My Chim, coming along, slowly.

[whd]

Just thought I'd give an update on my new(ish) ownership of my chim is coming along.

I'm slowly getting time to start getting things done on it, as some of you may remember this car had been seriously neglected by the previous owner, neglected being a poor word for how he'd treated the car.

The initial two breakdowns in the first two weeks are dimming from memory now thankfully, and since then it's *pretty much* been running ok. I say 'ok' because the exhaust manifold gaskets were blowing, and whilst the car drove fine it sounded like a combine harvester running over several bicycles.

So anyway the other week it went into the shop to get those done. I also got the guy to replace the steering unversal joint thing, which was worn and there was about an inch of play in the wheel making precise steering...difficult. Also, where the previous owner had reversed into a post or something, I had that repaired and sprayed/gel'd up. And due to a snapped bolt in the cylinder head, it's had a new head gasket now too.

So it runs better than it did before, but there's still a slight tapping sound which I am informed is likely to be the tappets and camshaft. But that "they might not get worse for another 10k miles". ?

Next on the agenda, after a run to Calais this month with some friends and their Elise, and RX7, I'll be seeing if the bank (and missus) allows more money to be spent on other bits of body touching up. Either side of the boot has tiny paint-dents/chips, presumably where the previous (blind and stupid?) owner was throwing the roof in.

So things still wrong with the car, are;

- Speedo/Rev counter lights not working.
- Little paint-dents/chips on either side of the boot.
- Rear passenger side panel could ideally do with a re-spray.
- Passenger side door catch sticks, doesn't spring back after opening door, so when you go to close it it just 'bangs', you have to release the catch with a screwdriver...may just need WD40-ing?
- Dashboard wooden veneer, looks like a pub floor. Needs replacing.
- Windows, need silicon in the grooves so they go up and down quicker.

And a general question, is everybody elses heater blower as useless as mine? It's like an asthmatic mouse!!!

Ok what I'm saying is overall, it's getting there. I'm still weighing up whether getting a car cheap and having to do lots of work on it is the best thing to do because that way you know what's been replaced, or getting one that appears fine at market price, but could need all sorts doing to it.

Either way, it's great to own a TVR Chimarea.

[Flintstone]

There's a lot to be said for buying a car in need of work and bringing it up to muster oneself rather than paying over the odds for a concourse special.

Works for me!

[bigdods]

The blower should be gale force - With mine on full its like being in a hurricane, maybe the air is escaping somewhere before it reaches the vents ?

[Flintstone]

Which blower? The main one or do you have one of those 'extra' controls under the right hand side of the dash?

If the latter then it was also feeble on my last Chim.

If the former then mine blows like Linda Lovelace.

[whd]

Hmmmm Well, I'm talking about the one that's supposed to clear the windscreen. I thought the only control for it was on the left of the steering wheel, an ally knob you turn clockwise/anti-clockwise.

So there's something on the right hand side?

I did notice a 'button', on the other side of the drivers footwell, adjacent to the boot release? Couldn't actually work out what it was supposed to do?

[zippee]

whd said:

I did notice a 'button', on the other side of the drivers footwell, adjacent to the boot release? Couldn't actually work out what it was supposed to do?

Turns your dash lights on and off. You mentioned your speedo lights etc weren't working, turn your lights on and press that button - with any luck that should solve your problem.

[whd]

Ah-ha...wonders never cease. That button was indeed the button to switch on the dash lights.

I had a look under the bonnet today to see if I could see if the heater fan(s) were actually working, but helpfully, couldn't work out where it/they was. There's definitely heat coming through, as the cabin got lovely and warm today. But pretty sure no fan assistance going on. Anyone got any tips for where I can find the heater fan until I can get hold of a SH book...?

Please don't tell me I need to take the dash off, I wouldn't even know where to begin!

[Chauch]

Found that one the hard way on mine as well

Carrying on with that theme, I assume you have pressed the fan control as well as turned it??

[whd]

oh fs.....

*feels immensely stupid*

*gets toupee blown off by heater fans*

Anything else I should know about?

[Red V8]

no worries, just keep asking as you find things

[Flintstone]

On my last Chim there was a control knob under the dash to the right of the steering column. It was a 2/3 stage switch and blew air at the strength of a gnat's fart out of the right had vent supposedly to demist the side window.

[TVR keith]

- Windows, need silicon in the grooves so they go up and down quicker
Theres an article in The Chimaera Pages about this, I think it's pretty good, but then I did write it!!

Edited by TVR keith on Monday 4th December 12:45

[jasandjules]

Flintstone said:

On my last Chim there was a control knob under the dash to the right of the steering column. It was a 2/3 stage switch and blew air at the strength of a gnat's fart out of the right had vent supposedly to demist the side window.

I think it was a RAM air fan, mine used to work superbly even in summer... But was a rare optional extra.