Unbearable cabin temperature...please help

Unbearable cabin temperature...please help

Author
Discussion

Luca Brazzi

Original Poster:

3,975 posts

266 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
Following on from a post in General Gassing, does anyone know how to get the cabin temp. down to a level that is bearable. We were going out for the day to friends in Kent, and got stuck in a 20 mile tailback. Traffic was moving less than 10mph. Because wifey had spent all morning getting ready, the roof off stayed on to keep her hair from blowing about. The engine temps stayed around the 93C…trouble is the cabin temp felt the same.

The gear knob and handbrake became too hot to touch and there was very little air coming through the windows…we ended up returning home as soon as we cleared the accident spot as my wife felt just too ill due to the heat. The discussion (not quite a discussion) that followed included bits like “You spend ‘000s on a car that we can’t go out in because its too hot…complete waste of money…get rid of it (this was inferred). My question to you guys is simple….I understand that having a Tuscan with air-con is not much better (why not?), so what can I do? I really don’t want to lose the car after 1 month of ownership, but I need to get it bearable to drive in traffic on a cloudy day with the roof on. Any 3rd party air-con companies that could fit a better unit. By all means, make a quippy remark, but please understand this is a VERY SERIOUS issue for me, and urgent. I’m begging…

Steve

vindaloo

122 posts

269 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
gear nob can be rectified under warrenty, they put something at the base of the stick. Sorry not too hot, if you pardon the punn, on engines, but mines done and its fine.

rthierry

684 posts

282 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
Steve,

I am not talking from personal experience here, but where have you heard that the A/C in a Tuscan was useless? I wouldn't expect it to be as performant as the A/C system of your average Beemers, but between this and useless there is a large gap which may provide some useful relief...

Cheers

PS: sorry this is not very helpful...

dr chuff

296 posts

285 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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My first TVR (Chimaera 4ltr) had an additional fan for the driver's footwell, drawing air straight from outside. I think this may have been put on by Fernhurst. Maybe the same could be done with Tuscan.

Didn't do a great deal but every little helps, as do shorts and sandals (though the latter are a bit unstylish for a TVR).

Better get my ride with you before marital pressure overwhelms you :-)

Dr C

phil1

621 posts

283 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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I rarely leave the aircon in my Tuscan running for long as it colls the cabin down very well. Although it would have to stay on in stationary traffic. I've not been at all dissapointed with the unit. Must say it's not as good as the climate control I've had in other cars, but do think it does a sufficient job.

Unfortunately I think the retro fit option is unfeasibly expensive if you don't have it... and by that point you may as well look into a more heavy duty 3rd party option...

>> Edited by phil1 on Monday 17th June 10:59

>> Edited by phil1 on Monday 17th June 16:30

Luca Brazzi

Original Poster:

3,975 posts

266 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
Thanks so far guys...any more comments or thoughts DESPERATELY welcome.

I'm under enormous pressure to resolve this...

Steve

Lagoo

79 posts

264 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
Luca,

Wish i could offer some useful advice, but alas i have none I do however find that the longer you leave it on the better it gets!!

I do remember reading a post about someone wanting to import a tuscan to Hong Kong and they asked questions as to what TVR could do to improve cooling!!

How about filling the rad up with dry ice on journeys when the missus needs to keep the barnet in place?

Nick Elliott

2,387 posts

282 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
I have experienced similar problems last summer in ambients of 35 Deg.C and it can get a bit un-comfortable particularly in traffic.I have had the mods to the gear lever & although better it can still get v.warm the only solution without aircon is roof off back window out ,side windows down footwell vents open (do have these? As some did not have them fitted on delivery) and fan on maximum .

The factory probley would retrofit your car with aircon, but would be expensive I heard more than 2K GBP problem is it has a lot more work to do in a TVR and hence does not feel as effective as in other cars

Luca Brazzi

Original Poster:

3,975 posts

266 months

Monday 17th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:

...similar problems last summer in ambients of 35 Deg.C and it can get a bit un-comfortable particularly in traffic.



Can I presume you haven't got a/c?


Jarrett

100 posts

285 months

Monday 17th June 2002
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I have air-con on my Tuscan and it is leagues better than the version that was in my previous Chimeara. Still nowhere near the likes of more mainstream manufacturers but it does make the car liveable with in traffic/muggy days etc.

With the car running at avg temp (about 95C for mine) on a sunny day in traffic it still delivers cold (not freezing) air. The chimps unit would only just be tepid in these conditions.

Retro-fit air-con to TVR's has come up on this site before and figures qouted always seem to be in the 2-3K area whether it be TVR's own or third party.

Hope that this info helps and that you resolve the home situation so that the Tiv (and your other half!) stays around!

Nick Elliott

2,387 posts

282 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
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No I do not have aircon,although it will be on the consideration list for next one,still think it's a bit OTT price wise though.

stribbo

5 posts

264 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
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I have a Tuscan S with air con fitted as standard. Yesterday at 31 degrees in central London, I could safely close windows and drive around in comfort !
Good luck with the wife !!!!!

Luca brazzi

Original Poster:

3,975 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:

...Good luck with the wife !!!!!



Thanks. she's a very reasonable person nearly all of the time...that's why I know positive action is required, as the unreasonable (and scary) side made an unscheduled appearance.

I'll keep things posted.

Steve

MikeyT

16,577 posts

272 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
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Blimey Luca, man or mouse? Does she know how lucky she is, to be driven around in a Tuscan? – she should have arrived in Kent, with hair strewn everywhere – that's what riding in a a car with the top off does to you ... she can fix her hair at her mate's – Christ this is the UK, where it's hot for a couple of days a year!!

What's the frigging world coming too ... some people!

No help obviously.

luca brazzi

Original Poster:

3,975 posts

266 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
quotequote all
Thanks for the ultra-sypathetic comments...I'll be sure to pass them on to her. I'm sure she'll be referring to them in the divorce papers.

steve

MikeyT

16,577 posts

272 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
quotequote all
What about a handfan? My wife has one in the shape of a lemon, with five blades. Nearly put me eye out once with it.

Or two handfans?

Could be the answer.

kevinday

11,641 posts

281 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Thanks for the ultra-sypathetic comments...I'll be sure to pass them on to her. I'm sure she'll be referring to them in the divorce papers.

steve



That is, of course, another solution

pjg

46,630 posts

276 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
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I find that if you use the throttle aggresively enough, you can't hear the complaining...

My misses goes for the headscarf route (a bit 30's, but it works).

richb

51,643 posts

285 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
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My missus goes for the short hair-cut and a brush solution, but then she also drives a soft top.

Basil Brush

5,088 posts

264 months

Thursday 20th June 2002
quotequote all
quote:

What about a handfan? My wife has one in the shape of a lemon, with five blades. Nearly put me eye out once with it.

Or two handfans?

Could be the answer.



But then she'd take both your eyes out and you would be knackered.