QUESTION
My service dept has asked if you carry the blue type Gates racing timing belt T104RB ( 3 times stronger than regular belt)
to suit the Lotus Esprit S4.
I know you may carry the # B912E6697F but do not know if that's a regular or the blue type?.
Garage - NSW
ANSWER
Unfortunately Lotus Marques does not the camshaft timing belt T104RB you refer to
Until recently this belt has only been available in a service kit (non-Lotus application)
Lotus Marques does not stock these belts because there is no credible tension figure for when this belt is installed on an Esprit engine.
As T104RB has a very different construction then its stretch characteristics will be very different to the OEM belt recommend for the Esprit engine.
One hidden factor that has to be taken into account when tensioning any cam belt is how much the engine dimensions increase as temperature rises (increases belt tension)
The correct tension figure for B912E6697F (Gates are the OEM to the Lotus Factory) timing belt is 90lbs to 95lbs when set/adjusted with a Burroughs gauge.
This adjustment should be made with an ideal ambient temperature of 20 Degrees Centigrade and the engine set to Top Dead Centre (TDC).
For this reason Lotus Marques only stocks Gates timing belts to ensure a guaranteed result.
To date, our workshop never observed a Gates belt fail with normal use and there does not appear to be a tangible benefit in fitting an alternative belt when the recommended change interval is 5 years
The Esprit is usually a road going vehicle with a poorly enclosed timing belt (subject to dirt and dust ingress) so its advisable to change on a regular basis
Copyright © 2021 Lotus Marques
My service dept has asked if you carry the blue type Gates racing timing belt T104RB ( 3 times stronger than regular belt)
to suit the Lotus Esprit S4.
I know you may carry the # B912E6697F but do not know if that's a regular or the blue type?.
Garage - NSW
ANSWER
Unfortunately Lotus Marques does not the camshaft timing belt T104RB you refer to
Until recently this belt has only been available in a service kit (non-Lotus application)
Lotus Marques does not stock these belts because there is no credible tension figure for when this belt is installed on an Esprit engine.
As T104RB has a very different construction then its stretch characteristics will be very different to the OEM belt recommend for the Esprit engine.
One hidden factor that has to be taken into account when tensioning any cam belt is how much the engine dimensions increase as temperature rises (increases belt tension)
The correct tension figure for B912E6697F (Gates are the OEM to the Lotus Factory) timing belt is 90lbs to 95lbs when set/adjusted with a Burroughs gauge.
This adjustment should be made with an ideal ambient temperature of 20 Degrees Centigrade and the engine set to Top Dead Centre (TDC).
For this reason Lotus Marques only stocks Gates timing belts to ensure a guaranteed result.
To date, our workshop never observed a Gates belt fail with normal use and there does not appear to be a tangible benefit in fitting an alternative belt when the recommended change interval is 5 years
The Esprit is usually a road going vehicle with a poorly enclosed timing belt (subject to dirt and dust ingress) so its advisable to change on a regular basis
Copyright © 2021 Lotus Marques
