Discussion
Hi,
This is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (the one in the STeve Heath Book). The car is in really good condition and only has 30k on it. It has recently been serviced but runs a bit rough, often hunting.
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend. I just wanted to ask two things:
1) Could anyone recommend anywhere near Edinburgh to tune this car?
2) Any suggestions on what may be causing the engine to run rough?
The car goes like a scalded cat, but sometimes the engine feels hesitant when accelerating.
Cheers,
Steve.
This is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (the one in the STeve Heath Book). The car is in really good condition and only has 30k on it. It has recently been serviced but runs a bit rough, often hunting.
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend. I just wanted to ask two things:
1) Could anyone recommend anywhere near Edinburgh to tune this car?
2) Any suggestions on what may be causing the engine to run rough?
The car goes like a scalded cat, but sometimes the engine feels hesitant when accelerating.
Cheers,
Steve.
Congratulations on such a rare purchase.. 
Look after the car and it will look after you..
There area quite a few reasons for running slightly ragged, many of them covered on here in recent weeks. Have a look through the search facility.
You have the right idea though, get it to a local specialist - RR..? and get it fully checked out. There's nothing better than when the S is set up right and running smooth. I take you still have the Cats fitted.? Welcome.
Look after the car and it will look after you..There area quite a few reasons for running slightly ragged, many of them covered on here in recent weeks. Have a look through the search facility.
You have the right idea though, get it to a local specialist - RR..? and get it fully checked out. There's nothing better than when the S is set up right and running smooth. I take you still have the Cats fitted.? Welcome.
Hi,
Thanks!
I still have the cats fitted and that is something I know nothing about.
I did a fair bit of work on cars when I owned a Renault Fuego (at 18yo), then sold it to buy a Fiat X1/9. After that it was a diesel and a house! Thankfully I am having what my mates have called an early mid-life crises and bought my first TVR.
How do you know if the cat is ok, should I remove them?
Thanks!
I still have the cats fitted and that is something I know nothing about.
I did a fair bit of work on cars when I owned a Renault Fuego (at 18yo), then sold it to buy a Fiat X1/9. After that it was a diesel and a house! Thankfully I am having what my mates have called an early mid-life crises and bought my first TVR.
How do you know if the cat is ok, should I remove them?
Welcome to the forum and the world of S ownership 
Good to see another piece of TVR history being looked after.
There are lots of people here well qualified to offer you techie advice, unlike me!
Will be good to see you and your car at S Club this year. It's a bit of a trek for you but a group usually make the journey down from Scotland....
Cheers
Longers
Good to see another piece of TVR history being looked after.
There are lots of people here well qualified to offer you techie advice, unlike me!
Will be good to see you and your car at S Club this year. It's a bit of a trek for you but a group usually make the journey down from Scotland....
Cheers
Longers
Last S4 said:
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend.
Welcome Steve,Congrats with your very nice S4C, saw it come and go on the Classifieds.
It probably has hydraulic tappets, so new engine oil would be good as a starter.
See : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Br, Han
hvdweerden said:
Last S4 said:
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend.
Welcome Steve,Congrats with your very nice S4C, saw it come and go on the Classifieds.
It probably has hydraulic tappets, so new engine oil would be good as a starter.
See : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Br, Han
Judging by the state of the engine bay and the condition of other service items I am guessing the engine oil was replaced regularly. I agree with you though that its worth changing even just to rule that out.
Cheers,
Steve.
Steve
Good to see another S come to Scotland. As Longers says above, there is a group of 6 S Series in and around your area, including me. Dave Bruce's S1 (regular winner at various shows and meets) is also part of the group, along with Mike Clapham's S4 (best S4 at S Club last year) and Jim Tully's S1 (loudest V6 at S Club the year before). Come to think of it, I'm the only one who's won sod all...
Plans are already well advanced for the annual expedition to S-Club in June, so let me know if you want to join us (or rather, them - I can't go!).
I'm also the S-Series editor for the TVRCC, so an article or feature about your car would be interesting.
PM me if you fancy a meet up.
Also - get yourself along to the TVRCC monthly meeting on the first Sunday in May.
Oh and finally - most of the cat-equipped V6 cars do have hydraulic tappets - my S3C does, I'll find out for sure in a few days if Mike's does when I come to adjust them!
Good to see another S come to Scotland. As Longers says above, there is a group of 6 S Series in and around your area, including me. Dave Bruce's S1 (regular winner at various shows and meets) is also part of the group, along with Mike Clapham's S4 (best S4 at S Club last year) and Jim Tully's S1 (loudest V6 at S Club the year before). Come to think of it, I'm the only one who's won sod all...
Plans are already well advanced for the annual expedition to S-Club in June, so let me know if you want to join us (or rather, them - I can't go!).
I'm also the S-Series editor for the TVRCC, so an article or feature about your car would be interesting.
PM me if you fancy a meet up.
Also - get yourself along to the TVRCC monthly meeting on the first Sunday in May.
Oh and finally - most of the cat-equipped V6 cars do have hydraulic tappets - my S3C does, I'll find out for sure in a few days if Mike's does when I come to adjust them!
tvrgit said:
Plans are already well advanced for the annual expedition to S-Club in June, so let me know if you want to join us (or rather, them - I can't go!).
Andrew, you may want to point them in the direction of this thread....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
:threadhijackoff:
Hi all!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
I am new to TVR as well as the S Series, so I dont know anything about the annual June meeting.
Could anyone give me a few more details on location etc?
With regards to the tappety noise I guess the only options are replacement if an oil change does not fix them?
Cheers, Steve
Thanks for the warm welcome.
I am new to TVR as well as the S Series, so I dont know anything about the annual June meeting.
Could anyone give me a few more details on location etc?
With regards to the tappety noise I guess the only options are replacement if an oil change does not fix them?
Cheers, Steve
If it just a tuning issue then a good indi garage who knows the engine should be sufficient. Looks a great car on the adverts
Its not an early midlife crisis just realising that if you don't do it now you never - will my car history from 1997 onwards
VW polo (D reg 88) might have been thrashed a little went through 2 engines!
Pug 305 GLD (E reg) estate (200000 miles did 5000 in it then gearbox exploded into small pieces) useless car but you could sleep in it
Volvo 440 TDi (L reg) - family inherited now done 220k with my bro in Scotland
Golf GTTDI Mk 4 (x reg 01)- useless!
A3 TDI (05) (Company Car good fun though)
520d (08)tourer great workhorse company car still got it
S2 , had for 4 weeks what a great machine......... enough said - petrol is the way forward!
hijack over
Its not an early midlife crisis just realising that if you don't do it now you never - will my car history from 1997 onwards
VW polo (D reg 88) might have been thrashed a little went through 2 engines!
Pug 305 GLD (E reg) estate (200000 miles did 5000 in it then gearbox exploded into small pieces) useless car but you could sleep in it
Volvo 440 TDi (L reg) - family inherited now done 220k with my bro in Scotland
Golf GTTDI Mk 4 (x reg 01)- useless!
A3 TDI (05) (Company Car good fun though)
520d (08)tourer great workhorse company car still got it
S2 , had for 4 weeks what a great machine......... enough said - petrol is the way forward!
hijack over
Last S4 said:
Hi all!
Thanks for the warm welcome.
I am new to TVR as well as the S Series, so I dont know anything about the annual June meeting.
Could anyone give me a few more details on location etc?
With regards to the tappety noise I guess the only options are replacement if an oil change does not fix them?
Cheers, Steve
S Club Info hereThanks for the warm welcome.
I am new to TVR as well as the S Series, so I dont know anything about the annual June meeting.
Could anyone give me a few more details on location etc?
With regards to the tappety noise I guess the only options are replacement if an oil change does not fix them?
Cheers, Steve
Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 24th April 12:19
Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 24th April 12:19
Last S4 said:
Hi,
This is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (
Steve.
Hi Steve, congratulations on your purchase and welcome to the forum... dont forget to add your details to the Owners List hereThis is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (
Steve.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
and have a good ratch around the "Useful Links" wiki as they are ... errr... Useful !
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
K
Last S4 said:
Hi,
This is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (the one in the STeve Heath Book). The car is in really good condition and only has 30k on it. It has recently been serviced but runs a bit rough, often hunting.
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend. I just wanted to ask two things:
1) Could anyone recommend anywhere near Edinburgh to tune this car?
2) Any suggestions on what may be causing the engine to run rough?
The car goes like a scalded cat, but sometimes the engine feels hesitant when accelerating.
Cheers,
Steve.
Hi Steve,This is my first post on Pistonheads.
I have just bought the last ever S4c (the one in the STeve Heath Book). The car is in really good condition and only has 30k on it. It has recently been serviced but runs a bit rough, often hunting.
It sounds a little tappety and I am going to adjust these at the weekend. I just wanted to ask two things:
1) Could anyone recommend anywhere near Edinburgh to tune this car?
2) Any suggestions on what may be causing the engine to run rough?
The car goes like a scalded cat, but sometimes the engine feels hesitant when accelerating.
Cheers,
Steve.
Further to other posts, you dont have adjustable tappets they are hydraulic so dont adjust them. The rough running could be it just needs a full service. Do the lot, oil, filters, leads, plugs, rotor arm, dizzy cap. You will be surprised how much difference it will all make.
Good luck.
Pete
Hi Steve
Welcome to S ownership, i also own a S4 and live near Edinburgh. See TVRgit (Andrew) post above.
I have owned my S for about 18 months and really enjoy the friendship, tech advice and Sunday runs.
My S4 is also green with a tan interior.
Hope to see you at the next TVR central scotland meet.
We are going to S club as a group.
Michael Clapham
Welcome to S ownership, i also own a S4 and live near Edinburgh. See TVRgit (Andrew) post above.
I have owned my S for about 18 months and really enjoy the friendship, tech advice and Sunday runs.
My S4 is also green with a tan interior.
Hope to see you at the next TVR central scotland meet.
We are going to S club as a group.
Michael Clapham
Hi Pete,
I have took the distributer cap off and its new, along with the rotor arm. I removed a plug too and its also new. The previous owner seemed the type to take care of his cars.
I will change the oil/filter and get new leads though. I think the leads are often forgotten about.
Cheers,
Steve.
I have took the distributer cap off and its new, along with the rotor arm. I removed a plug too and its also new. The previous owner seemed the type to take care of his cars.
I will change the oil/filter and get new leads though. I think the leads are often forgotten about.
Cheers,
Steve.
Last time I changed the oil, the local factor had stopped stocking the oil I normally used and sold me "an equivalent". Except it wasn't - I think it was made from used chip fat, and the engine sounded as tappety as hell. I changed the oil again after 2 weeks, and it was fine.
Cheap oil is a false economy. Change it again to be sure.
Cheap oil is a false economy. Change it again to be sure.
Longers said:
tvrgit said:
Plans are already well advanced for the annual expedition to S-Club in June, so let me know if you want to join us (or rather, them - I can't go!).
Andrew, you may want to point them in the direction of this thread....
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
:threadhijackoff:
MCS4 said:
Hi Steve
Welcome to S ownership, i also own a S4 and live near Edinburgh. See TVRgit (Andrew) post above.
I have owned my S for about 18 months and really enjoy the friendship, tech advice and Sunday runs.
My S4 is also green with a tan interior.
Hope to see you at the next TVR central scotland meet.
We are going to S club as a group.
Michael Clapham
Come on Michael dont be shy... add your name to the Owners List too Welcome to S ownership, i also own a S4 and live near Edinburgh. See TVRgit (Andrew) post above.
I have owned my S for about 18 months and really enjoy the friendship, tech advice and Sunday runs.
My S4 is also green with a tan interior.
Hope to see you at the next TVR central scotland meet.
We are going to S club as a group.
Michael Clapham
and Steve I see you car is already on there for the previous owner so you just need to edit the info (unless of course there were TWO last S4's ever built ? 
)K
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff