another new member...

[drum4it2]

Hi, another new member... another list of questions...

I have just taken delivery of a 95 Chimaera 4.0 with 65k miles. I got it at a low price and have taken a gamble/chance, I half expect to need some work done - but that said, did 200 miles yesterday with no problems and I am now well & truly smitten

The seller also had the bonnet re-sprayed due to stone chips and it looks stunning, even the wheels are virtually unmarked... however, one thing worries me - The temperature gauge is constantly on maximum and the fans have been wired to come on all the time! Is that OK? or a sign of impending doom Should I have it re-wired etc?

I also noticed that under hard acceleration, when changing up from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th, when you depress the clutch the car wanders a bit? I thought it may have been me but I'm sure it's not? Any comments?

It seems there is a TVR specialist local to me in Southend on Sea, Essex - P.R.WOOD MOTORBODIES, they also do servicing. I am about to have a full service & check up and wondered if anybody knows of this garage or any others local to me in Essex?

It would also be great to meet up with other local owners - if anyone is around and bored enough - please get in touch!!!

Thanks in anticipation of your experienced views...

[RCA]

Morning and welcome!!!!, I am sure you will get all the answers you require on here!!!,
On the temperature issue, when you say maximum what temperature is that??, How quickly does it get there??, It could be a faulty gauge. I think normal temp is about 70-80 when driving, 90 in traffic but never over 100. A lot of people have had the fans wired to a switch to manually overide for sitting in traffic etc, but not sure on the permanent thing. Could be a problem. Is your coolant level constant??, or do you need to top up often??
cheers
Rich

[Steve_T]

Get the cooling system checked as a matter of urgency I'd say. It may be as simple as a problem with the gauge, but if you leave a problem like this unattended it could be v. expensive. When the system is working properly it should be capable of maintaining a steady 90 without problem, especially with a 4L engine.

Cheers,

Steve

[tonyrec]

Welcome to the fold.....you wont regret it!

[Podie]

PR Woods have a good reputation, and "Dangerous" and "TdF" on this forum both use him.

As for meets... well the TVRCC meets up on the second Sunday of the month, and myself and "Alf Essex" usually arrange a convoy from Chelmsford.

If you're interested, you should join the TVRCC, and contact "yellowperil" on this forum, as she is the RO for the Mid-Essex region.

[N17 TVR]

Welcome aboard, I'm in the Chelmsford locale, what colour is your car ?

[crimsonchim]

drum4it2 said:

Hi, another new member... another list of questions... I also noticed that under hard acceleration, when changing up from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th, when you depress the clutch the car wanders a bit? I thought it may have been me but I'm sure it's not? Any comments? Thanks in anticipation of your experienced views...

May be a wheel alignment problem. If the rear wheels are out relative to the front, the drive axis of the car is at an angle to the actual axis. Although this actually causes the car to pull a little to one side under acceleration, it may be the difference when you let off the power that you are feeling.

Wheel alignment is not that expensive and you might want to get it checked anyway if you've just bought the car.

(waffle supplied by my local 4 wheel alignment company, all usual disclaimers apply 'cos I really don't know what I'm talking about)

[drum4it2]

RCA said:

Morning and welcome!!!!, I am sure you will get all the answers you require on here!!!, On the temperature issue, when you say maximum what temperature is that??, How quickly does it get there??, It could be a faulty gauge. I think normal temp is about 70-80 when driving, 90 in traffic but never over 100. A lot of people have had the fans wired to a switch to manually overide for sitting in traffic etc, but not sure on the permanent thing. Could be a problem. Is your coolant level constant??, or do you need to top up often?? cheers Rich

It goes off the clock at 110 degrees + and within minutes of starting - The coolant level is high though and I've not needed to top it up. Will have it thoroughly checked v.soon - thanks

[drum4it2]

N17 TVR said:

Welcome aboard, I'm in the Chelmsford locale, what colour is your car ?

Hi there... Chim' is Blue on the V5 but it sometimes has a purple tone too! called 'Blue De Chine' apparently... how about you?

cheers Grahame

[drum4it2]

crimsonchim said:

drum4it2 said: Hi, another new member... another list of questions... I also noticed that under hard acceleration, when changing up from 2nd to 3rd or 3rd to 4th, when you depress the clutch the car wanders a bit? I thought it may have been me but I'm sure it's not? Any comments? Thanks in anticipation of your experienced views... May be a wheel alignment problem. If the rear wheels are out relative to the front, the drive axis of the car is at an angle to the actual axis. Although this actually causes the car to pull a little to one side under acceleration, it may be the difference when you let off the power that you are feeling. Wheel alignment is not that expensive and you might want to get it checked anyway if you've just bought the car. (waffle supplied by my local 4 wheel alignment company, all usual disclaimers apply 'cos I really don't know what I'm talking about)

Thanks muchly - another item to add to my list for my check up! cheers Grahame

[drum4it2]

Podie said:

PR Woods have a good reputation, and "Dangerous" and "TdF" on this forum both use him. As for meets... well the TVRCC meets up on the second Sunday of the month, and myself and "Alf Essex" usually arrange a convoy from Chelmsford. If you're interested, you should join the TVRCC, and contact "yellowperil" on this forum, as she is the RO for the Mid-Essex region.

thanks podie - I'll make contact with said members!

[RCA]

If you coolant is not being used and the temperature is rising in minutes then I am pretty sure you have a faulty gauge!!!!, The car could not possibly heat up that quick!!!, still no harm in getting it checked out and getting the gauge sorted!!!!
cheers
Rich

[Incorrigible]

Mines just started to hit 110 when in trafic, haven't had time to check it but I'm not losing any water and it stays under 100 most (all but 2 times over the weekend) of the time

You can get gauges to stick on the swirl pot that record the maximum tmperature (I'll try and post a photo after lunch)

Thanks to Tim from ACT who gave me the one on mine (and sorry for not buying the hose kit like I said I would (hangover))

Your problem could be a sticking thermostatstat (opens @ 80deg to let water into the rad) rapid temperature rise after that would imply either stat or gauge IMO

If you take the car to most garages they'll have a laser thermometer (just point is at the engine block) you'll know for sure then

[Incorrigible]

You can just see the thermometer on the swirl tank in this photo



A close up, each section goes black as the higher temperature is reached



Sorry it's all dark, car's in the garage and didn't have time to get it out at lunch

[N17 TVR]

drum4it2 said:

N17 TVR said: Welcome aboard, I'm in the Chelmsford locale, what colour is your car ? Hi there... Chim' is Blue on the V5 but it sometimes has a purple tone too! called 'Blue De Chine' apparently... how about you? cheers Grahame

Starmist Blue (midnight blue with silver flecks in it in one light, a turqoise blue in another light), I would highly recommend getting yours re-sprayed in Starmist Blue, you won't ever be truely happy till you do

[kdd]

Incorrigible said:

each section goes black as the higher temperature is reached

Where did you get the sticky thermometer? I've not seen them about, and they'd be really useful (for exactly what you've used it for!).

Cheers,

K

[Incorrigible]

kdd said:

Incorrigible said: each section goes black as the higher temperature is reached Where did you get the sticky thermometer? I've not seen them about, and they'd be really useful (for exactly what you've used it for!). Cheers, K

Tim from ACT gave it to me, I don't know if he supplies them try him here

[drum4it2]

Incorrigible said:

You can just see the thermometer on the swirl tank in this photo A close up, each section goes black as the higher temperature is reached Sorry it's all dark, car's in the garage and didn't have time to get it out at lunch

Kind of you to take the trouble Ben... I will try to get hold of one... car is now booked in for a full service (in 2 weeks time - waiting list!!) Your car is far too shiny by the way....

[drum4it2]

N17 TVR said:

drum4it2 said: N17 TVR said: Welcome aboard, I'm in the Chelmsford locale, what colour is your car ? Hi there... Chim' is Blue on the V5 but it sometimes has a purple tone too! called 'Blue De Chine' apparently... how about you? cheers Grahame Starmist Blue (midnight blue with silver flecks in it in one light, a turqoise blue in another light), I would highly recommend getting yours re-sprayed in Starmist Blue, you won't ever be truely happy till you do

hey, it's ok for you posh Chelmsford types
I'm just a humble sarfender we're not allowed sparkly bits!