Common Problems with the
1988 Reliant Scimitar GTE

Buying Tips for 1988 Reliant Scimitar GTE

• Prioritise a thorough chassis inspection on a ramp; check outriggers, front crossmember under the radiator, and trailing arm mounts where water collects between steel and fibreglass.
• On 3.0 Essex V6 models, verify whether the fragile original phenolic resin/fibre camshaft timing gear has been replaced with an all-steel or aluminium gear.
• Check that the cooling system maintains normal temperature during idling and confirm the cabin heater operates hot, as cooling airlocks cause rapid overheating.
• Inspect front suspension brass trunnions on the vertical uprights; ensure they have been lubricated with EP90 gear oil rather than grease to prevent thread seizure.