LOW BOOST 89 ESPRIT TURBO NON-SE
Discussion
Greetings. My '89 non-SE Esprit was achieving approximately 0.65 bar of boost. However, the turbo is currently only producing approximately 0.30 bar of boost. I can feel a change in power, so I'm confident the problem is not a faulty gauge. The turbo consistently begins to spool at approximately 2500-3000 RPM, reaches 0.3 bar, and holds. After 0.3 bar has been achieved, the engine seems less responsive to an increase in throttle and seems to operate less smoothly than it did as it approached 0.3 bar. I've also noticed a minor amount of oil seeping from the top side of the turbo compressor (above the two flange bolts and below the outlet to the plenum), but this wetness has been present and thought to be a common occurrence on these cars. I've read various forum postings relating similar problems to the waste gate, sensors, etc., but have not found a logical and applicable explanation to my particular problem. The most common response is "rebuild the turbo" or "buy a new one." The engine (and turbo) had been operating quit exceptionally with no apparent warning prior to the decrease in performance, so I'd be mildly surprised if a new turbo was needed. Thanks for reading, and any advise is greatly appreciated.
-Mike
-Mike
Did you check the exhaust back pressure valve? Also, pull the intake hose going from the air filter (when cold) and make sure the turbo is spinning properly and doesn't interfere with the sides, etc. Check for air leaks/vacuum hoses broken. Next check the wastegate by pulling the exhaust off the turbo and looking at the valve. Is it closed? Is the hose connected to the capsule broken? Or the hose from the compressor outlet running to the relay box?
If you are boosting at all, I would consider that a good sign.
Dr.Hess
If you are boosting at all, I would consider that a good sign.
Dr.Hess
Simple check to do... the pipe leading from the air box to the turbo is a 2 piece tube.. an inner tube and an outer tube. The outer can look great, but the inner tube can begin to delaminate from the outer tube and create this type of problem. In short, the car will run fine until the boost builds up to what ever point the inner liner starts to constrict. This causes an airflow issue and a feel in power fall off. Trouble is that if you are not in the boost, everything feels fine...
However, easy to check. Pull the tube and look through it while bending it around a bit... if you see 'bubbles' or any cracked separation, you may have soved your problem...
(Pipe is about 250$-US from JAE) I am looking into an aluminum pipe to solve this issue permanently...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
However, easy to check. Pull the tube and look through it while bending it around a bit... if you see 'bubbles' or any cracked separation, you may have soved your problem...
(Pipe is about 250$-US from JAE) I am looking into an aluminum pipe to solve this issue permanently...
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Hey Cam,
That dryer hose is U$150 from JAE.
I looked into fab'ing my own from 304 (I make everything from 304, including the Seven I am building from scratch), but by the time I added in two silicone couplers, 4 clamps, an elbow or two, shipping, etc., the costs were fast approaching what I could just buy the damn thing for so that's what I did.
Dr.Hess
That dryer hose is U$150 from JAE.
I looked into fab'ing my own from 304 (I make everything from 304, including the Seven I am building from scratch), but by the time I added in two silicone couplers, 4 clamps, an elbow or two, shipping, etc., the costs were fast approaching what I could just buy the damn thing for so that's what I did.
Dr.Hess
OOOPS... typo... 150$ is correct (and a key stroke off).
My car has just over 45 thousand miles on the clock. |The intake tube delaminated (or started) when I hit about 43 thousand. I have seen two other cars with this issue - about the same ish miles. In fact, I never would have known but for the fact that I saw another Esprit at No Problems Raceway last year.
Everything was fine... no boost.
As for fabing a 'better one', I am sure your are correct on the adding of nickles and dimes... I just get 'tiffed' when I see something that could so easy to make be better.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
My car has just over 45 thousand miles on the clock. |The intake tube delaminated (or started) when I hit about 43 thousand. I have seen two other cars with this issue - about the same ish miles. In fact, I never would have known but for the fact that I saw another Esprit at No Problems Raceway last year.
Everything was fine... no boost.
As for fabing a 'better one', I am sure your are correct on the adding of nickles and dimes... I just get 'tiffed' when I see something that could so easy to make be better.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Not heard of this before but something I will now check (when I get my car back).
Could you not use the ally flexible pipe from the hardware store for Aircon units (100mm diameter I believe)
Steve
89 Turbo
www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus
>> Edited by unity1 on Saturday 30th July 13:36
Could you not use the ally flexible pipe from the hardware store for Aircon units (100mm diameter I believe)
Steve
89 Turbo
www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus
>> Edited by unity1 on Saturday 30th July 13:36
It is a tapered $150 dryer hose. Many people have tried to source a tapered dryer hose and come up empty. Thus the only source is Lotus, either through one of the aftermarket vendors or directly from the stealership. I forget the exact taper. I have it written down somewhere. Off the top of my head, it is 3.5" on one end and 2.5" on the other.
Like I said, by the time you add in couplers, size reducers, expensive T clamps, whatever ducting you want, shipping, it comes out to cost about the same.
Dr.Hess
Like I said, by the time you add in couplers, size reducers, expensive T clamps, whatever ducting you want, shipping, it comes out to cost about the same.
Dr.Hess
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