Toasted Chargecooler Impeller...Cost?

[madmike]

I know,I know, welcome to the world of the Lotus owner.

I bought a 93 SE a couple weeks ago, and I am having my car serviced and inspected a week from Saturday.

I drove it into work for the first time today, and I think I may have toasted the impeller. I gave it some gas in 4th to make a freeway pass, and it sounded a bit odd. Kind of like midway through the acceleration, the revs seemed to jump up, and it didn't quite feel like the turbo boost I'm used to. It felt a lot like when an automatic tranny downshifts for acceleration, tho I obviously hadn't shifted.

I went out to the garage an hour later to show the car to a friend here at work, and the chargecooler was quite warm to the touch. Normally I touch it right after a short spirited drive and it's room temperature (I drove roughly 60 miles to work this morning.)

Question, before I call my mechanic tonight, what does it roughly cost to have the impeller replaced? Full cost, as I won't be doing this myself...just want a quick answer now before I call him tonight.

[adrianmugridge]

A chargecooler overhaul kit ( impellor, seals etc ) is £50 in the UK. I took about 4 hours to do mine and I'd never attempted this sort of thing before, so a mechanic can't take more than 2 hours - tops. Why not try it yourself ? Have a look on www.espritfactfile.com There is a full procedure with photos etc.

Adrian Mugridge
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk
[e-mail]

[d didit]

I recommend you do it yourself also. I got my rebuild kit from dave bean for about 95. It is simple as long as you remove the oil filter. Gives alot of additional access space. The hardest part for anyone that does not have tools beyond a wrench and some sockets would be removing or pressing in the new seals. If you can do this, it is cake. It took me about 1.5 hours with a beer in between!

Cheers.
Dindo

[madmike]

Perhaps when I've had the car for a while I might become more adventurous with self-repairs. But at this stage in the game, I'm pretty wary of doing that sort of fix (I read the fact file description.)

Add to that the fact that I am a complete moron when it comes to working on cars, and the fact that she's being serviced next week anyways, and there's your answer.

And yes, I did factor my automotive knowledge (or lack thereof) into my annual service budget estimates.

Mike

[MikeyRide]

Let's not jump to conclusions. The chargecooler heat soaks as the car sits. After an hour it will feel exactly like the rest of the engine. Once it's warm, it will take a while of driving (idling in traffic doesn't count) to cool back down again.

Check it immediately *after* a drive.

OTOH, your description of your driving problem sounds suspiciously like clutch slip. If the revs jump and you don't accelerate, it's slipping. You're not resting your foot on the clutch pedal are you?

>> Edited by MikeyRide on Tuesday 19th March 20:49

[madmike]

MikeyRide,

I haven't checked this string in a while. You're absolutely right. I drove it again...same distance...and the Chargecooler was cool to the touch. Checked in an hour, and it was hot. It was the engine that had heated it up sitting there. As for the drive, I boost...and in abundance. I was merging onto the freeway, and because I thought my turbo was hobbled I floored it for the juice I needed. Needless to say, I took off like a shot.

I haven't driven it since, as it is heading to the shop tommorrow and I won't feel confident until I've had the B service done and everything inspected. But I'm very confident that the Chargecooler is fine now.

Mad Mike

[nigelharrison1]

Not a big issue.Mine went out and when you see the impeller it is so small I can understand why it had to be replaced. If you don't watch the cooler the turbo can be damaged and that could be expensive.

[nigelharrison1]

Not a big issue.Mine went out and when you see the impeller it is so small I can understand why it had to be replaced. If you don't watch the cooler the turbo can be damaged and that could be expensive.