Design/Manufacturing fault with the Tuscan Mk 1

[stepr1]

As a warning notice:

Four weeks ago my 2000 Tuscan Red Rose caught fire on my driveway.

Heard today from the forensic investigator that the reason for the fire was

THAT BECAUSE THE BATTERY TRAY DOESN'T HAVE A DRAIN HOLE IN IT, RAIN WATER BUILDS UP AND CORRODES THE BATTERY CAUSING AN ARC!!!

Apparently the insurance company have contacted TVR and told them of the fault and that they expect to see a modification.

BE AWARE...

[bogie]

dosent surprise me there may well be a 'fault'...does surprise me that they actually sent out a 'forensic investigator' though ! ...wow

[nelly1]

[quote=stepr1]

....BECAUSE THE BATTERY TRAY DOESN'T HAVE A DRAIN HOLE IN IT, RAIN WATER BUILDS UP AND CORRODES THE BATTERY CAUSING AN ARC!!!

First off, really sorry for your loss!

Just a thought....how could rain water corrode the battery? Aren't the shells of modern batteries made of ABS plastic?

Maybe the battery was leaking acid for whatever reason?
They're supposed to have a vent which should have a plastic pipe running away from the tray.This could have been damaged/absent?
The alternator could have been over-charging?
The battery could have been knackered?

Don't suppose any of this makes a difference to you now!
You must have been hoping to wake up from your nightmare!!

[J_S_G]

Stepr, sorry to hear of your ongoing woes... hopefully the insurance company don't mess you about when it comes to paying out.

This does seem a bit odd, though... battery acid can't corrode it, but rain water can.

Was that your Tusc w/ fire damage that I spotted on EBay the other day, btw?

[nelly1]

J_S_G said:

This does seem a bit odd, though... battery acid can't corrode it, but rain water can.

You don't live next to a nuclear plant do you?

[GreenV8S]

Is it possible that the battery terminals have shorted out (not corroded) because it was covered in water?

[J_S_G]

nelly1 said:

J_S_G said: This does seem a bit odd, though... battery acid can't corrode it, but rain water can. You don't live next to a nuclear plant do you?

[EddyB]

I hate to say it, but another reason for putting the car in the garage when it's not being used... or if you don't have a garage, investing in a cover of some kind.

[stepr1]

JSG,

No that wasn't my Tuscan on ebay..

Insurance company have been very fair to be honest. They canvassed numerous dealers and gave a fair price.

Onwards and upwards but not in a TVR.

[russian rocket]

so do you think they will do a recall............................................................................

[2 Smokin Barrels]

I'd be careful here. In my experience, forensic fire examiners don't always get it right. I suppose the nature of the job means that it is extremely likely a mis-diagnosis may occur. Strikes me more than half of it is guess work, and what that particular investigator has seen before.