I'm in the market for a car.. but.
Discussion
Hi people - first ever post into the forum. Have taken a Mk 2 S for a weekend, really liked it. It reminded me of my old VSCC days belonging to a supercharged Pre war MG L type on methanol; where I would spend hours marvelling as BRM V16's and Dino’s would scream round the track, crawling by today’s standards. (I was employed by the owner I hasten to add.) I think the S I borrowed was de-cated because it was seriously loud all the time in any gear at any revs. Anyway I am finding my feet with the purchasing process. Have viewed a few cars now, liked some more than others. Have a few questions... about one I particularly like.
1. The paint on the scuttle near the wipers has a few small and one large lift, I would say due to heat. Looks like what happens to gloss when you don't let the undercoat fully dry, perfectly formed and not cracked or broken but lifted. Guy states he uses AC all the time (contributes to heat in traffic I guess) Comments?
2. The owner stated that it uses about 1L of oil per 1000 miles. Since this is a car with sub 8,000 miles and a MK II S I was wondering if that's "ok" or not?
3. When he started it (it was hot from a long run which he had recently returned from) he released the button too early ( I could see through the rear screen) so the car only half caught. He then tried it again and it fired and held fine. However, it produced about a 10% and I mean small dark/black discolouration in the exhaust discharge. Only a puf mind. I think this was a normal rich start. what do you think?
4. The service flap (don't know the technical name / where the levels are accessed) one of the securing pins looked fine but the other one looked butchered a bit and the "wings" sat slightly high of the bodywork into which they are supposed to sit flush - fixable?
5. At the last TVR service the comps of each piston were checked 250 245 250 250 245 250 - assume that's ok?
6. Another car I have seen has the two following "issues" that make me want to walk away. Issue one, passenger door sits too far into the door opening, it's noticeable, and the door seals aren't excessively compressed. Owner admits the car had a low speed shunt which resulted in a complete front end respray, hmmmm... Second issue is a pronounced instrument pod wobble and vibration through the car which arrives about 68 and leaves abut 85mph. Apart from that car seems lovely. But makes me think, why not sort it out, assuming it's sortable, (laser alignment, wheel balance, new wheel etc.) but perhaps it isn't - >??
Apart from my own sense I am assisted by the mytuscan checklist, but would welcome any other tips offered. Lovely day for it today, wasn't it!
1. The paint on the scuttle near the wipers has a few small and one large lift, I would say due to heat. Looks like what happens to gloss when you don't let the undercoat fully dry, perfectly formed and not cracked or broken but lifted. Guy states he uses AC all the time (contributes to heat in traffic I guess) Comments?
2. The owner stated that it uses about 1L of oil per 1000 miles. Since this is a car with sub 8,000 miles and a MK II S I was wondering if that's "ok" or not?
3. When he started it (it was hot from a long run which he had recently returned from) he released the button too early ( I could see through the rear screen) so the car only half caught. He then tried it again and it fired and held fine. However, it produced about a 10% and I mean small dark/black discolouration in the exhaust discharge. Only a puf mind. I think this was a normal rich start. what do you think?
4. The service flap (don't know the technical name / where the levels are accessed) one of the securing pins looked fine but the other one looked butchered a bit and the "wings" sat slightly high of the bodywork into which they are supposed to sit flush - fixable?
5. At the last TVR service the comps of each piston were checked 250 245 250 250 245 250 - assume that's ok?
6. Another car I have seen has the two following "issues" that make me want to walk away. Issue one, passenger door sits too far into the door opening, it's noticeable, and the door seals aren't excessively compressed. Owner admits the car had a low speed shunt which resulted in a complete front end respray, hmmmm... Second issue is a pronounced instrument pod wobble and vibration through the car which arrives about 68 and leaves abut 85mph. Apart from that car seems lovely. But makes me think, why not sort it out, assuming it's sortable, (laser alignment, wheel balance, new wheel etc.) but perhaps it isn't - >??
Apart from my own sense I am assisted by the mytuscan checklist, but would welcome any other tips offered. Lovely day for it today, wasn't it!
1) The paintwork on my scuttle tray is OK...The passenger side does get very hot from the exhaust/ cylinder 6...The wiper arms get too hot to handle. Can't see having Aircon ON makes any difference..engine revs drop with Aircon On.
2) Mine uses NO oil... I find at 8k miles a bit suprising, but guess it will also depend how its being driven.
3)They can be a pig to start if they miss the first time when hot..at least mine has been, need to be careful it doesn't over fuel..so keep off the throttle.
4)Alignment of the inspection bonnet is often poor but easily fettled, and replacing catches no a big issue.
5)Don't know what the compressions should be ,but at least they're consistent.
6) Can tighten door seals by putting stiff tubing inside the rubber...(TVR factory fix for rattling doors!!)..otherwise might be case of moving the striker or shimming the door.
Which Dash is it Pod type with loads of stuck on bits (Pre Dec 2005) or the curved more simplistic convertible type (Jan 2006).... Check the VIN plate for the actual year of manufacture rather than the First Registered date..many cars sit in Dealers for months (10th digit is year 5..2005,6 ..2006). There do appear fewer problems with the convertible dash, but TVR electronics are often a bit iffy.
If its an 'S' the cam cover should be red and it should have a Close Ratio gearbox. There was an odd couple of 3.6 litre (non-S's) made early in 2005 when the MK2s were launched. The engine number states if its 3.6 or 4 litre , but no easy way of telling an 'S' engine ...although I'm told the fuel injectors are different.
I'd also get the car on a ramp and check the chassis (especially if there's been bump), and check for leaking dampers, but at that age I'd expect it be very clean if its been looked after....anyone can clean what you see on top but its underneath that matters.
Is it a "complex" colour ??? Pearl/Flip.... Who did the front end respray?? Look at it in bright sunlight from various angles to make sure the match is good.
2) Mine uses NO oil... I find at 8k miles a bit suprising, but guess it will also depend how its being driven.
3)They can be a pig to start if they miss the first time when hot..at least mine has been, need to be careful it doesn't over fuel..so keep off the throttle.
4)Alignment of the inspection bonnet is often poor but easily fettled, and replacing catches no a big issue.
5)Don't know what the compressions should be ,but at least they're consistent.
6) Can tighten door seals by putting stiff tubing inside the rubber...(TVR factory fix for rattling doors!!)..otherwise might be case of moving the striker or shimming the door.
Which Dash is it Pod type with loads of stuck on bits (Pre Dec 2005) or the curved more simplistic convertible type (Jan 2006).... Check the VIN plate for the actual year of manufacture rather than the First Registered date..many cars sit in Dealers for months (10th digit is year 5..2005,6 ..2006). There do appear fewer problems with the convertible dash, but TVR electronics are often a bit iffy.
If its an 'S' the cam cover should be red and it should have a Close Ratio gearbox. There was an odd couple of 3.6 litre (non-S's) made early in 2005 when the MK2s were launched. The engine number states if its 3.6 or 4 litre , but no easy way of telling an 'S' engine ...although I'm told the fuel injectors are different.
I'd also get the car on a ramp and check the chassis (especially if there's been bump), and check for leaking dampers, but at that age I'd expect it be very clean if its been looked after....anyone can clean what you see on top but its underneath that matters.
Is it a "complex" colour ??? Pearl/Flip.... Who did the front end respray?? Look at it in bright sunlight from various angles to make sure the match is good.
Edited by glow worm on Sunday 9th August 23:29
Thanks Keith for your thoughts on this matter.
1. Having the Aircon ON, I had assumed loaded the engine making it produce more heat? But depends on how the ECU “reacts” not sure on TVR’s. So this heat bubble might indicate quite a hard driver. – and
2. Possibly the reason for the oil usage.
Is it reasonable to ask the vendor to allow an engine cover removal to check the cam cover? If so (not having done it before) apart from the four retaining bolts, how does one, without coming to greif?
(Perhaps this is obvious but); how does the engine number indicate the capacity?
Both these cars are the Pre Dec 2005 type pod with loads of stuck on bits. One can also feel said vibration through the controls. Proportionally not scary, but definitely there.
The owner was unhappy with the job first time round and persisted; achieving the desired flawless (to my eyes) return. It was done, I am told, by Gatwick TVR.
1. Having the Aircon ON, I had assumed loaded the engine making it produce more heat? But depends on how the ECU “reacts” not sure on TVR’s. So this heat bubble might indicate quite a hard driver. – and
2. Possibly the reason for the oil usage.
Is it reasonable to ask the vendor to allow an engine cover removal to check the cam cover? If so (not having done it before) apart from the four retaining bolts, how does one, without coming to greif?
(Perhaps this is obvious but); how does the engine number indicate the capacity?
Both these cars are the Pre Dec 2005 type pod with loads of stuck on bits. One can also feel said vibration through the controls. Proportionally not scary, but definitely there.
The owner was unhappy with the job first time round and persisted; achieving the desired flawless (to my eyes) return. It was done, I am told, by Gatwick TVR.
Tony what is the oil pressure like at tickover & 3K & above when hot what units are the compression figures in? Should be run in in 8K but it appears some consumpsion is evident until rings bedded in also i like to see them started from cold should start & idle nicely without any blipping. Mine has been very well cared for but there is some heat discolouration on the scuttle panel hidden bt the bonnet
Ian
Ian
Hi Ian, thanks for those tips - the car was hot when I saw it and we didn't drive it. My second inspection which has been arranged will be from cold, with a drive. So I'll be watching and listening carefully.
The compression figures were in PSI I believe.
Anyone know Fenchurch's Web site URL - all searches of that name turn up nothing on Bing, perhaps the opperate under something other than...
The compression figures were in PSI I believe.
Anyone know Fenchurch's Web site URL - all searches of that name turn up nothing on Bing, perhaps the opperate under something other than...
Gassing Station | Tuscan | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff