Discussion
I've always regarded TVR electrics with some suspicion, but spontaneous combustion wasn't something I was anticipating! Is this a common problem with TVRs/Ss? Is it likely to be some wiring rubbing against the bodywork, or should I stay away from flexy aerials?
Also does anyone have any Special Technique for getting the boot open when the electrics have shorted. The fire brigade had never seen anything like it...
I've owned a '91 S3 since last summer, and compared to the old RX-7 it's had relatively few 'interesting' problems. Then recently, after being parked for about 20 hours, I get called by the neighbours and pointed to wisps of smoke coming from the boot!
The car was full of tyre/plastic smoke, of course the electrical boot mechanism wasn't working as the wiring had caught fire, and the fire brigade had to crowbar the mechanism open (with _painful_ bodywork scratching) before filling the boot with water.
It turns out the wiring had shorted and the bodywork above the passenger-side rear light housing was hot enough to bubble the paintwork. The resulting insurance claim was for a new loom, boot kit, and about 2 grand of paintwork.
Initial thoughts were the wiring insulation getting rubbed away against the body over time, but I've just heard back from the garage, and their engineer says it was because of the _aerial_ causing a short, which presumably smouldered for at least a day before catching the spare tyre and loom. It's just a small flexy aerial, not powered or anything, though it's always been bent by the car cover resting on it, so it could have caused some sort of short, I suppose.
I should point out that it had a full-on 70K service at the end of last year, and there wasn't anything in the boot liable to set anything off (though I've got another reason to ditch that spare now).
The car was full of tyre/plastic smoke, of course the electrical boot mechanism wasn't working as the wiring had caught fire, and the fire brigade had to crowbar the mechanism open (with _painful_ bodywork scratching) before filling the boot with water.
It turns out the wiring had shorted and the bodywork above the passenger-side rear light housing was hot enough to bubble the paintwork. The resulting insurance claim was for a new loom, boot kit, and about 2 grand of paintwork.
Initial thoughts were the wiring insulation getting rubbed away against the body over time, but I've just heard back from the garage, and their engineer says it was because of the _aerial_ causing a short, which presumably smouldered for at least a day before catching the spare tyre and loom. It's just a small flexy aerial, not powered or anything, though it's always been bent by the car cover resting on it, so it could have caused some sort of short, I suppose.
I should point out that it had a full-on 70K service at the end of last year, and there wasn't anything in the boot liable to set anything off (though I've got another reason to ditch that spare now).
quote:
I've also suffered a fire in the boot thanks to the rear number plate late burning through a bag.
I'll mail you direct with the mechanism for getting in.
Hi Ted,
could you please copy me in as well, as I will go on holiday to Sardenia and I wondered what I should do if ever the opening mecanism strikes far away from TVR land.
Thanks Patrick
Cheers Ted.
The fire brigade were a bit puzzled, but fairly nonchalant about getting water into the boot without scratching the bodywork up. I was like "There's 15 quids worth of unleaded in there! Just get in and put it out!" with visions of Hollywood-style exploding cars flashing before me. B]
The fire brigade were a bit puzzled, but fairly nonchalant about getting water into the boot without scratching the bodywork up. I was like "There's 15 quids worth of unleaded in there! Just get in and put it out!" with visions of Hollywood-style exploding cars flashing before me. B]
There is a way to release the boot but probably best not to publish it too widely. But in this case you really only need to get water into the boot which is far easier to do. In fact if the drain tubes are blocked, it'll happen every time it rains. 
To be honest I reckon by the time the fire is big enough to notice you're probably looking at bodywork repairs and some repainting so even if you damage the boot forcing it open you haven't lost much. But if you want to avoid forcing the boot and don't know the 'alternative' way in, blocking off the drains and pouring gallons of water over the boot lid would enable you to flood the boot and (presumably) put any fire out.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
To be honest I reckon by the time the fire is big enough to notice you're probably looking at bodywork repairs and some repainting so even if you damage the boot forcing it open you haven't lost much. But if you want to avoid forcing the boot and don't know the 'alternative' way in, blocking off the drains and pouring gallons of water over the boot lid would enable you to flood the boot and (presumably) put any fire out.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
quote:
My drain tubes aren't blocked at all but I still get a boot full of water, I can't work out where its getting in though.. my current thought is through the bolt holes for the catch, anyone got any other suggestions/ideas ?
Cheers
Matt.
Check the integrity and positioning of the boot seal. If it pinched or out of line that will cause it too leak.
Cheers
Mark
quote:
anyone got any other suggestions/ideas ?
Open the boot lid, poor water over the back window, watch the path it takes into the boot. It *should* flow round the channel to the drain holes, and down the tubes beind the back wheels. If it isn't via the boot lid, it might be via the aerial, fuel filler or something like that.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
quote:
quote:
anyone got any other suggestions/ideas ?
Open the boot lid, poor water over the back window, watch the path it takes into the boot. It *should* flow round the channel to the drain holes, and down the tubes beind the back wheels. If it isn't via the boot lid, it might be via the aerial, fuel filler or something like that.
Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)
Did this last weekend to see why my near side rear light cluster was damp....be careful it can fill the boot very quickly if you use a hose
yep the drain was blocked by the way.. Harry
OK so I was wrong... "..tubes aren't blocked at all"
having seen water dribbling out of the bottom of them I assumed they were ok.. then on applying the watering can realised that the water was dissapearing slower than I was pouring it in...
SO, handy tip.. the best thing I found for unblocking the tubes was a length of that washing line that you have on those "whirly" washing lines (well I don't know what they are called
).. you know, the yellow coated stuff..
Anyway, its firm enough that you can push it down through the tube and give it some force as required.. then once you've got the end out the bottom.. tie a knot in the top and pull it on through the tube.. I was amazed how much sludge and Cr@p came out !! now I have drain tubes that gurgle and generate whirlpools the water drains that fast
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 22 April 16:07
having seen water dribbling out of the bottom of them I assumed they were ok.. then on applying the watering can realised that the water was dissapearing slower than I was pouring it in...
SO, handy tip.. the best thing I found for unblocking the tubes was a length of that washing line that you have on those "whirly" washing lines (well I don't know what they are called
).. you know, the yellow coated stuff.. Anyway, its firm enough that you can push it down through the tube and give it some force as required.. then once you've got the end out the bottom.. tie a knot in the top and pull it on through the tube.. I was amazed how much sludge and Cr@p came out !! now I have drain tubes that gurgle and generate whirlpools the water drains that fast
>> Edited by M@H on Monday 22 April 16:07
quote:
I used a length of that net curtain rod - the plastic coated stuff with the spring inside, just right.
TOP TIP Don't use the one holding up the curtains your wife has just washed - and don't put it back without wiping the cack of it unless you want an earbashing
Good Work Fella !!!
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff