Shell Optimax

[Bill B]

Can anyone help, My T.V.R Is running like a heap of crap it maybe coincidence but its since i put the shell optimax in, Seems to be missing as if its not running on all cylinders, seems to have lost the instant acceleration, even the odd back-fire and both exhausts are caked in thick black soot, only done 210miles since last service(ok that was last august) any advice welcome

[dan]

quote:only done 210miles since last service(ok that was last august) any advice welcome

Ahem... thats probably got more to do with it!

My advice... Drive it more.

[s2 giles]

Could be the lack of use....

But could also be the extra Ron value of the Optimax. I used to run a 4star crossflow engine in a Westfield and after demise of 4star used unleaded with an additive to increase RON and lubrication. This often caused it to misfire or run roughly if the amount of the mixture was incorrect.

Blast on the motorway & refill when you hit the half tank point, either way it will kill or cure !!

[Nick M (nmilton)]

Chances are the fuel has degraded and there's lots of moisture in it. If you can, drain the tank and refill with fresh fuel and try not to leave it standing for so long.

In fact, not having used the car since August is grounds for confiscation so it can be given to someone more deserving

[Bill B]

Yes i take the point about not using it enough, confiscation is a bit harsh though (would rather give the wife away) it was just about empty when i took it out a couple of weeks ago seemed ok, then i filled up with optimax then thats when it seemed to run crap i changed the leads still no good, anyway now in my local T.V.R garage(offord motors) will let you all know the outcome

[Bombjack]

If you parked it up empty of fuel, maybe the tank's rusted?

[campbell]

Silly man, you should use you car more often, its not the miles that is the killer it is the time between uses
Good luck

[element]

sounds like it's running rich
these tvr thingies do they still drink thru carbs or is it all newfangled injection?
clean yer plugs, change the oil/filter/air filter
stick to 95 ron
laughin....

ps i don't know anything about tvrs (like I needed to spell that out )

[mattjbatch]

Speaking of not using a TVR very much. A friend of mines Dad has a Chim which he's not used for about 18 months. It just sits in his garage with bikes propped up against it. The cat likes to sleep in it though. Its a £20,000 cat basket!!

[Bill B]

Not carb in the tiv, its fuel injection;

[DIGGA]

Two things I can think of:

Firstly, it's not a good idea to leave plant amchinery/vehicles stood for long periods with near empty tanks, as this can allow a lot of condensation, and possible corrosion.

Secondly, I had a 4.0l Griff a few years back which blew a tiny chunk out of one of the head gaskets. It was on the inboard side of the V, and no water was mixing with the oil, but the arse end of the car looked like I'd been running it on anthracite, or some other such solid fuel.

[Captain Chaos]

You're motor has been in mothballs for too long, nothin to do with Optimax. To the contary, it's the best damn petrol in town - my '69 Corvette has a super high compression 11:1 ratio high performance motor and the only juice it'll run on without pinking is Optimax. It's the dogs doodahs, believe me.

Captain Optimax

[Bill B]

Thanks to all who took the time to reply,should also say thanks to offord motors who got my tiv back on the road, all seems to be well again, seems to have been the e.c.u unit and a thermostat that was knackered, something to do with one telling the other that it was cold, so the other would try and deliver more fuel and it did not need it (along that kind of line as you can tell i am not a mechanic) but anyway sounds and running back to normall, So i suppose i should say sorry to shell for blaming optimax, and the other lesson learned from most of you use the car more(I promise i will)
p.s
Tried to put a smiley face on this message but cant seem to do it

[GregE240]

Here Bill, I've got one spare: