. I decided to bite the bullet early and took it to a reputable TVR specialist (Andy at APM) to get it a 36000 service on the basis that this would also turn up any other issues lurking that needed attention. It wasn't a cheap move as Andy found a number of (minorish) things that needed sorting out, mainly the sort of stuff that would come from a year or so of not being cared for - brake disks needed skimming, new shock, some bushes worn etc. I came out with a £2000+ bill (including the service, tappets etc.) but knew at that point that someone who knew what they were doing had given the car a thorough going over and everything that looked questionable had been sorted out.
(I made the same assumption as you about the dipstick, my book also says you should check it with the engine warm, i.e. just after a run rather than before.).
You should also check the upright recall has been done - see www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=75738&f=6&h=0&hw=upright
I have a similar car (1999 Speed 6) and a general recommendation might be to do what i did. When I got mine it was on about 34000 miles and hadn't been serviced for 10 months. I decided to bite the bullet early and took it to a reputable TVR specialist (Andy at APM) to get it a 36000 service on the basis that this would also turn up any other issues lurking that needed attention. It wasn't a cheap move as Andy found a number of (minorish) things that needed sorting out, mainly the sort of stuff that would come from a year or so of not being cared for - brake disks needed skimming, new shock, some bushes worn etc. I came out with a £2000+ bill (including the service, tappets etc.) but knew at that point that someone who knew what they were doing had given the car a thorough going over and everything that looked questionable had been sorted out.
(I made the same assumption as you about the dipstick, my book also says you should check it with the engine warm, i.e. just after a run rather than before.).
You should also check the upright recall has been done - see www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=75738&f=6&h=0&hw=upright
Craig,
Firstly, welcome. You have bought one of the most exciting motor vehicles in the world.
I have had my 2001 SP6 from new. It is now on 25K, with a top-end rebuild at 17K. The rebuild was done because of valve guide wear - nothing to do with finger followers. I was just fed up with the amount of oil it was using. Symptoms of this were obviously the requirement to regularly top the oil up and also tell-tale oily deposits just above the exhaust pipes.
To answer your questions directly (as best I can):
1) see above. Not sure about tell-tale signs of finger followers though but if you do a search in the Tuscan forum I'm sure you'll find relevant posts there.
2) I've been advised that the average cost of a rebuild is between 2 and 3K
3) Yes, I get this too. Don't worry about it.
4) This is a bit strange. When you say "boot it", do you mean high revs, or hard acceleration/cornering? I would get this checked out. Most likely a dodgy sensor though....
5) yes, I believe so. Mine has max and min marked.
6) I don't know authoritatively, but considering it's a dry-sump I can't think why this would be a problem.
Hope this helps.
Firstly, welcome. You have bought one of the most exciting motor vehicles in the world.
I have had my 2001 SP6 from new. It is now on 25K, with a top-end rebuild at 17K. The rebuild was done because of valve guide wear - nothing to do with finger followers. I was just fed up with the amount of oil it was using. Symptoms of this were obviously the requirement to regularly top the oil up and also tell-tale oily deposits just above the exhaust pipes.
To answer your questions directly (as best I can):
1) see above. Not sure about tell-tale signs of finger followers though but if you do a search in the Tuscan forum I'm sure you'll find relevant posts there.
2) I've been advised that the average cost of a rebuild is between 2 and 3K
3) Yes, I get this too. Don't worry about it.
4) This is a bit strange. When you say "boot it", do you mean high revs, or hard acceleration/cornering? I would get this checked out. Most likely a dodgy sensor though....
5) yes, I believe so. Mine has max and min marked.
6) I don't know authoritatively, but considering it's a dry-sump I can't think why this would be a problem.
Hope this helps.
Hi,
I'm new to Cerbera's myself but in regards to the over filling oil issue it's a very bad idea. If the oil level is too high the crank can dip into it (too much) as it spins and froths the oil up full of air bubbles. These then get pumped around the oil ways and you'll be getting air 'lubricating' your engine instead of oil - not good.
This is certainly true for the vast majority of engines, but as I say I'm new to the Cerbera so if others know different please say.
Cheers,
Duke
I'm new to Cerbera's myself but in regards to the over filling oil issue it's a very bad idea. If the oil level is too high the crank can dip into it (too much) as it spins and froths the oil up full of air bubbles. These then get pumped around the oil ways and you'll be getting air 'lubricating' your engine instead of oil - not good.
This is certainly true for the vast majority of engines, but as I say I'm new to the Cerbera so if others know different please say.
Cheers,
Duke
True, but even with a 'dry' sump there will always be a certain amount of oil collecting at the bottom of the engine before it gets re-circulated. Not sure what level this would be in the SP6 though - but you're at much less of a risk overfilling with a dry sump than wet.
There will always be a certain tolerance, if you're only a little bit over the mark then you should have little to worry about.
Duke
>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Wednesday 19th May 10:44
There will always be a certain tolerance, if you're only a little bit over the mark then you should have little to worry about.
Duke
>> Edited by Duke Thrust on Wednesday 19th May 10:44
Hello everyone and thanks for your replies.
Mystery tramp, interesting about the upright recall, I will phone the factory and check, there certainly is no sticker in the engine bay, so I best be sure, thanks. As for sending it in to a TVR dealer, it has only just come out of one, they checked it (Offord) (pre-requesite of me buying the car) and did approx £200 worth of work. So it should be tickety boo. Should be.. What are people's opinions of Offords?
Thanks Admiral you did help. I know, it makes me feel like a million dollars. Just to elaborate a bit more on "boot it," I mean hammering the shit out of it in a straight line, but this only happens at very high revs and doesn't seem to happen reving it whilst stood still. I am going to get it checked in a week back at Offords, seems the safest option. LOL what a car, you can't even wash it without problems.
Interesting about the dry sump thoughts, I guess it's OK, but I will be a bit more careful filling it in the future.
Well, I love the car and the waves you get from other drivers (TVRs) I guess I'm in the club.
Cheers,
Craig.
Mystery tramp, interesting about the upright recall, I will phone the factory and check, there certainly is no sticker in the engine bay, so I best be sure, thanks. As for sending it in to a TVR dealer, it has only just come out of one, they checked it (Offord) (pre-requesite of me buying the car) and did approx £200 worth of work. So it should be tickety boo. Should be.. What are people's opinions of Offords?
Thanks Admiral you did help. I know, it makes me feel like a million dollars. Just to elaborate a bit more on "boot it," I mean hammering the shit out of it in a straight line, but this only happens at very high revs and doesn't seem to happen reving it whilst stood still. I am going to get it checked in a week back at Offords, seems the safest option. LOL what a car, you can't even wash it without problems.
Interesting about the dry sump thoughts, I guess it's OK, but I will be a bit more careful filling it in the future.
Well, I love the car and the waves you get from other drivers (TVRs) I guess I'm in the club.
Cheers,
Craig.
Hi Craig
Welcome, good to see another in the region.
Indeed a quick call to Blackpool with the VIN number will give you an answer on the recall issue.
I used Offords once and found them very helpful as I know other have.
Naturally TVR Power are only up the road and they are the factory engine people for Speed Six.
Hope to see you around sometime (fancy a run Friday or Sunday?) and send over you details
when you can to TCR.
Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register - 146 Owners Listed.
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
Welcome, good to see another in the region.
Indeed a quick call to Blackpool with the VIN number will give you an answer on the recall issue.
I used Offords once and found them very helpful as I know other have.
Naturally TVR Power are only up the road and they are the factory engine people for Speed Six.
Hope to see you around sometime (fancy a run Friday or Sunday?) and send over you details
when you can to TCR.
Go create some weather...
Graham
TCR The Cerbera Register - 146 Owners Listed.
www.TVR-Cerbera.com
Graham, perhaps on Sunday when, where and to where are you thinking?
Dave, no its def not the gear change light, it doesn't happen at the same rev count each time, it depends how much shit I give it...
mod500, I love it, I'm already thinking about my next tvr. Do they make a 9ltr V16?
Cheers,
Craig.
>> Edited by Craigh on Wednesday 19th May 23:05
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