How long does it take your car to start?

[Harrytsg]

My Chimaera seems to take ages to start, it spins for a couple of seconds before firing but once it catches it away.
My reason for asking is based on the 3 RV8's I had previously, albeit in the late 80's early
90's when I had 2 SD1's (one with SU's, and the other with ( I think) Zenith carbs) also a Range Rover. All of these barely spun the engine once before it roared into life, the SD1 with the SU's never even needed the manual choke (yes that's how long ago it was).

One thing I have noticed is that on the odd occasion I misjudged it catching and the car not starting, when I restart it fires up instantly, suggesting to me it's fuel related, but it makes no difference if I turn on the ignition and let the pump run then stop before starting the engine.

So, is my TVR normal?

If not, any ideas what's wrong?

[MADMAX2]

rotor arm

[sgrimshaw]

Has it got a Mark Adams chip?

He intentionally introduces a starting delay where the engine cranks for a couple of revolutions without firing to allow the Oil Pressure to build up a bit.

[scruggs]

I have a Chim 500 and it normally takes 4 or 5 compressions to fire. Just been serviced by a TVR specialist and still starts the same.

[chris2002hk]

I have exactly the same experience with my car. I've replaced leads, diz head, coil, rotor arm n plugs but little change.
Over the last 7 months of ownership, it's actually not got any worse or indeed better, so I just accept it.
No idea what chip is fitted as I'm the umpteenth owner. Let sleeping dogs lie?!

[Harrytsg]

sgrimshaw said:

Has it got a Mark Adams chip?

He intentionally introduces a starting delay where the engine cranks for a couple of revolutions without firing to allow the Oil Pressure to build up a bit.

Not to my knowledge, how are they identified?

Has it got Mark Adams written on it?

[sgrimshaw]

Normally a sticker of some nature on/around it I think ....

Looks like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[Harrytsg]

Thanks for that, it even states on there about the delayed start;

Fuel supplied during engine cranking is very generous (to say the least), so this has been decreased to reduce the risk of flooding. A small starting delay (approximately 2-3 engine revolutions) has been introduced to allow oil pressure to build up before starting.

though I doubt i have the chip, but who knows, I'm taking the seats out tomorrow to renovate and change the colour of them so will have a good look to double check while I have the luxury of a bit more room.

[Chris71]

Mine took a little longer than I expected for it to start - a couple of seconds maybe rather than the virtually immediate contact you get on some cars. It was otherwise healthy at the time, so I assumed it was just an RV8 trait.

It takes a lot longer now.

[JonathanT]

Mine started noticably quicker (was 2-3 secs, now 1-2 secs) after fitting a new battery. The old one was on its last legs.

[Harrytsg]

I'm guessing it is more of a trait hen based on the replies?

Battery is less than a year old, and worked fine through the winter (car is a daily driver).

[ads]

I've had my 400 since it was 3 years old, now 12 years old. It has always taken 2 - 3 revolutions for it to start. Its still the same now. I would say they are all like it in my experience.

[gavgavgav]

It's really common on fuel injected cars, all I have had turn over a few times before firing. It's just really noticeable on the RV8 as it turns over quite slowly.