V8 Engine Rebuild?
Discussion
Any help here would be great chaps.
Car: Esprit V8 1998
Problem: On the left bank cylinders 3 & 4 are producing only 95 pressure, should be upwards of 130+.
Recently had new sparks plugs and HT leads changed by a Lotus Dealer. I returned the car because it was still driving as if it was not firing properly; they did a compression check and reported the above problem. Now they are saying that the engine will need to come out and investigated to what the problem is.
It had run about 300 miles not firing on all the left bank, would this of cause this serious problem?
What things could it be? Anyone seen this before? Car is very low mileage.
I am trying to get them to do a cylinder leak test,
I am in real trouble now with this, and am not that clued up on the actual workings of a car, I just drive it! If anyone can start a conversation with me via phone, I am quite happy to call out I would love to discuss this problem in more detail with an enthusiast?
Email me on johnh@novadigm.com
Many thanks
Car: Esprit V8 1998
Problem: On the left bank cylinders 3 & 4 are producing only 95 pressure, should be upwards of 130+.
Recently had new sparks plugs and HT leads changed by a Lotus Dealer. I returned the car because it was still driving as if it was not firing properly; they did a compression check and reported the above problem. Now they are saying that the engine will need to come out and investigated to what the problem is.
It had run about 300 miles not firing on all the left bank, would this of cause this serious problem?
What things could it be? Anyone seen this before? Car is very low mileage.
I am trying to get them to do a cylinder leak test,
I am in real trouble now with this, and am not that clued up on the actual workings of a car, I just drive it! If anyone can start a conversation with me via phone, I am quite happy to call out I would love to discuss this problem in more detail with an enthusiast?
Email me on johnh@novadigm.com
Many thanks
The V8 generally doesn't have cylinder compression issues but there were some early V8 engines that suffered from leaking liners which has been discussed here before.
You can always try a dry/wet compression check to verify that the piston/rings are okay and if so, you may have a liner issue, or a head gasket issue.
At worse case, you could have a valve problem which could be caused by valve timing issues due to lack of servicing of the cambelts. If they get loose, valve timing is delayed at the least and can get much worse and quickly.
I'd suggest contacting Dave Simkin and have the service records pulled to find out if/when a cambelt service was done and what, if any, other engine problems had been worked on in the past.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
You can always try a dry/wet compression check to verify that the piston/rings are okay and if so, you may have a liner issue, or a head gasket issue.
At worse case, you could have a valve problem which could be caused by valve timing issues due to lack of servicing of the cambelts. If they get loose, valve timing is delayed at the least and can get much worse and quickly.
I'd suggest contacting Dave Simkin and have the service records pulled to find out if/when a cambelt service was done and what, if any, other engine problems had been worked on in the past.
Regards, KM
2000 V8
Thanks to all those that have emailed and I have spoken with by phone, your help is very much appreciated.
My plan now is to send the car to Lotus factory for,
1. Second opinion.
2. For them to sort it out.
I feel this is the best way for me to very comfortable with the car and hopefully keep it after it has been fixed. At the moment I am pretty low, with having a engine rebuild in the first year of owner her.
Again thanks to all, I shall let you know how things go and what the actual problem ended up being.
My plan now is to send the car to Lotus factory for,
1. Second opinion.
2. For them to sort it out.
I feel this is the best way for me to very comfortable with the car and hopefully keep it after it has been fixed. At the moment I am pretty low, with having a engine rebuild in the first year of owner her.
Again thanks to all, I shall let you know how things go and what the actual problem ended up being.
Nope... not hard. Just very expensive!!!
FedEx will actually take your Lotus there for you! Crazy!!!
For the same money, we could charter out a C-123 (there was one on e-bay last month for sale!) and take it as well. Either way... money.
States side... I'd just have to serch out someone I trusted...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
FedEx will actually take your Lotus there for you! Crazy!!!
For the same money, we could charter out a C-123 (there was one on e-bay last month for sale!) and take it as well. Either way... money.
States side... I'd just have to serch out someone I trusted...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Well, my lottie got picked up today by the AA and transported free of charge (thank god) to Lotus, AshPot lane.
I spoke with someone there about prices of engines etc, £9999.95 + vat for a new v8, half that for a re-con. Hope neither for me!
They reckon four weeks because they are flat out with 3 other v8 rebuilds. Any one have any ideas about how to keep the bill down?
Ta ta
I spoke with someone there about prices of engines etc, £9999.95 + vat for a new v8, half that for a re-con. Hope neither for me!
They reckon four weeks because they are flat out with 3 other v8 rebuilds. Any one have any ideas about how to keep the bill down?
Ta ta
johnh74 said:
Any one have any ideas about how to keep the bill down?
Can't think of anything to reduce the cost, but the thing i WOULD suggest is that you get some other maintenance done whilst the engine is out. E.g. check and replace heatsheilds if necessary (cheap part but virtually impossible to get at whilst the engine is in). I had a new clutch unit fitted whilst the engine was out - no labour costs as its very easy to swap with the engine out of the way
Basically, try to look for anything that might need replacing at some point in the near future and do it now whilst things are accessible. autocross7 said:
Nope... not hard. Just very expensive!!!
FedEx will actually take your Lotus there for you! Crazy!!!
For the same money, we could charter out a C-123 (there was one on e-bay last month for sale!) and take it as well. Either way... money.
States side... I'd just have to serch out someone I trusted...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Does Lotus USA headquarters in Lawrenceville, GA work on cars or is it just an administrative office?
Hi
Well my Lottie is apparently fixed, she is still with Lotus in Norfolk, but they reckon they tested her and she has “stonking” performance was the word he used. After a complete mis-diagnostic by a dealer, who said they thought it was an internal problem with the engine, and told me to send it to Lotus for a engine re-build, it ended up that both catalytic converters where blown to pieces. They replaced them and have done more compression checks and each time they get better. They say that petrol probably is awash in the engine from when she was not firing on Left3&4, and will right itself soon. The dealer shall remain nameless for the minute, I am waiting for them to confirm that they will pay for the car to be transported back to me, as if they had diagnosed the fault with the cats they would have earned the £2400 pounds it cost to fix them. Can’t wait for her to come back.
Well my Lottie is apparently fixed, she is still with Lotus in Norfolk, but they reckon they tested her and she has “stonking” performance was the word he used. After a complete mis-diagnostic by a dealer, who said they thought it was an internal problem with the engine, and told me to send it to Lotus for a engine re-build, it ended up that both catalytic converters where blown to pieces. They replaced them and have done more compression checks and each time they get better. They say that petrol probably is awash in the engine from when she was not firing on Left3&4, and will right itself soon. The dealer shall remain nameless for the minute, I am waiting for them to confirm that they will pay for the car to be transported back to me, as if they had diagnosed the fault with the cats they would have earned the £2400 pounds it cost to fix them. Can’t wait for her to come back.
I am reminded of a story I read in ReMarque (US Lotus club newsletter) years ago, like about 1985-ish, way before the internet back when ReMarque was all we had to communicate tips with each other.
Someone bought a S1 or an early S2, not running. They messed and messed with it. Everything seemed OK, had fuel, had spark, in time, etc. They were going to tear the head off and look at the valves or for other damage and were removing stuff from the motor. Pulled the exhaust manifold and went to check something again and it started first hit! Turned out the PO had been running unleaded gas through it because it was cheaper and the cat was 100% clogged.
Dr.Hess
Someone bought a S1 or an early S2, not running. They messed and messed with it. Everything seemed OK, had fuel, had spark, in time, etc. They were going to tear the head off and look at the valves or for other damage and were removing stuff from the motor. Pulled the exhaust manifold and went to check something again and it started first hit! Turned out the PO had been running unleaded gas through it because it was cheaper and the cat was 100% clogged.
Dr.Hess
Johnh74,
Glad to hear it's back in rude health. I had a very similar problem on my v8GT, but it was a little easier to diagnose - pulled away from a set of lights and then nailed it in 2nd, loud bang and then only 35mph vmax. Took it to Barry Ely straight away (live nearby), who diagnosed it immediately as exhaust gasses from the right side of the exhaust we're right down - said he'd seen it before a couple of times.
However, be aware that Lotus OEM cats are pretty crap and need replacing every 3 years @ £900 each + vat + fitting and each has 2 Oxygen sensors @ £90 - so not suprised with your bill. There are a couple of non-OEM replacements that you can get that are better built - links on LEW site.
Ash
Glad to hear it's back in rude health. I had a very similar problem on my v8GT, but it was a little easier to diagnose - pulled away from a set of lights and then nailed it in 2nd, loud bang and then only 35mph vmax. Took it to Barry Ely straight away (live nearby), who diagnosed it immediately as exhaust gasses from the right side of the exhaust we're right down - said he'd seen it before a couple of times.
However, be aware that Lotus OEM cats are pretty crap and need replacing every 3 years @ £900 each + vat + fitting and each has 2 Oxygen sensors @ £90 - so not suprised with your bill. There are a couple of non-OEM replacements that you can get that are better built - links on LEW site.
Ash
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