QUESTION
My Elan S3 has numerous oil leaks so I am planning on taking the engine out and try to fix the leaks.
Are you able to supply a set of gaskets that I may need to replace?
Also, I hear that the twin cam engine is notorious for leaks but on the other hand I hear that some people can make them oil tight.
Do you have any advice to help me try to make it an oil-tight engine.
T.M. - Sydney NSW
ANSWER
If you have the original TC engine in your Elan then the rear main crankshaft seal will be a rope type and not a lip seal
Unfortunately this older type seal does not age very well and is often a source of oil leaks
If you are looking to carry out a full engine rebuild then I would recommend changing this to a lip seal
Unfortunately this is not straightforward as this involves changing the crankshaft, flywheel, rear seal housing and sump pan
The Lotus twin cam engine is not easy to rebuild so you can guarantee it is going to be oil tight
There are a number of different areas that require special attention as follows -
1) Rear main seal - if its a rope seal then trial fits are required where the sump and its gasket need to be fastened to the block
To ensure the rope seal is making full contact it is advisable to apply "engineers blue" to the rear journal and then rotate the cranks to check the contact area
NOTE - If you have the budget and convert your engine to the later type crankshaft and rear seal, make sure a double lip seal is installed in the rear housing
2) Front crankshaft seal - the front timing chest needs to be centralised to the crankshaft nose before fastening, then install the lip seal as the last operation
NOTE - Make sure a double lip seal is installed in the timing chest after checking the crankshaft pulley for wear marks where the lip seal makes contact
3) The rubber breather tube, from the block to cylinder head should be replaced with an aluminium component - please see attached notes
4) Timing chest top gasket - careful selection of the correct thickness ensures an oil-tight joint - please see attached notes
5) Cylinder head gasket - for a road going engine it is recommended a composite type head gasket be installed
6) Cam cover - this should be dummy installed without a gasket to check the mating face is flat and does not rock
7) Use the correct gaskets where required - fit composite type gaskets (combination of cork and rubber granules)
8) Use the correct sealants - Loctite Grey MAXX for the sump pan, cylinder head camshaft D-plugs, timing chest top gasket and cam cover gasket
Aviation forma-gasket for the paper gasket between the front of the cylinder block and timing chest adapter plate
Please note the above list covers the majority of key components that need attention to ensure they seal properly
Lotus Marques stocks all the necessary gaskets and seals you may need to rebuild your Lotus twin cam engine
Copyright © 2021 Lotus Marques
My Elan S3 has numerous oil leaks so I am planning on taking the engine out and try to fix the leaks.
Are you able to supply a set of gaskets that I may need to replace?
Also, I hear that the twin cam engine is notorious for leaks but on the other hand I hear that some people can make them oil tight.
Do you have any advice to help me try to make it an oil-tight engine.
T.M. - Sydney NSW
ANSWER
If you have the original TC engine in your Elan then the rear main crankshaft seal will be a rope type and not a lip seal
Unfortunately this older type seal does not age very well and is often a source of oil leaks
If you are looking to carry out a full engine rebuild then I would recommend changing this to a lip seal
Unfortunately this is not straightforward as this involves changing the crankshaft, flywheel, rear seal housing and sump pan
The Lotus twin cam engine is not easy to rebuild so you can guarantee it is going to be oil tight
There are a number of different areas that require special attention as follows -
1) Rear main seal - if its a rope seal then trial fits are required where the sump and its gasket need to be fastened to the block
To ensure the rope seal is making full contact it is advisable to apply "engineers blue" to the rear journal and then rotate the cranks to check the contact area
NOTE - If you have the budget and convert your engine to the later type crankshaft and rear seal, make sure a double lip seal is installed in the rear housing
2) Front crankshaft seal - the front timing chest needs to be centralised to the crankshaft nose before fastening, then install the lip seal as the last operation
NOTE - Make sure a double lip seal is installed in the timing chest after checking the crankshaft pulley for wear marks where the lip seal makes contact
3) The rubber breather tube, from the block to cylinder head should be replaced with an aluminium component - please see attached notes
4) Timing chest top gasket - careful selection of the correct thickness ensures an oil-tight joint - please see attached notes
5) Cylinder head gasket - for a road going engine it is recommended a composite type head gasket be installed
6) Cam cover - this should be dummy installed without a gasket to check the mating face is flat and does not rock
7) Use the correct gaskets where required - fit composite type gaskets (combination of cork and rubber granules)
8) Use the correct sealants - Loctite Grey MAXX for the sump pan, cylinder head camshaft D-plugs, timing chest top gasket and cam cover gasket
Aviation forma-gasket for the paper gasket between the front of the cylinder block and timing chest adapter plate
Please note the above list covers the majority of key components that need attention to ensure they seal properly
Lotus Marques stocks all the necessary gaskets and seals you may need to rebuild your Lotus twin cam engine
Copyright © 2021 Lotus Marques
