Engine noise

[catty s2]

I get a distinctive knocking noise from the cam when cold, but quietens down once warm. Is this normal? Or do the clearences need adjusting?

[Guest teigan]

i'm assuming you don't mean "knocking"=detonation.

it's not normal to hear gnokking sounds, but quite common. can't tell if it's the cams until you open the engine up. could even be a little chunk of metal that's floating around in the oil.

[catty s2]

i'm assuming you don't mean "knocking"=detonation. 

it's not normal to hear gnokking sounds, but quite common.  can't tell if it's the cams until you open the engine up.  could even be a little chunk of metal that's floating around in the oil.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It could be detonation. According to Lotus you should only maybe hear camshaft noise and nothing else, but it does spoil the sound of the engine!

[Guest teigan]

if it is detonation, then it would cause the timing to vary pace more often than your child at a piano recital.

[Splashout]

Could be tappets i would check your clearences as if you they are out and you let them wear you will be into an expensive top end rebuild!

[Jussi]

Sounds like tappets

I have the same problem, the sound of the car is quite embarrassing But I have used to live with it. It's quite big thing to adjust them, I'm going to do that when we take the engine out (and do something more to the engine ).

If I remembered right it takes 6hours from Lotus specialist to adjust tappets I could be wrong here

[PVK 596Y]

Sounds like tappets

Edited August 25, 2005 by PVK 596Y

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

It should be a bit 'top endy' (clicky) when cold and as mentioned above it ought to go once warm.

[Paul C]

I hate it when someone asks me to start my esprit from cold

'to hear the engine'. Bag of spanners til she gets nice and warm.

[catty s2]

Thats good then! I'll sleep better tonight.

Cheers

[Jussi]

I hate it when someone asks me to start my esprit from cold

'to hear the engine'. Bag of spanners til she gets nice and warm.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hate everytime when people see I'm starting the car they cathered around just to hear the sounds Might be big disappointment

[mr50bmg]

The sound at startup is a shame really, as the Lotus twincam sounds beautiful when warm and revved.

The first time I took mine to a restaurant, when I was ready to leave and got in the car a number of people came out from the waiting area and just stood there in front of the car waiting for me to start it. They turned around and left quickly afterwards. :-(

So here's the thing to do: in the remaining space in the boot, place two large speakers and connect them to an amplifier and CD player. Now, rather than actually start the car when people are gathered around, simply pop in a CD which has a recording of a 365 GTB/4 or a 1971 Dodge Challenger and hit "play". After everyone nods their head in appreciation and walks away, start it up quickly and get out of there.

-Dave

[Guest teigan]

it's more embarrassing when my car backfires a minute after shutdown. everyone hits the ground for cover. is there a war on maybe?

[Jussi]

I'm used to this backfiring my ex race car did it. It's fun to scare people at the mall

[Guest teigan]

i understand how it could be funny in your country, but in america, everyone blames the nearest arab looking man; and the comedy wears off as he's tackled and beaten by the feds.