Hello all, Fairly new to the forum and have a few questions that hopefully you long timers can answer. I have a 91 TR just turned 13K. Had the occasional flashing “slow down cylinder 7-12” light and this group got me on track, replaced cat ECU with a NOS part and all is perfect now. Next, the car runs terrific but it smells like it’s running rich, more noticeable at idle when I’m pulling out of my garage but I do get a whiff here and there while driving. Normal? I don’t want to ruin a good thing as the car runs great. Do the TR’s typically have a stiff clutch? Not too stiff but stiffer than most newer sport cars I’ve driven. I also notice it has no real free play to speak of and the clutch grabs high. Doesn’t slip or chatter, goes through all the gears perfectly. Is this a normal characteristic of these cars? Manual shows a tilt wheel. Doesn’t look like I have a handle? Are they problematic? Can I replace the handle and do you know if they’re metal or plastic? Last question may sound stupid but the two switches behind the cigarette lighter with the digital bars...manual says cabin floor air but it’s a poor explanation with no real directions. Anyone know what they really do and how to set them? Thanks so much for any input. Dave
I’ll try to answer as much as I can. Check the fuel tank vent lines on the back of the fire wall for leaks. Typically results in fuel smell in cabin but will not affect fuel mixture Your clutch appears ok according to your description. They are stiff. Yes, there should be a tilt lever. Can’t understand why it would not be there unless it broke off. Those buttons redirect the air. Turn your blower on and start playing with them. Have fun.
Thank you for your reply. Just to clarify, I’m not smelling fumes in the car or raw fuel, just smells like it’s running a bit rich. I’ll check those lines to be sure, good advice. Thanks again! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is fairly normal for you to smell engine fumes in a TR. If you are really concerned about it, you could have a shop with a 4- gas analyzer put a sniffer in the tailpipe and check to see what the actual tailpipe emissions are to make sure that the car is running right, fuel mixture is correct and emission controls (catalytic converters are working as they should. The clutch on a TR is fairly stiff from the factory and as it wears it gets stiffer. There is no adjustment for free-play, as it is all hydraulic. Should be fine at 13k unless someone has been really abusing it. There should be an adjustment lever for the steering column. Take a good look with a flashlight under the dash to find it. The switches with the bars control the air distribution. Turn the blower speeds all the way up. No lights = vents closed, Half lights = full flow to footwell vents ( look under dash on both sides and you will see a round vent on either side that could be opened or closed with manual flaps on ducts), All lights on = all airflow to defroster outlets. Regards, Brian Brown
Thanks Brian, that’s a big help. As far as the clutch, do they normally grab high? Car was driven lightly so no abuse, I know the history. Thanks again Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Congrats on the tr. have the clutch checked if grabbing very high poss shows wear.on the fuel smell does your car have all the catalytic converters on. IMO the ac system doesn’t blow a lot of strong air I rarely use mine like others said ck the emissions coming out of tail pipes
Yes, cats are in place, everything is stock. I’m sure they’re working okay as I just replaced one of the catalyst ECU’s and the test function is all good. Thanks for the help Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The clutch typically shouldn't grab too high. My clutch test is to drive the car in 4th gear under load on the freeway. While at 1/2 throttle. start to depress the clutch, and see how much clutch pedal travel/pressure is required before the clutch begins to slip. When it starts to slip with very little pedal pressure/movement, then it is time to think about clutch replacement.
One thing I have heard is “avoid” second gear until the oil is warm enough. It may take take 30-45 minutes of driving. Anyone is welcome to chime. [emoji964][emoji100][emoji100] Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
That is a fact. It has to warm up and even then I double clutch. I have adjusted the shifter, no help.
FWIW I replaced a clutch on my first TR at 14000 miles due to slipping. The two little switches open up air vents for the feet when the air is on. press and hold and you should see the little indicators show more bars telling you that the air vents are opening.
