Turbo SE - just start and drive?
Discussion
Just bought Ian's blue SE on owners page!(Ian,if you're reading - All is well in Esprit heaven).My question to the wise;What is the correct way to start and drive an SE? Most handbooks for 'normal' cars instruct the driver to turn the ignition and start driving the car straight away (rather than leave the car idling to warm up).I noticed that the SE seems to have quite a long warm up cycle (Ian was honest enough not to pre-warm the engine before I got there). The hand book is little bit vague on this point.Does this mean I shall have to turn on the engine in the morning then go and have a cup of tea and read the papers whilst I wait? (I suppose it doesn't have to be tea).
Ian has given me his 'start up' advice but sometimes you need a collective opinion.
Colin.Day 1 as SE owner - sore left calf and developing pop-eye's left arm and loving it.Whooooosh
Ian has given me his 'start up' advice but sometimes you need a collective opinion.
Colin.Day 1 as SE owner - sore left calf and developing pop-eye's left arm and loving it.Whooooosh
Hi Colin, yes just start and drive but what I tend to do is take it easy for the first few minutes until the oil temp gauge registers an increase in temp to over 60 deg or so. the coolant will rise quicker but its the oil thats the important one. I keep it below 3k rpm normally. Then I can do as I please, I also find the gearbox is easier to use when warm.
A few pointers if you don't know Esprits very well. Don't push it in the wet. Don't accelerate to the point where the boost comes on, or lift off sharply, into a corner in the wet. Brake in a straight line in the wet. Don't change down with big rev changes and forward G in the wet. You will find it is fairly easy to unsettle the back end in the wet. I did and spun. The tyres are very 'on edge' especially in cold/wet conditions BUT come alive and are very grippy on a warm dry sunny day.
Best of luck, welcome to Esprit ownership and sorry if I have just taught you to suck eggs!!!
Dom
A few pointers if you don't know Esprits very well. Don't push it in the wet. Don't accelerate to the point where the boost comes on, or lift off sharply, into a corner in the wet. Brake in a straight line in the wet. Don't change down with big rev changes and forward G in the wet. You will find it is fairly easy to unsettle the back end in the wet. I did and spun. The tyres are very 'on edge' especially in cold/wet conditions BUT come alive and are very grippy on a warm dry sunny day.
Best of luck, welcome to Esprit ownership and sorry if I have just taught you to suck eggs!!!
Dom
Thank you Dom.I'm starting to explore the power a bit more now and I would agree, there's enough acceleration there to bite back in the wrong conditions!It's nice at last to have a car whereby the only limits in its performance are dictated by my discipline.Time to be careful me thinks.
Err.. I guess I must be one of the few that spun it one-eighty in bone dry sunshine... 
I tend to warm up my car on idle for five minutes before I move off.
The response is far smoother after that, and the box is nice an moist too...
Regards,
Nicholas
PS - Congrats on the car.
>> Edited by Ye Olde Esprit on Saturday 22 March 22:16
I tend to warm up my car on idle for five minutes before I move off.
The response is far smoother after that, and the box is nice an moist too...
Regards,
Nicholas
PS - Congrats on the car.
>> Edited by Ye Olde Esprit on Saturday 22 March 22:16
I also warm mine up, it only make sense to allow the engine to come to temperature before stressing it. It always runs better that way. Once warmed up, I will start and go. Before turning it off, you should always let it idle for 30 seconds to a minute to allow the turbo to wind down since turning the car off will deprive the Turbo of its oils supply. Have fun with your new Esprit, they are tons of fun and perhaps the most reasonable exotic to own.
Thank you for your answers.I am enjoying the SE very much (and so are a lot of other drivers judging by the looks the car has been getting!)The only down side so far is the bewildering gear change.I am starting to dread traffic light stops.Twice I've gone into reverse whilst attempting to engage second gear (I've given up 'hunting' for first gear when pulling away).The other cringer is selecting 4th gear instead of 2nd.I strongly suspect I need to adjust the linkage (if I can find it)!
Hi,
I had this same problem with my MY92 SE shifter since when I bought it last year. I had heard that Esprit shift is bad so I never thought it unusual.
However, I just had my car C serviced and although I didn't ask them to look at the shift, they did. I cannot believe how good the shifting is now. The gears just slot into the H pattern without resistance. There is a sure clink as well making you know you are 'in'. The centre return is much better, so finding the gears is as much more like a normal shifter too. Don't get me wrong, you can still tell that it is a linkage system due to the 'soft' feel, but it actually is easy to use and find gears! This is from cold as well as warm.
I don't know what they did, but glad they did it. I'm recounting this because I guess it means that the system must need a good seeing to every year or so in order to stay as sure as it is now. Maybe that is what yours needs?
Regards,
Nicholas (need a good seeing too myself now )
I had this same problem with my MY92 SE shifter since when I bought it last year. I had heard that Esprit shift is bad so I never thought it unusual.
However, I just had my car C serviced and although I didn't ask them to look at the shift, they did. I cannot believe how good the shifting is now. The gears just slot into the H pattern without resistance. There is a sure clink as well making you know you are 'in'. The centre return is much better, so finding the gears is as much more like a normal shifter too. Don't get me wrong, you can still tell that it is a linkage system due to the 'soft' feel, but it actually is easy to use and find gears! This is from cold as well as warm.
I don't know what they did, but glad they did it. I'm recounting this because I guess it means that the system must need a good seeing to every year or so in order to stay as sure as it is now. Maybe that is what yours needs?
Regards,
Nicholas (need a good seeing too myself now
)Nicholas, thank you for the advice - time to visit a specialis for an inspection.I hope they can resolve it as it is spoiling an otherwise brilliant car!
As for the car selecting reverse at standstill when I am trying to select second;- I think I have sussed that one out.It appears that the collar was sticking slightly up inside the gear knob, perhaps just enough to snik into revers.I have lubricated the collar and it hasn't stuck again since.
As for the car selecting reverse at standstill when I am trying to select second;- I think I have sussed that one out.It appears that the collar was sticking slightly up inside the gear knob, perhaps just enough to snik into revers.I have lubricated the collar and it hasn't stuck again since.
You should allow the car to finish the warm up sequence. You'll notice it idles high, then higher, then drops to a low idle. It does this for a reason, and is programed to do so.
So, let it go through the motions and then be on your way.
Also when you finish, let your car idle for roughly two minutes if you've been pushing it, less time if it was leisurely. It allows the chargecooler and cooling system to bring your car down to more normal temps, increasing the life of the car.
Mike
So, let it go through the motions and then be on your way.
Also when you finish, let your car idle for roughly two minutes if you've been pushing it, less time if it was leisurely. It allows the chargecooler and cooling system to bring your car down to more normal temps, increasing the life of the car.
Mike
Thanks Mike.You ar e absolutely right about the warm up cycle (high, higher then low revs).I thought something was amiss as I have never encountered this on any other car.I think I've been approaching this from the angle, with reagrd to gear change etc.It would seem that there is a fairly long learning curve to go through before I get the best from the car.I like that.
Just wanted to say congrats on the new car
With reagrds to warming up - I posted the same question a few months ago on a different board.
Essentially I think I can sum it up as follows : Start the car and don't touch it at all. Let the oil pressure rise, it will be a lot higher on a cold start than a warm start. Now get yourself sorted - seat adjustment, window, stereo, sunglasses - oh and check your hair! Now drive her so gently, as though you are trying to limp her home. Again, good advice is to keep below 3000rpm until you get to normal oil temp conditions. Finally, remember to change your oil - a lot. In line with service requirements and maybe inbetween aswell especially if you do drive it hard quite often. For the sake of a bit of cash on oil and a filter it can really help keep the car running better - longer. With regards to driving style...I've had my Esprit (S4), for over a year now and done 15k miles in it - I've still got loads to learn. My big piece of advice - is don't be tempted to drive on your power peak around corners. Since changing my style to going round corners at much lower revs in the next gear up, I've found my speed around corners to be close to that of the USS Enterprise! It takes a LOT of familiarising with the car first, but all I can say is a year on and I'm still getting more and more out of the car! Sorry for rambling. Have fun! John.
With reagrds to warming up - I posted the same question a few months ago on a different board.
Essentially I think I can sum it up as follows : Start the car and don't touch it at all. Let the oil pressure rise, it will be a lot higher on a cold start than a warm start. Now get yourself sorted - seat adjustment, window, stereo, sunglasses - oh and check your hair!
Now drive her so gently, as though you are trying to limp her home. Again, good advice is to keep below 3000rpm until you get to normal oil temp conditions. Finally, remember to change your oil - a lot. In line with service requirements and maybe inbetween aswell especially if you do drive it hard quite often. For the sake of a bit of cash on oil and a filter it can really help keep the car running better - longer. With regards to driving style...I've had my Esprit (S4), for over a year now and done 15k miles in it - I've still got loads to learn. My big piece of advice - is don't be tempted to drive on your power peak around corners. Since changing my style to going round corners at much lower revs in the next gear up, I've found my speed around corners to be close to that of the USS Enterprise! It takes a LOT of familiarising with the car first, but all I can say is a year on and I'm still getting more and more out of the car! Sorry for rambling. Have fun! John.Hi John - I enjoyed your rambling! I am day 5 of ownership and it's turning into a little bit of a roller-coaster ride.One of my work colleagues ran into the office to let me know that I had a 'pool' of oil under the car.I hoped he was winding me up as he is prone to this type of humour.....He wasn't!About half a cup of the black stuff right below the engine.As best as I can tell looking from underneath it appears to be coming from fairly high up on the engine - somewhere near the belt end of the cam.Any one know the most likely suspect?
Colin
Colin
Camshaft seal or valve covers if it is oil. Run your hand behind there with the engine off of course.
Also check the oil cooler hoses. I suppose it is possible that the filter is loose and is leaking from the sandwich plate. If you are parked on an incline it could run there from that area or the drain plyg area.
Calvin
Also check the oil cooler hoses. I suppose it is possible that the filter is loose and is leaking from the sandwich plate. If you are parked on an incline it could run there from that area or the drain plyg area.
Calvin
powercam said: Hi John - I enjoyed your rambling! I am day 5 of ownership and it's turning into a little bit of a roller-coaster ride.One of my work colleagues ran into the office to let me know that I had a 'pool' of oil under the car.I hoped he was winding me up as he is prone to this type of humour.....He wasn't!About half a cup of the black stuff right below the engine.As best as I can tell looking from underneath it appears to be coming from fairly high up on the engine - somewhere near the belt end of the cam.Any one know the most likely suspect?
Colin
For that amount of oil I'd be a little worried about where it was coming from. AS already suggested, things like checking the oil filter is on tight is a good start and then just a case of rolling up your sleeves and tracing it.
However, I had this once - someone told me mine had pi$$ed out oil in a pub car park. I went into panic mode - it turned out the oil had been there before I'd parked there, someone must have done a messy oil change there!! Had me worried for a bit!
The point being, check your oil levels and make sure it is actually coming from your car is always a good starting point!
Cheers,
John
powercam said: Hi John - I enjoyed your rambling! I am day 5 of ownership and it's turning into a little bit of a roller-coaster ride.One of my work colleagues ran into the office to let me know that I had a 'pool' of oil under the car.I hoped he was winding me up as he is prone to this type of humour.....He wasn't!About half a cup of the black stuff right below the engine.As best as I can tell looking from underneath it appears to be coming from fairly high up on the engine - somewhere near the belt end of the cam.Any one know the most likely suspect?
Colin
For that amount of oil I'd be a little worried about where it was coming from. AS already suggested, things like checking the oil filter is on tight is a good start and then just a case of rolling up your sleeves and tracing it.
However, I had this once - someone told me mine had pi$$ed out oil in a pub car park. I went into panic mode - it turned out the oil had been there before I'd parked there, someone must have done a messy oil change there!! Had me worried for a bit!
The point being, check your oil levels and make sure it is actually coming from your car is always a good starting point!
Cheers,
John
Hi there,
I feel for you mate. Has this only just happened. It's a bit Strange how you've only just bought the car and things are going wrong with it. When I spoke to you recently, you said that you shouted him down quite a bit of the price because he was desperate to sell it. I hope the price reduction doesn't coincide with the problems you've been having recently.
Get someone to check the whole car over, someone who knows about them and is reasonable. Then get a quote for the work, make sure you get it broken down. Weigh up the initial saving you made and see where you stand.
What to do next. Get the oil leak sorted especially if it's anywhere near your cam belt. I just started to get a leak but it's very minor at the moment.
Start doing some reasearch on the other work that needs doing to find cross references for cheaper parts.
Some of the DIY work, you may be able to find instructions on sites on how to do this yourself.
It's amazing what parts came off other parts. Only yesterday I bought a wind deflector and sunroof bag of a bloke and got talking. He told me how he maintained his S4 very oconomically i.e. Vented discs and pads went on his car. They come off a Celica even though they are 4 stud, it's bolted to a plate to make it 5 stud, £22/Each (Vented) and £16Pads. Fuel filter are off a Volvo, Gearbox parts are from a Renault 21 Turbo. Obviously I will double check these cross references before buying but it just goes to show if you put the work into it, it can pay off. This is all part of your hobby and you can make it as interested or involving as you want. Some people can afford or haven't got the time to bother trying to source parts cheaper or may may want geniune Lotus parts on, each to their own hey.
So don't give up and if you want me to help in any way to source parts or professional help, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Don't give up on your baby just yet,
Dave Walters
I feel for you mate. Has this only just happened. It's a bit Strange how you've only just bought the car and things are going wrong with it. When I spoke to you recently, you said that you shouted him down quite a bit of the price because he was desperate to sell it. I hope the price reduction doesn't coincide with the problems you've been having recently.
Get someone to check the whole car over, someone who knows about them and is reasonable. Then get a quote for the work, make sure you get it broken down. Weigh up the initial saving you made and see where you stand.
What to do next. Get the oil leak sorted especially if it's anywhere near your cam belt. I just started to get a leak but it's very minor at the moment.
Start doing some reasearch on the other work that needs doing to find cross references for cheaper parts.
Some of the DIY work, you may be able to find instructions on sites on how to do this yourself.
It's amazing what parts came off other parts. Only yesterday I bought a wind deflector and sunroof bag of a bloke and got talking. He told me how he maintained his S4 very oconomically i.e. Vented discs and pads went on his car. They come off a Celica even though they are 4 stud, it's bolted to a plate to make it 5 stud, £22/Each (Vented) and £16Pads. Fuel filter are off a Volvo, Gearbox parts are from a Renault 21 Turbo. Obviously I will double check these cross references before buying but it just goes to show if you put the work into it, it can pay off. This is all part of your hobby and you can make it as interested or involving as you want. Some people can afford or haven't got the time to bother trying to source parts cheaper or may may want geniune Lotus parts on, each to their own hey.
So don't give up and if you want me to help in any way to source parts or professional help, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Don't give up on your baby just yet,
Dave Walters
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