V8 FOU

Just done mine and it does need some chpooing around for the aftermarket panel. The original lights are going on this 350 in May when he brings it to my workshop. PM your details and I will contact you after it is done to see if you are still interested.

Look upon it as therapy. No better way of relieving stress, and it doesn't need a box of tissues, ahem. Even though I have only owned my Esprit for a few months, I sometimes wonder if it has been worth all the effort and money, then I drive it - pure therapy.

That's going to be IAC related. When the fans come on or the a/c switches on, the ecu increases the idle speed a bit, so I would look at the idle circuit - possibly an air leak. Try spraying some intake cleaner around the area while idling and see if it smooths out or increases its speed.....

Slightly off subject I do have a Fairey Super Swordsman which is the 33' version of the Huntmaster (28') in the film... Wassn't that Russia with Love? Anyway, look at my avatar.....

If the filter is partially blocked, or even if the pump is faulty, it takes a time for a vacuum to build up. A fuel filter is dead cheap and easy to change - worth a try! I did have this some years ago on a customers nearly new Capri 2.8 (sheesh a long time ago!) and it was a dirty filter.

Long shot, but how about the fuel filter? If that is partially blocked it would give those symptoms.

I wouldn't presume too much I'm afraid. Do get the afr checked out before you do anything else. Any half-decent OBD tester will be able to read what is going on with the O2 sensors (disconnect the post sensors before doing that).

Where did you get that cover? That is so ....... want one!

If there is an air leak in the exhaust system you will get a pop. The injectors maybe leaking while closed - a common problem. Try a good fuel system cleaner and only use best quality fuel. An injector clean / test may help. (I have a cleaner tester/cleaner in my w/shop....) A afr test will show if you are getting unburnt fuel in the exhaust on idle with a high HC reading, conversely a high O2 reading if there is an air leak. Any MoT type tester will show either of these. High HC will destroy your cats btw - so it would be a good idea to investigate asap!

When the Noble broke down, there's no way the clutch that Hammond had was from that car. A wee clutch like that won't handle 600bhp or whatever the output is. I would guess it has a multiplate clutch. Sorry, in Pedant mode....

Mine in bits for belts etc New belts etc New turbo lines and all cozily wrapped up Inlet tracts wrapped as well so they don't pick up any more heat on the way

Is there any other way? I'll be there in The Esprit. Or maybe the Alpine.... Depends which one is working!

Very interesting post. Also illustrates the point of why an Esprit V8 , for instance, is and expensive car to run/repair. A £70K car will always cost the same in parts and maintenance even when it costs £10K to buy. Too many people buy a "cheap" Lotus and expect it to cost the same in parts etc as a run of the mill car of the same cost.

I have "cured" this on my car. 900 rpm idle, revs drop real quick. Plus it still increases the idle when cold. Might make a kit to do this if there is some interest. Doesn't touch the ECU, nor does it throw up a MIL light. Fully reversable for originality nerds! Cost around £100?

Please pm me the details. Your mailbox isn't accepting any new messages!

I have just done mine (I have a workshop in the trade) and it turned into a very long job. It needed mounts, turbo studs, turbo lines, gearbox seals, then there was the petrol tanks, then polybush the rear suspension, clean the injectors, etc etc.... Cost me about £2000 in parts. Point I am making is that beware of the job being done properly - especially the tanks and turbo lines etc. May be worth doing the clutch while it is out. Mine has 27000 on the clock too. PM me if you want any advice having been there and done it, etc!

I expect it was "boiled off" after a run. Slight condensation will evaporate when the oil gets hot. Or maybe the liners don't leak all the time....... just kidding!

See the progress on my Blog. Actually fired up today. Going to do coolant again tomorrow - try and buy some decent anti freeze local from all the motor factors? No hope. Thanks Opie Oils for saving me again.

I did this on my V8 SE no probs. Make sure you have the correct relay and best bet to find the relay to be changed is to have the lights on main beam and unplug the relays until the lights go out, then fit new relay. Job,er,done!

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0389.jpg[/img][/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]Cutting out some very decent foam for the tanks.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0392.jpg[/img][/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]Lagging the inlet tracts to try and reduce heat soak. This is the titanium wrap from Agriemach.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0397.jpg[/img][/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]More Agriemach stuff. Exhaust manifold and turbo wrapping using their exhaust blanket. Lods left, so will use to cover the cats once I have the sports cats.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0396.jpg[/img][/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]New turbo lines installed. Thanks PNM, hope I don't need to trouble you again too soon....[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]So, all assembled at last. Cleaned up the plenum and cam covers. New engine mounts and gearbox mounts installed and ready. £275+ vat for all the mounts and bolts. This had better be good. And the ammount of new nuts and bolts for the engine and also the rear suspension.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]More follows.....[/size][/font]

I am making some stainless washers for the rear suspension for my EspritV8. The ones that go either side of the top and bottom suspension arms. Anyone interested in some of these? Won't be cheap as they are a b*gger to make. Let me know if you are, we'll see how long it takes and material costs etc......

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Well, after 4 weeks of ownership I decided to do the cambelts on my V8 Esprit. It has turned into a bit of a project.[/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]About 4 weeks solid work![/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0383.jpg[/img][/size][/font] [font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Engine and 'box out after much cussing etc at seized engine mount bolts, snapped studs in turbos, reluctant hose clips, etc.[/size][/font] [img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0390.jpg[/img] Trans off to check fork etc (clutch almost new) [img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0382.jpg[/img] Plenum off and new belts and tensioners fitted. What a pig of a job to tension the belts - using a Gates STT sonic tester too. I ended up with a blood blister on my right thumb through plucking the belts! Found the IAC to be a bit manky, so a new one on its way. Long list of parts now on order - engine mounts (how much?) and trans mounts, oil and cooler lines for turbos, heat wrap, serpentine belt, exhaust studs ( I have a large box of these if anyone wants some for about £1 each), service items, throttle cable, K&N filters, and more. [img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0385.jpg[/img] Better check the fuel tanks.... thanks folks for pointing that one out. [img]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff38/alpinepaul/Esprit%20in%20Workshop/DSCF0388.jpg[/img] Tanks looking a bit better after much work with Roloc brushes and Hammerite. Can't believe what a crap idea that foam is - still, whaddya expect for your £60,000! More to follow as it progresses. S'funny how when I bought this I didn't want to get too involved in a project. I have too many of those on the go without attending to customers bikes and cars! Then I end up like this! Ah well. Such is Lotus ownership - I'l tell you about the TC Europa one day.

Maybe do what BaE did to run wiring through aircraft fuselages, get a ferret to pull a small wire through so you can pull the loom through! Seriously, best way is to use a multicore cable of 5 or so - you can get very light gauge cables for this, and run this from the engine compartment under the centre console to the dash etc..

Fitted the lines today, very decent quality kit. Only problem was that one of the compressor housings was loose! The washers that go under the bolts that hold everything together have rusted away. Out with the oxy/acetalene and extract the old bolts, new washers and bolts. Hell, only pulled the engine to replace the belts. Now £1000 later for bits.... Well, it has done 27000 miles....

I used them about 6 years ago to rebuild my Europa TC head. They destroyed it by fittting the wrong valve seats, then blamed Lotus / the head / old age / me etc. Then tried to charge me for doing it!! Won't go there again in a hurry....