TVR S2 - Performance Query
Discussion
Hi, I'm looking for some advice from fellow S2 owners about performance issues with my S2. (It may actually be a 1.5 - manual windows.) I have owned the car for more than a dozen years but only make use of it on dry days in the summer. Apart from my own small-scale tinkering, I use a local garage with some classic expertise for anything else. The car is a reliable starter even after being laid-up in its own custom-made tent over the winter and usually has a stable idle speed of about 850rpm. It is now approaching 100k miiles but during my relationship with it has only covered a few hundred miles each year. The frustrating issue that I have is that the engine is slow to increase speed from idle, and just does not seem to pull until the revs get above 2500. At that point it does then seem to take off but even so under load (say going up a hill) it seems to reach a ceiling accompanied by a misfire which limits both progress and one's confidence. Over the years the car has had new plugs, HT leads, compression checked, valve clearances checked, airflow meters cleaned and readings checked, idle control valve cleaned and throttle pot readings checked on a multimeter. I have not soecifically done tests for airleaks yet. Has anyone else had a similar experience, and can they suggest any possible causes? I would just like to get it running the way it should. Many thanks in advance for any input on this.
I know when I first got mine, it was exactly as you describe - started on the button and seemingly went well (or so I thought) until sat in traffic one day and it started to cough and splutter and then eventually clear up when on the move.
Turned out to be the coil. Totally transformed the car.
Might be worth a go, given that they aren’t too expensive. I went for the dry coil. It looked a bit different (odd) but never missed a beat.
Turned out to be the coil. Totally transformed the car.
Might be worth a go, given that they aren’t too expensive. I went for the dry coil. It looked a bit different (odd) but never missed a beat.
Oldmin said:
Thanks for that. Anyone you can recommend? I'm in Buckinghamshire.
You don't need a "specialist" just a competent mechanic who is used to old cars to give it a good service. Also, there's no point in putting your car on a rolling road unless you get it running well first.
Where in Bucks are you?
Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 7th September 00:10
v8s4me said:
You don't need a "specialist" just a competent mechanic who is used to old cars to give it a good service.
Also, there's no point in putting your car on a rolling road unless you get it running well first.
Where in Bucks are you?
Hi V8s4me,Also, there's no point in putting your car on a rolling road unless you get it running well first.
Where in Bucks are you?
Edited by v8s4me on Thursday 7th September 00:10
I'm near High Wycombe.
MisterTee said:
I know when I first got mine, it was exactly as you describe - started on the button and seemingly went well (or so I thought) until sat in traffic one day and it started to cough and splutter and then eventually clear up when on the move.
Turned out to be the coil. Totally transformed the car.
Might be worth a go, given that they aren’t too expensive. I went for the dry coil. It looked a bit different (odd) but never missed a beat.
Thanks for the suggestion, Mister Tee.Turned out to be the coil. Totally transformed the car.
Might be worth a go, given that they aren’t too expensive. I went for the dry coil. It looked a bit different (odd) but never missed a beat.
It had a new coil a few years back but that didn't seem to cure the soggy performance. I can see how it might have something to do with misfires at higher revs.
Mercdriver said:
Think you have ford V6? If so why not search online on ford owners club they might give you common faults.
Previous advise to try new coil is a good idea
That's a good idea, thank you. Yes it's the 2.9 V6 with the Bosch L-Jetronic ignition. I have been trying to find a Granada specialist, so your ide about the Ford Owners Club is a good steer, thanks.Previous advise to try new coil is a good idea
frontfloater said:
S-series cars definitely don't have a diagnostic socket ! We're talking late 80s here.
I would advise checking the ignition timing - on my S2 it made a big difference. If your engine is stock, the standard Ford 2.9 Cologne engine should have 12 degrees of advance.
That's what I thought but I see there is a reference in the Heath "bible" to a diagnostics port on the EEC IV EMU for which he recommends a Gunson reader (p56) but says most checks can be done with a multimeter.I would advise checking the ignition timing - on my S2 it made a big difference. If your engine is stock, the standard Ford 2.9 Cologne engine should have 12 degrees of advance.
Last time I had it with the garage they did check the timing and said it was fine but I'm going to look into it again. Thanks.
GreenV8S said:
That could be a blocked filter, weak spark, incorrect mixture, wrong timing or a host of other problems. You need an old school mechanic to diagnose it, as others have suggested. And you could become that mechanic, if you have the time and interest.
You may imagine that after 12+ years ownership, I 've had quite a bit of history with this car and although I don't have a garage have got up close and personal with it - so I certainly have the interest, been doing the apprenticeship but time runs away.
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