Misfire/ + Replacement side mirror needed
Discussion
Just got my car back from the garage - Electrics 50% sorted 
But, the car is (started just before it went in) misfiring 
I have a day at austecs booked, and maybe on the rolling road they can sort this... but, should I be worried?? Should I drive it? The austec session is 3 weeks away! Sometimes the misfire is not there, sometimes its there, a little, and other times it misfires quite badly (changes in a 2 minute period). Its only been happening a short while. What are the possible causes of this? Could misfiring be damaging the car?
The side mirror has been broken and seems to have rattled itself off from the temporary screw that was holding it on. Anyone got (or know where I can get) a left side mirror (interior mountings broken). And if I find one in another colour, who in the south east (sussex/brighton/eastbourne area) might be able to match and spray it Cooper Green?
If it wasn't for the fact that the engine was misfiring, the imobilisor, alarm, brake lights and indicator niggles wouldnt bother me as I love the car so much, and will get them all sorted, but Im really worried, knowing as little as I do, about the misfiring problem
But, the car is (started just before it went in) misfiring I have a day at austecs booked, and maybe on the rolling road they can sort this... but, should I be worried?? Should I drive it? The austec session is 3 weeks away! Sometimes the misfire is not there, sometimes its there, a little, and other times it misfires quite badly (changes in a 2 minute period). Its only been happening a short while. What are the possible causes of this? Could misfiring be damaging the car?
The side mirror has been broken and seems to have rattled itself off from the temporary screw that was holding it on. Anyone got (or know where I can get) a left side mirror (interior mountings broken). And if I find one in another colour, who in the south east (sussex/brighton/eastbourne area) might be able to match and spray it Cooper Green?
If it wasn't for the fact that the engine was misfiring, the imobilisor, alarm, brake lights and indicator niggles wouldnt bother me as I love the car so much, and will get them all sorted, but Im really worried, knowing as little as I do, about the misfiring problem
Misfire can arise from a number of sources.
Is it a constant misfire? Is it throughout the rev range? Is it worse under load or light throttle?
Worth going through the HT side - coil, leads, plugs etc. first but full diagnostic at Austec should pinpoint the source.
Lots of info. on this forum on misfires.
Good luck!
Darren
Is it a constant misfire? Is it throughout the rev range? Is it worse under load or light throttle?
Worth going through the HT side - coil, leads, plugs etc. first but full diagnostic at Austec should pinpoint the source.
Lots of info. on this forum on misfires.
Good luck!
Darren
mowog said:
Misfire can arise from a number of sources.
Is it a constant misfire? Is it throughout the rev range? Is it worse under load or light throttle?
Worth going through the HT side - coil, leads, plugs etc. first but full diagnostic at Austec should pinpoint the source.
Lots of info. on this forum on misfires.
Good luck!
Darren
Cheers mate. Gonna have a read up tomorrow on misfiring - my main concern was is it ok to drive it for 3 weeks, before getting sorted at austec.
The misfiring seems to be both with a warm and cold engine, seems to be mostly in low gears, but misfires in third also... on and off, a little randomly perhaps (not sure) right across town in all 4 gears. Mostly its not there, but praps 20?% of the time it is.
Isn't Fernhurst (www.fernhurst-tvr.co.uk/) in your neck of the woods? Not used them myself but they seem to get good reports. I'm sure they could have a quick look at it and solve your misfire and it will probably be much cheaper than changing lots of ignition bits.
When did the car last have a service by someone who knows TVRs? Sounds like it could be due a good going over to get it A1 again.
Good luck
Chris
When did the car last have a service by someone who knows TVRs? Sounds like it could be due a good going over to get it A1 again.
Good luck
Chris
Update - I was booked into Austec's for a sports pipe fitting, and electrics sorting. Gonna go for the rolling road and electrics sorting instead I recon... will speak to them on Monday, and ask them to give the car a thorough once over.
The missfire/juddering happens in all gears at all speeds, and "seems" (could be wrong) to happen when the car has been driving for 10 mins plus. However, that said, girlfriend noticed tonight when I picked her up that on the occasions when the car was juddering/missfiring, the volt meter went right down deep into the red.
The juddering started after an electrics specialist came and removed the imobilisor and alarm, and left the lot half-wired in (clicking sound in dash). A bad connection was found and replaced in the tail lights, but the car is still juddering.
Anyhooo, gonna get Austec to give the car a thorough sorting electrically, service, rolling road etc, I was just dead worried that driving a car that was misfiring might be bad for it.
The missfire/juddering happens in all gears at all speeds, and "seems" (could be wrong) to happen when the car has been driving for 10 mins plus. However, that said, girlfriend noticed tonight when I picked her up that on the occasions when the car was juddering/missfiring, the volt meter went right down deep into the red.
The juddering started after an electrics specialist came and removed the imobilisor and alarm, and left the lot half-wired in (clicking sound in dash). A bad connection was found and replaced in the tail lights, but the car is still juddering.
Anyhooo, gonna get Austec to give the car a thorough sorting electrically, service, rolling road etc, I was just dead worried that driving a car that was misfiring might be bad for it.
Engine = Suck - Squeeze - bang - blow
We all know that....
A misfire normally occurs when the bang doesn't happen in the normal routine...(easily sorted)
No spark, weak spark, mis-timed spark etc
It can also happen when any of the others break down....(worse)
Judging by what work you have had done (motor electrician) i would hazard a guess its the prior.
Get the car down to Austec, tell them what you want sorting...
Even take someone out and let them experiance what you feel is a fault...
Always remember....
They know what to do....
BUT
You are the customer....
Never leave until you are happy.
We all know that....
A misfire normally occurs when the bang doesn't happen in the normal routine...(easily sorted)
No spark, weak spark, mis-timed spark etc
It can also happen when any of the others break down....(worse)
Judging by what work you have had done (motor electrician) i would hazard a guess its the prior.
Get the car down to Austec, tell them what you want sorting...
Even take someone out and let them experiance what you feel is a fault...
Always remember....
They know what to do....
BUT
You are the customer....
Never leave until you are happy.
Rob
Sounds like you still have dodgy earth somewhere if the volts are intermittently falling into the red. Presumably with the ignition on and engine off you get ~12v and with the engine running you usually get ~14v? If so the only reason for dropping into the red would be a poor connection somewhere. If the battery starts the car then thats not the problem and if the volts usually sit at 14v then the alternators not the problem.
I understand the various earths to chassis (big braids to bolt/nut fixing) can corrode and cause poor or intermittent problems. I would check the main one from the engine to the chassis first (battery one should be irrelevant as the alternator is supplying the volts once its going).
Hope you get it fixed soon.
Chris
>> Edited by chris_chim on Friday 23 July 22:39
Sounds like you still have dodgy earth somewhere if the volts are intermittently falling into the red. Presumably with the ignition on and engine off you get ~12v and with the engine running you usually get ~14v? If so the only reason for dropping into the red would be a poor connection somewhere. If the battery starts the car then thats not the problem and if the volts usually sit at 14v then the alternators not the problem.
I understand the various earths to chassis (big braids to bolt/nut fixing) can corrode and cause poor or intermittent problems. I would check the main one from the engine to the chassis first (battery one should be irrelevant as the alternator is supplying the volts once its going).
Hope you get it fixed soon.
Chris
>> Edited by chris_chim on Friday 23 July 22:39
kentishs2 said:
I have a spare passenger side mirror. Brand New Sprayed in Cooper Green!! Mail me if you're interested.
I was just about to suggest to Rob that your mirror was up for grabs Chris!
Late again.....
Thanks both of you
Kentish2, if you want to be helpful, praps you could help me fit it... when you've finished washing my car 
Thanks again chaps, very grateful, was really chuffed to have found one in the right colour so fast!!
re: the electrics, the main chassis earth was found, connection checked ok... I wish I knew more about electrics, had tools, and could work on the car myself 
The voltmeter reads somewhere around halfway (cant remember - the reading varys wildly, I wonder if the alternator is dodgy.
Spoke to Austec this morning, ive got a day on the 18th if the electrics take that long, hopefully they'll take less, the misfire will be sorted and they'll have time to stick the sports pipes on.
re: never leaving until you are happy bridgdav, problem with electrics is they could take 15 hours to diagnose and sort, which could cost £800 or more inc vat
Ive already had 2 people look at it, 1 to remove the imobilisor (cant drive with it it, he didnt have time to sort it and left me - so was an emergency) and another to sort out the brake lights which the imobilisor guy left not working (another emergency) and neither party had time to sort it out properly.
Sorry for the whinging, the car drives wonderfully when not misfiring, its totally intermittant, and I'll have to put up with it till Austec take the reigns on the 18th.
The voltmeter reads somewhere around halfway (cant remember - the reading varys wildly, I wonder if the alternator is dodgy.
Spoke to Austec this morning, ive got a day on the 18th if the electrics take that long, hopefully they'll take less, the misfire will be sorted and they'll have time to stick the sports pipes on.
re: never leaving until you are happy bridgdav, problem with electrics is they could take 15 hours to diagnose and sort, which could cost £800 or more inc vat
Ive already had 2 people look at it, 1 to remove the imobilisor (cant drive with it it, he didnt have time to sort it and left me - so was an emergency) and another to sort out the brake lights which the imobilisor guy left not working (another emergency) and neither party had time to sort it out properly.
Sorry for the whinging, the car drives wonderfully when not misfiring, its totally intermittant, and I'll have to put up with it till Austec take the reigns on the 18th.
WildfireS3 said:
Hi bob
I'm not picking that email up at the moment, I'll send you a mail about it from another account.
Cheers Kevin.
Chris
Nope I lied, I can't send you a mail
mail me at c_p_manley@yahoo.co.uk
>> Edited by WildfireS3 on Saturday 24th July 12:43
Check your mail, and thanks again mate
WildfireS3 said:
Rob you still interested in the mirror?
Hey bud
yeah, for sure!
I keep getting emails from you asking if I want it, and keep replying. remove my shoes and email me mate, Id really like the mirror. Been having problems with yahoo mails not getting through to yahoo users this week... not sure why.
robertMYSHOES-ow@btconnect.com
WildfireS3 said:"Your holy Messiah" ?
Cheers Rob YHM
I've not heard back from ya, something is definitely up with the emails. Giz a shout on 01323 419700 anytime
and thanks! ps, wots YHM anyway (just so that no one thinks my jokes are really that bad. well they are but...
) I think the problem has been found! The mechanic fitted an old coil that was kicking about and the car started up first time. He put the old one back in and the car wouldnt start, so has ordered a new coil which should be arriving tomorrow.
Thats got the car going - is it possible that the coil was making the car juddery/misfire, before it conked out and wouldnt start at all?
Also, what function does a coil perform? Something to do with the flow of electricity in the engine? Cheers everyone, looking forward to getting back on the road!
The coil could well be the culprit for the misfire. It provides the spark to the spark plugs. Essentially its a transformer that turns 12 volts into lots of volts. Getting a bit techy: when the points open (except modern cars don't have points and the electronic ignition replaces them, but basicly its the same principle) collapsing magnetic field on one side of the transformer due to volts being removed leads to huge voltage on other side which gives you your spark.
The immobiliser is often connected to the coil so it may just be this is the problem rather than the coil itself...
The immobiliser is often connected to the coil so it may just be this is the problem rather than the coil itself...
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