New owner - couple of questions

[nickd01]

Hi,

I picked up my 'T' reg silver 450 today from Fernhursts; I flippin' love it! Anyway, I've got a couple of questions if anyone can help:

- The rev counter is stuck on 800 rpm even when off and a bit jumpy around 2k-3k. They said they were unable to source a replacement one with a black background (The car has a full ally dashboard with black dials) Does anyone know where I could source a replacement or know if there are any issues with rev counters I can look at?

- The passenger door window doesn't seem to go up into the hood enough to get a good seal; so there's quite a lot of wind noise. Are there any hints to putting the roof on to get a good seal? What can I adjust to ensure I'm as water / wind proof as possible around the windows?

- Do you have to use super unleaded or is normal okay?

- One final question, approx how many miles-per-tank is everyone getting with a mix of driving (Bit of M-Way, round town and a few spirited acceleration tests from lights!) Just to see how mine compares.

Many thanks

Nick

[The Hood]

hello and welcome
I have read on here that there is a screw in the middle of the window rubber for adjustment to the window height, i have not located mine as not really needed but a search through the threads may help you.
I use shell optimax in mine, most use 97/98 ron but you will find on here that some people use the regular 95 ron with no problems.
As for m.p.g i have not worked mine out as i prefer not too but most of the time a tank full of petrol will do around 250 miles although i have had better with steady motorway driving.
Hope this helps you and i'm sure more will give you more advice.
Glyn.

[Big Al.]

As the Hood say's there’s a screw mid way along the window slot, about here



picture courtesy of .Mark

Rev counter? Not a clue, sorry.

Petrol grade? always used Optimax.
Mpg my 4.0 used to average out at 20 MPG.
You may have seen it up at Fernies R81 EAN Crimson Starmist.

Oh and welcome to the fold! OH

[Al 450]

Don't know about the window. The rev counter may be ok, there might be a short or a break in the wiring to it so I would have the dash apart first, maybe get an auto electrician to take a look.

As for petrol, I have got 270 miles out of a tank once. Normally get between 18-23mpg in my 450. Always put 98 RON in though as its what the manual and the sticker round the filler neck say to do.

[pblake]

Hello and welcome.
Not much info you haven't already had but I ran mine on standard unleaded when I first got and it ran OK ish. It realy likes 97 and above and is much smoooother on the power, esso super seams to work best (IMO) and round here is the cheapest.
Have fun. Check when the hood was last treated and see if the water beads off, if not treat it over the summer (oh you've missed that day) to aviod puddles later in the year.

[Cider Andy]

I've seen a couple of specialists mentioned on here who can fix speedo problems (that's also an electronic device so is presumably similar to the tachometer). Try a search in this forum on speedo or speedometer.

Me, I'd take it apart myself. A second hand replacement from Douglas Valley Breakers or Bell Hill Garage might be cheaper than a repair - I'd have a go at swapping the face and needle.

[the dodger]

Hi and welcome. For the first two queries - take it back to Fernies - they should have attended to this before you bought it. If they explained about the tacho and you accepted it as was, then give Leven a bell (01268 281611) Simon is good at this sort of thing and has contacts.

There are many posts on here regarding what fuel is best. I think it varies on how the car has been set up as mine seems to run quite OK on any unleaded - but I try to get Super (or Ultimate, Optimax etc) when possible. I've just filled up with the new Tesco Rocket Fuel (99 Ron) just because I could.

I usually fill up before 200 miles - the gauges are not very accurate. That means ALL of the gauges.

[Big Al.]

the dodger said:

For the first two queries - take it back to Fernies - they should have attended to this before you bought it.

Don't forget they have two ways of purchasing now!

Showroom condition and...

As we got it (unprepared) lower price and a list of what needs doing.

[IM]

nickd01 said:

The rev counter is stuck on 800 rpm even when off and a bit jumpy around 2k-3k. They said they were unable to source a replacement one with a black background (The car has a full ally dashboard with black dials) Does anyone know where I could source a replacement?

Hi Nick

Ring this telephone number 01239-811008 the guy (I don't know his name) is "breaking" a 5L Chimaera and selling it off in bits (- the engine is on e-bay) but the Rev counter is BLACK! So is the rest of the instrumentation, so it might be worth buying it all up if you think you might need the other dials at some point in the future.

You can see pictures of the vehicle he's dismantling - including the dials - here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Chimaera-V8

Hope this helps Nick.

Ian

[nickd01]

Hi Nick

Ring this telephone number 01239-811008 the guy (I don't know his name) is "breaking" a 5L Chimaera and selling it off in bits (- the engine is on e-bay) but the Rev counter is BLACK! So is the rest of the instrumentation, so it might be worth buying it all up if you think you might need the other dials at some point in the future.

You can see pictures of the vehicle he's dismantling - including the dials - here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TVR-Chimaera-V8

Hope this helps Nick.

Ian
[/quote]

Ian - awesome spot, many thanks. I've sent him an enquiry.

[IM]

A pleasure Nick - let me know how you get on.

Ian

[the dodger]

Big Al. said:

the dodger said: For the first two queries - take it back to Fernies - they should have attended to this before you bought it. Don't forget they have two ways of purchasing now! Showroom condition and... As we got it (unprepared) lower price and a list of what needs doing.

Sorry - didn't realise that.