Experiences with the S350

[Bibs]

http://www.thelotusforums.com/shop/33-lubricants

[Günter]

how funny !

Bibs, think you know that your shop list products in *Euro*-prices, but you don't accept Euros ! As so, and with the additional transport/postage and credit-card exchange fees -it would not make sense to order oil that every one can get in whole continental Europe !?

[Bibs]

So why all the drama, Holger can go and buy some! It's recommended by Lotus for the V8.

We don't accept Euros and you don't accept pounds, funny how it works.

[Günter]

I don't have to accept Pounds -as i don't have an online-shop with an *Pound* option on it !

...and for the oil: What i wanted to point out was

sure it is the right one -but how efficient is it to order oil from you, if he can get the same product over here ?

Edited November 28, 2009 by G

[streetz]

@ Mike: Actually, the first time I realized the dripping was at the ADAC training, because of the shimmering pond on the wet ground (typical oil slop) on every track we stopped the cars. Then on the parking space infront of the center I saw again some drops. I

[Günter]

as you know, I was getting shouted several times by a in LEF-world well known person.

-for noting important points to sort out ! What means: I'm not part of the deal -or at least not more than get you in touch with the person, who sold the car to you finally. Get him the car to fix the faults ! Isn't it part of what you have in your contract !?

I don't want to invest time & money in other man's car-business. The answer I've got one time on my question : " ..why do you rebuild all those, instead of driving one and be happy.." was in the way "...a man has to do what a man has to do.." or something like "..has to do something to get money.." (sidenote: this isn't exactly word by word, but what is my impression of it -so you see it is an business ! With that you should use the guaranty for the related work areas. It is the same as on every other car dealer. Otherwise I would be right with my so called 'implications'... )

In the moment I have to sort out an fuel-sender problem that caused by myself. The sender area in the fuel-tank is blocked by the POR15 tank sealer way to much. That's the reason for the incorrect readings on my car...

Edited November 29, 2009 by G

[streetz]

Today I had the beast on a car lift to have a look underneath. Indeed, the oil comes from between engine and gear box - not much, but steady.

We had the suggestion, that it is a simmerring (oil seal)...but to be sure, it would be necessary to take off the gearbox . It is also possible, that it is a "normal" oil loss (sweating, etc.). I might put in the product from the company I work for: It is a ceramic based oil additive, that improves the sealing, decreases blow-by gases, and smoothens the engine running.

[Günter]

do you really think an ceramic-substance/powder can rework an leaking viton sealing ring ??

use an transport company,put the car on an flat-loader, and sent the whole stuff towards Mike. That's the best you can do!

Note anything from your list of the last times (cam-blocks, water pipes, LH rear caliper, rear crank sealing and so on..) . Should be ready just for the next season.. .

I will modify my injector system in the next few weeks, and look after some points on the starter/(refreshing on the gearing). For me there is no need to be back on the road, until it warms up outside. Think it would therefore make no difference if your car is stored in Berlin or in Mikes Garage in France !?

PS. and as you see from the experiences in Linthe, it depends not on the age of the tires -5 years old or 9 (as mine). On an iced/watered tarmac or concrete road it is risky to run with our summer tires in general.

[streetz]

I don

[streetz]

Are there special things to remind, when preparing the Esprit for winter?

I don´t mean to drive it (I know, there are no winter tyres available for the front wheels), but to put the car in hibernation.

Edited December 18, 2009 by streetz

[Günter]

if your parking area is save (surrounded with something else that can be locked) -just remove the battery. Store it like an motorbike-battery, and put it on a [trickle-]charger from time to time. If you need to park the car outside, with the immobilizer and car-alarm on , put it on a [trickle-]charger in the same way. But the charging works best in warmer conditions (inside of the house..). If you fear rust (from condensation/humidity) inside of bar steel tanks -fill the car up! Normally there should be a slight oily film from the fuel on the metal anyway.. . Put some old newspapers under the footwell carpets, as normally on the last days of use the car was driven with wet shoes (Linthe, right ).

Do you not want to send the car on its way, for some re-work in France ??

Edited December 18, 2009 by G

[streetz]

Thanks G

[Günter]

if you start it only for short periods, and it idles maybe the power input for the generator will be not enough !? But on the other side you do a lot of 'cold-starts'... . And the neighbors , do the neighbors like that the car does idle there every time..?

You can get an battery-refresher/trickle charger/or equal for around 20Euros in the markets (Aldi/Lidl..)

[streetz]

Oh, they

[Günter]

not long ago there was a posting in here -for the actual discount-market offers in, or around London area. The flyer's from *ALDI*-England look pretty similar to the ones we know over here. The same product was on offer for similar money one week earlier from Lidl in Berlin. And you can find an equal thing in the forum-shop, just for example... !

the charging-Amp is a bit low on this, but it should work: http://www1.conrad.de/scripts/wgate/zcop_b2c/~flN0YXRlPTQ0NTg3NjczMg==?~template=pcat_product_details_document&product_show_id=852034&no_brotkrumennavi=1&zhmmh_area_kz=LN#

or use this: http://www1.conrad.de/scripts/wgate/zcop_b2c/~flN0YXRlPTQ0NTg3NjczMg==?~template=pcat_product_details_document&product_show_id=816647&no_brotkrumennavi=1&zhmmh_area_kz=LN#

Edited December 19, 2009 by G

[streetz]

Due to the fact, that the driveway is icy, there are no news by now...

The engine (or at least I think it

[streetz]

Yesterday I took care of the loose head lamp. The case was pretty dirty, so I cleaned it and put some Drei Bond on the srews, to preserve them, before reinstalling everything. I guess, next time, I´ll do the same with the other side.

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth3fa82be0%2FCIMG0217.JPG

Due to the fact, that the bore was sucked out, I had to find a sollution...

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth52d50b3e%2FCIMG0218.JPG

Which is more like a McGyver one, but works very well!

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth23e1cc06%2FCIMG0220.JPG

Finally I had to fit this side:

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fthe6b6b03a%2FCIMG0221.JPG

with the other side:

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth50dab853%2FCIMG0223.JPG

Which leaded to this:

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth02b7b882%2FCIMG0228.JPG

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fthe137b7ed%2FCIMG0229.JPG

Anyways all worked out just fine, fits, and is not loose anymore...

BTW: Here a picture of the ashtrays with carbon-coating

http://www.lotus-forum.de/phpForum/img.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imagenetz.de%2Fth80e10665%2FCIMG0232.JPG

[Bibs]

Holger, use this icon to post your images.

[streetz]

Okay, I will!

It was just, that I posted the pics in a german forum as well, and used imagenetz...

In the future, I´ll use the "insert image" button.

[streetz]

Little Update:

After fixing the head lamp, I built a carbon head lamp surround myself, which looks quite nice.

Pics will follow...

[streetz]

On Saturday I took off for Switzerland with a stop in Stuttgart to watch the Germans defeat the English! Sorry guys... but your team was REALLY bad.

On Monday I went on to Switzerland, and now I´m there till 09. July.

@ Mike: The Esprit ran great, and the temps where as follows:

at 130 km/h: oiltemp 70-74°C

at 180/190 km/h: oil temp 82°C straight, fixed

water always between 83 and 100°C, depending on driving on highways (83°C) or in town (100°C after a while).

[mike_sekinger]

Hi Holger,

Thanks for the infos on the fluid temperatures.

Glad that everything is running well - will you visit us sometime from 10th-16th July?

Cheers,

Mike S

[Günter]

''..will you visit us sometime from 10th-16th July?...''

..from my impressions based on the experiences of the last time in Berlin & 'on track' - it is still leaking underneath! So he should ,especilly as the car is used in Swiss for some time .

And we all know what Swiss man expect from cars and people driving around in this country.. .

[streetz]

Unfortunately I´m leaving Switzerland this Friday, and will stay in Berlin for 3 weeks, so I can´t make it to France...

[streetz]

The weather on my way from SWI to GER was hot. The oil temp. therefore climbed up to 95°C in a traffic jam, and under 90°C at 150-180 km/h.

Water was the same - in traffic hot, on the run o.k.

At the end of July I´ll make the trip again