Another new Cerbera owner
Discussion
Hi Guys
A couple of weeks ago I picked up my 1997 Cerbera 4.2. Totally stunned with it & performance in incredible compared to anything I've owned before.
Now .. I've been lurking in this group for a while now & this is my first post .. so please be easy on me !
I did have a question about the clutch pedal being so stiff & so far away from my short legs (I'm only 5ft 7) .. but from a recent post about Leven's kit would seem to cure that problem.
Other things I would appreciate some feedback on are :
Engine stuttering at @ 2000 > 3000 RPM - is it just mine or is everyone's Cerbera a bit temperamental around these revs ? It's nothing drastic, it's just a bit uneven & lumpy .. & everything becomes smooth after @ 3000 RMP
Starter motor - Sometimes spins without engaging (appx. every fifth start). I've read a bit about this from previous posts .. but is there anything that can be done / adjusted before it has to be replaced ? , or is it just a case of getting a new one fitted ?
Petrol - Amazingly, no one sells super unleaded for a 30 mile radius around where I live .. so I've been filling up with normal unleaded & adding octain booster. Is this OK / safe ? .. could this possibly be reason for my engine stuttering problem ?
& Finally .. Oil pressure - where should the needle be ? .. what pressure is 'normal' at say 3000 RPM ?
Thanks in advance for any info
Regards
Dave
A couple of weeks ago I picked up my 1997 Cerbera 4.2. Totally stunned with it & performance in incredible compared to anything I've owned before.
Now .. I've been lurking in this group for a while now & this is my first post .. so please be easy on me !
I did have a question about the clutch pedal being so stiff & so far away from my short legs (I'm only 5ft 7) .. but from a recent post about Leven's kit would seem to cure that problem.
Other things I would appreciate some feedback on are :
Engine stuttering at @ 2000 > 3000 RPM - is it just mine or is everyone's Cerbera a bit temperamental around these revs ? It's nothing drastic, it's just a bit uneven & lumpy .. & everything becomes smooth after @ 3000 RMP
Starter motor - Sometimes spins without engaging (appx. every fifth start). I've read a bit about this from previous posts .. but is there anything that can be done / adjusted before it has to be replaced ? , or is it just a case of getting a new one fitted ?
Petrol - Amazingly, no one sells super unleaded for a 30 mile radius around where I live .. so I've been filling up with normal unleaded & adding octain booster. Is this OK / safe ? .. could this possibly be reason for my engine stuttering problem ?
& Finally .. Oil pressure - where should the needle be ? .. what pressure is 'normal' at say 3000 RPM ?
Thanks in advance for any info
Regards
Dave
Well done Dave !
The clutch shouldn't be much stiffer than any other car.
My car is also lumpy between 2000-2500 and then smooths out. I think a lot of Cerbs are like this.
The starter motor will fail eventually. You can either buy a new one, or get yours rebuilt. There are numerous threads on starter motors.
The early 4.2 cerbs can cope with either normal or super. I was told by someone to stick with one type rather than changing between normal and super. I find Optimax makes mine run best.
My oil pressure starts at 40, and once warmed up sits at a fraction under 30 for most of the rev range above 2000.
Enjoy
Oliver
The clutch shouldn't be much stiffer than any other car.
My car is also lumpy between 2000-2500 and then smooths out. I think a lot of Cerbs are like this.
The starter motor will fail eventually. You can either buy a new one, or get yours rebuilt. There are numerous threads on starter motors.
The early 4.2 cerbs can cope with either normal or super. I was told by someone to stick with one type rather than changing between normal and super. I find Optimax makes mine run best.
My oil pressure starts at 40, and once warmed up sits at a fraction under 30 for most of the rev range above 2000.
Enjoy
Oliver
Actually, I think the early unmodified 4.2's are the only Cerbera's that REQUIRE super! The 4.5 is ok on unleaded, and all later 4.2's too. Certainly I've seen an early one pink on a rolling road.
The factory should be able to tell you - there are three different types of pistons used in the 4.2 - early ones certainly needed super.
The factory should be able to tell you - there are three different types of pistons used in the 4.2 - early ones certainly needed super.
I thought all Cerbies would adjust to what ever you ran them on (95-98)... We always run ours on Super or Optimax...(4 garages within 5 miles of home sell it) 
To be honest, I can't notice any performance difference in the 2 though ! The biggest difference is that on Super, you get a lot more pops & bangs ! 
The oil pressure in our car on start up is about 55-60, then once warm stays around 50, dropping to 30 sitting in traffic...
(ours is a late 97 4.2)
To be honest, I can't notice any performance difference in the 2 though ! The biggest difference is that on Super, you get a lot more pops & bangs ! The oil pressure in our car on start up is about 55-60, then once warm stays around 50, dropping to 30 sitting in traffic...
(ours is a late 97 4.2)
Based on my experience with my old 4.2, it should run very cleanly between 2 and 3,000 revs. If it doesn't the most likely problem lies in the throttle stepper motors which are either unbalanced or hesitant in their operation. I had mine replaced to cure exactly the same problem you describe and all was well afterwards.
Starter problems are well known and recurrent on Cerberas. Go for a recon as they are about £250 cheaper. If you are doing it yourself however, take a look a the bendix drive on the starter gear. It sounds like yours is just sticking. If so, whip it off, clean it and use a fine file or coarse wet & dry to remove any witness marks or burrs. Lubricate the bendix worm with dry graphite and reassemble. Total cost - bu**er all.
As to my understanding, early 4.2's, up to the beginning of '98 must be run on super unleaded or else dire consequences will result (burnt or holed pistons). I had to use regular unleaded once in my '96 (a couple of get me home gallons) and it pinked like a bas**rd - never again!
hope this all helps
Regards
John
Starter problems are well known and recurrent on Cerberas. Go for a recon as they are about £250 cheaper. If you are doing it yourself however, take a look a the bendix drive on the starter gear. It sounds like yours is just sticking. If so, whip it off, clean it and use a fine file or coarse wet & dry to remove any witness marks or burrs. Lubricate the bendix worm with dry graphite and reassemble. Total cost - bu**er all.
As to my understanding, early 4.2's, up to the beginning of '98 must be run on super unleaded or else dire consequences will result (burnt or holed pistons). I had to use regular unleaded once in my '96 (a couple of get me home gallons) and it pinked like a bas**rd - never again!
hope this all helps
Regards
John
Quick update ..
Got the Leven pedals as recommended in a different post .. superb next day service, good instructions & managed to complete in around an hour. Clutch is much easier to use & it also seems a little less stiff too.
Also, whilst out on a day trip today filled up with Optimax .. the difference was unbelievable compared to normal unleaded plus octane booster. My stutter between 2000 & 3000 rpm also 'virtually' vanished.
Guess it's super unleaded or Optimax from now on !
All the best
Dave
Got the Leven pedals as recommended in a different post .. superb next day service, good instructions & managed to complete in around an hour. Clutch is much easier to use & it also seems a little less stiff too.
Also, whilst out on a day trip today filled up with Optimax .. the difference was unbelievable compared to normal unleaded plus octane booster. My stutter between 2000 & 3000 rpm also 'virtually' vanished.
Guess it's super unleaded or Optimax from now on !
All the best
Dave
My Cerbie is a late @97 4.2
I have a new engine from the factory and my oil pressure is at 70 psi at start up, dropping to 55 during running.
As with all things TVR, I would just take the dial as an indication that there is some oil pressure, with the exact pressure being a task of guess work.
I was reccomended to Optimax by my dealer who has owned a few Cerbies and now a Tuscan. My 4.2 goes like stink so I certainly won't be changing.
I have a new engine from the factory and my oil pressure is at 70 psi at start up, dropping to 55 during running.
As with all things TVR, I would just take the dial as an indication that there is some oil pressure, with the exact pressure being a task of guess work.
I was reccomended to Optimax by my dealer who has owned a few Cerbies and now a Tuscan. My 4.2 goes like stink so I certainly won't be changing.
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