CarBuff

1. The fibre washer is OK. Some folks have used a garden hose washer in an emergency! Ours is at least 15 years old (yearly oil changes). 2. Section TDF page 2 of the Service Notes lists oil capacities as 6.5L dry, 5.4L refill. Because Americans can't understand the metric system,😬🥴 I'll just say that I put in 5 quarts then check it, sometimes adding more after the first run. (I DO use a smaller canister oil filter because of clearance issues on Bosch FI cars). Verify that the dipstick tube is fully seated (the annulus positions it and determines dipstick accuracy)

I WANT him to try & start it, so that we will have video evidence that cam belts need to be replaced ON SCHEDULE. 🤡 🤑 😄

Here are specs for an alternate cap on one US owners Esprit; anybody know the donor car? Measuring in mm the thread diameter is a little under 38mm, and the pitch is 4mm. Measuring in inches the thread diameter is 1.500" and something like 6.5 TPI The cap itself doesn't have a part number on it, but it does say "MADE IN ENGLAND" and "AC"

I thought that, too.

You could also just bin the idea of using the pipes and use a combination of hoses and angle fittings to replace the metal. We did that on an S4s as detailed here: https://www.lotustalk.com/threads/chargecooler-pipe-leaking.253849/ BTW the topic includes some pictures of the actual parts and not just artist's renderings. 🤨

As usual with any Esprit, you could budget 3,000 per year but it would be oil changes only for several years, then 8,000 in another year. FWIW, we have averaged around $2000/yr USD on our '88 since 1993.

Jack or lift one rear side to achieve the twist? Good luck. (You aren't lucky enough to have the boot floor off, I bet.) 🥴

If its just stuck closed (no broken cable), drive the car onto a driveway apron at an angle. Often the body 'twist' will release the latches. Good luck!

Where is the APPLAUSE button? 🙌 This surely costs more than Christian's custom solution, but who has fitted SJ's adjustable front suspension on non-adjustable cars? https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ082C0019.htm

So you are saying, Lotus planned it that way to advise owners of a dodgy exhaust?😆

Our friend's '85 produces this shutoff POP as well. Especially after I drive it... For that matter, so does our snowblower...

Venturi Effect. https://www.scienceabc.com/pure-sciences/how-does-the-gas-pump-automatically-shut-off-when-the-tank-is-full.html Basically, if the fuel does flow and the nozzle becomes immersed in gasoline, it will shut off. The contorted path of the Esprit's neck is a factor.

Your difficulties, for sure, have to do with the latest gas pumps. These incorporate a rubber bellows to reduce fuel fumes' release. We have that stuff in the state of NJ, which REALLY slows down the Esprit's refueling. When traveling, the areas that don't have the rubber cover, fill properly. (Meaning you can leave the pump on automatic and it will flow out of the other side if you happen to remove the cap to speed up the fill.)🥴 The things that help, are removing the opposite side cap to let the fumes escape there 😇, and angling the nozzle toward the front as previou

Nice to know, we just fitted a F&R set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports on our 18" wheels. Being that it is -10C. (15F.) here these days, I won't be trying to set any G-force records until it gets warmer. 😬

A beneficial procedure is to secure the springs in the compressed state with many large zip-ties (if you don't have a spring compressor). If you are replacing that lower arm bushes, be sure to check the upper arm bushes too. The one closest to the exhaust (left side, inner) typically fails from exhaust heat.