Tamora heater

[t40ora]

Just returned from my first full weekend with the Tam.

What can I say...? You Tam drivers all know how fantastic they are so I won't bore you too much - but heck, did I have a good time. Everything about the whole experience; the noise, admiring looks, people asking you about it, the handling, the engine - as it piled on the miles (tad under 1k) it kept getting sweeter and more free - everything.

Except.... As a stalwart pair of top-downers, my wife and I drop the lid at the slightest opportunity. But the heater on mine is not exactly effective. Our MX5 gets really toasty, but with the fan on full and temperature dial up high it was still really cold.

Is this just one of those TVR things that we have to live with, or do you think that there is an issue with mine?

[willyworm]

Look down the footwells and check all the heater vents are open. I think 2 on passenger side and 1 on drivers, it will make a difference.

[lundinoir]

The vents on my 2005 Tamora work like this-

• Two on top of the dash under the windscreen blow heated air (the aircon has no effect with either of these vents)

• Drivers side dash vent blows ambient or aircon cooled air (no heated air)

• Passenger side dash vent blows heated air (the aircon has no effect for this vent)

• The vent on the bottom side of the dash directly under glovebox blows ambient or aicon cooled air (no heated air)

• The vents in both footwells on either side of the transmission tunnel blow heated air only (the aircon has no effect for this vent)

I've not found any way to completely turn the heated vents off apart from closing them, even then heated air is still be forced through and as a result it can get very hot in the cabin. Fortunately I opted for air conditioning so this counters this somewhat, without aircon it would be unbearable to drive in warmer weather when it's a necessity to have the hood up (e.g. raining, short trips where there's no time to fiddle with the hood).

There is a flap setting that can be configured via the dash pod but I've yet to notice these making any difference. Does anyone know what this setting actually does?

[chris watton]

I have fiddled with the flap settings in the past, my advice would be to leave well alone, I came to the conclusion that the only person who could figure the numbers out is the guy who programmed it!

[t40ora]

Blimey, the aircon doesn't do much. Just two vents if I read properly? I've tried with A/C on and off; sussed the non-heating effect of the dash vents so closed them. Only found one vent on the passenger side, but had that and the driver's one open along with the windscreen vents.

I hear what you're saying about the heat in Summer, but weirdly there doesn't seem to be enough to heat up when it's cold with the lid off.

Looks like I'll be investing in some more scarfs, and maybe a sexy lap-blanket for very cold days. Goodness, that will do the TVR drivers' image no good....

[johnFairfield]

Are the vents in the 350 the same? I've not got mine sorted out yet.
John

[targarama]

I'm sure aircon cooled air comes out of my left hand dashboard 'in your chest' vent. Other vents are as described already.

[AlexRWD]

targarama said:

I'm sure aircon cooled air comes out of my left hand dashboard 'in your chest' vent. Other vents are as described already.

Yup, mine too - will have to go and test the others, as thought I could get cooled air out of the footwell vents, but may be imagining that!

[t40ora]

I'm off for the 1k service tomorrow, so it will be on my list of questions.