Apple100

Hello All It's been a long time since I last visited this website, so I thought I would have a little peruse. I have a 1996 V8 which, after Paul Matty totally rebuilt the car has been very reliable. However, Last year he suddenly developed starting issues. Sometimes the pumps would not kick in and the engine wouldn't turn over. So that car went to Matty's and pumps were replaced, relays checked etc. and all was deemed to be good. Collected the car, drove all the way home. After a bit went to start the car same problem again. So back to Matty's more investigations. This time Roy found that the wiring into the back of the rear fuse/relay box was arse about face behind two relays. This was noted and the correct relay replaced, and wiring alteration noted. So collected the car, drove all the way home. Some while later I started the car, went to get fuel, all good so far, then on the way home, the engine totally died on me about 150yds from the house. By now Paul Matty had closed down, and the workshop staff and equipment all went to Classic Sports Cars ltd, along with the staff. Made an appointment, and arranged transport again. More in depth investigation by Roy, who eventually took the car out for a longer test drive. The engine died. I have raised the issue of the ECU. So they decided to send the ECU away to a specialist, who happened to have an Esprit V8 at there premises. They popped my ECU into it, and it ran fine. However, they then stress tested it using heat and vibration, and which point the ECU failed. Namely, those elements controlling fuel pumps, fuel injection etc. They repaired/ replaced parts, re-programmed it, and now the problem is solved and the car seems to be reliable again. My first long trip out was from Rugby to north Wales for the Club Lotus weekend at Portmerrion during a hot weekend in July. However, all was well and Edward Esprit performed perfectly.

Hi Folks, Unfortunately I am already committed to a Club Lotus event at RAF Cosford on the same day. Sorry I can't make, but you all have a great day. Best Wishes Apple

Hi Bibs, A wonderful event, and a great day at Brooklands. Thank you for making me so welcome, and that goes to everyone else I met, your all a lovely bunch of people. made the effort all worthwhile. Apple

185 Apple Esprit V8

Dear John, Haven't logged in for a while and just picked up this thread I had this problem after finally getting my car back after a total restoration. When pulling the release, like you, it partly released the hatch but not fully. Popped over the Paul Matty to sort it. In the workshop Brian fetched a large metal bar with a hook on the end. Lifted the release lever, inserted the hook below and captured the cable. Then firmly, but without yanking he pulled on the cable and the rear hatch release. This will usually work where the cable has stretched or the small brass nodules on the cable have slipped. If it is yanked these may slip further. Suitable adjustments were made, and all is good. Just monitor the release lever performance. If you are having to pull it fully to finally release the rear hatch, take up the slack immediately. Hope this is not too late to be of use.

Just took delivery of my V8 Esprit after a long and protracted total restoration. I had not had much use of the car before it went away, so now I am getting used to the car properly for the first time, WOW. However, On my third outing of getting to know Edward Esprit, gentle progress seems fine but when I tried to accelerate I got awful engine judder. As the engine had been totally re-built I thought maybe it's a bit tight, be gentle. Anyway I took it back to Paul Matty and had it looked at. The chaps quickly identified the problem. NOT a tight engine, NOT the clutch (which may still be a possible issue for the original entry), no very simple, water ingress into the spark plug recesses. This was dealt with, and he performs beautifully. So just check for water in the spark plug recess, and deal with any failures in the seals. Hope that helps, but then I'm just a novice and a new owner here.