Cerbera 4.5 Problems/Issues - Newbie here please help!

[Maz_uk]

Evening guys,

I'm new here so I'll do a little bit of an Intro.

My name is Maz and I'm 23 from Newcastle.

I've just bought my first TVR to replace my BMW Alpina B3,.

I have a 4.5 Cerbera in Yellow!

I've had the car since last Friday and nothing's fallen off so far!

However I do have a couple of issues with the car, coming from a BMWs this TVR is VERY different, the noise and performance are just out of this world!

Firstly the heaters don't work, from what I understand after reading the manual HOT air will only blow from footwell blowers and screen blowers?

Does pressing the red dial do anything?
When I turn the red dial it does not change the temperature of the air!?

Secondly is the air con very effective?
Mine isn't and I'm just trying to guage whether mine needs regassing or they are just very weak on TVRs.

Thirdly my windscreen washers don't work, the wipers work but I can't hear the motor pumping even though they did on Friday and also when I pour water into the washer tank it leaves a puddle on my drive!
Is this the over flow or do I have a leak?

Fourthly the power steering is VERY heavy and then once the engine has been running a minute or two lightens up a bit, is this normal?

Also last question, do I need to do any routine checks other than checking water, oil etc?

Can anyone help?

Many Thanks

Maz

[JensenA]

Feckin Hell - 23 and you've got a Cerb! I hate you already

Welcome to Cerb ownership, look after it, I hope you've got deep pockets and a lot of patience, it'll reward you with lots of smiles.

Firstly the heaters don't work and Does pressing the red dial do anything?
Pressing the red Dial turns ON the HOT air fan, you turn it Clockwise to increase the fan speed.
Pressing the Blue dial turns ON the COLD fan, likewise turn clockwise to increase the fan speed.
.
HOT air will only blow from footwell blowers and screen blowers Yes thats right

When I turn the red dial it does not change the temperature of the air!? Nope, just the fan speed. To get the right temp you 'mix' the hot and cold.

Secondly is the air con very effective? Not really, but the air coming out of the centre vent should still get cold, if it isnt cold, check the air con pump is cutting in when you switch the A/C on, if it doesn't come on, then get a re-gas.

Thirdly my windscreen washers don't work, the wipers work Firstly check the fuses, then check that current is getting to the washer motor. Also do the other steering wheel buttons work, Wipers, Horn and Main Beam? If they dont it could be the ribbon cable in the steering wheel hub, but also check the ribbon cable under the steering column is connected tightly

when I pour water into the washer tank it leaves a puddle on my drive! Thats because it's already full

the power steering is VERY heavy and then once the engine has been running a minute or two lightens up a bit, is this normal? No, it should be light straight away, check the power sterering fluid level.

do I need to do any routine checks other than checking water, oil etc? Not really, just the normal 'sensible' checks.

Take it easy till you get used to it, these cars can bite you very hard when you least expect it. Enjoy it.

Edited by JensenA on Thursday 11th October 01:40

[DonnyMac]

JensenA said:

Feckin Hell - 23 and you've got a Cerb! I hate you already

Welcome to Cerb ownership, look after it, I hope you've got deep pockets and a lot of patience, it'll reward you with lots of smiles.

Secondly is the air con very effective? Not really, but the air coming out of the centre vent should still get cold, if it isnt cold, check the air con pump is cutting in when you switch the A/C on, if it doesn't come on, then get a re-gas.

Excellent advice from JensenA as usual - a couple of points to expand, I had my first Cerb at 21, crashed it in 8 weeks and regreted it for 11 years (till I got the next one) - be careful, PLEASE.

On the Air-Con front, as above + there's a twiddily thingymy on the right of the drivers footwell that turns the air-con cold-colder, have a play with that before getting the re-gass.

You is gonna have fun, lots; take it easy for 1,000 miles+ and you're in for constant treats.

PH is in the 99% main full of really helpful chaps(esses) no question to dumb (I should know).

Drive it in a tunnel with the windows down then PM me to let me how you got on.

Lucky, lucky Guy.

See you soon,
Donny

[Nefarious]

Is there a known mod for getting the hot air to actually demist the screen? Travelling down a drenched M6 last week, I was forced to take one sock off to keep wiping it (only fabric item to hand without stopping, and it was too bloody cold to turn the aircon on)!

On my old VX, you could add a bit of cut up fizzy pop bottle to the end of the pick-up hose to increase both temperature and pressure. Failing something like that, I might just bung up the footwell outlets and see if that helps.

[RUSSELLM]

Nefarious said:

Is there a known mod for getting the hot air to actually demist the screen? Travelling down a drenched M6 last week, I was forced to take one sock off to keep wiping it (only fabric item to hand without stopping, and it was too bloody cold to turn the aircon on)!
.

Which dash have you got.

The old one with lots of holes, where hot & cold air comes out ?

Or the later one, with the two big vents that you can open/ close ?

[QuiteQuietCerb]

when I pour water into the washer tank it leaves a puddle on my drive! Thats because it's already full,

that could also be because the tube connecting the windscreen washer tank and wipers doesnt reach the wipers. I had that happening to mine. This tube passes very closeto the manifolds and if it touches it will melt

do I need to do any routine checks other than checking water, oil etc?.
Yes you do!! check in the service history, when the timing chain tension has been last checked. In the cerbera (only!) that needs to be done i think every 12k. I failed to check this when i first got my car and 3 months later i am paying the hefty price of a rebuild

[Nefarious]

RUSSELLM said:

Which dash have you got.

The old one with lots of holes, where hot & cold air comes out ?

Or the later one, with the two big vents that you can open/ close ?

The one with lots of little holes. Even with the hot tap on full, there is nothing more than a "waft" coming out of them - enough to clear the bottom 3/4" in bad weather.
Doesn't seem to be hooked up to the cold air feed either, as turning that on full seems to make bugger-all difference.

Edited by Nefarious on Thursday 11th October 09:24

[RUSSELLM]

Have you definately found all the other vents & closed them ?

There's two on the drivers side, two passenger and two under the dash, in case you haven't found them

[Nefarious]

Ah...it'll be the under dash ones that need closing.... cheers m8y

[G20RG B]

[quote=Nefarious] Travelling down a drenched M6 last week, I was forced to take one sock off to keep wiping it (only fabric item to hand without stopping, and it was too bloody cold to turn the aircon on)!

Fantastic!!

Did you have to put the window down a bit?

Anyone else had to remove an item of clothing to keep the car going?

Edited by G20RG B on Thursday 11th October 14:05

[southendpier]

G20RG B said:

Nefarious said:

Travelling down a drenched M6 last week, I was forced to take one sock off to keep wiping it (only fabric item to hand without stopping, and it was too bloody cold to turn the aircon on)!

Fantastic!!

Did you have to out the window down a bit?

Anyone else had to remove an item of clothing to keep the car going?

i've needed to change my undercrackers a few tiimes when i've got home.

misty car? put air con on with demisters; air con is basically a dehumidifier.

[Gazzab]

Have you actually got air con? Check you have two fans on rad and that there is a compressor there at front of engine.
Check oil and water religiously - onnce a week or every other drive?

[Fex2005]

Hi Maz from Newcastle aswell and also have a 4.5 Cerb in Yellow!

They are awsome cars and great fun. Look forward to seeing you around! Give me a shout if you fancy a hoon around the toon sometime

Edited by Fex2005 on Thursday 11th October 14:37

[Maz_uk]

Yeah has two fans at the front and a compressor, also when you press the AC button the blue light comes on!

I actually live in Whitley Bay, which is 10 miles from Newcastle, but I'll be out and about in in on Sunday as my best mate who is a Porsche Technician @ JCT600 will be giving me hand trying to rectify these issues then going out for a blast!

[RUSSELLM]

Maz_uk said:

Yeah has two fans at the front and a compressor, also when you press the AC button the blue light comes on!

Make sure you can hear/see the compressor engage.

A "clonk" noise

[TimJM]

JensenA said:

HOT air will only blow from footwell blowers and screen blowers Yes thats right

Just make sure you are opening the slightly hidden vent on the left not the cold only obvious one on the right (that should be shut).

JensenA said:

Secondly is the air con very effective? Not really, but the air coming out of the centre vent should still get cold, if it isnt cold, check the air con pump is cutting in when you switch the A/C on, if it doesn't come on, then get a re-gas.

Yep - mine we regassed just before I had the car and the air con is icey cold.

Oh - and welcome.

T.

[Maz_uk]

Thanks guys, turns out heater works.

Just not very well!!

[DonnyMac]

QuiteQuietCerb said:

Yes you do!! check in the service history, when the timing chain tension has been last checked. In the cerbera (only!) that needs to be done i think every 12k. I failed to check this when i first got my car and 3 months later i am paying the hefty price of a rebuild

Hey Fella,
I saw yours earlier in the week, putting mine in for the exhausts, it looked very sorry for itself - Andy will look after it though.
So when are going out for a blat, picking mine up early next week, guess yours might be a week or two behind?
Donny

[QuiteQuietCerb]

Hi Don, just emailed you actually before i saw this post, yes the black is mine, its in much better condition than it looks, engine is of course in bits but its not as bad as we expected, a set of new valves and a oil pump gear and it should be as new. went to look at it on friday and saw Yours which has new exhaust, very nice, and very clean underneath.

Im picking mine up end next week, so for a blast asap after that

Edited by QuiteQuietCerb on Sunday 14th October 00:39

Edited by QuiteQuietCerb on Sunday 14th October 00:40