Servicing- in North East

[jonny_c]

Hi Guys- just got a 400HC, I've already fallen in love with it, but it needs servicing. It has full TVR history, and 54000 on the clock but it's tatty and geeting old (1995) and i'm thinking of doing it myself- all the oils, coolant, filters, plugs, mainly so i get to know the car but also to save a bit of cash.

However i don't know must about V8's, or cars with ecu controlled ignition - I'm more used to points and carbs. So i'm thinking maybe a proper service from a good garage would be good idea... After all i'll be a shame to put a stop to the service record.

Anyone know of any good places for a TVR service in the North East? I only know of Hexham HC which have a good reputation.

Or maybe i shouldn't wimp out of doing it myself- I've got a copy of the 'bible' to guide me!

[andy-w]

there are plenty of us in the north east who can give you a hand or pointers if you get stuck.
The cars are not hard to work on with very few specialist bits...have a go yourself if you have serviced a car before...

[bhpjon]

andy-w said:

there are plenty of us in the north east who can give you a hand or pointers if you get stuck.
The cars are not hard to work on with very few specialist bits...have a go yourself if you have serviced a car before...

Here,Here!!!

[jdharris]

If you're still thinking of a specialist then Hexham Horseless Carriages might be worth a call...

[andy-w]

Depends if a full TVR history is worth much on a 94 car...?

If i had a newish car then i would think about it but mine is a 94 and i couldnt justify spending £400-600 just on a service.

Saying that though Hexham have a very good rep and know their stuff...if i was going to take my car anywhere it would be them.

Give it a go yourself...what harm could it do?

[ray_von]

andy-w said:

Depends if a full TVR history is worth much on a 94 car...?

If i had a newish car then i would think about it but mine is a 94 and i couldnt justify spending £400-600 just on a service.

Saying that though Hexham have a very good rep and know their stuff...if i was going to take my car anywhere it would be them.

Give it a go yourself...what harm could it do?

HHC are very good. As Andy says it all depends on the history of the car. My car was 10 yrs old and was HHC all the way, if it hadn't then I would have had a tough decision to make.
In saying that they don't work out that much different price wise than some of the indies, when you take into account travelling expenses and your time

[toon tvr]

Check out R&P Woods in High Heaton, they have a good reputation and are a lot cheaper than the dealer.

[jonny_c]

Now i've slept on the idea i'm going to do it myself. I spotted and advisory note on last years service sheet of blowing exhaust manifolds, split boots on the trackrods and a perishing seteering gator so i reckon i'll jump in at the deep end and do these first(MOT's due in a few weeks).

What's the worst that can happen.... plus i can remove the pre-cats which I assume can be persuaded out - unless anyone know any different?

[The Surveyor]

Manifolds are quite common, usually due to a blown gasket, but they sometimes crack where the primaries collect just before the pre-cats. ACT will do an exchange on these if you need to replace, with the pre-cats out and reverse cones put in.

Taking the manifolds off is a challenge, but once off, the best tip i was given for checking the manifolds was to lay them down and fill with water, any holes will be easy to spot.

The cars are not that complex, but i'd go to somebody who knows the cars when it comes to setting up suspension and steering etc. If you get it wrong, it'll feel like a dog.



Paul

[simonrh]

Anyone know of a garage with a dyno in the Newcastle area ? I would like to see what my engines output is before deciding on what to fiddle with first

[AlRaven]

Called into R & P Woods, said they do quite a few TVRs. They had a Testarossa and 308 in at the time so must know what they're doing.

[Toma500]

simonrh said:

Anyone know of a garage with a dyno in the Newcastle area ? I would like to see what my engines output is before deciding on what to fiddle with first

Have a look on the north east forum about 3 pages in V sport in boldon near Testos roundabout look like a good outfit

[simonrh]

Cheers

[wedgie]

I think there's a place in Boro that does good and reasonably-priced RV8 servicing - anyone remember the name? I must say after 7 years I'm going off TVR dealership prices - no names, no pack drill, but £700+ for a 'budget' service is a bit steep by anyone's yardstick

[Toma500]

wedgie said:

I think there's a place in Boro that does good and reasonably-priced RV8 servicing - anyone remember the name? I must say after 7 years I'm going off TVR dealership prices - no names, no pack drill, but £700+ for a 'budget' service is a bit steep by anyone's yardstick

Some of the lads on the north east forum rate this place Falcon Performance its on Skippers Lane Industrial Estate i think a quick search on the north east forum will confirm .