Newbie alert! - Couple of 290S questions

[jim290s]

Hello all,
I've just joined the forum after buying my first TVR, a white 290S2.
Only driven it for a day so far, but I have a couple of questions already.

1. Has anyone else suffered with petrol vapour/exhaust fumes getting into the crew cabin?
It gets pretty stinky, pretty quickly in there and I'm not sure if it is fuel vapour from a potentially cracked fuel tank leaking into the cabin, or possibly a leaky exhaust sending fumes into the cabin. Either way it gives me a headache after a 30 mins or so, so I need to track it down. Any tips?

2. The fuel gauge only gets to 1/2 way on a full tank, but then starts moving normally. Is this definitely a dodgy fuel sender, or is there a quick test I can perform to confirm this (I have a multimeter etc. Maybe it's a corroded earth?

3. Locking filler cap? Is it possible? Judging by my internet searches so far, it would appear not...

4. Can anyone recommend a bodyshop/spray shop in Wales who have experience preparing and spraying a TVR body? I don't need a full respray, there is just some discolouration around the rear number plate I want to sort out.

5. Finally, has anyone got experience fitting a rear luggage rack onto the boot lid? How much weight could it sensibly take, and are there any racks which look particularly standard on the TVR S Series?

Any help with the above would be greatly appreciated. As I said, this is my first TVR so I've got a fair bit to learn. Which Haynes manual should I be buying?!
Jim

[v8s4me]

jim290s said:

......1. Has anyone else suffered with petrol vapor/exhaust fumes getting into the crew cabin?

You've got a crew, and a cabin to put them in? Are you sure you haven't bought one of these by mistake Being serious for a moment though, it would be worth checking all the connections a long the full length of the fuel lines, including the seal on the fuel sender, to see if you have a leak somewhere. Ditto for the exhaust system in case what you are really smelling is exhaust gas.

jim290s said:

......2. The fuel gauge only gets to 1/2 way on a full tank, but then starts moving normally. Is this definitely a dodgy fuel sender

The fuel gauges on these cars are not entirely accurate and all you really need to worry about is whether or not it tells you when the tank is nearly empty. For more info see here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

jim290s said:

...........3. Locking filler cap? Is it possible? .........

Never seen one but anything is possible with a bit of ingenuity and lateral thinking.

jim290s said:

...........5. Finally, has anyone got experience fitting a rear luggage rack onto the boot lid? ........

TVR offered a boot rack as an option and at least two regulars on here have one so you should get the answer on this pretty quickly.

Good luck and welcome to the Forum

Edited by v8s4me on Sunday 23 March 11:01

[tvrgit]

v8s4me said:

jim290s said:

......1. Has anyone else suffered with petrol vapor/exhaust fumes getting into the crew cabin?

You've got a crew, and a cabin to put them in? Are you sure you haven't bought one of these by mistake Being serious for a moment though, it would be worth checking all the connections a long the full length of the fuel lines, including the seal on the fuel sender, to see if you have a leak somewhere. Ditto for the exhaust system in case what you are really smelling is exhaust gas.

Does the car smell of fuel all the time, or only when it's running? If the former, then it could be the tank / filler / first bit of the fuel feed (under the nearside rear wheel arch). If it's only noticeable when running, then it's either the exhaust or the fuel feed (i.e. probably from the pump forward). The pump and filter are again under that nearside rear wheel arch - check that the banjo connectors at the pump and filter aren't leaking or weeping under pump pressure - then it's a case of following the system forward looking for damage to a pipe, up to the fuel regulator and fuel rail itself.

Whatever it is, if you're sure it's fuel you're smelling, and not exhaust, you need to find it - fuel leaks in fibreglass cars are not a good combination.

v8s4me said:

jim290s said:

......2. The fuel gauge only gets to 1/2 way on a full tank, but then starts moving normally. Is this definitely a dodgy fuel sender

The fuel gauges on these cars are not entirely accurate and all you really need to worry about is whether or not it tells you when the tank is nearly empty. For more info see here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Agreed - the fuel gauges and senders are pretty unreliable - as long as it tells you it's getting empty, it's fine (don't ask me how I know this - several times...)

jim290s said:

Which Haynes manual should I be buying?

There isn't a manual for the TVR, as you probably found out, but the closest is one that covers the Ford Sierra including the 2.8 and 2.9 V6 models. That covers the engine, gearbox, diff, driveshafts, brakes and various other mechanicals

For specific help on the S Series, you also need one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-TVR-Series-Steve-Heath... although they are currently unavailable. You need to see if you can pick one up. Try to get the second edition. The TVR Car Club classifieds has one for sale at the moment, and they pop up occasionally on ebay.

v8s4me said:

jim290s said:

...........3. Locking filler cap? Is it possible? .........

Never seen one but anything is possible with a bit of ingenuity and lateral thinking.

The Steve Heath Manual above, shows a possible solution, which is hard to explain in words - I'll try to scan the diagram and put it up later (unless somebody else does it meantime),

Edited by tvrgit on Sunday 23 March 11:37

[glenrobbo]

Hello Jim & welcome to this friendly forum.
To answer some of your questions, the search facility is very good, click on "search" ( top right of the page ) & enter "TVR S Series locking fuel cap" or whatever, & it will come up with links to the topics on the subject.
Also check out the Useful Links in the top section of this forum page.

1. The best way to counter fumes is to remove the roof.
Failing this, make sure the fuel filler neck rubber hose is properly clamped & not split or perished. Check for any exhaust leaks. Can you hear any "chuffing" noises from the manifolds or downpipe joints? A thin bit of paper held near a suspected 'blow' can indicate by fluttering, & saves that awful smell of burning flesh! Also check the vulnerable exhaust parts underneath the car, they can get a lot of abuse down there.
Finally, if you have any oil leaks, they WILL run down onto the exhaust & cause fumes. This is the most likely cause of your fumes.
While you're under the car, check that there is plenty of clearance between the sump & the anti-roll bar. The engine mounts can sag with age, & the ARB can chafe through the sump. Not good.

2. The fuel gauges are notoriously inaccurate, it sometimes depends on the way the sender float arm wire is bent inside the tank. Lots of topics can be found if you search this subject.
Just keep turning right if you want it to read full, or left for empty.

3. A couple of people on here have devised a means of locking the filler cap using a pin that fits a hole drilled it in from the inside of the boot. Again, try the search. Phillpot's method is the best.

4. No idea on body shops in Wales, but how handy are you with an aerosol?

5. TVR fitted boot racks as an optional extra, one or two guys have them, RayTVR for one. Or search "Boot bag" for another option.

6. Haynes manual for 2.9 V6 Granada or will cover the engine / gearbox bits, Sierra a lot of the brakes & running gear, but the best general reference is the "Bible", the TVR S Series by Steve Heath. ( 2nd Edition is best ) Available via Amazon? , TVR Car Club, or look on eBay.

All the best, see you around maybe? Enjoy your S
Glen

When I started typing this, there were no replies!!

Edited by glenrobbo on Sunday 23 March 20:02

[jim290s]

Thanks a lot guys, very helpful! First things first, I'm off to buy some axles stands so that I can check the fuel connections and exhaust safely/properly. Cheers for the advice on where things are located - I'll get my hands on the Sierra V6 Haynes ASAP for the mechanical side of things.
Loving the S Series so far, just a couple of little niggles to sort out, I'll let the forum know how i'm getting on if it's anything of interest. Taa

[tvrgit]

glenrobbo said:

When I started typing this, there were no replies!!

You need to type quicker!

At least all the advice was consistent! Best forum on PH, this one.

[mep12345]

As well as the Sierra manual id suggest you get the Granada one. They are dirt cheap on eBay and the Granada manual gives some differing specs and methods as the cologne engine evolved. Certainly my s3 engine tends to match the Granada rather than the Sierra, but the Sierra is needed if you want he brake stuff etc


Oh and also use the owners websites from the links at the top of the forum as there is loads of info on them, plug mine www.gbsportscar.com

[glenrobbo]

tvrgit said:

glenrobbo said:

When I started typing this, there were no replies!!

You need to type quicker!

At least all the advice was consistent! Best forum on PH, this one.

But I can only use one finger.

And that's too fat for my phonepad!

[tvrgit]

mep12345 said:

As well as the Sierra manual id suggest you get the Granada one. They are dirt cheap on eBay and the Granada manual gives some differing specs and methods as the cologne engine evolved. Certainly my s3 engine tends to match the Granada rather than the Sierra, but the Sierra is needed if you want he brake stuff etc


Oh and also use the owners websites from the links at the top of the forum as there is loads of info on them, plug mine www.gbsportscar.com

Have to admit I use the Granada one (but that's only because I had a 2.9 Granada before the S) and its fine for engine / gearbox stuff.

The rest I just make up as I go along, as you'll see here http://www.tvrgit.com
(note to self: must get quicker at the merciless site plugs)

[glenrobbo]

jim290s said:

Thanks a lot guys, very helpful!

Loving the S Series so far, just a couple of little niggles to sort out, I'll let the forum know how i'm getting on if it's anything of interest. Taa

Blimey! Just a couple? You must've got a really good one!

Axle stands .Good sensible approach. Use some rag or rubber on top of them to protect the chassis. And chock the wheels with something when jacking as well, to prevent slipping.

[tvrgit]

mep12345 said:

As well as the Sierra manual id suggest you get the Granada one. They are dirt cheap on eBay and the Granada manual gives some differing specs and methods as the cologne engine evolved. Certainly my s3 engine tends to match the Granada rather than the Sierra, but the Sierra is needed if you want he brake stuff etc


Oh and also use the owners websites from the links at the top of the forum as there is loads of info on them, plug mine www.gbsportscar.com

Have to admit I use the Granada one (but that's only because I had a 2.9 Granada before the S) and its fine for engine / gearbox stuff.

The rest I just make up as I go along, as you'll see here http://www.tvrgit.com
(note to self: must get quicker at the merciless site plugs)

[glenrobbo]

HELP!!!
I'm surrounded by merciless site plugs!

[glenrobbo]

Re: Query No.4.....

For a body shop local to you, I believe Anita Roddick? can help.



ETA; Apologies, Just googled, she passed away in 2007.
But her legacy lingers. And Mother's Day is but a week away.

Edited by glenrobbo on Sunday 23 March 13:43

[Scoobimax]

jim290s said:

Hello all,
I've just joined the forum after buying my first TVR, a white 290S2.
Only driven it for a day so far, but I have a couple of questions already.

1. Has anyone else suffered with petrol vapour/exhaust fumes getting into the crew cabin?
It gets pretty stinky, pretty quickly in there and I'm not sure if it is fuel vapour from a potentially cracked fuel tank leaking into the cabin, or possibly a leaky exhaust sending fumes into the cabin. Either way it gives me a headache after a 30 mins or so, so I need to track it down. Any tips?

2. The fuel gauge only gets to 1/2 way on a full tank, but then starts moving normally. Is this definitely a dodgy fuel sender, or is there a quick test I can perform to confirm this (I have a multimeter etc. Maybe it's a corroded earth?

3. Locking filler cap? Is it possible? Judging by my internet searches so far, it would appear not...

4. Can anyone recommend a bodyshop/spray shop in Wales who have experience preparing and spraying a TVR body? I don't need a full respray, there is just some discolouration around the rear number plate I want to sort out.

5. Finally, has anyone got experience fitting a rear luggage rack onto the boot lid? How much weight could it sensibly take, and are there any racks which look particularly standard on the TVR S Series?

Any help with the above would be greatly appreciated. As I said, this is my first TVR so I've got a fair bit to learn. Which Haynes manual should I be buying?!
Jim

1 Can't help with as I've never experienced it.
2 mines quite accurate luckily but I've heard others are not overly accurate.
3 search Phillpot's posts as he's housed his filler inside the boot with a great mod (like the golf buggy chim set up).
4 Can't help with 4 due to my location.
5 try looking here http://www.boot-bag.com which is what I bought.

Welcome aboard - great cars to drive and this forum is a mine of information with a great bunch of folks.

[phillpot]

If you decide it's exhaust fumes first thing is to always drive with the top down, cures 90% of TVR problems.... you can no longer hear them or smell them.

Secondly I'd take a good look around the gear stick gaiter, under the leather/vinyl one there is a rubber one, probably split/poorly attached/missing.
Obviously won't cure the source of said fumes but might help keep 'em out of the car

[S2Mike]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
.
Hi and welcome.
Heres my solution to the locking petrol cap question.

[phillpot]

Another thought, not sure on the S2 but the later cars have two "eyeball" vents on the centre console, these should bring fresh air (flies, dust and general debris)into the car via two long tubes that go through the engine bay and down to the front of the bonnet.
If either of these tubes are damaged or missing general engine bay fumes will enter the car.

[RayTVR]

Original fit Luggage rack - Let me know if you want dimensions etc. It is bolted through the boot lid so pretty irreversible.

[jim290s]

So it seems that the fact I have some vague indication on my fuel gauge is about as good as most can hope for? I'll just try and see how low it goes I guess, and take a petrol can with me to get home again!

Mike, thanks for the locking filler link - that's exactly the kind of thing I was hoping for. Might find a way to route a cable through the car to a choke style push/pull system to unlock it without opening the boot if I have time.

Phil, I just went out to the car after its been standing for 4 hours or so and inside it still smells like fuel. I'm moving away from the idea it's exhaust gas as a result. Just picked up some axle stands so I'll start investigations. Not sure how the smell is getting into the cabin so easily though... There is no sign of any leak on the road under the car. Also, the plastic tubes for the vents are both intact, but good thinking.

Ray, dimensions for the standard rack would be great if you can find them. I've seen some pictures of these fitted: link but they're not quite the same as standard. Also, how much weight have you loaded yours up with? Ideally I would like to be able to securely strap down a mountainbike frame with wheels off, but any extra luggage space would be useful.

Thanks again for the answers all. I was told this was the best forum for TVR advice from the chap I bought the car off, and this is a very good first impression!

[steve j]

Jim, YHM.