Query... Tamora

[ladytamora]

I've been driving my Tam around now since i got it couple of weeks ago. The water temp looked to be getting a bit high so called tvr centre where i got if from and they said most tams do, also a small amount of steam was coming from the bonnet when driving. I took it to westover tonight to check it over and they were concerened about the lack of water, they think it might be a leak in the top of radiator, is this common? They put in 5 litres of water to fill it back up, Ive been driving around with it like this obviously not expecting to have any probs quite this soon as it only just had a service couple weeks ago, will this of damaged anything? Also when they tried to plug it into the diagnostic computer the pin was different so he could not get the lead in, does the Tam have a different connection? He seemed to think it had been modified and needed a connection for a lotus. thanks for any advice

[steve11]

What were your water/oil temps reading?

Did you notice where exactly the steam was coming from?

5 liters sounds a lot (nearly half the total capacity) so does sound like you have a leak somewhere. Get it back down the garage for a pressure test.

[ladytamora]

Temp was reading 75 on a run but going up to about 102 in traffic. thats what worried me. Booked in on monday at westover's for speedo to be sorted and there now going to look at radiator. oil was 80 deg.

[steve11]

I regularly see temps of 95 in traffic in my T350 and your oil temp looks fine so hopefully nothing overly cooked in the engine.

Hope it gets sorted quickly and cheaply

[Black Sabbath]

Fans cut in around 95 and it never gets much above that even after 2 hours crawling around London a few sundays ago. Never had any problem with water loss but you do see steam occasionally especially if its wet.

[t40ora]

ladytamora said:

I've been driving my Tam around now since i got it couple of weeks ago. The water temp looked to be getting a bit high so called tvr centre where i got if from and they said most tams do, also a small amount of steam was coming from the bonnet when driving. I took it to westover tonight to check it over and they were concerened about the lack of water, they think it might be a leak in the top of radiator, is this common? They put in 5 litres of water to fill it back up, Ive been driving around with it like this obviously not expecting to have any probs quite this soon as it only just had a service couple weeks ago, will this of damaged anything? Also when they tried to plug it into the diagnostic computer the pin was different so he could not get the lead in, does the Tam have a different connection? He seemed to think it had been modified and needed a connection for a lotus. thanks for any advice

Hope that it's nothing to worry about Fiona. Maybe I'm a bit anal, but I check my water and oil every week.

Haven't seen you around yet - I was down at Castle Point today so will keep on the lookout!

[RayVonn]

It doesn't sound too bad to me. My Tam usually is about 70 - 80 on a run and gets to about 97/98/99 in traffic.

[grumbledoak]

Hi ladytamora

I think this has largely been said, but 5 litres is quite a lot to lose. The cooling system is about 12 litres of water (and antifreeze) and it is supposed to be sealed - if all is working properly it doesn't leak or give steam.

You certainly have a leak, and you should get it fixed.

If it helps, you have two fans; one should come on at 92, and the second at 96 degrees, and between them the water temperature should not go over 100, and once the fans are on the temperature should drop until the fans switch off. Pretty much anything else is a sign that something isn't right.

[ladytamora]

thanks everyone, will call tvr centre 2mrw and see if they will sort it out. bit worried though.

[ZooOOM]

try putting some rad seal in.

[Spoonman]

Before spending loads of cash, make sure it's not simply coming out of the top of the expansion tank. On early cars the cap is made by VW, and the seal is rubbish. When mine runs at over 100 degrees even with the fans on, I know it's time for a new cap.

[targarama]

Spoonman said:

Before spending loads of cash, make sure it's not simply coming out of the top of the expansion tank. On early cars the cap is made by VW, and the seal is rubbish. When mine runs at over 100 degrees even with the fans on, I know it's time for a new cap.

Its the same cap as my Chimaera had. I never needed to replace the cap on that. Also, my T350 blew its head gasket last summer and the same cap still worked fine after all that 'pressure relief' (witnesses will confirm it certainly spouted plenty).

Mind you, on that topic I did just replace my T350's cap. But that due to my belt and braces attitude, not because it wasn't working. I figured it may have been weakened a bit after what happened, even though it performed fine even in 35 deg heat last summer.

T/.

[madbadger]

Cap cost £10.51 from any VAG dealer. Seems reasonable.

Top tip, though. If you do get one then make a note of the part number before you get to the dealer when it is off the tank. I couldn't read it in situ and it was a bit warm in there. I took a photo of it and the parts bloke read the number off the camera.

[Tamster.]

LadyTamora I was interested in buying your car myself, liked the exterior colour and low mileage (not sure about the lavender/blue interior)I know the car was sitting around since April/May on sale, my 03 Tam uses next to no water, presumably you had a comprehensive wear and tear warranty included when buying, Ive had to claim on mine recently and noticed a clause in the small print concerning overheating, my advice would be to have the car low loaded to Barnet if water temp hits 110, they are a top bunch of guys there, and have lots of SP6 experience under their belt, I use them all the time for servicing and troubleshooting.