'87 Purchase Advise

[Joey]

I know, I am sure this gets asked alot.

I am looking at an '87 Esprit in South Carolina Price is $16,250 here is the info on it, I am looking for advise:

Overall the car is in very good shape. Remembering that the car is 18 years old, there are a few stone chips on the lower, front air dam but nothing a little touch up paint won't cure. The interior leather is clean, however there is a tear in the left corner of the driver's seat -- the seat covers are on to protect from the SC sun and of course they hide the tear. Also, just like a typical Lotus, there is a small oil leak, so if the car sits for a week or so there is some smoke that comes from the boot but after a few minutes of driving, that is gone. The oil was changed not even 100 miles ago. All the electrics work - such as blinkers, lights, driving lights, power antenna, windows, rearview mirrors, wiper etc. There is some wear on the boot carpet, but again, nothing too major. I have ALWAYS, let the car idle for at least one minute after parking to refresh the turbo's oil, which I was told was important to do. The temp runs perfectly at 90 degrees C. When idling in traffic the temp goes up (as it should) and the fans come on to cool the car down, just as they should. There is a braided clutch line to prevent the "dreaded red hose syndrome" so the clutch is smooth and has never been abused. The stereo/CD sounds good even with the top off. There is a small scratch on the passenger's side light pod but I'm sure that can be buffed out. There are no dents and only a couple small scratches here or there that are invisible to the naked eye (again 18 years old) unless you are really looking for them and the car shines up great with a fresh coat of wax. I have always had services done in a timely fashion. There is a nice car cover, two sets of keys, all records, owner's manual, service notes, two extra oil filters. I've never brought it out in the rain and rarely drive it in the winter. The car runs smooth and strong with great acceleration.

It's a real head turner and a blast to drive. Dual filler tanks mean either side of the gas pump will do - why don't all cars have that? Let me know if you have any other specific questions. I am selling to make a property investment. I have been the owner for the past 10 years and really hate to get rid of it and will be purchasing another Lotus when the chance arises again.

I then asked:

When was the last service done? Since it has 50k on the Esprit it is do for the "C" Service, has this been done? In the 10 years that you have owned it can you tell me what all you have had to do to keep it up to par? Mechanically are there any issues that I would need to know about? What type of oil are you running in the Engine? You mentioned the oil leak, do you know where the leak is on the engine? I would hate it to be one of those engine fire type leaks that I read way too much about. Any smell of gas, or have you had any issues with the gas tanks with rust or the cross over tube?

And got this in return:

Last service was done at 43,000. The C service has not been done. I have just not had the chance to do it yet - the odometer reads 50,015. All other services have been performed on time.

I have had the following done along with regular oil changes (20-50 castrol oil) and all the services:

braided clutch line

alternator bracket

new oil pan plug & cooland resevoir cap

new headlight switch

brake pads were done a few years ago and a new radiator - at about 32,000mi

timing belt - with service

accelerator cable

new headlight

The only mechanical issues right now is that the car idles a little high, but that should be a simple adjustment that can be made during the C service. The last C service I had ran me under $400 by a mechanic here who has a good bit of experience with Lotuses and other British vehicles.

The cam cover gaskets have been replaced along with the oil drain plug. Not exactly sure where the leak is coming from but don't believe it will cause an engine fire - I've heard about those, too. I have always kept an extinguisher in the car anyway.

No smell of gas. No problems with the tanks or lines.

As you can see the car is not perfect but us an excellent, clean and well-running example of an Esprit. I really never drive it in the winter (and definitely not the best car in the snow) and an investment property has come up that I want to take advantage of. I know I will miss it in the Spring. Also, seeing as it has not had the C service I'm willing to take a little off the asking price.

[Simon350S]

Smoke is probably the cam cover gaskets or assiciated securing bolts seals, nothing too major in that.

Cant tell the true condition of a vehicle from a description, need to inspect it and if your not sure what your looking at take someone along who does, prefferably an esprit specialist if you can find one locally.

Tear in the seat will probably be repairable by a specialist for not too much money. If he's owned the car for 10 years he should have tonnes of history to go with it that you can look through and he should know every last little thing about it so pick his brains as much as you can.

Cant really offer much more assistance without either seeing detailed photos or inspecting the car in person.

My advise if your serious is take along a specialist to check it over for you.

Good Luck

Simon

[Paul C]

I'm a bit confused... are you looking to buy or sell this car?

[sbarc]

I'm a bit confused... are you looking to buy or sell this car?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If I read his post correctly, he's looking to buy....and I'm guessing the text is pasted from the advert.

[Joey]

Yep, I am looking at buying this Esprit. But since I have never owned one I just don't want to go looking at this if something stands out as "Run very fast in the other direction" kind of thing

I have about 10 or so photos of this Esprit that the owner sent me as well, but didn't want to post a lot of photos and get yelled at for sucking up bandwidth.

[Simon350S]

No one gets yelled at for posting pics on here.

Help yourself.

[Joey]

In that case here are the pics.

[Joey]

Another photo.

[Joey]

Hmmm I guess I am out of attatchment space.

[Paul C]

Hmmm I guess I am out of attatchment space.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Use a host like this one:

http://www.uploadit.org/

Thats what i do.

[Paul C]

Err...

[Simon350S]

Quite Paul

Just about to post that myself.

Me thinks thats not the original reg for the car!!!!

If it is snap his hands off!!!!!

[Joey]

I was wondering why the tag reminded me of something, just couldn't place it.

I will look into the hosting page, thanks.

[WayneB]

How long ago was the timing belt changed?

Oil smoke on startup which then clears is normally oil running down from the exhaust cam tower on to the exhaust manifold

Sometimes the valve cover gaskets and brass plugs leak (easy fix) but more than likely the cam tower to cylinder head joint is leaking.

The cam tower has to be removed and resealed to correct this ( with Loctite 504 gasket elliminator) This stuff is $100 cdn a tube!

This can be done with the engine in situe, but it is easier IMO to pull the engine.

If the "C" service is done correctly, the towers would come off anyway to do the tappet clearances.

[Joey]

I will contact the owner and find out about the timing belt... How long do they normally last?

Also what is normal wear on the brakes, since is stated he changed them a few years ago...

I know on my Land Rover with normal driving I can get around 25 - 30k on a set of brakes, but my LR isn't a performance car either.

[WayneB]

2 years or 24,000 miles(whichever comes first) for the timing belt

The rear pads definately last longer than the fronts.

On a hard driven car less than a year can finish the fronts off, but realistically at least 2 years and possibly 3 to 4 years on a weekend driver.

Its best to visually check them, to be sure.

[mchlrodrigues]

In that case here are the pics.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I notice a device just behind the cold start valve in the engine picture that has a hose plugged off with a bolt. What's going on there?

[mchlrodrigues]

How long ago was the timing belt changed?

The cam tower has to be removed and resealed to correct this ( with Loctite 504 gasket elliminator) This stuff is $100 cdn a tube!

This can be done with the engine in situe, but it is easier IMO to pull the engine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't need a 300ml caulking gun tube; a 50ml tube will be sufficient. Instead of 504, you can use 515 or 518, which comes in 50 ml tube for around $10.00.

Wayne, maybe we're not thinking about the same thing. Are you recommending pulling the motor just to remove the exhaust side cam tower??? If you're thinking of removing the exhaust manifold, then I might understand, though I'd still disagree. I'd just pull the head rather than the entire engine.

Michael

[molemot]

I've found that ALL engine work is vastly easier with the engine out. Getting it out isn't really a huge task, as long as you have a chain hoist and a suitable gantry. With the lump on a bench, the timing belt change is simple, the cam carriers are readily accessible - and you can get everything properly CLEAN which is very difficult "in situ". Last time I had the head off, I fitted the cam carriers back with some anaerobic sealant supplied by SJ Sportscars - a lot better than the Loctite IMHO as it didn't tend to ooze great lumps into the oilways, which can be a problem unless the Loctite is used sparingly. With the engine out, all the gear linkage and engine mounts and water hoses are readily accessible and you can easily make sure all is OK. I accept the natural reluctance to Take The Engine Out, but it is generally less frustrating than crawling all over it with bits of it sticking into your anatomy!!

[WayneB]

Michael, my knees arent getting any younger.

To do the cambelt /tensioner (possibly the waterpump)

And to pull the camtowers, do the tappets and reseal them , I pull the engine

You can also check out the clutch whist your at it