"Just a Service"

[Debpazvin]

Within just days my 7 went from running like a baby to s**t. I knew the weather was a factor but I didn't get it serviced when I got it in July (because it hadn't been driven). All the plugs/filters/oils
were replaced 2 years ago but as it hadn't been driven I thought ok, no probs. This is now my daily car. I have an 8 mile ea way trip to work each day. It starts the "jerking" really bad so I take it for a service. 1 week later it is still in the shop. I'm told it needs to be used more as it never gets to it's capacity on "short runs". All the "new" service bits (plugs/filters etc) are choked up because it isn't "being run enough". When I bought this car, it was not meant to be a daily car, but it sounds like it's better to use it. I thought the more I use it the more it's gonna cost on parts, but this doesn't seem to be true. Any experience please.
Deb x
1980 Tr7 Premium in Black & Gold

[Hasbeen]

Deb, my 7 is my daily driver. Since I put my car back on the road, 6
years ago, [after 3 years hibernation with the PO], I have had only
a few problems.

A leaking fuel tank, a couple of light switches & a window winder
that didn't, are about it, except for a new fuel hose that split,
[bl@@dy indian stuff, with a US trade mark]. Oh, there was a cracked
seat frame, which cost a fortune, as I decided to reupholster the
thing, but that was in the back of my mind, anyway.

My running costs are much lower than my wifes new Mazda, [2 years
ago] because I can do my own servicing, without buying hundreds of
dollars worth of special tools, or worry about voided warranty.

One other minor thing, it has not cost me $7/9000 in depreciation,
which the Mazda has, in just 2 years.

I would still be way infront, even if I had to get everything done
by a mechanic.

Hasbeen

[FI Spyder]

My car was stored for 7 years when I picked it up. Oil, filter, plugs, wires, distributor cap had been replaced and it was run for 50 miles before I picked it up before driving it 900 miles home. It hasn't been driven over the last to winters as that was a good time to clean parts and electrical contacts.


During past two summers most trips have been mostly 6 miles into town and 6 back, trips to Victoria or Nanaimo 60 miles round trip (about one a month) a couple of 210 miles round trips to car shows. It is used when the day is nice as I have other cars for daily use.

It doesn't get "coked up" as it is fuel injected but if yours is coked up it's probably carbs running rich or choke problem. That being said it is better to use any car for longer trips than short.

I wouldn't worry about parts costing money if you use it a lot as most parts are cheap. Especially compared to new cars, My sister just got quotes on her "new" Mini valve cover gasket ($600) CV boot ($350, had to be ordered from Germany). Fortunately the parts were covered on her extended warranty (5 years) that was just about up and just had to pay for installation. Good thing she paid them $99 to inspect the car before warranty was up (they weren't going to do it.)





TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[John Clancy]

Deb, be aware here that you could be suffering from water in the tank. If the car is left outside and the petrol cap is exposed to the elements water will get in there eventually.

So if this problem persists and it isn't a coking engine to blame then make sure you ask your garage to check for water. They can run the engine off a jerry can if necessary. To prove this with my car in the past I've driven on the road with a jerry can between my legs in the drivers seat. Sounds a bit nuts but it was the only way to prove where the fault lay at the time.

<center><b>[url="http://www.triumphtr7.com/documents/sales/codenamebullet.asp"]Buy the story of the Triumph TR7/8 on DVD here[/url]</b></center>

[Wayne S]

Yes I second that from John Clancy. But also get them to check the carbs aren't running rich - perhaps be a good idea to have these tunes properly. Also check that the choke is disengaging properly and not staying on choking everything up.

Good way to test these thing is take the car for a decent run 20 miles or more get it nice and warm and give her a thrash - when you get home check the colour of the plugs, are the a nice rusty brown colour? They should be if not then its likely to be a tuning problem. If its still coking after all that then further investigation may be required.

<b>FOR SALE!!!!Purple 2.0 Litre DHC Grinnall</b>
Red 4.0 Litre V8 DHC Grinnall (with huuuuuge arches...!)

[busheytrader]

Deb,

I think it's more a case of buying an old car that hasn't been used for 2 years and needed recommissioning or a service first to eliminate or highlight any faults.

Maybe using it everyday straight away was a bit brave.

I used my 2.0L 7 as an everyday car for many years with an 8 mile commute in suburban traffic. It was never a problem although the points went out of adjustment every 4,500 miles. A 10 minute job to put right.

Good luck!

Adam

TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & Solid Bushes, Anti- Dive, Granada Vented Discs & Calipers, Green Stuff, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AllyCat 5 Spokes. No Door Stickers.

[Rich in Vancouver]

I agree with the others. Last year I recomissioned my 75 TR7 after it had been sitting for some time. I had similar symptoms which turned out to be caused by a rusty gas tank, which is a very common problem with these cars. Also , when a car is sitting unused water and other contaminants will accumulate in the oil which should be changed before the car goes back into use.
All said, I would put my money on water/rust in the gas tank.

Rich

BTW: Now driving my 7 on a 6 mile commute with a minimum of problems.

1975 TR7 ACL764U

[Underdog]

Yes, it is a problem when a car sits for extended periods. Mine was off the road for 6 yrs. Bowl gaskets in the Holley dried up which is not uncommon. Then the cooling fans went haywire. Turned out the relays melted down. Being stored in an unheated garage, I suspect corrosion set in on the contacts. Also had to clean the contacts in the Hazard flasher to get them working. Probably a few other issues I'm forgeting. Everything worked perfect before it was hit and sat for all those years.

72 MGB BRG
80 TR8 Persian Aqua
If women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

[FI Spyder]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by John Clancy</i>

To prove this with my car in the past I've driven on the road with a jerry can between my legs in the drivers seat. Sounds a bit nuts but it was the only way to prove where the fault lay at the time.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You forgot to mention the hand grenade in you left hand with pin pulled just in case you gave up trying to find the problem.[:D]



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[bmcecosse]

I think the garage is ripping you off! It's true a car should be used - but a good blast up the road soon blows away all the cobwebs, I agree it could be water in fuel problem - easy enough to sort that out - either run it till it's dry then refill, or drain the tank and start again. I have heard it said if you pour some meths in the tank that will mix with the water and carry it through with the petrol. Not tried it myself though! There's no way it should need a load of new parts - so tell them to give you the car back - and take it out for a good long hard run.

[nervousnewowner]

deb, you and me are gonna be in the same boat,...lol mine was laid up 2 yrs ago, drove it home from swansea to merthyr, and made it ok, running a bit rough but mine had k and n filters fitted so betting the carbs not been adjusted or anything, assuming they will need it anyway..... but as you have seen from my various posts i'm re commisioning mine as we speak,,,, well ok not right now but have been working on it this weekend.... if you get to feel down at all just look for my posts...lol they will no doubt cheer you up.....

[Debpazvin]

Hiya guys, my baby is still in the garage. The mechanic used to have a 7 and says (as mentioned)is running too rich. Says he can't balance no 1 carb and has an air filter on order. My other car got
stolen so I need my 7 daily. Are these cars really so temperamental
that they need adjusting according to the temperature/time of year?
Deb x

[busheytrader]

Hi Deb,

A UK 7 is remarkably low tech by today's standards and easy to maintain properly. However, the youngest of our cars is at least 26 years old now which brings problems. Standing still for 2 years only adds to this, especially if this was outside.

All of the electrical connections are subject to corrosion which can cause intermittent problems.

The carbs can wear but nothing is beyond refurbishment.

Rubber hoses can crack up especially those linking the carbs to the engine breather system. These can leak air making the engine run roughly.

Worst of all is the fuel tank which rusts from the inside out clogging the fuel filters and carbs with a very fine orange powder. Fuel starvation results, sometimes intermittently.

Our cars are as reliable as any other if looked after. How old is your mechanic? Does he know his way around carbs or only familiar with fuel injection and plug in electronic diagnostic tools?

Adam

[Debpazvin]

Hi Adam,
I personally havn't used this mechanic before, but he looks pretty old. Unless it's just the job thats aged him premeturely(he he). I changed from my usual mechanic as when I first got the 7 & took it for it's MOT the first thing he asked me was which end was the engine at and I thought "oh oh". I am due to pick her up in the morning so I'll keep you posted.
Cheers all,
Deb

[Debpazvin]

Well I've got her back but she isn't running right. Definately running too rich. We took her out for a "good run" as suggested and
at speed it was fine, but starting off at low gears (even when warm ie junctions)is really rough to the point where it's like it's just gonna stall.(like the choke's on all the time). The mechanic reckons he's checked everything he can. The fuel tank is new and he reckons there's no water there. He says he can only suggest that the carb jets are replaced (we have already replaced the mounts & gaskets)because until these are changed he cannot rule anything out. So the bits are ordered and the saga continues...
Deb x

1980 Premium TR7-1 of 400 made.