How much would it cost to put this TVR right?
Discussion
I'm thinking of buying a Griffith that looks OK from the chassis and general mechanical perspective, but has a few things that need doing.
How much do you think it would cost to fix the following (ballpark figures):
Rear fabric hood has a 2" long tear in it - what would a new hood cost?
Odometer has stopped working (but speedo is fine)
Central locking sometimes does not work / locks you out
Quite a feww stone chips around the bonnet
ALSO - the vendor said that the cooling water expansion tank was usually nearly empty - you fill it up and it just goes down to the bottom of the tank after a drive. He said this was not an issue and happens on quite a few Griffs - any thoughts?
Many thanks for your help!
How much do you think it would cost to fix the following (ballpark figures):
Rear fabric hood has a 2" long tear in it - what would a new hood cost?
Odometer has stopped working (but speedo is fine)
Central locking sometimes does not work / locks you out
Quite a feww stone chips around the bonnet
ALSO - the vendor said that the cooling water expansion tank was usually nearly empty - you fill it up and it just goes down to the bottom of the tank after a drive. He said this was not an issue and happens on quite a few Griffs - any thoughts?
Many thanks for your help!
Odometers sometimes stop working as they click round say from 29999 to 30000. As you are driving, tap the top of the dashboard hard with your fist, it will eventually click round - mine did!
If you need a new alarm & immobiliser (behind the dash) its around £430 for a Meta replacement with remote boot opening.
If you have a cracked Walnut dash it might not survive being removed!
A front end paint refresh in a standard colour starts at around £1500. Use someone who knows what they are doing with Fibreglass & TVR in particular.
If you need a new alarm & immobiliser (behind the dash) its around £430 for a Meta replacement with remote boot opening.
If you have a cracked Walnut dash it might not survive being removed!
A front end paint refresh in a standard colour starts at around £1500. Use someone who knows what they are doing with Fibreglass & TVR in particular.
Edited by R8FUN on Friday 2nd April 18:20
Speedo working and odometer not (or vice versa) points to speedo fault (could just be sticking digits), neither working points to faulty sensor. Not a major issue (for info., a faulty speedo sensor can also affect tickover speed/stalling when coming to a halt).
As said, expansion tanks find their own level, being low is not an issue in itself; they generally don't like being more than about 50% full, varies car to car. If you buy it, check that the small outlet at base of expansion tank is clear - they're only small bore and can clog up if not cleaned / regular coolant changes, causing problems.
As said, expansion tanks find their own level, being low is not an issue in itself; they generally don't like being more than about 50% full, varies car to car. If you buy it, check that the small outlet at base of expansion tank is clear - they're only small bore and can clog up if not cleaned / regular coolant changes, causing problems.
Edited by TarquinMX5 on Friday 2nd April 19:54
Thanks! On this particular TVR the tank was practically empty - just a small puddle of coolant at the bottom of the tank. The owner said that it had always been like this and his mechanic also said it wasnt an issue.
Certainly when I went out for a drive, all temperatures etc were normal.
Certainly when I went out for a drive, all temperatures etc were normal.
Stone chips on the front end or front respray are nothing unusual due to it all being fairly low-set, at least if there are chips you know it's not been tarted up.
The only time a front end spray starts to get more expensive than normal is if it's been done in one of the flip-flop type colours as the paint can be pricey.
The cap on the expansion tank is a VW part, Golf IIRC, should be plenty of info on search if necessary; they can also be sensitive to any coolant change refills being done correctly - a simple process but failure to follow correct procedure can result in air locks.
The only time a front end spray starts to get more expensive than normal is if it's been done in one of the flip-flop type colours as the paint can be pricey.
The cap on the expansion tank is a VW part, Golf IIRC, should be plenty of info on search if necessary; they can also be sensitive to any coolant change refills being done correctly - a simple process but failure to follow correct procedure can result in air locks.
The way it is phrased in the OP, it sounds like you keep filling it and it keeps dropping..?
If that is correct, then that's not right - that would indicate coolant loss...
If so, that either means:
1. Leak somewhere, and coolant level dropping
2. Coolant pressuring, and being blown out the lid.
No. 1 is irritating and potentially bad depending what's leaking, no. 2 is definitely bad...
If this is what was meant in the OP...?
If that is correct, then that's not right - that would indicate coolant loss...
If so, that either means:
1. Leak somewhere, and coolant level dropping
2. Coolant pressuring, and being blown out the lid.
No. 1 is irritating and potentially bad depending what's leaking, no. 2 is definitely bad...
If this is what was meant in the OP...?
phn said:
I'm thinking of buying a Griffith that looks OK from the chassis and general mechanical perspective, but has a few things that need doing.
How much do you think it would cost to fix the following (ballpark figures):
Rear fabric hood has a 2" long tear in it - what would a new hood cost?
Odometer has stopped working (but speedo is fine)
Central locking sometimes does not work / locks you out
Quite a feww stone chips around the bonnet
ALSO - the vendor said that the cooling water expansion tank was usually nearly empty - you fill it up and it just goes down to the bottom of the tank after a drive. He said this was not an issue and happens on quite a few Griffs - any thoughts?
Many thanks for your help!
If cost is the deciding factor don't do itHow much do you think it would cost to fix the following (ballpark figures):
Rear fabric hood has a 2" long tear in it - what would a new hood cost?
Odometer has stopped working (but speedo is fine)
Central locking sometimes does not work / locks you out
Quite a feww stone chips around the bonnet
ALSO - the vendor said that the cooling water expansion tank was usually nearly empty - you fill it up and it just goes down to the bottom of the tank after a drive. He said this was not an issue and happens on quite a few Griffs - any thoughts?
Many thanks for your help!
Works for all
Classic Chim said:
Or is it being filled to the top then being pushed out until it settles at 1/3 full. It’s an expansion tank not really a filling point?
+1The expansion tank level on my 500 Griffith has always been near the bottom as CC says if it is overfilled it will spew it out.
What is more important is the coolant level in the swirl pot this should definitely be near the top.
http://www.bertram-hill.com/griffith-cooling-syste...
si easter said:
Anyway the new owner is happy with it especially as it was less than half the price of nearly all the Griffs on here !
It might end up costing just as much though. How happy he stays might be another question maybe.
Tvr ownership is littered with tales of cars costing 10k actually costing 22 when eventually put right by a devoted owner.
Phil Brown
Post some pics of it, exterior and interior. what type of paint is it, metallic, pearlescent, or flat.
Stone chips are the bain of Tvr ownership, Fibreglass is too brittle to bounce stone off so it chips the paint.
Mine had a front end respray about 12 years ago for £500 by a very qualified sprayer who dealt with lotus and Tvr, mines a Pearlescent which is dearer and more work than normal paint.
Even after my full respray in 2011 it now has loads of stonechips.
Alex
Post some pics of it, exterior and interior. what type of paint is it, metallic, pearlescent, or flat.
Stone chips are the bain of Tvr ownership, Fibreglass is too brittle to bounce stone off so it chips the paint.
Mine had a front end respray about 12 years ago for £500 by a very qualified sprayer who dealt with lotus and Tvr, mines a Pearlescent which is dearer and more work than normal paint.
Even after my full respray in 2011 it now has loads of stonechips.
Alex
Edited by waggy on Saturday 8th May 10:06
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