Discussion
Had to feed the TIV with £20 worth of Esso 97 the other day to make a trip, the gauge was low, getting late so none of the usual Tesco 99.
I'm really hoping that's the reason for the very grumpy engine on the return journey. It was fine at usual rush hour speeds but coming back on empty bypasses, anything over 4k revs (in any gear) and wide throttle would have it missing (and popping exhaust a bit) which it has never done. I do have a good amount of timing advance dialled in from last winters' layup, but to allow this as I say I feed it 99 only usually. I've had this 500 for 3 years and it still seems like a rocket ship to me on the open road.
So is it that my timing advance is at the limit or some other possibility? The thing is, I'm very close to my insurance mileage limit so a refill with 99 may not be on the cards just now. Any ponderings?
PS. I'm off to view an XJS 3.6 manual coupe with low miles (37k) this morning for my next everyday smoker, this is an emergency buy. My insurer, (rhymes with clinton) has dropped me in it with my NCD by having me on a classic policy for the last 2 years for my daily snotter. I expressly stipulated that I wanted my NCD utilised as the TIV is on classic insurance already which of course doesn't use NCD. Basically, my NCD expires in a puff of smoke in a few days time unless I get standard insurance pronto. GRRR!
I'm really hoping that's the reason for the very grumpy engine on the return journey. It was fine at usual rush hour speeds but coming back on empty bypasses, anything over 4k revs (in any gear) and wide throttle would have it missing (and popping exhaust a bit) which it has never done. I do have a good amount of timing advance dialled in from last winters' layup, but to allow this as I say I feed it 99 only usually. I've had this 500 for 3 years and it still seems like a rocket ship to me on the open road.
So is it that my timing advance is at the limit or some other possibility? The thing is, I'm very close to my insurance mileage limit so a refill with 99 may not be on the cards just now. Any ponderings?
PS. I'm off to view an XJS 3.6 manual coupe with low miles (37k) this morning for my next everyday smoker, this is an emergency buy. My insurer, (rhymes with clinton) has dropped me in it with my NCD by having me on a classic policy for the last 2 years for my daily snotter. I expressly stipulated that I wanted my NCD utilised as the TIV is on classic insurance already which of course doesn't use NCD. Basically, my NCD expires in a puff of smoke in a few days time unless I get standard insurance pronto. GRRR!
On the fuel front, my 400 ran on anything, but my 500 engine has a distinct preference for super. Not so bad as misfiring, but running a lot rougher on 95. Another tank of 99 should prove it.
On the insurance front, TVR policy I had ran out of miles with three months to go, end of policy. Got an unlimited policy for not a lot more from Classic Line and have done 8000 miles on it since then. It also covers track days and costs about 60 pounds more than my 5000 mile Mannings one.
As to the NCD issue, write or phone and protest vehemently. The insurers may do a deal to keep you, and if you keep arguing they may well see fit to convert your clean record into NCD.
On the insurance front, TVR policy I had ran out of miles with three months to go, end of policy. Got an unlimited policy for not a lot more from Classic Line and have done 8000 miles on it since then. It also covers track days and costs about 60 pounds more than my 5000 mile Mannings one.
As to the NCD issue, write or phone and protest vehemently. The insurers may do a deal to keep you, and if you keep arguing they may well see fit to convert your clean record into NCD.
Hi, It may pay to check your 100 amp fuse on the chassis, I had this fault and it felt like a rev limiter at 4000 rpm, the fuse had cracked under the securing screw so it looked intact until I removed it in 2 bits. You may also find your battery will go flat very soon if it is the fuse.
QBee said:
On the fuel front, my 400 ran on anything, but my 500 engine has a distinct preference for super. Not so bad as misfiring, but running a lot rougher on 95. Another tank of 99 should prove it.
On the insurance front, TVR policy I had ran out of miles with three months to go, end of policy. Got an unlimited policy for not a lot more from Classic Line and have done 8000 miles on it since then. It also covers track days and costs about 60 pounds more than my 5000 mile Mannings one.
As to the NCD issue, write or phone and protest vehemently. The insurers may do a deal to keep you, and if you keep arguing they may well see fit to convert your clean record into NCD.
Thanks QBee. On the insurance front, TVR policy I had ran out of miles with three months to go, end of policy. Got an unlimited policy for not a lot more from Classic Line and have done 8000 miles on it since then. It also covers track days and costs about 60 pounds more than my 5000 mile Mannings one.
As to the NCD issue, write or phone and protest vehemently. The insurers may do a deal to keep you, and if you keep arguing they may well see fit to convert your clean record into NCD.
I used to use 95 with no issues but 2 years ago I checked timing with a borrowed strobe and found it well retarded, probably deliberate by Fernies for my safety. I advanced it to the recommended figure and went to using super from then on. All well, so last winter I dialled a tad more advance and stuck to 99 RON since. To be honest I was surprised to get complaints from using 97 the other day though. I might get a chance to try 99 within the 70 miles I have left of insurance.
The TIV is usually asleep by now but kept tax on because I've had daily runner issues, the biking to work everyday is killing me BTW!
So I spoke to a nice lady at my local Hitchin Swintons who was sympathetic re NCD but ultimately unable to insure old cars on modern standard policies. I only ever have old motors, the new stuff is too boring.
I have my fingers crossed about the Jag today and 2 decent ins quotes from other providers ready to activate if all's well.
jamienshelly said:
Hi, It may pay to check your 100 amp fuse on the chassis, I had this fault and it felt like a rev limiter at 4000 rpm, the fuse had cracked under the securing screw so it looked intact until I removed it in 2 bits. You may also find your battery will go flat very soon if it is the fuse.
Thanks, that's a thought. Bespoke replaced the old one without me asking for a ceramic jobby at the service, as a matter of course as it's a known issue. The thought had crossed my mind about that but it seemed too much of a coincidence with using 97 Ron this one time.I'd be very surprised if you get a misfire solely due to the lower grade fuel. You might get a bit of harmless light detonation, but it might be so light you don't even notice it.
Another thing to consider is that a high-rev misfire is a classic symptom of an ignition issue such as a failing coil, or possibly ignition amp module. I guess it's just possible that the lower grade fuel is not burning properly in a weak spark, where the better fuel was masking the effect of your failing coil, perhaps. It's something worth checking out, because a misfire above 4k RPM was the first sign of impending coil failure for me.
Another thing to consider is that a high-rev misfire is a classic symptom of an ignition issue such as a failing coil, or possibly ignition amp module. I guess it's just possible that the lower grade fuel is not burning properly in a weak spark, where the better fuel was masking the effect of your failing coil, perhaps. It's something worth checking out, because a misfire above 4k RPM was the first sign of impending coil failure for me.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen to correct woeful grammar on Sunday 3rd November 10:45
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Sunday 3rd November 10:46
Just on the insurance note, I'm fairly certain that you still don't need to own the car to be insured on it. A couple of mates and I used to all insure ourselves on a corolla thing fully comp so that we were able to drive other cars 3rd party and keep our no claims ticking over whilst we had company cars. Insure yourself on the cheapest car you can find and lie through your teeth about the details if you're desperate, *surely it can only be insurance fraud if you try to claim on it or drive the vehicle. You can always change the details to whatever car you buy when you do find one.
- Disclaimer, I am most definitely not a lawyer.
Thanks all for the suggestions, much food for thought there, what a brilliant forum this is.
Todays trip down to Harrow for the xjs viewing was a lot of effort to see a scabby £5800 rust pile held together with paint. I'm very disappointed as it looked good in the ad photos. With the clock ticking I may have to insure any old thing just to keep my NCD intact as Spaceman suggested.
Todays trip down to Harrow for the xjs viewing was a lot of effort to see a scabby £5800 rust pile held together with paint. I'm very disappointed as it looked good in the ad photos. With the clock ticking I may have to insure any old thing just to keep my NCD intact as Spaceman suggested.
Edited by fausTVR on Sunday 3rd November 19:40
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