Don't moan that Tvr's are a pain to work on...
Discussion
Ok off topic but changed the thermostat in my Dads 1.6 Vauxhall Meriva today as it wasn't warming up.
Can you believe you have to remove-
Cambelt cover front top and bottom (torx bolts)
Cambelt tensioner (hex bolt)
Cambelt
Engine mounting (E-torx bolts)
Crankshaft pulley (E-torx bolts)
Camshaft pulley (E-torx tight b
d bolt)
rear of timing cover (torx bolts)
then finally you get to thermostat housing two hex bolts and out it pops.
'Reassembly is the reverse of removal'
Waterpump held in by 3 allen key head bolts.
We changed all the belts, tensioner and waterpump aswell but don't ever moan again that TVR's are hard to work on, and what a bloody mix of fixings
I haven't chucked a spanner in the works its to hold the cam while you undo the pulley bolt.
Can you believe you have to remove-
Cambelt cover front top and bottom (torx bolts)
Cambelt tensioner (hex bolt)
Cambelt
Engine mounting (E-torx bolts)
Crankshaft pulley (E-torx bolts)
Camshaft pulley (E-torx tight b
d bolt)rear of timing cover (torx bolts)
then finally you get to thermostat housing two hex bolts and out it pops.
'Reassembly is the reverse of removal'
Waterpump held in by 3 allen key head bolts.
We changed all the belts, tensioner and waterpump aswell but don't ever moan again that TVR's are hard to work on, and what a bloody mix of fixings
I haven't chucked a spanner in the works its to hold the cam while you undo the pulley bolt.
I have always owned Fords but a few years ago I made the mistake of purchasing a 1 year old CDX Vectra.
The car I traded in was my late fathers Mk4 2 litre Ghia Cortina which he purchased new in 1978 then when he passed away in 1985 I took ownership and kept a further 17 years, in all that time it passed every MOT had one clutch change and the usual wear and tear items plus that same engine did over 250,000 miles.
My Vauxhall cost the warranty people over £4500 in various repair bills then once the warranty expired I had to do a few jobs myself and like your experiance it was such a terrible car to work on as everything was so awkward.
The car I traded in was my late fathers Mk4 2 litre Ghia Cortina which he purchased new in 1978 then when he passed away in 1985 I took ownership and kept a further 17 years, in all that time it passed every MOT had one clutch change and the usual wear and tear items plus that same engine did over 250,000 miles.
My Vauxhall cost the warranty people over £4500 in various repair bills then once the warranty expired I had to do a few jobs myself and like your experiance it was such a terrible car to work on as everything was so awkward.
Hmmm had to remove the entire intake system on my v6 jag (with the new ford engine) just to gap the plugs! On the plus side am now getting around another 9mpg which is kinda worth it given the mileage I am covering this week. Just wish I was in the S I was in last time I was in the Alpes! :-)
I remember on my old Mk3 Cavalier it was a doddle to change the clutch, just remove the lower cover plate, get someone to depress the clutch pedal, fit those 3 special clips, undo the bolts, pull the shaft back & Bob's your uncle, the friction plate just plops out. Simples.
Even better was a 1972 Triumph 1500 fwd on which I could change the clutch whilst sitting INSIDE the car for the whole operation. Happy days.
But you can't beat a TVR for sheer INVOLVEMENT.
We luvvum!
Even better was a 1972 Triumph 1500 fwd on which I could change the clutch whilst sitting INSIDE the car for the whole operation. Happy days.
But you can't beat a TVR for sheer INVOLVEMENT.
We luvvum!
Buzzlt said:
Hmmm had to remove the entire intake system on my v6 jag (with the new ford engine) just to gap the plugs! On the plus side am now getting around another 9mpg which is kinda worth it given the mileage I am covering this week. Just wish I was in the S I was in last time I was in the Alpes! :-)
Some big engined Audis you have to have the engine out to do a power steering pump change, turbos too I think on the big performance models.Mental.
Ha! I did a Cavalier clutch once, and it was a breeze. People look at me funny when I describe how well designed the gearbox input shaft was.
I concur with the Audi statement - any of the V6 cars with longitudinal engines need the front of the car removed, then all of the belts, etc. to get to the thermostat! And on my 2.7T, if the turbos failed, engine out is the only way to replace them. Another fun job is the coolant pipe across the front of a VR6 motor. I could go on.....
I love working on the S - it's all so simple!
I concur with the Audi statement - any of the V6 cars with longitudinal engines need the front of the car removed, then all of the belts, etc. to get to the thermostat! And on my 2.7T, if the turbos failed, engine out is the only way to replace them. Another fun job is the coolant pipe across the front of a VR6 motor. I could go on.....
I love working on the S - it's all so simple!
If you are really friendly with your local garage, before buying a car they might let you look at the 'menu' for that car which gives guidance on the time to allow for various jobs......very revealing!
Many modern cars seem designed to be difficult to work on. I agree entirely with the comments above about the lack of standardisation of fixings so you need a mega tool set first. Peugeots are also bad at that, to the extent that they actually used some bolts with 5 sided heads!
I do remember when a mate got a nearly new car, the first thing you saw when you opened the bonnet was a big black plastic cover with the words 'removing this cover invalidates your guarantee'!
Mind you there were always stupid bits of design, can't remember now exactly why but we used to cut a hole in the 'transmission tunnel' of all Alfasuds to get at something.
The TVR is far from perfect, but it is at least endearingly imperfect!
Many modern cars seem designed to be difficult to work on. I agree entirely with the comments above about the lack of standardisation of fixings so you need a mega tool set first. Peugeots are also bad at that, to the extent that they actually used some bolts with 5 sided heads!
I do remember when a mate got a nearly new car, the first thing you saw when you opened the bonnet was a big black plastic cover with the words 'removing this cover invalidates your guarantee'!
Mind you there were always stupid bits of design, can't remember now exactly why but we used to cut a hole in the 'transmission tunnel' of all Alfasuds to get at something.
The TVR is far from perfect, but it is at least endearingly imperfect!
Barkychoc said:
Ok off topic but changed the thermostat in my Dads 1.6 Vauxhall Meriva today as it wasn't warming up.
Can you believe you have to remove-
Cambelt cover front top and bottom (torx bolts)
Cambelt tensioner (hex bolt)
Cambelt
Engine mounting (E-torx bolts)
Crankshaft pulley (E-torx bolts)
Camshaft pulley (E-torx tight bd bolt)
rear of timing cover (torx bolts)
then finally you get to thermostat housing two hex bolts and out it pops.
'Reassembly is the reverse of removal'
Waterpump held in by 3 allen key head bolts.
reminds me of a cam sensor on a BMW E46.Can you believe you have to remove-
Cambelt cover front top and bottom (torx bolts)
Cambelt tensioner (hex bolt)
Cambelt
Engine mounting (E-torx bolts)
Crankshaft pulley (E-torx bolts)
Camshaft pulley (E-torx tight b
d bolt)rear of timing cover (torx bolts)
then finally you get to thermostat housing two hex bolts and out it pops.
'Reassembly is the reverse of removal'
Waterpump held in by 3 allen key head bolts.
4hrs + to remove and refit a sensor held in by (iirc) 2 small bolts
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