QUESTION
I've been touring for the past 10 years and rarely drive my Lotus Esprit.
I'm usually home for 2 months and then away for 4 months.
The timing belt was done 8 years ago but I only added about 5000Kms since the belt was last changed
Do you think its wise to continue driving my Lotus Esprit on the existing timing belt?
P.E. - New South Wales, Australia
ANSWER
If you have a look at the Lotus owners service manual there are details regarding vehicle maintenance and the criteria for the elapsed time/km to the next service.
According to the Lotus Esprit servicing schedule, the timing belt should be changed at every C-Service.
The C-Service intervals are at every 24,000 miles (40,000Km) or 6 months from the last service (whichever sooner)
Over the years, the timing belt manufactures have improved the reliability of these critical components by using superior materials.
Depending on who manufactured the timing belt (and the construction NEO, HTN, HSN) there are recommendations to change the timing belt at appropriate time intervals.
The time interval is influenced by the environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, moisture and dust etc.
GATES who are an automotive manufacturer of timing belts and OEM supplier to the Lotus Factory, state the following in their technical documentation -
"When a timing belt is superficially inspected, it may appear to be in good condition.
However, the timing belt's job is to keep moving parts, primarily valves and pistons, in time with one another.
If the timing belt is not replaced in a timely manner, it will eventually break.
This will leave you stranded at best or, worse, may cause engine damage which can be extremely costly to repair.
The change interval is dependant on your car's specifications (check the manufacturer’s service manual) but, in most cases, every 60,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first."
I've been touring for the past 10 years and rarely drive my Lotus Esprit.
I'm usually home for 2 months and then away for 4 months.
The timing belt was done 8 years ago but I only added about 5000Kms since the belt was last changed
Do you think its wise to continue driving my Lotus Esprit on the existing timing belt?
P.E. - New South Wales, Australia
ANSWER
If you have a look at the Lotus owners service manual there are details regarding vehicle maintenance and the criteria for the elapsed time/km to the next service.
According to the Lotus Esprit servicing schedule, the timing belt should be changed at every C-Service.
The C-Service intervals are at every 24,000 miles (40,000Km) or 6 months from the last service (whichever sooner)
Over the years, the timing belt manufactures have improved the reliability of these critical components by using superior materials.
Depending on who manufactured the timing belt (and the construction NEO, HTN, HSN) there are recommendations to change the timing belt at appropriate time intervals.
The time interval is influenced by the environmental conditions such as ambient temperature, moisture and dust etc.
GATES who are an automotive manufacturer of timing belts and OEM supplier to the Lotus Factory, state the following in their technical documentation -
"When a timing belt is superficially inspected, it may appear to be in good condition.
However, the timing belt's job is to keep moving parts, primarily valves and pistons, in time with one another.
If the timing belt is not replaced in a timely manner, it will eventually break.
This will leave you stranded at best or, worse, may cause engine damage which can be extremely costly to repair.
The change interval is dependant on your car's specifications (check the manufacturer’s service manual) but, in most cases, every 60,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first."
For additional information regarding the Lotus Factory recommended servicing intervals, see the Lotus Esprit maintenance plan here.
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