Wednesday 1st September 2010

PH Fleet Update: TVR Chimaera 4.0

Mechanical issues, and chatting to strangers on holiday

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Outward journey, it fits!

Recently the Chimaera has been playing up. Nothing too serious but a few of those little things that make TVR ownership different to running a 'normal' car.

Firstly I noticed a tiny oil leak from around the centre of the car as I was fitting the cover one day. It really is tiny, but I contacted a few people, and called the dealer to ask a few questions. It seems to be a rubber seal that costs only a few pounds to replace, but as the leak is so insignificant (the dipstick level remains at a safe level and is checked daily) it can wait until the car is next up on the ramps.

More annoyingly, the engine has started to cut out under deceleration - for instance when lifting off the throttle approaching a junction. Initially it only happened once in a while but it now occurs more frequently. While on holiday recently (more about that in a minute), it happened three or four times a day.

Turning the key, or lifting the clutch sees it fire up instantly but this, along with a now curiously high cold idle speed means the car will be visiting the dealer later this week to get a diagnosis. While it's there, I will have the speedo looked at as that has recently stopped working too. My MPH is given to me via TomTom these days, which is all part of the charm I suppose.

All of this came out of the TVR

This weekend saw me heading to Somerset for a spot of camping, on what was described as a very quiet and rural campsite. Quite why we decided to take the Chimaera and leave the Merc behind was beyond me as I stared at the pile of camping gear we had to get into the TVR. Surprisingly we managed to get a large tent, chairs, table, gas stove, food, bed and bedding and clothes for two people into the car - but only just!

Initially I was worried that the sleeved exhaust would be met with disapproval by my fellow campers seeking rural peace and quiet, but I needn't have worried at all. Not only was the Chimaera a talking point, it was a star attraction. In the local pub people would ask if I was the chap with the TVR before telling me how much they liked it.

Bank Holiday parking in Somerset - eclectic

Touring the Somerset coast in the sun with the roof down was a pleasure. The MPG was more than acceptable and it didn't use anywhere near the amount of fuel I expected it to, and the conversations the car started helped make the experience special too.

The Chim even coped well with the torrential rain we had on Sunday morning, and overall I was very impressed with how practical the car is for touring.

I'll report on the fix for my mechanical issues next time, and don't worry the Merc and the 944 are just fine - in case you were wondering.

[soad]

So you've managed to get a large tent, chairs, table, gas stove, food, bed and bedding and clothes for two people into the car?
That's good going, I'm impressed - boot looks tightly packed

Should sort out those mechanical issues in no time hopefully. Can't be too wallet damaging.

[Garlick]

Everywhere was tightly packed. If there was space, we used it. We even had space for walking boots, electric lights and a rather large folding table

Roof up on the way, off on the way back hence being a tighter fit for the return.

[Targarama]

The cutting out and speedo failing are connected. The ECU gets a signal from the speed sensor too, when you come to a halt the fuelling map is not adapted from moving along mode to tickover mode and the car stalls. Restarting resets the ECU map thingy. A new speed sensor on the rear diff should sort you out. Common failing.

[Garlick]

Tangarama, I'll get that sorted out.

[infradig]

Good work,always use the least suitable car available in any situation. Must be why my wife crammed 3 teenagers,tent and all camping gear in her CLK Conv this morning and headed off to Devon and I am going to a meeting in London in a battered 15 year old Disco leaving two perfectly good comfortable,quickish,economical saloons on the drive.
Your next mission,Garlick,is to enter your 124 in a hillclimb or sprint!

[White-Noise]

Nice little article

[Motown Junk]

Garrgh! Itchy feet now - just over a week before I got to Marmoset.

What's the betting it'll be pissing down by then...

Edited by Motown Junk on Wednesday 1st September 12:13

[scotty_d]

See we all told you the chim is perfect for touring and the space in it is enough. Glad you had a good time and used it for what it does best.

Scotty

[ArtVandelay]

You must be good at Tetris, Garlick, that's quite impressive

Still find myself looking at TVRs from time to time, don't think they ever made an ugly car (yes I love the wedges too!) but for now one will have to wait...bloody insurance

Hopefully those little niggles won't be too hard to fix and it'll be back on the road terrorising those seeking a lie in

[The Lukas]

Good effort

I think we have a nomination for the ultimate GT car thread

Those problems should be an easy fix.

[S3_Graham]

It would appear Paul that you were rather good at Tetris on the Gameboy back in the old days!

[Vixpy1]

When i visited PH towers, someone had written 'Garlick is great at packin it in' on the wall.

Seems they were right.

[sleep envy]

[Mazda Baiter]

Vixpy1 said:

When i visited PH towers, someone had written 'Garlick is great at packin it in' on the wall.

Seems they were right.

Toilet wall?

[Garlick]

sleep envy said:

Where did you come from? Do you sit there waiting for opportunities?

As for the graffiti, I stand by it. It's true.

[Vixpy1]

Mazda Baiter said:

Vixpy1 said:

When i visited PH towers, someone had written 'Garlick is great at packin it in' on the wall.

Seems they were right.

Toilet wall?

Yea, It seemed appropriate to have a st while i was there

[sleep envy]

I see everything that goes on.

[Vixpy1]

shudder

[sleep envy]

including that, you dirty little boy

you'll go blind, put it away

[rory182]

Good effort, did the same recently in my friends 3.0 Z4 with the boot fully loaded and a few days driving around the Western Highlands, Skye and over the Belach Na Ba to Applecross.