Cardinal Sin!!

[Si B.]

Yep, I'm one of those sad people who only takes their TVR out in the dry - I know, I know, anal or what.... Anyway, during the bad weather when it's laid up I generally get it out every week (ooh Matron!)and run it 'till it's warm and generally keep a check on it. However, I've been a bit busy recently and neglected my weekly duties and... yes you've guessed it....my beautiful Griff 500 is sulking. Checking the car on Saturday, the battery was as flat as a fart - no problem as I jumped it off my daily hack, problem is the car wouldn't idle below 1500rpm even when fully warmed up - is this a feature attibutable to the knackered battery, or does it point to something more sinister - anyone any ideas? Plus, had the car running in the garage for a while (no, not trying to gas myself!) and noticed that the exhaust manifolds were glowing red! Is this normal?!!! Must admit it gave me a twinge of fear as I ran to turn the ignition off! Looks like I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and get this car used in all weathers!!! Si B.

[Dr chuff]

Unfortunately I let my battery go flat (left lights on) a few weeks ago, and even after recharging over two nights, it doesn't seems too healthy. Until I get it replaced, I'm keeping it alive with the battery charger/conditioner from Leven Technologies. So far it's been fine, just plug it in the cigar lighter and leave it on until you need the car next - no more battery problems. Two other points; I've been informed by other TVR fans that warming up the car whlist stationary is detrimental to the cats. I have only seen the exhaust manifolds glow red when the engine has been revved with the car stationary, not just on idle. I belief they are designed to reach those temps, so there shouldn't be a problem. Best advice I think is to get out there and brave the weather, have some fun in the wet! Dr C

[craigw]

I've been using a solar charger from one of the innovations type catalogues, plugs into cigar lighter also. About £20. Even worked when the car was in a garage facing a small window.

[Si B.]

Thanks for the info guys - I think the only thing for it is a new battery and to get the damn thing used!!! Now I wasn't going to go tell anyone this but here goes..... I've just got back from a right carry on - it's a beautiful day, so it thought 'get the car taxed and get out there and get the battery charged'. So... Got the car taxed - legged it round to my lock up, the battery's flat so I jumped it. The car fired up, so I dutifully removed the jumpleads, closed the bonnet on my Corrado, turned off the engine, shut the door - reversed Griff out of garage - went back to Corrado to get wallet, phone, new tax disc..... - effin Clifford alarm had locked the car with everything in it!! Not a problem thinks I, I'll drive the 20 mile round trip to home and back in the Griff to get the spare VW keys - charging the Griff battery up and having a good blast at the same time. Off we go.....the bl**dy thing stalled in the middle of a main junction!!! Dead as a door nail - Oh the embarrassment (plus the fact that the new tax disc was locked in my other cars glove box) . You name it Porsche Boxters the lot, all went past noses in the air etc etc simply adding fuel to the TVR reliability debate when all along it's the idiot owner who's the problem!!! Anyway, after 40 more minutes of embarrasment and once the AA man had picked himself up off the floor, we jumped it again went back to the garage and he broke into my VW (not something you want to witness - plastic wedges, length of wire - not nice!). So...sorry for being a liability to TVR-kind, I now promise that will a) buy a new battery, and b) not be so anal about my car and actually get the thing used! The only silver lining to this sorry tail is that the iddling problem sorted itself when the car was fully warmed up and on the move! A lesson learnt..... Si B.

[Midnight Blue]

Glowing cats in the manifolds at low revs/engine load is normally cuased by unburnt fuel entering the exhaust system. Red hot cats and a lumpy idle may be 1 or more cylinders not firing. This is problem is usually a loose/broken ignition lead, failed spark plug or distributor cap. These all all easy to fix. My guess is that you inadvertently disturbed the leads while under the bonnet. Best of luck! Matt and Griff.