Jacques

Hi Tom, No, cannot say yet, as I need other projects to be finished, before I can drive I expect the gearbox to be in tight check, not moving about. The cylindrical item is an ordinary old school fuel filter that dampens the plopping sound from the vacuum pump. Kind regards, Jacques

Meanwhile at the batcave, ehrmmm the foxhole, ignoring the current garage situation, I decided to change both gearbox mounts for my new poly gearbox mounts, bolts etc. So, because it took so long time and the weather was really nice today, so I had to leave it and drive out in the sunset, I did the left side gearbox mount as follows: Procedure for changing gearbox mounts on Stevens Esprits: 1/ remove top heat cover for left side engine mount. Leave the others in place (the heat shield maze). 2/ loosen both engine mounts. 3/ loosen and remove 4 pcs 8mm bolts on gearbox mounts 4/ jack up left side rear wheel/side panel. 5/ remove left rear wheel. 6/ jack up a bit left rear hub under the suspension body, not the aluminium rear hub itself. 7/ loosen and remove the lower inner end strut arm's bolt and flip the arm down a bit. 8/ cut a pcs of lumber and jack up the gearbox in front of the spot where it meets the "Y" engine cradle. 9/ This only goes up to a point where the rest of car will begin to lift, so don't do that of course. 10/ twist and shout (pull) until the old rubber gearbox mount comes free. It's tight, but doable. 11/ a lot more twist and shout pressing and twisting and pushing the new poly-gearbox mount in, plus it's big washer(-s). I installed them in titanium so shred some weight. Note: the 7/16" bolts are special low cap (head) ones, so the lower arms will have room to move when suspension travels. 12/ reinstall loosely the bolts for that side gearbox mount and flip back up the inner end of the lower arm, into it's seat. 13/ move a little bit down and then up the jack under the suspension strut/damper to allow the arm's end to be positioned correctly for it's bolt to be pushed home. 14/ tighten the bolt loosely. 15/ remove jack under suspension and reinstall rear wheel, then remove jack under the lifting point (in front of the rear wheel). 16/ do the other side. 17/ tighten all gearbox mount bolts 4 pcs 8mm bolts and 2 pcs 7/16" bolts to spec. 18/ tighten the engine mounts to spec and reinstall top heat cover. 19/ loosen the lower arm's bolts,. 4 in total, ask a couple of friend to sit in the car, ½ full tanks and retighten the 4 bolts on the two lower suspension arms. 20/ have a nice cup of tea and let the suspension settle, eventually redo wheel bolts torque and the 4 bolts for the preloaded suspension bushings. This method will not have you remove the exhaust, the rear compartment floor and it's cables, relays, coolant tank, the exhaust frame, gearcables, translator and what not. This method will allow you to change the central through bolts on the gearbox mounts and it's washers etc. Easy peasy; well, most of it anyway Sorry for the dirt on the pics; that's all cleaned up by now. Kind regards, Jacques

Thanks Ian. I was also thinking of removing the two aluminium gearbox supports (stays), so I could try to minimize the need to lift the whole gearbox. As you say, it may be required to remove the exhaust frame. I'll report back here, once I find out. Thanks! Kind regards, Jacques

Hi all, I'd like to get some tips on how to change the gearbox mounts as mine are old and would probably do with a new set, that I have ready. So, as I understand it, there seems to be a few methods for this: 1/ removing top nut, washer and the two gearbox mount frame bolts (M8) and then lifting the gearbox. 2/ as no. 1, but also involves removing the lower strut to each hub. Something that I'd like to avoid, as I would need to re-ballast and redo all bushings etc. 3/ ? I tried no. 1, and lifting the gearbox from below by means of a piece of wood and my low bed floor jack. No good, as the engine, exhaust and actually the whole car lifts as well. So, what is the good method, if I don't want to change it's center bolts as well (the one that goes right through and is blocked by inner end of the lower strut)? Kind regards, Jacques

I do too for sure. Kind regards, Jacques

A problem have arisen. I have to leave my garage with pit and all, as the building is going to be used for something completely different. I have trouble finding a proper place to store and work on the car, so thinking of maybe selling it all, but it would be a pity as I am neither finished with the car, nor finished driving it. Trying to figure out what to do. I have 3 high maintenance sports vehicles, and I like them all, none more than the other. Finding a proper space in or around Copenhagen is hard and very expensive, say 400-800 usd per month, which is bleedingly expensive in my humble eyes. No way I am ever leaving my cars or motorcycle in the streets. It's gone in 10 seconds or vandalized by militant vegans, children or envy people. We'll see. Kind regards, Jacques

As long as we talk about a set of original OZ Futura Modular, which was made specifically for the Esprit and also other cars, say big Mercedes and others, the wheel's individual parts are made from an center 5 spoke star, an inner drum and an outer lip. All bolted together with a various number of bolts, depending on wheel diameter. Those bolts are locked with nuts on the inner drum's rearside, and loctited. A bead of sealant is then laid in the center cavity that is between the three main pars, once bolted up in the factory. Same is done if you do them yourself. The procedure of tightening is described on my own thread. Completely done, balanced, and works perfectly. The star are the most important part. The outer lips and inner drums can be bought either from OZ second hand wheels, or as copies from other brands, such as Felgenfuchs, and their aluminium outer lips or same in radinox stainless steel. Despite me moving up in width, the completed wheel with it's 315 tyre, is still lighter than for example another Lotus original wheel, such as AWI Monobloc. I used well proven bouble and acid free sealant. Running these wheels gives the Esprit (1989 onwards; not 1988 because it's got smaller wheel arches), an enormous mechanical grip. It's very noticable, and is glues to the road. Kind regards, Jacques

Hmm... It turns out so, that today I took a close look at the Bosch pump I bought from an american seller some 3 years ago, and took the ends off, which then surfaced a few small green plastic threads. Those are pieces from then the original pump was there, with a green net around it. Some of it must have fallen apart and finally made it's way up and into the pump, despite a mesh filter. So, after cleaning it up, why not reinstall it, and volia, pump is running fine and my Esprit started right up. Fuel tanks are now carefully looked into for other eventual debris, but they are clean. Sounds so good after a long Winters standstill. Back to my own thread. Kind regards, Jacques

Yes, and so did I. I won't re-install it. I think I am going to order a Walbro like the one I linked to. Kind regards, Jacques

Here's a picture of my dead pump from Bosch, bought via fleabay from USA. Lasted 3 years. Any way to determine if this is a chinese copy? To me at least, it looks genuine. So does box and fittings which I still have. Kind regards, Jacques

So it would appear. The pump that Damien links to, seems to be a totally different design, not fitting the SE. I will now look at the walbro pump, just have to find a suitable spec. I'll write that here, once it's ordered. Question: is it an absolute must to have to pulse damper on the original pump (not fitted to the Bosch)? Kind regards, Jacques

All right, so I just got canned by a f.....g chinese company pretending they sell the real deal, Bosch 69218 pump. Hmmm... Fortunately paypal can step in. SO, needing a genuine Bosch 69218 fuel pump, can someone please direct me to one, or two, please? Kind regards, jacques

Did that, and there is power all the way to the pump, for 2 seconds only (and 10 seconds in another mode), when ignition is turned on. So managed to se that. Out with the "new" pump, a Bosch, and an old pump on - works. Now ordering a new pump or two. Thanks! So, looking at pumps, this one came up: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WALBRO-UPRATED-FUEL-PUMP-LOTUS-ESPRIT-SE-2-2-TURBO-ITP244-/140505049528?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338268676&toolid=10044&customid=CjwKCAjwgZuDBhBTEiwAXNofRJL1zZ9Vi2gajXbZQV7Y0sdrKGZsTNOUdfpLmsz11B-U_Ad32JEqFRoCHmAQAvD_BwE Does anyone have an opinion on that? Any good? Or another Bosch 69218 pump? Kind regards, Jacques

Cannot start. Charged battery - fine. Ignition on, starter spins. Cannot hear pump, which is 3 y.o. run like I usually can. A bit difficult to reach pins on the 2 pin connector above tank. I can measure 12,9 Volt at the fuel pump fuse and also on the ingoing side of fuel pump relay. Car has an original (from importer) fittet Unicum alarm, which prevents start, locks the central locking etc. That seems to work fine. So, to trigger the fuel pump relay, there is a coil that moves the position from no power to pump and injectors, to power open to those. That is a wire controlled directly from the ECU. Is that wire directly going from the ecu locally, to the relay? Or is it passing by the front of the car, ignition switch, other relays, alarm cut off or? Any ideas are most wellcome. I am now going to test power on the fuel pump fuse, the fuelpump relay and the inertia switch and the closest to tank connector again (it was pretty late last night). I have changed the inertia switch and the fuel pump relay (same as some of the aircon relays) already - no go. Starter spins like mad and are fine. Is the fuel pump with it's only two wires going into the tank, a roller mechanical type, that does not depend on electrical control, and thereby deciding itself by eans of having too little or enough pressure in itself? Or is it controlled by say the ecu always? I can try to install another ecm also. Kind regards, jacques

Hello all, I am looking to buy an old Lotus Esprit S4/S4s/Sport300 non-airbag model steering wheel. It does not matter if the outer rim is worn or scruffy, but the spokes and center pad must be nice. Kind regards, Jacques

Noble? You know you want it... Kind regards, Jacques

And it's still looking SO much better than, seriously, most other cars, sport models or not. Kind regards, jacques

Now ordered. Looking forward to the SE, the Sport300 and the B8's plus as mentioned by Tom, the Essex. Cheers, Jacques

That may be, bit I think they are already available. Meanwhile, I am sticking to old school 100 octane as in V-Power. Well not so old school, but certainly better than the coming cow pee. Kind regards, Jacques

Hello Scott, I originally noticed pnm advertising for hte stainless steel fuel cross over pipe on the webshop, and since that is also heavy, I wanted an aluminium version instead. They don't make that, and when I asked them, they said it's because the raw aluminium does corrode. When anodize it, I replied, and so they did one anodised aluminium fuel cross over pipe for me. Quite some waiting time, but if you want one, they'll make you one. It's very nice made and works perfectly. That is the only source I know of. Perhaps someone else can make you one, if you cannot yourslef. I don't have the tools nor the skills to do it, so I have to kindly ask someone else to make things like that. Anywya, I am most satisfied. Kind regards, Jacques ps: so far, no teeth found

Yeah, you know the kind - tourists who lie down at the road side in their smart camuflage clothing, with a huge binocular to spot some very rare small bird. You simply don't notice them. The Esprit hammers through a corner, the deep frontspoiler creates a vacuum that sucks up the poor guy, gets a twist and a carousel tour around the drive axles and is then spat out between the exhausts. Noone notices really, apart from removing a bit of the strap from the binoculars twisted around the radius arm, when doing your next oil change. Pretty normal. Kind regards, Jacques

Erik, As said, those bucket seats can be bought from SJ's in copy. Should work well, apart from a rumour (not been confirmed) that the brackets may need a bit of attention to suit. Either bare shells or trimmed to your likeing. And they also offer the shells with a carbon layer on top of the back. The original black paint is not slick but kind of knobby. Kind regards, Jacques

Yes, unless you want to redo the surface on the radius arm itself, no need to take apart the whole suspension. Have a variety of shims ready. Old model are split, newer are one piece. If it resembles the Stevens cars, the bracket and the shims can be had in stainless if one so wish. Shims can be changed when doing the geo, without taking everything apart again. Note: When Lotus did their Lotac bush program, they changed the inner diameter from 7/16" to 12mm, demanding a 12mm bolt, and the tube in the radius arms to be reamed up to 12mm. I did so, and it works fine. If you prefer the rubber bushings, they still are made for the old slightly thinner bolt system. I just though it would be worth mentioning, before you take it apart. Kind regards, Jacques

I used a piece of soft heat insulation like on the picture, which contaníns some layers of aramid and a silver foil layer, and fastened it with some metal ties. Works well and is still intact after a few years. The ties are those that is often used to hold drive axle rubber boots in place. I got the same poly gearbox mounts as you. To be installed once I have new bolts etc. but everything is closed over here. Kind regards, Jacques

Bibs, you're still the man, when it comes to helping! Without you and your friends new beemer, I wouldn't have had those wheels. I promise you they grip the asphalt SO hard. Cheers, Jacques