Somebody tell me its all gonna be worth it!
Discussion
Ok only been in the realms of TVR ownership for 4 days now, but what a 4 days. I bought this www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=34476&s=3 orignally thought I got a good deal as it was prepared by Adrian Blyth, got it home won't start, posted on PH and you guys were great, response was quick and it certainly gave me something to work on. Called auto electrician and he diagnosed knackered ECU, two main points here, 1. It is going to cost best part of a grand to buy a new one. 2. The reason it is knackered is because it is soaking wet through, major leak somewhere a nice job for another day! This point I have got the serious arse on contacted Adrian Blyth who have admittedly been very helpful, but I think I wrote the email in a bit of a mood and they quite rightly said I didn't buy the car from them and the warranty issued last month is not transferrable! Fair point I suppose but should I be getting this much grief from a car that was prepared by a reputable dealer just over a month ago? Sorry to go on a bit but someone please reassure me that after the initial expense it is all going to be worth it! All I have at the moment is a car that won't start, a twelve grand overdraught and the missus looking at me with that "told you not to buy it" look! Simon.
yes, it will be.
twat of a prob. easy to fix tho.
ecu's come up on ebay quite often. there's two on there now but i'm not sure if they'll fit your car.
search rover v8 ecu.
you can buy an old rover v8 with cux for £200!
TVR use a 14Cux (i believe) the number is on yours, and they come up every now and again. £60-100.
the software will need reloading (eeproms) but there are maps about.
in fact, ring mark adams 07798582390
markadams@bjds.com
he'll probably have a recon unit he can put a map on for you. part-ex.
plug your leak!!!
my ecu is up under the dash above the glovebox...waterproof!
good luck
e-mail if you need help
andy
twat of a prob. easy to fix tho.
ecu's come up on ebay quite often. there's two on there now but i'm not sure if they'll fit your car.
search rover v8 ecu.
you can buy an old rover v8 with cux for £200!
TVR use a 14Cux (i believe) the number is on yours, and they come up every now and again. £60-100.
the software will need reloading (eeproms) but there are maps about.
in fact, ring mark adams 07798582390
markadams@bjds.com
he'll probably have a recon unit he can put a map on for you. part-ex.
plug your leak!!! my ecu is up under the dash above the glovebox...waterproof!
good luck
e-mail if you need help
andy
Stick with it!!
Open the ECU up, dry it out and try it again - you might be lucky
Search on here for water leak threads - tells you all you need to know about where to look and how to fix them.
If the ECU is genuinely knackered, try Camco in Warrington - they do a lot of Rover V8 stuff, and may be able to sort you out with a recon unit for a lot less than a new one. I think the TVR ECU has a removeable special chip in it, a bit of soldering could transfer that into a standard Rover one, but I'd check with the experts before you do it just in case I'm wrong
Another possibility could be the breakers yards that specialise in TVRs - Douglas valley is your nearest, although they're unlikely to split the ECU from the engine it came with.
And stick with it!! Its worth the heartache - just one sunny days driving will prove you made the right choice
Edited to say yeah, wot he said as well
>> Edited by andy43 on Thursday 20th January 19:37
Open the ECU up, dry it out and try it again - you might be lucky
Search on here for water leak threads - tells you all you need to know about where to look and how to fix them.
If the ECU is genuinely knackered, try Camco in Warrington - they do a lot of Rover V8 stuff, and may be able to sort you out with a recon unit for a lot less than a new one. I think the TVR ECU has a removeable special chip in it, a bit of soldering could transfer that into a standard Rover one, but I'd check with the experts before you do it just in case I'm wrong
Another possibility could be the breakers yards that specialise in TVRs - Douglas valley is your nearest, although they're unlikely to split the ECU from the engine it came with.
And stick with it!! Its worth the heartache - just one sunny days driving will prove you made the right choice
Edited to say yeah, wot he said as well
>> Edited by andy43 on Thursday 20th January 19:37
Never tried it myself but apparently when the cux goes completely dead there is good chance its just one of the internal connections gone dry joint.
What are you like with a soldering iron,if you can weild one, then run it over all the soldered connections. If not ask your auto guy to try it. Got to be worth a try IMHO.
Harry
What are you like with a soldering iron,if you can weild one, then run it over all the soldered connections. If not ask your auto guy to try it. Got to be worth a try IMHO.
Harry
I would remove the ECU and open it up try to dry it out and post a wanted ad in the classifieds for an ECU.
It might be worth dropping "Flygirl" a line as she might still have her old ECU,not sure if she sold it or not
It will be worth it
>> Edited by Pies on Thursday 20th January 21:01
It might be worth dropping "Flygirl" a line as she might still have her old ECU,not sure if she sold it or not
It will be worth it
>> Edited by Pies on Thursday 20th January 21:01
I find it hard to believe its soaking wet - inside!!
In my experience they dont get water inside them (mine on the 350i has been left on the floor for months with rain pouring in - no problem). Over the years many "auto-electricians" have been far to quick to say its the ECU knackered and its turned out to something basic. Try and borrow one off some local Tivver to prove it's the problem.
Good luck.
In my experience they dont get water inside them (mine on the 350i has been left on the floor for months with rain pouring in - no problem). Over the years many "auto-electricians" have been far to quick to say its the ECU knackered and its turned out to something basic. Try and borrow one off some local Tivver to prove it's the problem.
Good luck.
Listen Griffrysjones, of course its going to be worth it - You have to expect these cars to go wrong sometimes, most of us have problems with our cars, perhaps not as early in the ownership, and that's a bit of a bummer for you - but these cars are stunning to look at and stunning to drive. When you get your car sorted and are driving it on a summer evening, you'll know you've done the right thing - there's nothing like it.
I think you said in your previous posting that the guy gave you back a thousand quid? If drying the ECU out thoroughly doesn't do the trick, spend it on a recond ECU (there's a crowd down Southampton way who do this -I haven't got the address but if you're interested I can find it). According to the Bible (which you must buy if you don't already have it) TVR fit their own chip into a plug-in recepticle and this is available from the factory for about £16 if you need it (I assume that's still the case).
If you don't garage the car, buy yourself a decent fitted cover, even when you've sorted the leaks which shouldn't be too difficult. I have one which covers the whole cockpit, goes over part of the bonnet (that's important to prevent water running off the roof and down into the engine bay), and over the whole boot.
Finally, I have to say that it ain't very good that the so called reputable dealer sold a car that leaks, especially as it wasn't cheap! But I guess that's the hand you've been dealt. Never mind, I saw the car in the magazine a few months ago and thought it looked fantastic!
Good luck.
I think you said in your previous posting that the guy gave you back a thousand quid? If drying the ECU out thoroughly doesn't do the trick, spend it on a recond ECU (there's a crowd down Southampton way who do this -I haven't got the address but if you're interested I can find it). According to the Bible (which you must buy if you don't already have it) TVR fit their own chip into a plug-in recepticle and this is available from the factory for about £16 if you need it (I assume that's still the case).
If you don't garage the car, buy yourself a decent fitted cover, even when you've sorted the leaks which shouldn't be too difficult. I have one which covers the whole cockpit, goes over part of the bonnet (that's important to prevent water running off the roof and down into the engine bay), and over the whole boot.
Finally, I have to say that it ain't very good that the so called reputable dealer sold a car that leaks, especially as it wasn't cheap! But I guess that's the hand you've been dealt. Never mind, I saw the car in the magazine a few months ago and thought it looked fantastic!
Good luck.
red griff 500 said:
Finally, I have to say that it ain't very good that the so called reputable dealer sold a car that leaks, especially as it wasn't cheap!
Whoah There!
To know that a car leaks (unless it's 2" deep in mould and stinks) you have to stand it out in the wet. And Blythy's cars don't stand outside. They may not have known it was leaky - putting a hose on it and searching for water ingress is not a standard check during inspection or preparation. And they're quite right, they are not responsible for a car they sold to the guy who sold the car to a guy who... etc, otherwise they'd be bankrupt by now.
A tad harsh I'd say.
And the answer is yes, it will all be worth it in the end, if you have the right temperament to own it. If, even when it's sick, you go and look at it or sit in it and smell that distinctive TVR smell, and your tummy turns over, then it will all be ok (and you won't notice what it cost). If it's 'just a car', then enjoy it while you've got it, and then let it go for someone else to love.
Have to say that comment about adrain blyth is completely over the top .. they're one of the *most* respected tvr sales outlets you'll find. period.
onto the car though..
Almost All TVRs leak .. if you didn't know that then you must have had your head in the sand for the past 5 decades.
Time to get a sense of reality :
you've got a beautiful looking car for a fair price.
you've got a typical TVR that leaks .. just fix the leak!
it's a shame that an expensive component has become damaged, but if you expect to go through TVR ownership without major expense at some point you're in for a rude awakening. Admitted it's a shame it's happened so soon after you bought the car, but that's one fact of ownership you're gonna have to come to terms with.
Bite the bullet, get it fixed, get it garaged or buy a sturdy cover for it and start enjoying it for the glorious motor car it is. If you decide you've gone off it there'll be plenty of people wanting to buy it off you ..
>> Edited by joospeed on Thursday 20th January 23:14
onto the car though..
Almost All TVRs leak .. if you didn't know that then you must have had your head in the sand for the past 5 decades.
Time to get a sense of reality :
you've got a beautiful looking car for a fair price.
you've got a typical TVR that leaks .. just fix the leak!
it's a shame that an expensive component has become damaged, but if you expect to go through TVR ownership without major expense at some point you're in for a rude awakening. Admitted it's a shame it's happened so soon after you bought the car, but that's one fact of ownership you're gonna have to come to terms with.
Bite the bullet, get it fixed, get it garaged or buy a sturdy cover for it and start enjoying it for the glorious motor car it is. If you decide you've gone off it there'll be plenty of people wanting to buy it off you ..
>> Edited by joospeed on Thursday 20th January 23:14
Bad news sorry to hear that.
Blyths is a very reputable guy in the TVR circles and so is "The Garage" he uses. Having been a previous buyer from him a can vouch for that, so IMHO some harsh comments there.
Have you tried unplugging the ECU and having a look at the condition of the terminals? May just need a good squirt with WD40 to give them a good clean( becareful not to bend them as they are very flimsy). I cant imagine the inside would have got wet.The unit seems petty well sealed to me. and it sits pretty high and away from any possible sitting water, if it gets in
.
A place for that water may be getting on that sid eis the grommet on the inside of the nearside wing right up near the windscreen motor but lower down in the engine bay more.
Hope you get it sorted, as you can see theres plenty of help and advice on here. Believe me it will be well worth it especially with Hood down ( bareable) weather just around the corner.
BB
Blyths is a very reputable guy in the TVR circles and so is "The Garage" he uses. Having been a previous buyer from him a can vouch for that, so IMHO some harsh comments there.
Have you tried unplugging the ECU and having a look at the condition of the terminals? May just need a good squirt with WD40 to give them a good clean( becareful not to bend them as they are very flimsy). I cant imagine the inside would have got wet.The unit seems petty well sealed to me. and it sits pretty high and away from any possible sitting water, if it gets in
. A place for that water may be getting on that sid eis the grommet on the inside of the nearside wing right up near the windscreen motor but lower down in the engine bay more.
Hope you get it sorted, as you can see theres plenty of help and advice on here. Believe me it will be well worth it especially with Hood down ( bareable) weather just around the corner.
BB
Griff-R-J,
My ecu also got 'wet' inside....to the point where liquid was running out of the casing!! (Problem solved now with careful use of clear silicone sealer).
I split the case - 4 off torx screws - then liberally sprayed FOSPRO all over the circuit board, both sides, re-assembelled....and she fired up.
Fospro is one of these electrical reclamation sprays, the instrument guys at work use a lot of it to disperse water from terminal boxes , JB's etc. I guess you could get it from an electrical/industrial suppliers - -but its great stuff, v.handy to have in a TVR!
If the ecu is dead, also try Bell Hill garage, the breakers in Bristol. They were selling loads of RV8/Lucas ecu's at the Power & Passion in Cardiff.
As someone posted, its a standard phrase for some of the less knowledgeable -'the ecu's knackered mate'. Hang on in there....summer's coming! Nick
My ecu also got 'wet' inside....to the point where liquid was running out of the casing!! (Problem solved now with careful use of clear silicone sealer).
I split the case - 4 off torx screws - then liberally sprayed FOSPRO all over the circuit board, both sides, re-assembelled....and she fired up.
Fospro is one of these electrical reclamation sprays, the instrument guys at work use a lot of it to disperse water from terminal boxes , JB's etc. I guess you could get it from an electrical/industrial suppliers - -but its great stuff, v.handy to have in a TVR!
If the ecu is dead, also try Bell Hill garage, the breakers in Bristol. They were selling loads of RV8/Lucas ecu's at the Power & Passion in Cardiff.
As someone posted, its a standard phrase for some of the less knowledgeable -'the ecu's knackered mate'. Hang on in there....summer's coming! Nick
I've just spent a condsiderable amount of money fixing some engine problems and other stuff on my Griff, and have been without the car now for 3 months. Quite frankly I feel sick to my stomach!!!
Well you would, wouldn't you having spent all that money on the car only to have a big repairs bill after 6 months?
Wouldn't you?
Well...err....actually....NO!!!
The reason I feel sick is that there is a good chance I'll be getting the beast back today and I'm sooooooo excited that I am finding it hard not to chunder!
Does that answer your question?
Just view every visit to the mechanic as an oppurtunity to add some shiny new bits and you'll be fine.
Can't wait to try out my new cam...
mmmpphhhhh.....toilet.......
Well you would, wouldn't you having spent all that money on the car only to have a big repairs bill after 6 months?
Wouldn't you?
Well...err....actually....NO!!!
The reason I feel sick is that there is a good chance I'll be getting the beast back today and I'm sooooooo excited that I am finding it hard not to chunder!
Does that answer your question?
Just view every visit to the mechanic as an oppurtunity to add some shiny new bits and you'll be fine.
Can't wait to try out my new cam...
mmmpphhhhh.....toilet.......
griffrhysjones said:
Ok only been in the realms of TVR ownership for 4 days now, but what a 4 days. I bought this <a href="http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=34476&s=3">www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=34476&s=3</a> orignally thought I got a good deal as it was prepared by Adrian Blyth, got it home won't start, posted on PH and you guys were great, response was quick and it certainly gave me something to work on. Called auto electrician and he diagnosed knackered ECU, two main points here, 1. It is going to cost best part of a grand to buy a new one. 2. The reason it is knackered is because it is soaking wet through, major leak somewhere a nice job for another day! This point I have got the serious arse on contacted Adrian Blyth who have admittedly been very helpful, but I think I wrote the email in a bit of a mood and they quite rightly said I didn't buy the car from them and the warranty issued last month is not transferrable! Fair point I suppose but should I be getting this much grief from a car that was prepared by a reputable dealer just over a month ago? Sorry to go on a bit but someone please reassure me that after the initial expense it is all going to be worth it! All I have at the moment is a car that won't start, a twelve grand overdraught and the missus looking at me with that "told you not to buy it" look! Simon.
Remember it IS a 13 year OLD car, they won't generally leak, if all the seals are checked ok, what can get in around the side indicator seals, under the bonnet where parts are siloconed into the GRP, you need to annually reproff the roof, to get the water repelling from it.
Ignore the 'auto electrician' unless he knows GRiffs well, and talk to a specialist Griff mechanic for a 2nd opinion, there are always options.
B
>> Edited by bjwoods on Friday 21st January 08:51
rude girl said:
if you have the right temperament to own it.
I think Corinne has come pretty close to the proverbial nail. If you own a TVR you have to take a certain laid back approach to times off the road and problems. If you're one of the very lucky ones you may experience trouble free motoring which brings huge rewards. My advice is to also get the setup of the geometry checked as my Griff was very sensitive to this.
There is a school of thought that the Griff series is relatively trouble free. It certainly wasn't my experience which was fraught, painful and extremely expensive.
On the point of covers, be careful as the constant rubbing of the cover can damage the paint lacquer.
Good luck.
smifffy said:
if you have the right temperament to own it.
I think Corinne has come pretty close to the proverbial nail. If you own a TVR you have to take a certain laid back approach to times off the road and problems. If you're one of the very lucky ones you may experience trouble free motoring which brings huge rewards. My advice is to also get the setup of the geometry checked as my Griff was very sensitive to this.
There is a school of thought that the Griff series is relatively trouble free. It certainly wasn't my experience which was fraught, painful and extremely expensive.
On the point of covers, be careful as the constant rubbing of the cover can damage the paint lacquer.
Good luck.
Totallt agree with the geometry, get it checked/sorted, it can transform the handling..
Good luck with the impreza, but after looking at some subaru forums, you probly won't be a stranger to some big bills there...
Not sure how you lost so much money, especially depreciation, as good griff prices have hardly budged in the last 3 years.
B
I have watched this post with great interest and am very grateful for the informed comments made by PH members who know how Adrian Blyth Specialist Cars operate.
I also note the acknowledgement that GriffRhysJones made about his email to us, which as he admits was worded whilst he was understandably upset and frustrated with his new purchase. That was a shame, because as people will testify, we are ordinarily a listening ear, irrespective of whether the car has been brought from us. As has been echoed here Simon - stick with it, get it sorted and it WILL be worth it in the end!
I am doubly bemused by the amount of water found in the footwells, firstly the "nose test" confirmed it was not a characteristically damp car when we bought it and there was no undue water ingress when we pressure washed the car. Secondly, on the day when Paul Hardiman from C&S came to retrieve the car for the photo shoot, it was literally tipping down! In fact Paul was in two minds whether to postpone it. He did go ahead and commented how easy it was to induce the back end to perform for the camera with the wet conditions! (see pics in mag). The car was subsequently returned to us with a dry cabin.
I can only summise that the temporary custodian, who took it in part exchange from our client and subsequently sold it to Simon, had at some time parked the car outside in such a way, that it accentuated water ingress.
Our warranties are our own and as such are not transferable to third parties. Rightly or wrongly, as it is our money that is funding those warranties, then we chose to support those that support us - by purchasing directly from us.
Stick with it Simon - as Dave Batty will testify, you do have an inherently sound and beautiful Pre-Cat!
apprentice
I also note the acknowledgement that GriffRhysJones made about his email to us, which as he admits was worded whilst he was understandably upset and frustrated with his new purchase. That was a shame, because as people will testify, we are ordinarily a listening ear, irrespective of whether the car has been brought from us. As has been echoed here Simon - stick with it, get it sorted and it WILL be worth it in the end!
I am doubly bemused by the amount of water found in the footwells, firstly the "nose test" confirmed it was not a characteristically damp car when we bought it and there was no undue water ingress when we pressure washed the car. Secondly, on the day when Paul Hardiman from C&S came to retrieve the car for the photo shoot, it was literally tipping down! In fact Paul was in two minds whether to postpone it. He did go ahead and commented how easy it was to induce the back end to perform for the camera with the wet conditions! (see pics in mag). The car was subsequently returned to us with a dry cabin.
I can only summise that the temporary custodian, who took it in part exchange from our client and subsequently sold it to Simon, had at some time parked the car outside in such a way, that it accentuated water ingress.
Our warranties are our own and as such are not transferable to third parties. Rightly or wrongly, as it is our money that is funding those warranties, then we chose to support those that support us - by purchasing directly from us.
Stick with it Simon - as Dave Batty will testify, you do have an inherently sound and beautiful Pre-Cat!
apprentice
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