olfac87

emlynt - did you ever resolve this issue? I have the exact same problem. At rest and driving around town my light pods are fine. Above 40MPH and the passenger pod starts winking up and down. I see Atwell's answer above - I have the older style motors which don't have the pucks so that can't be my issue (I have an 86).

I was just at the Academy in August, doing the Licence Level 1. It was one of the most amazing days I have had since becoming a Lotus owner 17 years ago. I met some great people, learned a ton during my short runs in the 220 Cup, loved the factory tour seeing the same facility where my 86 Esprit was built... What can I say? As an American fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to go right before it closed, I will say it was a fantastic experience. I am sorry to see it go.

MAJOR UPDATE The mechanic has done a lot of troubleshooting. The results so far: * Items Checked* loose header flange valves need adjusting is the 60ft-lb. nut on the crankshaft (holding the pulleys on) tight exhaust manifold gasket exhaust related issue, usually the fasteners are the source of the problem lift the cam covers and just check the cam profiles valve lash check timing spark plugs start the engine, then pull the spark plug wires off one at a time

Update: The wastegate was removed and reinstalled, removing a small gap that was down there. No change in the sound. (But the turbo lag is gone.) Valve lash was checked yesterday and everything looked ok. Still working through some of the other suggestions. Thanks again!

Craig - Thank you. I will try to post a new video/sound clip with the engine revving (except I don't have the car anymore - it is in the mechanic's hands). But I passed along your suggestion.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I also posted on the Turboesprit Listserv and some good ideas are coming back there. I will be sure to update this thread with the resolution if/when it happens.

The latest in troubleshooting: The sound seems to be influenced more by the accel/decel mode of the engine than anything else. The sound seems mechanical and in sync with the engine speed, whether it's half/same/double speed I'm not sure. Next step: change the oil filter and add the new oil then run the engine again. An old timer at the NAPA store has heard a lot of engine noises over the years, but the fact that the noise is louder when accelerating and quiet when decelerating left him scratching his chin. As for a broken Piston, another fellow had three broken pistons in his V8 and they didn't make any noise. From what I could see of your Pistons and Rods, they seem OK. The next test I'll try is to check the valve lash, The noise doesn't seem to come from there, but... Depending on the result I'll remove the three V-belts and run the engine for a half a minute. That should eliminate the Vacuum Pump, etc. The engine has never had a full rebuild; it has 66k miles on it. It was out a few years back and the valves were reseeded, new piston rings, new timing belt (and a couple since then), probaly some other items I am forgetting. Last year the engine was out for a new exhaust manifold. I replaced some of the AC pieces last year and have not noticed anything out of the ordinary regarding heating and cooling.

Interesting. I just had the exhaust manifold replaced last May, although I don't remember this sound last year. How bad a job is it to replace the gasket?

Thank you for the input. These are all deeper suggestions than have initially been thought of (i.e. vacuum leak, vac pump, bolts attaching exhaust manifold to engine, etc.)

I have a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment (video clip with audio here). This is what the mechanic has diagnosed so far; I am looking for additional insight:

SCCFC20A7GHF60763 1986 Turbo Esprit olfac87, Arlington, Virginia, USA

Anyone have an alternate part number for the steering rack gaiters? They aren't hugely expensive but I always like to check around to see if the part was sourced from another vehicle. Jeffrey Hammer 86 Esprit

Mark, This is a very timely post. I am just about to remove my steering rack to replace the two gaiters at either end. Any advice, pitfalls, etc. you can pass along? Jeffrey Hammer 86 Esprit

Chandra, Since posting my message, someone pointed me to a Four Seasons unit. I don't know what I need. I attached an image of the specs - does this look like it might work? dryerSpecs.doc

I am trying to source a new receiver/dryer for my Esprit. I understand Parker-Hannifin makes a unit that will fit. The first part number I have (207504) turns out to be a date stamp. In the Stevens forum, someone posted that the V8 uses the Parker-Hannifin unit from a 76-84 Volvo 240. Any reason to think a unit from the mid-80s for the V8 isn't the same for an 86 Turbo Esprit? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Everyone, thanks for the input. Looks like the problem might be the jack shaft sprocket, with complications focusing on the woodruf key. The sprocket was rotating which caused the timing to be off.

Andy, Thanks. I wish I was more knowledgeable about such things. I am trying to digest what the mechanic is telling me but I know I am not asking the right questions. I did have two independent Lotus mechanics put their heads together yesterday but they could not find anything wrong in terms of the troubleshooting and settings (which means I am not giving you the right info). I ordered a new distributor - we'll see what happens. Jeffrey

Andy, The timing is 28 static. The idle is set to factory 15. The shop with my car measured 50 using a timing light. Does that help? (I am not technical - relaying from my mechanic). Jeffrey

My car has not been running properly for several months. After replacing the warmup fuel regulator and correcting some vacuum problems, the next issue seems to be one of timing. The car

Thanks, Troy. Exactly the advice I need. The bar should be ok because the mechanic did the passenger side last year. I am inexperienced drilling out rivets so I will be careful there.

I need to replace the two brackets that hold the rod the headlight pod pivots around. On mine the plastic bearing has cracked on each side of the driver's pod. On the USA Federal cars the brackets are riveted to the body, with a nut in a crazy hard to reach place under the body, toward the outside edge. The Service Notes have a page about replacing the brackets. I was wondering if there were any tips/tricks from folks before I head in. Thanks.

I purchased a set of Michelin Pilots in the 235 and 195 sizes. What I gave up was the speed rating, going down to an H rated tire for 130+. I don't track the car and much prefer the twisties rather than flat out speed so it made sense for me. Not everyone wants to give up the V speed rating, though. You can also find 235s and 195s, just not in the same brand/model. Sometimes you can find the same brand, though. I was told mixing tread types would cause unpredictable results with the car's handling so I didn't want to go that route.

No modifications. The alternator rebuild shop tried to make me an upgraded unit (120 amps) in an indentical housing but couldn't make it work. In the end I bought the Bosch replacement often talked about with a slight mod to increase output to 100 amps. See http://lotusracer.home.mchsi.com/lotustipspage3.htm for more info (not my site).

I am putting a new alternator back into my 86. It is an upgraded Bosch, not the Valeo. Having never done this, the one part I am curious about is the reattachment of the belt to the non-alternator (called the crank?) side. Do I need to do this from under the car or can it be done from the top? Any other tips, such as belt tensioning, etc? Thanks. Jeffrey

August 22, 2005