Observations a few days into Chimaera driving.
Discussion
Finally got to meet her in person last Wednesday Morning and she was as clean as clean can be then of course the heavens opened here in Yorkshire and she is no longer clean. So gentle careful driving was the order of the day. At first I was disappointed by the braking as it seemed rather poor and not what I expected as she sits on 16" Spiders with Tuscan AP's up front. The braking has improved but still does not feel as sharp as the AP racing 2 pot and 304mm disc set up on my MGF so am wondering if the Chimaera's pads are slightly track biased?
So Early Saturday morning and a tank and a half of fuel used a few niggles have been revealed:-
1) rev counter only partly works. It give no real indication of engine speed it spends most of it's time hovering between 1000 and 2000 RPM but I did notice 3000 RPM registered once. Possibly bad earth or connection?
2) drivers door require a firm slam to get it to close properly........... that's not right and need looking at.
3) Passenger window is almost glacial in speed drivers is better but both need looking at.
4) drivers door mirror does not adjust
5) the after market rear lights have not been fitted/installed well at all the right hand one nearly fell out on Wednesday afternoon.
6) Window switches pop out of their holes and drivers dash vent does the same
7) there is a knock or slight clonk felt through steering column when turning sometimes. No PAS on this one so bush or column UJ?
8) Fuel gauge is inaccurate. Shows full for ages then drops and when light comes on is no where near empty. Filled her up with guage below the red and she took 45 litres. Needle fluctuates quite wildly.
So a little tweaking required and rather annoying as she was "restored" . The ride is good but then she sits on brand new Biltins that Heath fitted and steering is precise and true she does not squirm or wander but Heath did set up the geo after fitting the new shocks. The originals were tired and bump stops showing their age. The new Toyos that came on her seem to grip well not that I have pushed her.
Friday drove over to Derby and Burton on Trent to get some MG/Rover parts and as fuel was showing low light on again filled her up again she took 41.83 litres and we had covered 237 miles so that's a tad under 26 mpg. Will see how she does today on the run South down to Newark as need to work out range before fill ups for the trip across Europe.
Am I pleased with her? ............................................................... yes indeed just need to get the niggles sorted and swap out the head unit for the new Sony one I have.
So Early Saturday morning and a tank and a half of fuel used a few niggles have been revealed:-
1) rev counter only partly works. It give no real indication of engine speed it spends most of it's time hovering between 1000 and 2000 RPM but I did notice 3000 RPM registered once. Possibly bad earth or connection?
2) drivers door require a firm slam to get it to close properly........... that's not right and need looking at.
3) Passenger window is almost glacial in speed drivers is better but both need looking at.
4) drivers door mirror does not adjust
5) the after market rear lights have not been fitted/installed well at all the right hand one nearly fell out on Wednesday afternoon.
6) Window switches pop out of their holes and drivers dash vent does the same
7) there is a knock or slight clonk felt through steering column when turning sometimes. No PAS on this one so bush or column UJ?
8) Fuel gauge is inaccurate. Shows full for ages then drops and when light comes on is no where near empty. Filled her up with guage below the red and she took 45 litres. Needle fluctuates quite wildly.
So a little tweaking required and rather annoying as she was "restored" . The ride is good but then she sits on brand new Biltins that Heath fitted and steering is precise and true she does not squirm or wander but Heath did set up the geo after fitting the new shocks. The originals were tired and bump stops showing their age. The new Toyos that came on her seem to grip well not that I have pushed her.
Friday drove over to Derby and Burton on Trent to get some MG/Rover parts and as fuel was showing low light on again filled her up again she took 41.83 litres and we had covered 237 miles so that's a tad under 26 mpg. Will see how she does today on the run South down to Newark as need to work out range before fill ups for the trip across Europe.
Am I pleased with her? ............................................................... yes indeed just need to get the niggles sorted and swap out the head unit for the new Sony one I have.
Thank you all for the comments which are appreciated. We were at Burghely today from early until about 2:30.
Well we are taking her to Mat Smith Monday so will hopefully get advice on a few of the niggles. Noticed today that there is wear in the drivers door hinge so it's dropped. If we can get that adjusted/tightened up it should improve the door closure.
Will update sometime Monday when we know more.
Well we are taking her to Mat Smith Monday so will hopefully get advice on a few of the niggles. Noticed today that there is wear in the drivers door hinge so it's dropped. If we can get that adjusted/tightened up it should improve the door closure.
Will update sometime Monday when we know more.
Well spent a long while talking to Mat today and learning more about the Chimaera in the process. Mat and his helper/mechanic (sorry cannot recall your name 
) sorted and generally fixed a few of the issues and niggles and showed what was needed to sort the others.
One issue we found and fixed was a leaking oil pressure switch as mat got a new on in and fitted it and sorted the clonk on the steering. Seems whoever put her together did not align the steering shaft U/J's so the top one is now worn a new on will be ordered. Mat thought he had one but not the one my early 430 required. The tacho seems to be working seems to be working when stationary but not so well on the move so Mat has suggested it might be a poor connection behind eh dash panel. Something that I will have to investigate.
The main reason for the visit was a successful outcome ............................... brand new MOT with no advisories. Came as a shock on Thursday last when I realised that the MOT expires on he 26th April.
Now as to her consumption well so fa we have covered just over 800 miles and not all of them sedately. Following Qbee home from refueling was a bit of an education and we have now reduced the tyre pressures on the 430 as they had been set at 26 front and 29 rear but are now 23 front and 25 rear so it's possibly we might lose the odd MPG. Todays drive down the Gatwick was not in the best conditions for driving or fuel consumption.
But yes I am not familiar with the engine notes and sounds of the 430!Plus bearing in mind the dreadful wet conditions one can hardly blame me for taking it fairly sedate. Saturday's re-fuel took 48.49 litres and distance covered on that fuel was 326 miles. The odeometer seems to tally with the sat/nav on distance.
) sorted and generally fixed a few of the issues and niggles and showed what was needed to sort the others.One issue we found and fixed was a leaking oil pressure switch as mat got a new on in and fitted it and sorted the clonk on the steering. Seems whoever put her together did not align the steering shaft U/J's so the top one is now worn a new on will be ordered. Mat thought he had one but not the one my early 430 required. The tacho seems to be working seems to be working when stationary but not so well on the move so Mat has suggested it might be a poor connection behind eh dash panel. Something that I will have to investigate.
The main reason for the visit was a successful outcome ............................... brand new MOT with no advisories. Came as a shock on Thursday last when I realised that the MOT expires on he 26th April.
Now as to her consumption well so fa we have covered just over 800 miles and not all of them sedately. Following Qbee home from refueling was a bit of an education and we have now reduced the tyre pressures on the 430 as they had been set at 26 front and 29 rear but are now 23 front and 25 rear so it's possibly we might lose the odd MPG. Todays drive down the Gatwick was not in the best conditions for driving or fuel consumption.
But yes I am not familiar with the engine notes and sounds of the 430!Plus bearing in mind the dreadful wet conditions one can hardly blame me for taking it fairly sedate. Saturday's re-fuel took 48.49 litres and distance covered on that fuel was 326 miles. The odeometer seems to tally with the sat/nav on distance.
N7GTX said:
The early cars use these plastic bushes to support the doors. Its a fiddly job but easily DIY.
http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/door...
Thank you most useful to know and I will order some. Just need to work up an order.http://www.powersperformance.co.uk/store/slug/door...
phazed said:
Did you drive to Gatwick yesterday? Just a few miles from me.
Indeed I did. In fact been into Halfords in Crawley twice now for bits'n'bobs for the trip. High Vis vests and warning triangle, some spare bulbs, oil for top ups, shorter wiper blade for the passenger side.Am around until tomorrow (Thursday) morning when I drive to the shuttle terminal. Will be at Vodofone in Crawley later trying to get my busted phone sorted.
Met up with an old friend from Crawley yesterday for lunch in Horley then we took a little drive out into some of the back roads I knew so well. This had both of us laughing and grinning like lunatics and during the course of this fun discovered that in fact the tacho does actually work. We actually had dry roads!!!
Oh Pooh only just logged on and looks like cannot make it. Been sorting bit'n'bobs out for the trip shopping for stuff to take back and checking the 430 over again. Found a couple of hose clips that needed tweaking to tighten and one that needed replacing as they reused an old one. That should hopefully fix the weep above the water pump.
Mum was born in Dorking and her dad moved to an old folks bungalow in South Holmwood back in the 1960's. He was warden of the church there so that's where Mum and Dad got married.
If I had seen this early would have popped over but have to meet Chris at Clackets lane this evening to collect something that he was looking after for me.
Mum was born in Dorking and her dad moved to an old folks bungalow in South Holmwood back in the 1960's. He was warden of the church there so that's where Mum and Dad got married.
If I had seen this early would have popped over but have to meet Chris at Clackets lane this evening to collect something that he was looking after for me.
Well so far have a little "basket" filling up at TVR Parts for little things that need sorting but really should have been done when he did the rebuild stupid things like the plastic door hinge bushes as the drivers door has dropped:-
1) Bonnet stay clip
2) Boot lid strut
3) Targa window seals
4) Window channel felt
5) Grill retaining rubber (the grill is screwed in place)
6) Steering U/J ( bottom of column to steering shaft) He got it misaligned and it's worn it as Mat pointed out.
Am hoping that the seals and felt will help the windows and reduce the wind noise. Need to remove the door trims to inspect and lubricate the window mechanism. Treating the rubbers and glass edge with silicone has helped but they still need a little TLC and adjusting as drivers one comes up a wee bit high.
1) Bonnet stay clip
2) Boot lid strut
3) Targa window seals
4) Window channel felt
5) Grill retaining rubber (the grill is screwed in place)
6) Steering U/J ( bottom of column to steering shaft) He got it misaligned and it's worn it as Mat pointed out.
Am hoping that the seals and felt will help the windows and reduce the wind noise. Need to remove the door trims to inspect and lubricate the window mechanism. Treating the rubbers and glass edge with silicone has helped but they still need a little TLC and adjusting as drivers one comes up a wee bit high.
A little update...
The Chimarea has been coping with the roads here rather well, the new suspension obviously helps in this respect, naturally one keeps an eye out for broken bits or road surface and pot holes and avoids or slow right down for them if unavoidable. Due to some idle issues that cropped up removed and cleaned the stepper motor and also performed an ECU reset which helps with a rough running issue that was caused by over 40km of unmade road that upset her running quite badly.
Did an oil and filter change the other week she is running on Comma Classic 20/50 with a Bizol viscosity stabiliser added. The 50 weight and stabiliser should help in the high ambient temps here. Oil choice is somewhat limited with most being to too thin 0/30, 5/30, 5/40 on offer so we shall see how it goes with the Classic oil.
One downside of the weather is the dust! Did not realise just how dusty it is so keeping her clean is a nightmare. Our place almost always has a breeze which is good for comfort but it does move the dust outside which then covers stuff like the cars. the other issue is that I really need a cover like the leven one to keep the sun off the interior as it makes the alloy bits too hot to touch. Even the centre tunnel was too hot to lean on the other day.
The Chimarea has been coping with the roads here rather well, the new suspension obviously helps in this respect, naturally one keeps an eye out for broken bits or road surface and pot holes and avoids or slow right down for them if unavoidable. Due to some idle issues that cropped up removed and cleaned the stepper motor and also performed an ECU reset which helps with a rough running issue that was caused by over 40km of unmade road that upset her running quite badly.
Did an oil and filter change the other week she is running on Comma Classic 20/50 with a Bizol viscosity stabiliser added. The 50 weight and stabiliser should help in the high ambient temps here. Oil choice is somewhat limited with most being to too thin 0/30, 5/30, 5/40 on offer so we shall see how it goes with the Classic oil.
One downside of the weather is the dust! Did not realise just how dusty it is so keeping her clean is a nightmare. Our place almost always has a breeze which is good for comfort but it does move the dust outside which then covers stuff like the cars. the other issue is that I really need a cover like the leven one to keep the sun off the interior as it makes the alloy bits too hot to touch. Even the centre tunnel was too hot to lean on the other day.
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