QUESTION
We have a 1994 Lotus Esprit turbo in our workshop that starts well but when it gets up to normal operating temperature it has a poor quality idle.
It also lacks power when driven and blows black smoke plus can also be difficult to re-start when hot.
Can you provide advice as to what this problem might be?
P. A. - Jandakot, Western Australia
ANSWER
Providing this vehicle/engine has not been modified and not regularly serviced to the Lotus maintenance schedules, then it is likely to be the fuel injectors that are causing this problem.
From experience, Lotus Esprit fuel injectors that are not cleaned/serviced on a regular basis will suffer from the pintle not closing fully.
This means the injector still leaks after the solenoid has been de-energised and consequently the engine runs on a very rich mixture (hence rough idle, black exhaust smoke and lack of power)
Fuel injectors need regular servicing where they are cleaned, the spray pattern checked plus correct delivery volume determined.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
We have a 1994 Lotus Esprit turbo in our workshop that starts well but when it gets up to normal operating temperature it has a poor quality idle.
It also lacks power when driven and blows black smoke plus can also be difficult to re-start when hot.
Can you provide advice as to what this problem might be?
P. A. - Jandakot, Western Australia
ANSWER
Providing this vehicle/engine has not been modified and not regularly serviced to the Lotus maintenance schedules, then it is likely to be the fuel injectors that are causing this problem.
From experience, Lotus Esprit fuel injectors that are not cleaned/serviced on a regular basis will suffer from the pintle not closing fully.
This means the injector still leaks after the solenoid has been de-energised and consequently the engine runs on a very rich mixture (hence rough idle, black exhaust smoke and lack of power)
Fuel injectors need regular servicing where they are cleaned, the spray pattern checked plus correct delivery volume determined.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
