NEW OWNER 1995 TVR CHIMAERA
Discussion
Hi all,
Just a quick ( well long ) post to say hi and some friendly advice if possible?
Just bought my first ever TVR, and what a machine! Had it now just 2 weeks and enjoying taking her out despite the summer being over.
As a first owner i didnt go all out, Instead buying a high mileage 1995 to see how things go.... so fingers crossed.. vrroooooommmmm burble burble... lovely!.
While im here can anyone help with the below:
Chassis > Seems in good condition despite age and mileage so ive already gooton dirty with the chassis paint and waxoyl (my fave job after years of mini ownership)
Battery > After reading many problems with battery drain, i thought i wouldn't have too much of an issue considering how much i would be using it. However, only just started after 2 days in the cold yesterday. Ive ordered a solar 10w trickle charge (no power in drive)r.... will this be powerful enough?
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Boot leak > Weird boot leak that drips into the centre of the boot > think it might be around the lock bolts through the body > Has anyone else had this trouble?
Battery failure > How on earth do i get in if the battery finally skuppers my chances of getting in? I can get in the boot easily through .... ahem...... but the doors? My largest concern.
Engine noises > Sounds awesome as usual, Slightly tappy noises from engine > i own a mini and get used to these, and considering the mileage i reckon not too bad..... but is it??
Engine idling > Normally perfect, but after a 'high speed' jaunt > the engine idle picks up when trying to cruise around slowly.... making her lumpy... any ideas?
Oil pressure sender > Fiddled with it and now occasionally works, then goes walkabout around the gauge ... my question, do you have to drain the oil to refit a new one?
Hmmmmm.... i think that will do fo now...... Its great reading this forum, so looking forward to being a part of it...
Thanks All
Just a quick ( well long ) post to say hi and some friendly advice if possible?
Just bought my first ever TVR, and what a machine! Had it now just 2 weeks and enjoying taking her out despite the summer being over.
As a first owner i didnt go all out, Instead buying a high mileage 1995 to see how things go.... so fingers crossed.. vrroooooommmmm burble burble... lovely!.
While im here can anyone help with the below:
Chassis > Seems in good condition despite age and mileage so ive already gooton dirty with the chassis paint and waxoyl (my fave job after years of mini ownership)
Battery > After reading many problems with battery drain, i thought i wouldn't have too much of an issue considering how much i would be using it. However, only just started after 2 days in the cold yesterday. Ive ordered a solar 10w trickle charge (no power in drive)r.... will this be powerful enough?
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Boot leak > Weird boot leak that drips into the centre of the boot > think it might be around the lock bolts through the body > Has anyone else had this trouble?
Battery failure > How on earth do i get in if the battery finally skuppers my chances of getting in? I can get in the boot easily through .... ahem...... but the doors? My largest concern.
Engine noises > Sounds awesome as usual, Slightly tappy noises from engine > i own a mini and get used to these, and considering the mileage i reckon not too bad..... but is it??
Engine idling > Normally perfect, but after a 'high speed' jaunt > the engine idle picks up when trying to cruise around slowly.... making her lumpy... any ideas?
Oil pressure sender > Fiddled with it and now occasionally works, then goes walkabout around the gauge ... my question, do you have to drain the oil to refit a new one?
Hmmmmm.... i think that will do fo now...... Its great reading this forum, so looking forward to being a part of it...
Thanks All
Welcome! Glad you are enjoying it. Some comments below.
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Yes - just re-glue.
Battery failure > How on earth do i get in if the battery finally skuppers my chances of getting in? I can get in the boot easily through .... ahem...... but the doors? My largest concern.
There is a easy way (related to the glue point), but people wont post on here, so private message someone with a car and they will explain
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Yes - just re-glue.
Battery failure > How on earth do i get in if the battery finally skuppers my chances of getting in? I can get in the boot easily through .... ahem...... but the doors? My largest concern.
There is a easy way (related to the glue point), but people wont post on here, so private message someone with a car and they will explain
Congrats and welcome to the mad house.
You can open the drivers door from the boot, top right hand corner of the boot is a release lever.
Im about to replace my battery this weekend
The odd idle could be the stepper motor, take it out and clean but TBH it is often a case of they all do that.
My boot leaks after Ive washed the car, not a lot though so Ive never looked into it.
You can open the drivers door from the boot, top right hand corner of the boot is a release lever.
Im about to replace my battery this weekend
The odd idle could be the stepper motor, take it out and clean but TBH it is often a case of they all do that.
My boot leaks after Ive washed the car, not a lot though so Ive never looked into it.
Welcome,
Details here:
http://www.petrolheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/
But you may need new gaskets which is a bit more involved (read a pain in the arsh to do)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=103...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=952...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370678852601?ssPageName=...
Instructions to fit here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=984...
Use the forum & people will help you.
Best regards, Dave.
jamescooper47 said:
Battery > After reading many problems with battery drain, i thought i wouldn't have too much of an issue considering how much i would be using it. However, only just started after 2 days in the cold yesterday. Ive ordered a solar 10w trickle charge (no power in drive)r.... will this be powerful enough?
No, fit a Battery Brain, but start with a new battery first it sounds like yours may be on the way out.Details here:
http://www.petrolheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
jamescooper47 said:
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
This sounds normal, ideally the Velcro should be peeled apart before you lower the roof, but some photos of exactly whats happened would help.jamescooper47 said:
Boot leak > Weird boot leak that drips into the centre of the boot > think it might be around the lock bolts through the body > Has anyone else had this trouble?
Buy & fit a new boot seal, cheap as chips and readily available from "Seals Direct"http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/
jamescooper47 said:
Battery failure > How on earth do i get in if the battery finally skuppers my chances of getting in? I can get in the boot easily through .... ahem...... but the doors? My largest concern.
PM me, you're closer to opening the drivers door than you think.jamescooper47 said:
Engine noises > Sounds awesome as usual, Slightly tappy noises from engine > i own a mini and get used to these, and considering the mileage i reckon not too bad..... but is it??
Probably just the exhaust manifolds leaking at the head, surprisingly this can sound just like a metallic tap from the engine. Just listen with a short length of garden hose first, if its the manifold you'll need to tighten the bolts first to see if it goes away.But you may need new gaskets which is a bit more involved (read a pain in the arsh to do)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=103...
jamescooper47 said:
Engine idling > Normally perfect, but after a 'high speed' jaunt > the engine idle picks up when trying to cruise around slowly.... making her lumpy... any ideas?
Start by cleaning the stepper motor, adjust the throttle pot & base idle too.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=952...
jamescooper47 said:
Oil pressure sender > Fiddled with it and now occasionally works, then goes walkabout around the gauge ... my question, do you have to drain the oil to refit a new one?
Replace with this one:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370678852601?ssPageName=...
Instructions to fit here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=984...
jamescooper47 said:
Hmmmmm.... i think that will do fo now...... Its great reading this forum, so looking forward to being a part of it...Thanks All
Keep the faith, your issues are all easy fixes.Use the forum & people will help you.
Best regards, Dave.
Congrats… it becomes addictive!
Battery > After reading many problems with battery drain, i thought i wouldn't have too much of an issue considering how much i would be using it. However, only just started after 2 days in the cold yesterday. Ive ordered a solar 10w trickle charge (no power in drive)r.... will this be powerful enough?
If your battery is draining this quick, you may find that it is past its best, so you may be better purchasing a new one. There are plenty of Bosch/ Varta batteries available for about £50-£60. I went for an E39 for about £100. Others have gone the Oddyssey route and moved the battery to the boot. Personal choice. There are a few battery threads lurking on the Chimaera forum.
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Yes, happens to me all the time!
Engine noises > Sounds awesome as usual, Slightly tappy noises from engine > i own a mini and get used to these, and considering the mileage i reckon not too bad..... but is it??
Could be your exhaust manifold gaskets leaking or possibly the tappets themselves. Try tightening the manifolds first to see if the noise disappears or reduces. It seems to be a common occurrence for the RV8 derivatives to have a cam change around the 60k miles, which would of course necessitate changing the hydraulic tappets at the same time. Check the manifolds first though and ensure that it has the right grade of engine oil.
Engine idling > Normally perfect, but after a 'high speed' jaunt > the engine idle picks up when trying to cruise around slowly.... making her lumpy... any ideas?
Shunting is quite common, more so with the 500. It seems to be caused by the lack of flexibility within the 14CUX to correctly balance the air/fuel mixture (somebody will be along soon to explain it properly). Some have gone for aftermarket ECU's such as Megasquirt, Canems, Emerald etc and had the fuelling properly mapped. It may also be worth cleaning and changing the plugs, checking the HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor arm and finally the stepper motor at the rear of the plenum.
Oil pressure sender > Fiddled with it and now occasionally works, then goes walkabout around the gauge ... my question, do you have to drain the oil to refit a new one?
No, you don't need to drain the oil to fit a new sender. There are a couple of senders in use; the Ebay sender as recommended by ChimpOnGas and the ones that used to be available on the classifieds/ via TVR dealers. The pressure readings between them vary slightly, but should be consistent.
Hmmmmm.... i think that will do fo now...... Its great reading this forum, so looking forward to being a part of it…
There is a lot of collective experience on this forum and some very helpful and knowledgeable people!
Battery > After reading many problems with battery drain, i thought i wouldn't have too much of an issue considering how much i would be using it. However, only just started after 2 days in the cold yesterday. Ive ordered a solar 10w trickle charge (no power in drive)r.... will this be powerful enough?
If your battery is draining this quick, you may find that it is past its best, so you may be better purchasing a new one. There are plenty of Bosch/ Varta batteries available for about £50-£60. I went for an E39 for about £100. Others have gone the Oddyssey route and moved the battery to the boot. Personal choice. There are a few battery threads lurking on the Chimaera forum.
Hood > Lowered it to see if everything works, velcro strips came untuck from the body behind the side windows > normal? Can it be stuck back on?
Yes, happens to me all the time!
Engine noises > Sounds awesome as usual, Slightly tappy noises from engine > i own a mini and get used to these, and considering the mileage i reckon not too bad..... but is it??
Could be your exhaust manifold gaskets leaking or possibly the tappets themselves. Try tightening the manifolds first to see if the noise disappears or reduces. It seems to be a common occurrence for the RV8 derivatives to have a cam change around the 60k miles, which would of course necessitate changing the hydraulic tappets at the same time. Check the manifolds first though and ensure that it has the right grade of engine oil.
Engine idling > Normally perfect, but after a 'high speed' jaunt > the engine idle picks up when trying to cruise around slowly.... making her lumpy... any ideas?
Shunting is quite common, more so with the 500. It seems to be caused by the lack of flexibility within the 14CUX to correctly balance the air/fuel mixture (somebody will be along soon to explain it properly). Some have gone for aftermarket ECU's such as Megasquirt, Canems, Emerald etc and had the fuelling properly mapped. It may also be worth cleaning and changing the plugs, checking the HT leads, dizzy cap and rotor arm and finally the stepper motor at the rear of the plenum.
Oil pressure sender > Fiddled with it and now occasionally works, then goes walkabout around the gauge ... my question, do you have to drain the oil to refit a new one?
No, you don't need to drain the oil to fit a new sender. There are a couple of senders in use; the Ebay sender as recommended by ChimpOnGas and the ones that used to be available on the classifieds/ via TVR dealers. The pressure readings between them vary slightly, but should be consistent.
Hmmmmm.... i think that will do fo now...... Its great reading this forum, so looking forward to being a part of it…
There is a lot of collective experience on this forum and some very helpful and knowledgeable people!
jamescooper47 said:
Wow, this is alot if info. Thankyou so much to all! I can't wait to get dug in! I'm off for the weekend ( to Devon from reading) so wish me luck.... Trevor's providing the transport... Ha
An image for the request!
Im in Reading too An image for the request!
quite a few TVR owners in the area. Did you get yours from chap in Wokingham? You need to get along to the TVRCC meeting in Bracknell. Worth joining the Regional FB page https://www.facebook.com/groups/478450585512208/
The regional No2 is also a well known TVR specialist so if you need anything doing that you cant hes the man.
Edited by StarmistBlue400 on Friday 15th November 17:32
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