ESPRIT TURBO SE engine

[magnidec]

Hi everyone,
Recentley bought a Turbo SE and was running well, but yesterday after a short blast (3-4 miles up the motorway) it's started playing up. Now it shudders, coughs, misfires, runs on 3, sometimes feels like 2, and the tail pipes are covered in soot. Occasionally, kicks in on all four and goes off again like a rocket, then as the revs drop (below 3K)it all starts spluttering again. Will just about tick over but very lumpy.
When I bought the car the yellow dash light was always on (though sometimes dropped out for a while) Engine has always been sweet with good oil pressure and low water/oil temps. Now it seems to have gone pear shaped.

Question. Which is the best garage/tuner to take it to in the South Wales area for appraisal/tuning/repair, who can handle Lotus.

For the more technically expert: Any suggestions as to my apparent problems??

Thanks in advance guys for anyone that can help.

[Esprit2]

See the message threads titled "93 Esprit loses power" and "esprit fuel pump ?" for some things to check.

The GM injectors have a finite life, and a lot of them seem to be giving up now. I've changed many of them lately and it's getting to be #1 on my list of things to check... followed by the coils, fuel filter and fuel pump.

Good luck,
Tim Engel

Edited by Esprit2 on Saturday 31st May 19:19

[cnh1990]

What is the condition of the battery and charging system.
If the voltage drops to the ECU and sensors the EFI will not work well and cause backfires/strange engine running conditions.

[mwmackenzie]

Not the fuel pump or injectors if your exhaust is sooty, sooty means running rich, possibly your lambda sensor has packed in?? Do a free scan check and it'll let you know what's up mate..

All the best

Mark

Edited by mwmackenzie on Tuesday 8th July 16:28

[Esprit2]

mwmackenzie said:

Not the fuel pump or injectors if your exhaust is sooty, sooty means running rich, possibly your lambda sensor has packed in??

Except that all SE-onward Esprits run rich with a black exhaust. You can be 10 cars behind an SE and know it's up there... you can smell it.

I don't discount any possibility so follow through with the O2 sensor suggestion. But the injector failure/ running on two cylinders problem is very common on the GM-ECU Esprits, and it's so easy to check for, that it's become the first thing I check when those symptoms develop.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[magnidec]

Thanks guys for your replies and assistance.

I had to quickly replace the Lambda sensor when I had a new SS exhaust fitted, so I bought a universal one @ £65. Some weeks later and apparently unconnected my stated troubles started. I took the car to a rolling road specialist who traced the fault to a faulty Lambda sensor with some advice not to buy universal "anything". This advice cost me £75. I then had to buy a kosher part from Paul Matty at £110. 2 minute fix, runs perfectly, instantly. £250 lesson learnt.

Thanks again for those who replied, keep as much info circulating as possible, it all helps somebody somewhere.