can't get past tdc advance on 88 inj turbo.

[meharijames]

Hello, I'm new to the lotus fold and very much in love with my 88 inj. turbo. However, when changing the overtight oilfilter we managed to pop the dizzy out of the drive. We since put it back, but even after denting the oil filter we can not get it past tdc and no where near the factory 15* let alone the 28* as suggested. My mechanic adviser tells me i have to remove the belt and advance the dizzy drive one tooth, but it was fine before we changed the filter. Does my car have an ofset distributer drive? If not is it possible to pull it out again and advance it one tooth or so?Could we have possibly set the tdc on the wrong cylinder? We assumed the one closest to the bulkhead was no1.

Thank you very much.

James Simons

[lotusguy]

Hi,

The distributor is keyed into the Aux. shaft, make sure you are aligned with this key.

Also, the distributor cap is also keyed into the dist. base, be sure this too is aligned correctly.

If all are correct, you may need to re-index the Aux. Shaft Pulley on the Timing Belt.

Another, easier, solution is to advance the plug wires one terminal anti-clockwise on the distributor cap, being sure to maintain the proper 1*3*4*2 firing order (where #1 is indeed the nearest to the Bulkhead or front of the car). You will need to advance the distributor base (w/ engine at TDC) until the rotor is just past the #1 lead, because you have a BTDC Coil Discharge point.

Not only will this allow you to reach TDC, but it will also swing the Vac. Advance Module well away from the Oil Filter. Hope this helps. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[meharijames]

Jim,

You're a lifesaver! Thank you

My bush mechanic was very excited by the idea of moving the leads and saturday is the day put aside.
It all sounds a bit scary to me and far more indeapth than changing the oil on a 2cv.(rare and expensive thing in Australia)
I'll tell you on monday how we went.

James

[lotusguy]

meharijames said:

Jim, You're a lifesaver! Thank you My bush mechanic was very excited by the idea of moving the leads and saturday is the day put aside. It all sounds a bit scary to me and far more indeapth than changing the oil on a 2cv.(rare and expensive thing in Australia) I'll tell you on monday how we went. James

James,

On further reflection, it may actually be necessary to move the leads one terminal clockwise to get the necessary clearance, you'll have to play with it to decide which. The thing to remember is that it really doesn't matter where the leads are on the cap so long as a.) you maintain the proper firing sequence of 1*3*4*2 and b.) you place the #1 lead so that it is slightly behind the rotor arm (to the right of the rotor when looking at the dist. from the rear of the car)with the engine at TDC (use either the timing marks on the flywheel edge, or the index mark on the crank pulley against the TDC mark on the Front Seal Cover). The combination of moving the leads and turning the distributor plate will get you where you want to go. BTW, take care when/if loosening the distributor because it is spring loaded against the Aux. Shaft and the spring has a nasty habit of shooting out and flying away... very frustrating. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

>> Edited by lotusguy on Thursday 20th May 05:26

[meharijames]

Jim,

We managed to get the dizzy back in, it was 180* out.
I have now a proper mechanic on side.
However, we can not get it past 8* advance and when we tried to advance it by rotating the leads clockwise she refused to run.
I'm going to attempt to locate a smaller oil filter so we can advance her without hitting the filter with the vacume advance.
We managed to also do somehting where the oil pressure gauge is now reading off the dial. we have pressure, but not silly pressure. We have tried everything like disconecting the wires on the sender unit, shorting them, swapping them around ect to no avail. Any suggestions?
Thank you again,
James