Rebuild - Please Help!
Discussion
Fellow enthusiasts,
I'm looking for genuine help & advice on a topic that has already broken my heart and is likely to break my bank balance. Please no Speed 6 bitching/sniping - we've all heard it before and I'd like constructive comments if possible.
So, I'm staring at a £6K rebuild at TVR Power for a 3.6 Litre Speed 6 with 17500 miles on the clock and I'm wondering what other people have done in this situation? I don't just want to stand up and swallow hard but would like to investigate all avenues to reduce the costs and get the car back on the road.
This is what happened:
Car into TVR dealer (Jan 06) at 17000 miles for 18K service - given a clean bill of health and I was offered the TVR approved used warranty (isn't hindsight great).
500 miles later the head gasket over cylinder 6 has gone, the water's mixed with the oil, the piston and bore are
ed and the linings cracked.
No warning from the car other than it ran hot for about 15 miles, so straight into the dealer after it kept losing water, and I suspected the oil/water of mixing.
Driver abuse - I've had the car from 6K miles and been meticulous with warming up, oil + water levels etc. but know this is meaningless/impossible to prove?
So, what are my options? I don't like to point the blame, but its difficult to take when the car's been treated well, has a full TVRSH, and we're all slightly suspicious the engine may have inherent design faults.
- TVR don't appear to do the good will rebuilds anymore where the customer just pays for labour although I haven't checked this.
- My latest dealer suggested this has been building up for 1500 miles or so, should the 18K service have picked this up?
- Has anyone any good things to say about independant rebuilds of S6's - I've heard parts/settings are hard to come by?
- Should I go for the TVR Power rebuild and get the 06 Spec engine with the 12 month warranty?
- Autocraft route - I've heard it can be upto £11K - anyone any experience of the Al Melling S6 solution?
I should be getting some pictures of the engine problems which I'll post once I find somewhere to host them - anyone any space?
Once again, just helpful comments please - I'm totally gutted at the moment.
James
I'm looking for genuine help & advice on a topic that has already broken my heart and is likely to break my bank balance. Please no Speed 6 bitching/sniping - we've all heard it before and I'd like constructive comments if possible.
So, I'm staring at a £6K rebuild at TVR Power for a 3.6 Litre Speed 6 with 17500 miles on the clock and I'm wondering what other people have done in this situation? I don't just want to stand up and swallow hard but would like to investigate all avenues to reduce the costs and get the car back on the road.
This is what happened:
Car into TVR dealer (Jan 06) at 17000 miles for 18K service - given a clean bill of health and I was offered the TVR approved used warranty (isn't hindsight great).
500 miles later the head gasket over cylinder 6 has gone, the water's mixed with the oil, the piston and bore are
ed and the linings cracked. No warning from the car other than it ran hot for about 15 miles, so straight into the dealer after it kept losing water, and I suspected the oil/water of mixing.
Driver abuse - I've had the car from 6K miles and been meticulous with warming up, oil + water levels etc. but know this is meaningless/impossible to prove?
So, what are my options? I don't like to point the blame, but its difficult to take when the car's been treated well, has a full TVRSH, and we're all slightly suspicious the engine may have inherent design faults.
- TVR don't appear to do the good will rebuilds anymore where the customer just pays for labour although I haven't checked this.
- My latest dealer suggested this has been building up for 1500 miles or so, should the 18K service have picked this up?
- Has anyone any good things to say about independant rebuilds of S6's - I've heard parts/settings are hard to come by?
- Should I go for the TVR Power rebuild and get the 06 Spec engine with the 12 month warranty?
- Autocraft route - I've heard it can be upto £11K - anyone any experience of the Al Melling S6 solution?
I should be getting some pictures of the engine problems which I'll post once I find somewhere to host them - anyone any space?
Once again, just helpful comments please - I'm totally gutted at the moment.
James
Gutted for you mate 
Don't have much to comment on the engine rebuild but hopefully this will cheer you up a little - I was a passenger in a friends VX220 at Le Mans last year and I'm pretty sure it was your car on the same ferry as us that just sounded fabulous! It was that point that I decided I was going to buy a TVR, probably a Tam - ok I bought a T350 in the end but it was that that started the ball rolling
Best of luck getting it sorted
Don't have much to comment on the engine rebuild but hopefully this will cheer you up a little - I was a passenger in a friends VX220 at Le Mans last year and I'm pretty sure it was your car on the same ferry as us that just sounded fabulous! It was that point that I decided I was going to buy a TVR, probably a Tam - ok I bought a T350 in the end but it was that that started the ball rolling
Best of luck getting it sorted
Thanks guys, and Turbo, in a strange way that does make me feel better! If the car had the plate "S5E YA" on it, then it was certainly me and I did take it to Le Mans last year.
A lot of people have recommend TVR Power and I have no issue with the quality of their work.
But £6K - there must be a way to get that down!
A lot of people have recommend TVR Power and I have no issue with the quality of their work.
But £6K - there must be a way to get that down!
It ran out in Jan 2006
I was offered the TVR approved warranty on the engine 500 miles before all this occured (when the 18K service was done) - I'm very surprised this has happened so soon (in terms of miles) after that service.
Seems to be a few options open from reading the Speed Six forum (Austec, TVRCraft as well as TVR Power), but in regards to someone paying for it, or even just a good will gesture for parts, I haven't read anyone achieving that.
I remember reading threads ages ago about people suing TVR. Very distasteful but it must have been attempted numerous times with this engine. I'm not suggesting this is the right way of going about things however - have those posts been removed?
I was offered the TVR approved warranty on the engine 500 miles before all this occured (when the 18K service was done) - I'm very surprised this has happened so soon (in terms of miles) after that service.
Seems to be a few options open from reading the Speed Six forum (Austec, TVRCraft as well as TVR Power), but in regards to someone paying for it, or even just a good will gesture for parts, I haven't read anyone achieving that.
I remember reading threads ages ago about people suing TVR. Very distasteful but it must have been attempted numerous times with this engine. I'm not suggesting this is the right way of going about things however - have those posts been removed?
jimmyt said:
It ran out in Jan 2006
I was offered the TVR approved warranty on the engine 500 miles before all this occured (when the 18K service was done) - I'm very surprised this has happened so soon (in terms of miles) after that service.
Seems to be a few options open from reading the Speed Six forum (Austec, TVRCraft as well as TVR Power), but in regards to someone paying for it, or even just a good will gesture for parts, I haven't read anyone achieving that.
I remember reading threads ages ago about people suing TVR. Very distasteful but it must have been attempted numerous times with this engine. I'm not suggesting this is the right way of going about things however - have those posts been removed?
Ahhh bugger. Not sure if there is anything you can do then apart from take it with a big dose of Whiskey.
IIRC not a lot came of people sueing TVR.
As for Austec/TVRCraft I have no knowledge of how the engines fair after they have been built by them.
I do know engines that have been done by Power though and IIRC they have never had any other issues.
I know where I would take my engine to....a tried and very trusted source.
Claire
From what I can gather there seems to be a choice with engine rebuilds.
It seems some are rebuilt to the updated spec from the factory (TVR Power), whereas others offer a rebuild closer to the original Al Melling design with more appropriate components etc. (TVR Craft).
I've treated this car like an angel, spent thousands having it serviced, and have now got to fork out £6K on it.
I'm seriously losing the faith.
It seems some are rebuilt to the updated spec from the factory (TVR Power), whereas others offer a rebuild closer to the original Al Melling design with more appropriate components etc. (TVR Craft).
I've treated this car like an angel, spent thousands having it serviced, and have now got to fork out £6K on it.
I'm seriously losing the faith.
jimmyt said:
Fellow enthusiasts,
I'm looking for genuine help & advice on a topic that has already broken my heart and is likely to break my bank balance. Please no Speed 6 bitching/sniping - we've all heard it before and I'd like constructive comments if possible.
So, I'm staring at a £6K rebuild at TVR Power for a 3.6 Litre Speed 6 with 17500 miles on the clock and I'm wondering what other people have done in this situation? I don't just want to stand up and swallow hard but would like to investigate all avenues to reduce the costs and get the car back on the road.
This is what happened:
Car into TVR dealer (Jan 06) at 17000 miles for 18K service - given a clean bill of health and I was offered the TVR approved used warranty (isn't hindsight great).
500 miles later the head gasket over cylinder 6 has gone, the water's mixed with the oil, the piston and bore are
No warning from the car other than it ran hot for about 15 miles, so straight into the dealer after it kept losing water, and I suspected the oil/water of mixing.
Driver abuse - I've had the car from 6K miles and been meticulous with warming up, oil + water levels etc. but know this is meaningless/impossible to prove?
So, what are my options? I don't like to point the blame, but its difficult to take when the car's been treated well, has a full TVRSH, and we're all slightly suspicious the engine may have inherent design faults.
- TVR don't appear to do the good will rebuilds anymore where the customer just pays for labour although I haven't checked this.
- My latest dealer suggested this has been building up for 1500 miles or so, should the 18K service have picked this up?
- Has anyone any good things to say about independant rebuilds of S6's - I've heard parts/settings are hard to come by?
- Should I go for the TVR Power rebuild and get the 06 Spec engine with the 12 month warranty?
- Autocraft route - I've heard it can be upto £11K - anyone any experience of the Al Melling S6 solution?
I should be getting some pictures of the engine problems which I'll post once I find somewhere to host them - anyone any space?
Once again, just helpful comments please - I'm totally gutted at the moment.
James
Jimmy
ring round for quotes
Dom @ power is a striaght guy, but a rebuit engine only gets 6 months warenty according to my dealer, Dom might do something extra
I had a 4.0 red rose put in my car in the end, and the customer service from Dom was excelent.
I have opted for Austec for my Cerb engine, and again, the service from Paul is 1st class. Austec have just done an engine in the same state of repair as yours but in a Cerb, a guy calls HuddsCerbie (spl Pher name) had it done, so Paul may be able to give you a near certain quote. He also does upgrades at the same time like thicker valves, and different followers etc, and while it is apart will look to see what it wrong if there is else where.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=268891&f=6&h=0
Now, Im not sure, AND YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK PAUL FOR THIS, but I think that if you have an engine rebuilt and the upgraded parts at Austec, Paul warrents his work for 24 months. Again, Im not too sure you will have to ask and applogies if Im wrong here.
It really is a tough call mate, but I recon on £4k for the work if I was you.
From a person who had has 5 TVR's 3 speed 6 engines, ALL neeeding rebuilds, I have had my share of pain.
I would recomend, Austec and Power, no others.
Speak to Paul and see what he would suggest doing to the engine
and then speak to Dom, and, I'm afraid you will have to go with your heart on which one is best for you. People on here would say Austec all the way, and some will say Power all the way.
Personally I can't fault either company's, and have used both, both are great guy's straight talking and true engineers at heart.
Good luck dont let it spoil your TVR enjoyment.
Mr F
Hi James,
Sorry to hear and I can understand your frustration having had a recent re-build myself, although I was luckily enough for it to happen within the two year warranty period.
Dom and the gang at Power sorted me out beyond my expectations.
I suggest you speak with the each possibility and get them to provide a detailed quote of the work required and get them to agree to the cost before hand so that you have no nasty surprises.
Depending on the work required, don’t forget to ask what else they could do as part of the re-build which could be thrown in FOC (i.e. 3.6 Red Rose) as a sweetener. A bit cheeky, but you don’t get what you don’t ask for.
I hope you get the Tiv sorted soon.
Paul
Sorry to hear and I can understand your frustration having had a recent re-build myself, although I was luckily enough for it to happen within the two year warranty period.
Dom and the gang at Power sorted me out beyond my expectations.
I suggest you speak with the each possibility and get them to provide a detailed quote of the work required and get them to agree to the cost before hand so that you have no nasty surprises.
Depending on the work required, don’t forget to ask what else they could do as part of the re-build which could be thrown in FOC (i.e. 3.6 Red Rose) as a sweetener. A bit cheeky, but you don’t get what you don’t ask for.
I hope you get the Tiv sorted soon.
Paul
Thanks for all the words of encouragement/advice.
I'll certainly ring around the 2 main places in the morning and see what they would quote for the work. I like the idea of possibly pepping things up a bit....
I feel like I'm holding onto a rising balloon here, and once I cross this payment threshold, I won't be able to let go. I was actually trying to sell the thing believe it or not. The timing is terrible.
Oh well, perhaps I'll have to hold onto her then for a few more years.
It doesn't seem like I can get anyone else to pay for it anyway, or even some of it
I'll certainly ring around the 2 main places in the morning and see what they would quote for the work. I like the idea of possibly pepping things up a bit....
I feel like I'm holding onto a rising balloon here, and once I cross this payment threshold, I won't be able to let go. I was actually trying to sell the thing believe it or not. The timing is terrible.
Oh well, perhaps I'll have to hold onto her then for a few more years.
It doesn't seem like I can get anyone else to pay for it anyway, or even some of it
Sorry to hear this has happened. As you may know, mines in for a head gasket right now (I'm the only owner and its only been driven by the dealers a few times - no naughty treatment whatsoever). I don't think you could have prevented this happening. Its a weak point on these cars for sure.
I'm definitely taking out the TVR extended warranty (mine went at 13k and 23 months - phew).
If you don't need to sell due to expanding family/changing needs then I'd say keep it - get a rebuild at Austec or Power and enjoy it. You won't lose any money on the car until the day you sell (apart from the rebuild cost).
I'm definitely taking out the TVR extended warranty (mine went at 13k and 23 months - phew).
If you don't need to sell due to expanding family/changing needs then I'd say keep it - get a rebuild at Austec or Power and enjoy it. You won't lose any money on the car until the day you sell (apart from the rebuild cost).
Sorry to read about your engine.
As a fellow sp6 owner I would still like to know (as I've said before) how many engines have had rebuilds.
This information can only empower owners and personally I'm not concerned about putting off potential buyers - I'm more interested in the truth.
As a fellow sp6 owner I would still like to know (as I've said before) how many engines have had rebuilds.
This information can only empower owners and personally I'm not concerned about putting off potential buyers - I'm more interested in the truth.
You are right, we need to know the truth about S6's
Dont know whether its a complete coincidence but i do know jimmy (top bloke) didnt drive the Tam for while. He obviously has more details than I. However I think when he was trying to sell it and didnt drive it for a few weeks. Then I guess he drove it and approx 300 miles later POP. Any thoughts?????
Dont know whether its a complete coincidence but i do know jimmy (top bloke) didnt drive the Tam for while. He obviously has more details than I. However I think when he was trying to sell it and didnt drive it for a few weeks. Then I guess he drove it and approx 300 miles later POP. Any thoughts?????
Very sorry to hear about your engine, it must be sickening.
The engine for our race T350 is being built by TVR Craft (the TVR division of Autocraft SVE) .. there wasn't even a consideration of using anybody else; together with Al Melling they have been the only people to thoroughly investigate the upgraded Sp6 route.
Don't forget to give them a call tomorrow aswell.
The engine for our race T350 is being built by TVR Craft (the TVR division of Autocraft SVE) .. there wasn't even a consideration of using anybody else; together with Al Melling they have been the only people to thoroughly investigate the upgraded Sp6 route.
Don't forget to give them a call tomorrow aswell.
Thanks guys for more constructive advice.
I'll ring around TVR Craft, TVR Power and Austec tomorrow and see what they say. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon too from the dealer of the HG and the crack in the liner if anyone's interested. Saw someone on the Speed6 forum asking for pics of S6s?
Hi Joe - yeah, lucky escape hey? The Tam did stay mostly undriven for 4 months but was usually given a short run by my Dad every 3-4 weeks to keep it ticking over. I don't know whether driving these cars all the time helps? I'm now of the opinion that mechanical sympathy and careful checking of oil/water levels is irrelevant with these engines (although I'm sure it increases the engine life) - I took such good care of that little car! If its gonna go, its gonna go...
As much as I don't want to get involved in any legal wranglings with TVR (and I doubt it would do much good), I may give them a call and see what their opinion is of these events....anyone with recent blowouts tried this?
I'll ring around TVR Craft, TVR Power and Austec tomorrow and see what they say. Hopefully I'll have some pictures soon too from the dealer of the HG and the crack in the liner if anyone's interested. Saw someone on the Speed6 forum asking for pics of S6s?
Hi Joe - yeah, lucky escape hey? The Tam did stay mostly undriven for 4 months but was usually given a short run by my Dad every 3-4 weeks to keep it ticking over. I don't know whether driving these cars all the time helps? I'm now of the opinion that mechanical sympathy and careful checking of oil/water levels is irrelevant with these engines (although I'm sure it increases the engine life) - I took such good care of that little car! If its gonna go, its gonna go...
As much as I don't want to get involved in any legal wranglings with TVR (and I doubt it would do much good), I may give them a call and see what their opinion is of these events....anyone with recent blowouts tried this?
Hi Jimmy, yes I had a lucky escape but nevertheless still sorry you have this to deal with. It doesnt of course fill any of us with confidence especially knowing how well you maintained and loved the car. Just dont know what to suggest but Im worried that a FSH car should blow after only 18k miles.
Whats the car worth in its current state? £12k-£14k? You could just sell it now and walk away with the memories and the cash. Just another thought, there was a 4.0 sp6 engine that recently sold on ebay for £1200. Cheap option bud if another one comes up.
Good Luck
J
Whats the car worth in its current state? £12k-£14k? You could just sell it now and walk away with the memories and the cash. Just another thought, there was a 4.0 sp6 engine that recently sold on ebay for £1200. Cheap option bud if another one comes up.
Good Luck
J
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