mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 9, 2007 (edited) Hi Gents, A few weeks ago, I had a turbo failure while travelling along the Autobahn. On close inspection, the impellor has disintegrated. The resultant fragments look to have caused the compressor side to seize and the shaft snapped.... ... I was worried about the ingestion of the foreign matter, but all plugs looked to be in good health and there were many metal parts that had been captured in my pre-throttle collector. I was encouraged and though that maybe I had gotten away with any serious damage. The engine was still running smoothly when I diagnosed the turbo failure. Anyway, I pressed on with replacement hybrid turbos from R&B here in Germany. After several days of swearing and general hardship, the car was back together and ready for an oil flush and coolant bleed. The car started first time and settled into a good idle..... then to my horror, I noticed that the Edited July 11, 2007 by mike_sekinger Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverfrost 1,386 Report post Posted June 9, 2007 Mike absolutley gutted for you mate your engine bay is fantastic along with the the rest of the cars looks, hope you get it.. all i can say is gutted Have a cold one, relax and look forward to getting her back on the road :yes danny. Quote A Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chstephens 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2007 I feel your pain Mike. What a miserable and frustrating situation to find oneself in. If I was over the pond, I'd buy you a bitter and lend moral support. Keep us posted on the plan/progress. Craig Quote 2001 Esprit V8 1985 911 Carrera converted to 1974 RSR IROC race car 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS350 convertible (goes fast and straight - limited handling!) www.hollowayperformance.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
actwon 0 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 9, 2007 Damn Mike. I understand what you are going through. Sorry to hear that though. Quote actwon ------ '14 Nike Shox '12 Range Rover Sport '01 Esprit V8 '95 Ducati 916 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 9, 2007 Thanks guys... two bottles of red and I Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neal 4 Report post Posted June 9, 2007 Shit Mike, I know how you feel! How many miles were on the engine? Quote May: DON'T hit it with a hammer! Clarkson: Why? May: Cause it's the tool of a pikey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fmxa 59 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 (edited) Sorry to hear that Mike, I just heard my gearbox needs a rebuild so I know how you feel ..... Edited June 10, 2007 by fmxa Quote Paddle Faster, I hear Banjos! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 The engine has just 22K miles on it - and only 2K miles since all of modification work. My fear is that I brought about the failure, since I had been having problems changing the exhaust heat shields recently. The only plausable reason for the turbo disintegration is that something got into the inlet side during the work... perhaps one of the large washers...... it is painful to think about my oversight in not Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter_england99 6 Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Mike, I'm sorry to hear about the need for a re-build. I hope the promise of the up-rated pistons and higher boost makes it worth while in the end. Regards, Peter. The engine has just 22K miles on it - and only 2K miles since all of modification work. My fear is that I brought about the failure, since I had been having problems changing the exhaust heat shields recently. The only plausable reason for the turbo disintegration is that something got into the inlet side during the work... perhaps one of the large washers...... it is painful to think about my oversight in not Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Troy Halliday Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Mike tell me this is not on my GT1 replica :crybaby: I am realy gutted for you mate, as most people know I love that car and had I had the money when you contemplated selling it I would have snapped it up. I hope you get it all sorted soon mate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hasuSan 0 Report post Posted June 10, 2007 "The car started first time and settled into a good idle..... then to my horror, I noticed that the Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bzguy 2 Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Where in Germany do you live Mike ? Quote - Nulla tenaci invia est via - Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toyroom 5 Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Did you buy the car new ? What year is it? The cost of a rebuild plus the cost of the car plus any other costs minus the eventual resale value divided by the number of months you owned it will (I bet) give a smaller figure than the same mathematics for a similar priced car (say a Jaguar XJ or even a Merceded E class V6) Small consolation, I know, but consolation nonethe less. I have felt your pain many times and so you have my empathy rather than sympathy....Good luck....By the way, if you are going for 500 Bhp, has your gearbox input shaft (good for 300 in factory original form) been upgraded? If not, I know an expert..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 The car will be heading back to Mike Haines Racing to be sorted out. Having discussed it with Mike, we decided that it would be best and he still retains a great deal of pride in the work done so far. Hopefully, we Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 We are living about 10Km South West of Landsberg - just inside Ost Allg Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pred247 1 Report post Posted June 10, 2007 I was gutted for you when I read what you had to say. I hope everything is fine after changing the cylinders. My car has now done 58k and I'm always waiting and wondering if and when I'll need it. Hence the worry I had over the right bank popping problem I have. It's amazing how paranoid these beasts can make you feel lol! All the best mate, John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Günter 27 1 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 ...It's amazing how paranoid these beasts can make you feel ! All the best mate, John yes; ...you say it, by the way, -Mike i can now understant why we could not see you on the road.... :crybaby: i hope to hear some good news, and maybee to see this legendary car in real. best wishes !!! Quote ********************************************************************* to name the things if I see them, that's what I call integrity.. ********************************************************************* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Thanks again fellas. I Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Günter 27 1 Vehicles Report post Posted June 10, 2007 Thanks again fellas. ...Hopefully, I Quote ********************************************************************* to name the things if I see them, that's what I call integrity.. ********************************************************************* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Okay - here is the latest update: The car is now scheduled for a full top and bottem-end rebuild at the hands of Ramspott and Brandt, here in Germany. They have great experience in rebuilding the V8 engine and I feel confident in their ability to deal with the cars special requirements. The plan is to strip down and assess the damage, before commencing on a rebuild with forged pistons and fresh bearings etc. I am hoping to receive a photo update in the progress and promise to post images as the work gets underway. The car will also benefit from their radiator upgrade along with a few additional tweeks suggested by me. All being well, the car would be ready towards the end of July. More info as it happens..... Cheers, Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bzguy 2 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Okay - here is the latest update: The car is now scheduled for a full top and bottem-end rebuild at the hands of Ramspott and Brandt, here in Germany. They have great experience in rebuilding the V8 engine and I feel confident in their ability to deal with the cars special requirements. The plan is to strip down and assess the damage, before commencing on a rebuild with forged pistons and fresh bearings etc. I am hoping to receive a photo update in the progress and promise to post images as the work gets underway. The car will also benefit from their radiator upgrade along with a few additional tweeks suggested by me. All being well, the car would be ready towards the end of July. More info as it happens..... Cheers, Nice to hear it will be repaired, but hopefully the bill is ok as well ... Quote - Nulla tenaci invia est via - Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mamovaka 0 Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Yes I would like to know the final bill also.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Günter 27 1 Vehicles Report post Posted June 18, 2007 Mike no panic, you can sometimes (bills for smal budgets) pay with parts on a "exchange basis". "R&B" is not the cheapest way at all, but they have a comunity behind... . We will watch out the R&B -pictures from workplace page... god luck to you! Quote ********************************************************************* to name the things if I see them, that's what I call integrity.. ********************************************************************* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted June 30, 2007 (edited) Well, the car is ready to be Edited June 30, 2007 by mike_sekinger Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike_sekinger 386 2 Vehicles Report post Posted July 8, 2007 (edited) Following my decision to recover the car to the UK, it was time get the AA involved. AA arranged the services of a company called Edited July 10, 2007 by mike_sekinger Quote 1996 Esprit V8, 1998 Esprit V8 GT, 1999 Esprit S350 #002 (Esprit GT1 replica project), 1996 Esprit V8 GT1 (chassis 114-001), 1992 Lotus Omega (927E), 1999 Esprit V8SE, 1999 Esprit S350 #032, 1995 Esprit S4s, 1999 Esprit V8 GT (ex-5th Gear project), 1999 Esprit V8SE ('02 rear) 1999 S350 #002 Esprit GT1 replica Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
