timing belt

[bluev8]

Hallo guys!

I have recently replaced my timing belt on my esprit V8, it's MY97.
Here is the problem, I think some strange things
has happened after the replacement.
Pore power(Low boost presure).The idle is very strange.It stopps at about 1100-1200rpm for approx 30sek, then dropps to normaly 750rpm.This isn't normal
or what??(engine is warm when it's happen)
Before I replaced the timing belt the idle was first
approx 1500-1700rpm then it dropped immidelty to 750rpm(bad english I know I'm from sweden)The power
was good, approx 0,75 bar 5th gear and now about 0,5 bar.
What could it be, maybe wrong position when I
replaced the belt or what could I accpect from a foult
like that??Please help me!!

Regards Niclas

[lotusguy]

Hi,

Sorry to hear of your troubles. If when replacing and tensioning the belt, it moved a single tooth, this could have the effects you describe. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[kmaier]

I will assume that you replaced both belts on the V8 engine as each bank has it's own. Did you do the work yourself or have a trained mechanic do the procedure?

With the V8, you require some special timing pins, crankshaft locking tool, several other unique tools and a Clavis gauge to properly check/set the belt tension and cam timing. The cam pulleys on the V8 are not keyed to the camshafts so it requires special attention to get the timing correct and the proper torque on each cam pulley locking bolt. As a result, if anything slips, even slightly, your cam timing will be off.

I would strongly suggest you recheck your belt tension and cam timing before running the engine any more.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[bluev8]

Yes I have a trained mechanic do the procedure?
It's my local delar!
What about the idle??They sad that idle should be 1100-1200rpm for approx 30sek then go down to 750rpm.
This can't be right or what??

[kmaier]

The V8 ECM is a bit different. The left rear wheel ABS sensor feeds signal directly to the ECM, hence the ECM knows how fast you're going and which gear you're in (against engine RPM). The ECM controls the idle circuitry but uses the ABS wheel sensor to indicate when idle circuitry should be used (at a standstill). As a result, if the vehicle is moving, the ECM will switch out of idle circuit and the RPMS will increase to around 1000-1100 RPM. Once you come to a standstill, it takes around 10 seconds for the ECM to switch back to idle circuit in which case the idle will drop down to around 850 RPM or so (on my tachometer). The service notes show hot idle as 700 RPM but most tachometers read a bit high. Boost should go up to, but no higher than 0.75 bar. The wastegates are also under ECM control but the wastegates themselves are set for 0.35 bar. As the V8 does not have intercoolers, boost pressure may not go to the 0.75 bar maxmimum depending on environmental variables, ie, temperature, humidity, etc. Finally, from a cold start, expect engine speeds well over 1200 RPM for about 30 seconds until things go thru initial warmup, then it will gradually drop. Hope this helps.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[bluev8]

Thanks for the help!
One more question.
Before my local dealer replaced the timing belt it was
nothing wrong with the car.0,75 bar boost pressure, the idle was good.My question is could it be some other foult which comes with the replcement or must it
be wrong position on the belts/belt??
When I got the car after the replacement I only have
0,5 bar (maximum).Sorry for this question!

regards

[kmaier]

Difficult to really say. I would still suggest you have the cambelt timing rechecked and/or look under the engine cover and see if anything is not properly connected, like vacuum lines, electrical connections, etc. As they have to move stuff around at the front of the motor to perform a cambelt service, it's possible a connector or hose was left off. If all else fails, reset the ECM by removing the 5-amp fuse marked as B2 in the rear fuse panel (just forward of the battery) for about 30 minutes, then replace. Start the car and drive around for a good 30-35 km so it can build a new map and se how it runs.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[bluev8]

Thanks again!!I will try that!!

Regards Niclas

[Khoa Bui]

Hi Niclas,
Since you have a 1997 V8, why did you need to have the timing belt replaced ? Since I have a 2000 V8, I thought it is 70K miles before the timing belt needs to be replaced, right ?
Thanks you in advance.
Regards, Khoa.

[rob.e]

Khoa - the cam belt is recommended for change every 24,000 miles on a v8.

Rob

[kmaier]

The cambelt service (for the V8) is different for the US. Due to a change in the service interval by Lotus (after more field data) they were not able to issue this in the US without a re-certification with the EPA (so I've heard) which is expensive. So LCU covers the cambelt service for 8 years or 80K miles at intervals of 12 months or 18K miles. A complimentary cambelt replacement is done at 36K miles or 4-1/2 years.

Based on the above, I would expect the (recommended) cambelt replacement policy to be 36K miles or 4-1/2 years. To date I've two cambelt services done. I also would not miss one service interval on this, the results could be very bad.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[Khoa Bui]

Hi Rob and KMaier,
Thanks for the advices.
Regards, Khoa

[stealthmannen]

Hej Niklas!
Du kan väl maila mig din email-adress.
jag åker en grönmetalic 97:a och finns i stockholm.

MVH
Claes