Newly rebuilt engine runs like a dog

Newly rebuilt engine runs like a dog

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yohan

Original Poster:

38 posts

259 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Just got my car back from engine and gearbox rebuild (by TVR Power) and have commenced running it in. Is it normal that..

1) It's a bugger to start, needs a bit of throttle.
2) Won't idle for the first couple of minutes after starting, keeps stalling. Even when started warm.
3) Odd rattles (not as bad as pre-rebuild but still quite loud).
4) Loud wine from engine, building with revs. (It was doing this as I pulled away from the dealer so I guess they must have heard it while they were road testing it ... let's hope they road tested it).

Is this is all normal running-in misery?

I've managed just over 300 miles this weekend and what with all the whining and rattling I'm worn out. I could have done without the passenger window encoder failing, the service bonnet starting to pop undone at speed and the bonnet catch coming adrift.

This weekend my usual TVR grin has turned into a grimace!

badger748

86 posts

276 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
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The unwillingness to start is something i have had from day 1 on my 3.6. When it eventually does catch i have to sit there applying light pressure on the gas otherwise it will stall.

No rebuild (yet) but the car has been back to Mole Valley four times now to fix this - all of which hasnt made a gnats difference.

If i ever get to the bottom of it ill let you know.

Lee

TSS

1,132 posts

275 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
I had my 3.6 rebuilt by TVR Power in January.

1) Sounds relatively normal. Mine was like this before the rebuild. It has always needed a tiny, tiny little bit of throttle to start unless it is already fully warm

2) Mine won’t idle at 800 RPM for the first few minutes but it doesn’t actually stall. Normally I just heel & toe to keep the revs up. Again, it was like this before the rebuild as well. Yours probably needs some adjustment by your dealer to stop it stalling.

3) Don’t know about this one, mine has been very “tappety” since the rebuild but doesn’t rattle. Probably another thing to speak to your dealer about.

4) Mine did the same after the rebuild. My dealer said it was the timing chain whining and that the noise would go when it had bedded in a bit. This is exactly what happened, after about 2000 miles the whine had disappeared.

My engine didn’t feel that great for the first 500 miles after the rebuild. But now it’s run in it’s much smoother than it ever was before and makes a better noise. The only post rebuild problem I have is that it’s started pinking at high revs.

yohan

Original Poster:

38 posts

259 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice. Prior to rebuild it would start and idle with no throttle, not unduly worrying just annoying.

I was also told by the dealer that the whine was something to do with the timing chain so it looks like I'll need to put up with it. Maybe some earplugs are in order.

I reckon a lot of these issues will be resolved at the 1000 mile service after things are tightened and the engine has thicker oil in.

koen

148 posts

279 months

Tuesday 27th May 2003
quotequote all
I've got the whine as well when the car was on its delivery miles (Tuscan 3.6 - april 2003).
After 1500 miles it's gone now. Dealer said it was the
chain, and it would disappear when the car was run in.
He was right, and the car makes a wonderful noise now, with pops and bangs on the overrun.