48 hours of ownership and a disaster has struck
Discussion
Picked up my dream car on saturday- a 1999 t plate cerbera speed six with full service history. drove it a little on sunday, slight rattle coming from head- no big deal i thought. then monday i was driving along and oil pressure dissapeared!
Immediately i switched off the motor and got a breakdown truck out.
sent it to RT racing in sheffield as he was the most local specialist in the area and the problem has turned out to be catastrophic!!
Basically, a shim as worked its way from the head of the valve to the scavenger oil pump in the bottom of the sump which has in turn broken and stopped oil going back into the reservior ( hence no oil showing in tank and no oil pressure.
Apparrently it is going to cost £5,000 to rebuild the engine even though there is no piston, crank, or sleeve damage! can anyone advise as to if this is a good price?
If not who would you reccomend in the north of england to do this kind of task?
All help would be really appreciated!
I cannot belive my mis fortune! because it was so wet over the weekend i didnt even get a chance to open her up !!
Still, ......what a car!!
Immediately i switched off the motor and got a breakdown truck out.
sent it to RT racing in sheffield as he was the most local specialist in the area and the problem has turned out to be catastrophic!!
Basically, a shim as worked its way from the head of the valve to the scavenger oil pump in the bottom of the sump which has in turn broken and stopped oil going back into the reservior ( hence no oil showing in tank and no oil pressure.
Apparrently it is going to cost £5,000 to rebuild the engine even though there is no piston, crank, or sleeve damage! can anyone advise as to if this is a good price?
If not who would you reccomend in the north of england to do this kind of task?
All help would be really appreciated!
I cannot belive my mis fortune! because it was so wet over the weekend i didnt even get a chance to open her up !!
Still, ......what a car!!
huddscerbie said:
Picked up my dream car on saturday- a 1999 t plate cerbera speed six with full service history. drove it a little on sunday, slight rattle coming from head- no big deal i thought. then monday i was driving along and oil pressure dissapeared!
Immediately i switched off the motor and got a breakdown truck out.
sent it to RT racing in sheffield as he was the most local specialist in the area and the problem has turned out to be catastrophic!!
Basically, a shim as worked its way from the head of the valve to the scavenger oil pump in the bottom of the sump which has in turn broken and stopped oil going back into the reservior ( hence no oil showing in tank and no oil pressure.
Apparrently it is going to cost £5,000 to rebuild the engine even though there is no piston, crank, or sleeve damage! can anyone advise as to if this is a good price?
If not who would you reccomend in the north of england to do this kind of task?
All help would be really appreciated!
I cannot belive my mis fortune! because it was so wet over the weekend i didnt even get a chance to open her up !!
Still, ......what a car!!
Dude, whether this was a private or Dealer purchase I can't see how you can be liable to pay for the repairs.
Car has to be fit for purpose which it clearly wasn't when you bought it.
The first port of call imo is straight back to whomever you bought it off!
Good luck!
Duncan
TVR Power/ TVRcraft also do rebuilds, I reccommend giving them a call and also looking on the "speedsix engine" forum for further advice.
Dont get too upset over it, its rebuildable, unlike the obliterated car sitting on our drive (not the Cerbera fortunately!)
Chin up, it'll be worth it.
Dont get too upset over it, its rebuildable, unlike the obliterated car sitting on our drive (not the Cerbera fortunately!)
Chin up, it'll be worth it.
huddscerbie said:
Picked up my dream car on saturday- a 1999 t plate cerbera speed six with full service history. drove it a little on sunday, slight rattle coming from head- no big deal i thought. then monday i was driving along and oil pressure dissapeared!
Immediately i switched off the motor and got a breakdown truck out.
sent it to RT racing in sheffield as he was the most local specialist in the area and the problem has turned out to be catastrophic!!
Basically, a shim as worked its way from the head of the valve to the scavenger oil pump in the bottom of the sump which has in turn broken and stopped oil going back into the reservior ( hence no oil showing in tank and no oil pressure.
Apparrently it is going to cost £5,000 to rebuild the engine even though there is no piston, crank, or sleeve damage! can anyone advise as to if this is a good price?
If not who would you reccomend in the north of england to do this kind of task?
All help would be really appreciated!
I cannot belive my mis fortune! because it was so wet over the weekend i didnt even get a chance to open her up !!
Still, ......what a car!!
3 choices I think
in no particular order
1)TVR Power will be a local place for you www.tvrpower.co.uk/ speak to Dom
2) Austec Racing, speak to Paul, he is now manufacturing 99% of parts required for head rebuilds from valves, retainer and spring, with a comversion to the head too. www.austec.co.uk/
3) TVR Craft also offer a rebuild service, I dont know there http, but if you search the Speed Six forum you should find it.
5K seems alot, I got a full 4.0ltr redrose conversion with all new internals and blueprinted engine from Power, inc new pistons, crank, rods, injectors, valves & head rebuild for £5.7k, so 5K does seem alot.
Get more than one estimate, and Im sure if you decide to go with one of the above 3 they would supply a low loader to go and pick your car up...
Sorry to hear of your woes
Mr F
DuncanM said:
Picked up my dream car on saturday- a 1999 t plate cerbera speed six with full service history. drove it a little on sunday, slight rattle coming from head- no big deal i thought. then monday i was driving along and oil pressure dissapeared!
Immediately i switched off the motor and got a breakdown truck out.
sent it to RT racing in sheffield as he was the most local specialist in the area and the problem has turned out to be catastrophic!!
Basically, a shim as worked its way from the head of the valve to the scavenger oil pump in the bottom of the sump which has in turn broken and stopped oil going back into the reservior ( hence no oil showing in tank and no oil pressure.
Apparrently it is going to cost £5,000 to rebuild the engine even though there is no piston, crank, or sleeve damage! can anyone advise as to if this is a good price?
If not who would you reccomend in the north of england to do this kind of task?
All help would be really appreciated!
I cannot belive my mis fortune! because it was so wet over the weekend i didnt even get a chance to open her up !!
Still, ......what a car!!
Dude, whether this was a private or Dealer purchase I can't see how you can be liable to pay for the repairs.
Car has to be fit for purpose which it clearly wasn't when you bought it.
The first port of call imo is straight back to whomever you bought it off!
Good luck!
Duncan
Couple of things to say here. Firstly sorry about you car mate. You must be gutted. Second. RT have always looked after my car for a fair price and I've always been delighted with Richards work. My car will be back with him this Friday ( don't forget Mr Thorpe if your reading this !! )
Duncan is I think mistaken on the private sale. I once sold a Sylva Striker wirh a 2ltr Vauxhall engine. The headgasket failed after a week. I was very sorry for him but it could have gone on for 6 years. Luck of the draw. He threatened to take me to court. I spoke to a few people and he did'nt have a leg to stand on. I felt really bad for the guy but thats life and cars.
deleted my post explaining my reasoning until I have had time to consider things further. Basically, im quite lucky to be wingless and not looking up at a halo - so I cant help but take a different perspective on things here.
The engine is rebuildable, it wont cost £5k (unless you go mad with the TVRcraft route, they do superchargers
), he may not be liable for the costs of a rebuild. etc etc etc
Am I fecking nuts? yes.
>> Edited by BCA on Tuesday 14th February 21:28
The engine is rebuildable, it wont cost £5k (unless you go mad with the TVRcraft route, they do superchargers
), he may not be liable for the costs of a rebuild. etc etc etc Am I fecking nuts? yes.
>> Edited by BCA on Tuesday 14th February 21:28
Yes doctor, bring the jacket too, just inacse. PHer SlvrCrb recently had a serious engine problem. He purchased a second hand engine off a reputable local indie for far less than £5k, and was selling off the good bits of his old engine to reduce the outlay further. (It was a 4.2V8 mind, if it makes a difference?)
He reckons the new engine is far better than his old one, so he's chuffed as fark.
PM him through his profile, Im sure he will give you the figures
He reckons the new engine is far better than his old one, so he's chuffed as fark.
PM him through his profile, Im sure he will give you the figures
Bad news 
You never really know what the damage is until the whole engine is stripped down, so taking all the labour into account and any other parts that would need replacing, not forgetting engine removal and refit, I think you should be looking at a bill of around 3k tops for starters (higher if more damage is found).
I'd only recommend 3 chaps which have a good long history in engine work, tvrpower, tvrcraft and apm.
TVR Power
Tel: 024 7636 6177
Contact: Dom
TVR Craft
Tel: 01722 411 118
Contact: Dave
APM
Tel: 07740 723673
Contact: Andy
Ring all three, do the research, go with who you have confidence with.
To be honest, RT Racing owned by Richard Thorpe is a very credible outfit and has a long running history of experience with TVR racers, so if they give you a ball-park quote of 5k it might not mean it is 5k, call the others and just barter a bargain. We even have some good builders on these very forums, give BoostedLS1 a shout for some tech advice if you need a non-biased opinion.
Hey, you can always cut the 5k loss and sell her on if need be!
Maybe even Jon Ellison (Jellison) could do a yank engine transplant for you around that price bracket if you're extra nice
Buying any used car is with risk, I always suggest getting a warranty cover with a purchase on the day of purchase!
Goodluck mate.
You never really know what the damage is until the whole engine is stripped down, so taking all the labour into account and any other parts that would need replacing, not forgetting engine removal and refit, I think you should be looking at a bill of around 3k tops for starters (higher if more damage is found).
I'd only recommend 3 chaps which have a good long history in engine work, tvrpower, tvrcraft and apm.
TVR Power
Tel: 024 7636 6177
Contact: Dom
TVR Craft
Tel: 01722 411 118
Contact: Dave
APM
Tel: 07740 723673
Contact: Andy
Ring all three, do the research, go with who you have confidence with.
To be honest, RT Racing owned by Richard Thorpe is a very credible outfit and has a long running history of experience with TVR racers, so if they give you a ball-park quote of 5k it might not mean it is 5k, call the others and just barter a bargain. We even have some good builders on these very forums, give BoostedLS1 a shout for some tech advice if you need a non-biased opinion.
Hey, you can always cut the 5k loss and sell her on if need be!
Maybe even Jon Ellison (Jellison) could do a yank engine transplant for you around that price bracket if you're extra nice
Buying any used car is with risk, I always suggest getting a warranty cover with a purchase on the day of purchase!
Goodluck mate.
Bad news about the bill. I'm afraid I personally wouldn't buy a S6 privately so I hope it's from a dealer. At least you will have some comeback then.
Incidently, it isn't a blue cerb is it? And you weren't near Meadowhall at the time? If so you were spotted by someone else with an RAC truck.
Incidently, it isn't a blue cerb is it? And you weren't near Meadowhall at the time? If so you were spotted by someone else with an RAC truck.
Thanks you lot for all your help and advice. i will speak to tvr power and the others tomorrow and go from there.
Also, i ve been looking at the tvr power website who will do a red rose conversion for 3.8k ( plus of course any other damage inside the engine) what advantages does this give? any increase in reliability or performance?
anyone had one who could reccomend it?
Also, i ve been looking at the tvr power website who will do a red rose conversion for 3.8k ( plus of course any other damage inside the engine) what advantages does this give? any increase in reliability or performance?
anyone had one who could reccomend it?
How can you prove that the previous owner knew about the problem?
I very much doubt abnyone here knew that they're engine was about to fail otherwise they would never be driving them when they do.
Also what's to say that the new owner (not making any assumptions here by the way) did not drive the car differently to said previous owner. I would never take responsibility for a car I have previously sold. I have no idea how, where when a car had been driven.
Also £5k is rediculous for a basic 6 pot rebiuld. Providing there is no major component damage, engine out, reshell, new oil pumps and you're away.
I very much doubt abnyone here knew that they're engine was about to fail otherwise they would never be driving them when they do.
Also what's to say that the new owner (not making any assumptions here by the way) did not drive the car differently to said previous owner. I would never take responsibility for a car I have previously sold. I have no idea how, where when a car had been driven.
Also £5k is rediculous for a basic 6 pot rebiuld. Providing there is no major component damage, engine out, reshell, new oil pumps and you're away.
Duncan
Also give Richard Thorpe a call and ask if the 5K was just a top figure - he has always been very reasonable and maybe he is just giving a worst case scenario.
His prices have always been very reasonable and his integrity second to none - so I would give him a call as he will probably use well known people like TVR power etc for the actual engine work anyway.
Also give Richard Thorpe a call and ask if the 5K was just a top figure - he has always been very reasonable and maybe he is just giving a worst case scenario.
His prices have always been very reasonable and his integrity second to none - so I would give him a call as he will probably use well known people like TVR power etc for the actual engine work anyway.
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