Bonnet Removal & Idle Speed

[damo m]

Just out of curiosity I just wanted to have a look at the engine on my car, having never actually seen it before!

Undid the 4 bolts but still couldn't remove it. Nothing in the manual about it (obviously).

Anyone help?

[ajvmoore]

Its easy - and light, so you can do it on yer own. Undo the four nuts, then near the windscreen, you sort of curl yer fingers under the top edge of the (side of)the bonnet, where on each side, sticking out from the wings, you will feel a post, which is about 8mm diameter, sticks out horizontally, across the car from the wing. The end of the post feels like a slim tube, and is in fact spring loaded. You push the post (leaving a circular indentation on yer fingertip), and this releases a locking collar, at the same time, pull that top edge of the bonnet up - it pops out of a little joint, like the front bonnet side catches; and repeat on the other side. Reverse to put back. Hey presto! Grab the bonnet by the oil filler holes, other hand at the windscreen edge and carefully remove the bonnet over the windscreen. Put on lawn or similar to prevent scratching.

[jonesg1002]

I'd recommend getting some assistance lifting it off. I had to get mine off to reconnect the wipers in the pouring rain and managed to catch it on the front wing and scratch it.

[yohan]

Just had to remove my main bonnet to fix the service bonnet catch which had come adrift.

A quick note to add to the previous post:
It's the collar around the post that slides, not the post itself. I had to use a screwdriver to slide the collar in (towards the wing).

Bit of a fiddle and I'm sure it could be designed better ... but that's why I love TVR because they don't waste money on such minor issues, much better to spend it on making their cars go faster!

[St George]

Thanks for that tip.it helped. I dont want to embarres my local dealer but he told me that it would pull forward and did not know about the springs - very sad.
So thanks for that.:-)

[GaryF]

I lifted my bonnet off last week to turn the idle up a bit by following the 'destructions' in here. (I did it myself) Four things to add:-

1. Take the washer reserviour filler cap off first (it catches on the bonnet when you try to lift it off).

2. Don't let the car idle for too long with the front bonnet tilted forward - drop it back down to its normal position so the fans work (almost a doh! scenario as the engine can overheat very quickly).

3. Lay some old towels, curtains, kittens, etc. along the top of the front wings so you don't mark them should you be slightly off target when putting the bonnet back on - particularly if you are doing this yourself.

4. Don't attempt it in strong winds by yourself or you could end up doing serious damage. Might even go hang-gliding - "Excuse me, you've got to help me - I've gone hang-gliding by mistake"

Gary.

>> Edited by GaryF on Tuesday 3rd June 17:08

[eharding]

>2. Don't let the car idle for too long with the front bonnet tilted forward - drop it back down to its normal position so the fans work

Is there some clever electrical thing that stops the fans when the front bonnet is open, or is it just that the bonnet when tilted forward obstructs the fan intakes (just curious)

Ed.

[21tvr]

GaryF said: I lifted my bonnet off last week to turn the idle up a bit by following the 'destructions' in here. (I did it myself)

Gary where are the destructions ?

thanks

Simon

[tuscanpaul]

eharding said: >2. Don't let the car idle for too long with the front bonnet tilted forward - drop it back down to its normal position so the fans work

Is there some clever electrical thing that stops the fans when the front bonnet is open, or is it just that the bonnet when tilted forward obstructs the fan intakes (just curious)

Ed.

[tuscanpaul]

eharding said: >2. Don't let the car idle for too long with the front bonnet tilted forward - drop it back down to its normal position so the fans work

Is there some clever electrical thing that stops the fans when the front bonnet is open, or is it just that the bonnet when tilted forward obstructs the fan intakes (just curious)

Ed.

I had the front bonnet up at the weekend with the engine running and the fans carried on oblivious.

[GaryF]

When I had the main (big bonnet) off and left the front service bonnet tilted forward with engine running the fans did not come on on mine.

I was adjusting the idle speed so left it running for a whilst I was fiddling around to keep it at operating temp. I then noticed that water had just started to trickle down out of the the coolent filler with a hint of steam - it was starting to overheat!! Switched the engine off immediately.

I then closed the front servie bonnet back down (with the big one still off) and went for a slowish drive for a few mins to get some cool air through. When I came back I was still adjusting the idle, but this time the fans came on - first the one on the passenger side (at 90C) and then the second a bit later. The fans didn't come on at all when the service bonnet was forward.

I did check the connections to see why this should be - couldn't find anything wrong; unless for some reason it was due to the big bonnet being off at the time. It was also a humid day which was a contributary factor - but I'd have expected the fans to work regardless of bonnet position. Surely the thermostat switch(es) should have clicked in regardless.

Could have been serious had I not spotted the water starting to come out & switched off. Just be careful to watch for this should you be tinkering with the engine running.

Gary.

[GaryF]

Simon,

The 'destructions' to remove the bonnet are at the start of this thread - 4 bolts & 2 collars (near the screen). I added a few extra things to look out for too - like removing the washer reservoir cover too as it caught on mine.

Gary.

[Peter_Belcher]

How do you turn the idle up? I know (think) you have to adjust the throttle potentiometer but where is it? Took mine back to dealers to adjust mine as it was idling at 500rpm and stalling all the time!

They did it under warranty and now it runs beautifully but would be good to know how and where it is if future tweaks are required.

Cheers,
- Pete -

[basil brush]

tuscanpaul said:

eharding said: >2. Don't let the car idle for too long with the front bonnet tilted forward - drop it back down to its normal position so the fans work

Is there some clever electrical thing that stops the fans when the front bonnet is open, or is it just that the bonnet when tilted forward obstructs the fan intakes (just curious)

Ed.

I had the front bonnet up at the weekend with the engine running and the fans carried on oblivious.

Me too. The fans worked on mine with the front bonnet up and the main bonnet off.

[GaryF]

Peter,

I got the idle adjust info from here:

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=21088&f=5&h=0&hw=idle+speed

There's another link inside that too.

Gary.

[jigs]

GaryF - just proves your Tuscan's fans are following in a true Brit tradition - prefer to work under cover in Norn Iron. Sorry couldn't resist.

>> Edited by jigs on Friday 6th June 20:41

[marki]

Jigsy ma man ,,,,, welcom back ,,, your making more sense than most on here recently

[jigs]

Thank you Marki. How are things in Turnipland - sorry Sweden.

Is it possible to fit quick release catches to a Tuscan bonnet a la competition cars?

>> Edited by jigs on Saturday 7th June 14:36