New Owner with a little worry
Discussion
Hi there everyone!
I have not long bought my first Lotus, a 98 V8GT. Its a storming car but the other night, I started it from warm to find a slight rattle from the engine on light power (only to move off).
I stopped, checked the oil and stuff, got in it and drove again, to find it was still there. Upon trying it for the third time, the car was perfect?? HELP! I'm I going off my head or is this some kind of oil surge?
I am used to an Audi S3 and not used to worrying about things like this. I am dying to love the car, but finding the constant worry is ruining my enjoyment!
Thanks in advance,
Stevie
I have not long bought my first Lotus, a 98 V8GT. Its a storming car but the other night, I started it from warm to find a slight rattle from the engine on light power (only to move off).
I stopped, checked the oil and stuff, got in it and drove again, to find it was still there. Upon trying it for the third time, the car was perfect?? HELP! I'm I going off my head or is this some kind of oil surge?
I am used to an Audi S3 and not used to worrying about things like this. I am dying to love the car, but finding the constant worry is ruining my enjoyment!
Thanks in advance,
Stevie
I'm on my 4th Esprit so believe me that they all make odd noises, rattle and bang and worry you all the time. If the "check engine" light comes on or the "abs" light lights up, just stop and start the car. If the light goes out then forget about it. If it makes too much noise the turn the radio up !!
Adrian
Sport 350
Adrian
Sport 350
I second Adrian's opinion. Coming from a 300zx the esprit (I have a 94 S4 now) makes all kinds of unique noises/rattles from all parts of the car from the roof, interior, engine, exhaust that you just have to get use to it. The whole steering column actually vibrates with the steering wheel when going over bumps! Talk about feedback! But I love every minute of driving it!
Stevie,
In your profile it says your from Glasgow in united States!!! You need to change your profile.
BTW, if you don't like your car and decide to sell it then please bear me in mind.
If you are used to German relaibility etc, then you may be in for some dissapointment with the Esprit. not that Iam knocking it. I've owned my S4s for nearly a year now and the only thing that gone wrong with it was the ABS (bad wheel sensor) this week. Cost me nothing to fix. just a few hours of my time workign out which one had gone.
I get all the rattles and noise but love every minute of driving it. It always puts a smile on my face!!
Cheers,
Dave Walters
In your profile it says your from Glasgow in united States!!! You need to change your profile.
BTW, if you don't like your car and decide to sell it then please bear me in mind.
If you are used to German relaibility etc, then you may be in for some dissapointment with the Esprit. not that Iam knocking it. I've owned my S4s for nearly a year now and the only thing that gone wrong with it was the ABS (bad wheel sensor) this week. Cost me nothing to fix. just a few hours of my time workign out which one had gone.
I get all the rattles and noise but love every minute of driving it. It always puts a smile on my face!!
Cheers,
Dave Walters
Depends on the type of rattle. A sort of light metal sounding, tinny rattle will probably be one of the heatshields around either of the turbos. They tend to fracture (they're fairly brittle) and cause this horrible noise. It's an easy fix (with a welder or replacement) but time consuming to get the things off!
If you're handy with a spanner, dive in. If not, is the car under any sort of warranty because you don't want to be paying 3-4 hrs labour for such an inconsequential repair.
If it's a heavy kind of rattle you're gonna need to describe it here. It could be anything from belts complaining through to potential engine explosion(!) [ok, that might be a touch extreme] or a clutch noise or tired gearbox/diff, maybe the body to chassis bolts need tightening.
If all this sounds alarming, don't panic. It's just a car and is fixed in the normal way. There are no magic solutions, just regular procedures. Unlike other marques, however, there's a huge wealth of info you can tap into by posting forums like this one where people are more than happy to offer suggestions/advice etc.
So, anyway, about this rattle. What's it sound like?
If you're handy with a spanner, dive in. If not, is the car under any sort of warranty because you don't want to be paying 3-4 hrs labour for such an inconsequential repair.
If it's a heavy kind of rattle you're gonna need to describe it here. It could be anything from belts complaining through to potential engine explosion(!) [ok, that might be a touch extreme] or a clutch noise or tired gearbox/diff, maybe the body to chassis bolts need tightening.
If all this sounds alarming, don't panic. It's just a car and is fixed in the normal way. There are no magic solutions, just regular procedures. Unlike other marques, however, there's a huge wealth of info you can tap into by posting forums like this one where people are more than happy to offer suggestions/advice etc.
So, anyway, about this rattle. What's it sound like?
Hi guys,
gee's thanks for all the replys!
Have to say, the car is really quiet with regards to rattles from the interior & suspension and the likes. No noise from either clutch or gear box. I do have the vibration from the heat shields though which I find really annoying as it takes away from the sound of the engine. Thankfully though it is only at around 3k then goes away again.
This noise I have seems to be intermitant and would hazard a guess at a manifold gasket on the way out as it seems louder when the car is cold. Its only evedent when accelerating lightly and can only be described as a light ticking noise that gets harsher the more gas you give it. Its only happened twice for a few minutes each time??! Maybe I'm just being paranoid, think its because these cars get such a bad rap, that it makes you look/listen too hard for problems that may not even be there in the first place!
One of the guys mensioned the exhaust system can crack, which may be the case.
I love the car, but find the constant worry detracts from the enjoyment of ownership, so super Dave if you are interested please let me know. Are you local? Well UK I mean!
Oh, the car has only covered 28k and would accept 21k for it.
gee's thanks for all the replys!
Have to say, the car is really quiet with regards to rattles from the interior & suspension and the likes. No noise from either clutch or gear box. I do have the vibration from the heat shields though which I find really annoying as it takes away from the sound of the engine. Thankfully though it is only at around 3k then goes away again.
This noise I have seems to be intermitant and would hazard a guess at a manifold gasket on the way out as it seems louder when the car is cold. Its only evedent when accelerating lightly and can only be described as a light ticking noise that gets harsher the more gas you give it. Its only happened twice for a few minutes each time??! Maybe I'm just being paranoid, think its because these cars get such a bad rap, that it makes you look/listen too hard for problems that may not even be there in the first place!
One of the guys mensioned the exhaust system can crack, which may be the case.
I love the car, but find the constant worry detracts from the enjoyment of ownership, so super Dave if you are interested please let me know. Are you local? Well UK I mean!
Oh, the car has only covered 28k and would accept 21k for it.
Mine knew it was about to be put away .. on replacing the engine cover the inertia switch tripped. After an hour of tracing relays, fuses and finding the fuel pumps it clicked that the inertia switch was in the same circuit.
It knew goddammit... it knew I was about to go out in my old Excel and leave it in the garage!
It knew goddammit... it knew I was about to go out in my old Excel and leave it in the garage!
I think someone must be very interested in the mechanism of the Esprit before making a decision to own one.
it's true that it costs a fortune to do the maintainence outside,
but it can be cheaper if one can find a reliable car shop to handle the work (not dealer)
**assuming the owner also helps to input ideas and ways of fixing /maintaining the Esprit.
so I guess one must understand the Esprit in & out when owning it. (and better find this to be part of the enjoyment)
I live in HK, and most garage is open door (with a roof) **in multi-level apartment carpark..
so it is definitely not the best condition to keep a car.
and consider the expensive living cost in HK
(just have the highest price on a flat in Asia region)
a US$10000 ready in the pocket is a necessary to own any exotic car..
(US$30000 cash in the pocket would be appreicated if owning a Ferrari)
it's true that it costs a fortune to do the maintainence outside,
but it can be cheaper if one can find a reliable car shop to handle the work (not dealer)
**assuming the owner also helps to input ideas and ways of fixing /maintaining the Esprit.
so I guess one must understand the Esprit in & out when owning it. (and better find this to be part of the enjoyment)
I live in HK, and most garage is open door (with a roof) **in multi-level apartment carpark..
so it is definitely not the best condition to keep a car.
and consider the expensive living cost in HK
(just have the highest price on a flat in Asia region)
a US$10000 ready in the pocket is a necessary to own any exotic car..
(US$30000 cash in the pocket would be appreicated if owning a Ferrari)
Hmmm... That's not treating it nice. These cars need to be driven to be reliable. The more they sit, the worse they get, and driving them occasionally for short trips is the next worse thing.
Mike
Hi Mike,
what problems does it cause? I have to admit, I do not use it as much as I should and when I am out in it, tend not to go too far.
A little more info on the subject would be great.
I have recently booked it in for a B service at a local (kinda) performance garge that specialise in TVR but also cater for Lotus and Ferarri. I was thinking that as it hasn't went far in a while a service may do it some good.
PS the garage is also 30 miles away so it will get a good run!
Cheers,
Stevie
Mike
Hi Mike,
what problems does it cause? I have to admit, I do not use it as much as I should and when I am out in it, tend not to go too far.
A little more info on the subject would be great.
I have recently booked it in for a B service at a local (kinda) performance garge that specialise in TVR but also cater for Lotus and Ferarri. I was thinking that as it hasn't went far in a while a service may do it some good.
PS the garage is also 30 miles away so it will get a good run!
Cheers,
Stevie
Most cars don't like sitting around. Seals begin to leak, brake discs rust, oil films recede, electrical connections corrode, batteries go flat, gas goes stale, tires develop flat spots, bearings decay, condenstation forms in places that are not good - like inside the engine and transaxle. If you only run short trips without thoroughly heating up the engine, that condensation does not get driven out of the engine oil. Corrosive combustion byproducts also collect in the oil and are not removed when the car is seldom driven. Water is the primary byproduct of combustion and if you don't get the exhaust heated up you risk that as well.
My own personal opinion is that I would much prefer to replace a part because I wore it out than because of age-related failure.
Mike
>> Edited by mike.griese on Friday 27th May 14:32
My own personal opinion is that I would much prefer to replace a part because I wore it out than because of age-related failure.
Mike
>> Edited by mike.griese on Friday 27th May 14:32
Not that there's much to add to that list .. but things like clutch master & slave cylinders tend to fail more quickly - probably corrosion in the bores from lack of use damages the seals.
Agree 100% with Mike, use 'em!
I drove my Excel 140 miles a day for nearly two years (from 60k to 125k) - a starter motor was the only failure. I left it standing for 18 months in a dry garage, got it out, ball joint seals and steering rack gaitor failed immediately! I'm now using it every day again!
Agree 100% with Mike, use 'em!
I drove my Excel 140 miles a day for nearly two years (from 60k to 125k) - a starter motor was the only failure. I left it standing for 18 months in a dry garage, got it out, ball joint seals and steering rack gaitor failed immediately! I'm now using it every day again!
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