TVR Chimaera 450 Erratic idle the cure

This is a 2001 TVR Chimaera with idling problems. tickover, landrover , Would apply to Grifith as well. It has been with previous owners at many so call specialist garages no names. I bought the car a week ago & it still had these problems. So lets have a go & see if i can get to the bottom of it. If you like car video's then please consider subscribing so you will see whenever i post new content.

[@krhalfpenny]

Get your self some ceramic HT leads, far better than standard. Gets very hot under there.

[@Steviegtr52]

I believe these are Silicon leads. Never heard of Ceramic ones. New to me. ?? Thanks for the comment. Steve.

[@MrFactotum]

nicely inestigated Steve, should help many with that problem see you next time atb Kev

[@Steviegtr52]

Thanks Kev. Lots of video's coming on this car once i get the 2 post lift installed. Steve.

[@phildunne2632]

Somehow I knew the bonnet would be up on that TVR 😂

[@Steviegtr52]

Ha ha I guess i am very predictable. I better oil the hinges. Steve.

[@chrisslater3174]

@@Steviegtr52 Steve, you need to oil your chair! 😀

[@Steviegtr52]

Thats not the chair. It's my old bones.🤣😂 Steve@@chrisslater3174

[@mjk8710]

Hey stevie I hope you have third party& fire insurance I’m pretty sure they catch fire regularly I’m talking about certain TVRS because they get to hot ! Let’s hope yours is ok 💯🫵🏻🫡 IT SOUNDS AWESOME BY THE WAY👌🏻

[@Steviegtr52]

Hi MJK. Yes some do . Mainly the tamora's. Fully comp ins. Lets hope this one does not. Steve.

[@mjk8710]

@@Steviegtr52 Great work stevie your TVR sounds amazing sir! so much more character than the modern euro6 emissions cars I’m glad your a true petrol head like me I’m to old for electric bullshit cars I’d sooner walk 💯👍🏻

[@Steviegtr52]

Thay are as I said a bit agricultural now but just something about that amazing sound that makes everything else not matter. DSteve.@@mjk8710

[@cobar5342]

Good diagnosis I have taken my Griffith to tuners here in Australia with poor results too The 32mm spanner is weird isn't it I had fun with the sump inlet on my car

[@Steviegtr52]

Hi Cobar5342. Thanks for the comments. I think with the Tvr it's a ongoing project. Always jobs to do. Steve.

[@philnash9119]

Hi Cobar. I am in Melbourne (96 Chimaera) and struggling to find anyone who has knowledge of these engines to resolve engine cut-out and over-fuelling issues causing poor running etc. Did you manage to find anyone who knows these cars to ensure smooth running?.

[@Steviegtr52]

@@philnash9119 Hi Phil No. I am a DIY nut & would never use a garage to fix my car unless desperate. As youv'e probably seen on my vids i did cure the erratic running but not had any overfuel problems. I did read somewhere that the fuel pressure regulators can give trouble. A lot of owners have ditched the origonal & fitted a adjustable regulator. The one near the plenum chamber to the right side of the engine. If you are having problems then why not see if there is a Landrover specialist near bye as the engine is the same unit as fitted to a few models inc Range rovers. Mid to late nineties & early 2000's. One problem I have & not looked into yet is the fuel tank getting a vaccum in it. As when removing the cap to refill I get a hiss from it. I believe there is a carbon canister somewhere in the front left wheel arch that can block up & a valve that operates it. But that so far has not caused me any great problems. Although I have not done any long runs in the car yet.Sorry i cannot be of more help. I Joined Pistonheads forum ,where there is a TVR section & quite a few petrol heads with TVR's. So maybe join & ask a few questions on there. I am also a member of the TVR forum UK. But it has very little traffic, Steve.

[@cobar5342]

@@philnash9119 I went to Dynotune but I think a specialist in Rover engines might be the shot. Good luck

[@trollforge]

I had a chuckle at Waylon Wire's new video... On the box above the lift lever, he has a sign saying "PINS!"

[@Steviegtr52]

Ah I wonder why !!!!. When i saw the 1st video it really did make me cringe. Block of wood under a spring hanger . Steve.

[@trollforge]

@@Steviegtr52 Now he has Steel extensions that socket into the lift arms, with lips that continue up one on either side of the car's frame, instead of the rubber lift pads...

[@Steviegtr52]

Yes i saw that video. Much better now for him. Steve.@@trollforge

[@Izzy111R]

Look up setting the base idle, its the correct method for doing it. Basically you clamp the hose going to the stepper and set the base idle to 600 rpm from memory, using that screw, when you remove the clamp the idle should then raise up to the correct rpm. Pretty important this is right.

[@Steviegtr52]

Thanks for the info Izzy. I still have not put fresh fuel in the car & no idea how old it is. Probably many years. Once i get the car finished I will tank up with the 99 octane at local Tesco & also think the tank breather is not functioning correctly as there is a vaccum in there when i release the cap. Steve.

[@robertparton6705]

Just noticed that you have R6 rating on your fuel pipes under the bonnet, these are not good as they are not ethanol proof and prone to failure. Common problem on TVR! You should consider changing them every few years as I do on mine all the best.

[@Steviegtr52]

Thanks for that Robert. Not sure what has happened but somehow the comments have got mixed up on here. The base idle. Yes by the book. I do not have a book. I know the range rover auto is around 700-750. Any more & the vehicle starts dragging forward . I would have thought arond 850-950 for a manual car. I have still more to do on this once I get back on the road . 1st job is fresh 99 fuel & sort out the vaccum in the fuel tank. Thanks very much for your help Steve.

[@robertparton6705]

@@Steviegtr52Thank you for the reply regarding your fuel tank, I have vented mine to atmosphere by running a hose from the tank breather down behind the diff. Then disconnecting the carbon filter from the plenum no more pressure problem solved. Good luck

[@Steviegtr52]

I may have to do the same. I will have a look once i get some other jobs done. Many thanks for the advice. Steve.@@robertparton6705