Help for a new Chim owner

[PeeBee]

I've recently bought a '98 Chim 4.0 but have no users manual. I aim to buy a copy of 'the Bible' but in the meanwhile I have a few of questions that I would welcome advice on.

Firstly, can anyone tell me what the rheostat on the LHS of the steering column (alongside the column release lever) is for?

Secondly, being short legged I have the seat pulled forward but then can't use the O/S door mirror easily since the adjustment doesn't go far enough in the 'up' direction - any ideas for increasing the mirror travel (anyone tried sticking a second mirror glass over the original with wedgeshaped filler between the two panes?)

Thirdly, I have a wheezing from the power steering as I turn at low speed - might this be a problem with the power steering fluid, or the pump?

Finally, in first gear when letting out the clutch I have a mechanical sound like a tractor as I pull away - is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any help, I look forward to being part of the PH family!

PeeBee

[greengoblin]

HI, I got my first TVR, a 97 Chimaera a few weeks ago so I'm a bit new to it all but if you are talking about the black button next to the steering adjustment thing, it is for adjusting the speed of the intermittent wipers.
As for the wheezing on the steering mine is the same. As for the mirror and tractor noise can't help sorry. Rob

[tvrbubblecar]

Regarding the mirror - when it is in the upmost position there is a small lever you move (at the bottom of the mirror) to remove the glass. I think you can then pad out the bottom with double sided tape to get it pointing more upwards (or whatever you need)before refitting

Reference the noise dont know what could be the cause but mine doesn't make it

Congrats on your new purchase....take it easy in the wet

Chris

[drive2tractors]

PeeBee said:

Secondly, being short legged I have the seat pulled forward
PeeBee

Sorry to have to ask but I assume you have adjusted the pedals? We use all the adjustment so that we don't end up hunched over the wheel!

Andrew
PS Welcome!!

[PeeBee]

Thanks for your speedy feedback. I'll play with the wiper adjustment tomorrow, and take a closer look at the pedals too - is the adjustment fairly obvious?

PeeBee

[tvrbubblecar]

Clutch and brake pedals are on threaded bar - simply to adjust after loosing locknut

Not sure about accelerator pedal - someone else will be along soonto advise I am sure

Chris

[edtvr]

tvrbubblecar said:

Clutch and brake pedals are on threaded bar - simply to adjust after loosing locknut

Not sure about accelerator pedal - someone else will be along soonto advise I am sure

Chris

Try these for size?

[PeeBee]

I used to drive in shoes like these in the seventies - most entertaining!

[mrbongo]

The wheezing may be low power steering fluid, check the dipstick and top it up, it stopped mine from whinging... I've found the wiper thingy doesn't really make a huge amount of difference to the intervals of wiping, but there you go, yours may well be different.

Well done on a cool car by the way - good work!

[greengoblin]

Yes used my wiper thingy properly for the first time today,and I agree fully with you mrbongo

[im]

greengoblin said:

Yes used my wiper thingy properly for the first time today,and I agree fully with you mrbongo

Ditto

[andy-w]

might be better if we all stopped saying ours dont work and waited to see if there was someone who can say theirs does work!!!

[spend]

andy-w said:

might be better if we all stopped saying ours dont work and waited to see if there was someone who can say theirs does work!!!

I could reply, but that might be tempting fate too much

Could the OP give a better description of his mech sound? From front/back/underneath, with roadspeed/enginespeed.

Dave

[peebee]

The mechanical sound is coming from the engine just as you let out the clutch and take up the drive. It's a rattling noise, as I said a bit like a tractor/old diesel - disappears as the engine noise takes over.

PeeBee

[tvr keith]

andy-w said:

might be better if we all stopped saying ours dont work and waited to see if there was someone who can say theirs does work!!!

Well mine works fine and there is a big difference in the frequency of the wipers using the range of the switch.
As for the tractor noise, what about going to your local TVR meet and getting one or two of the chaps to hve a listen.