Esprit Hunting S4

[rocket63]

Evening all. My quest to purchase another Esprit continues this weekend, when i shall be going to view an S4.

To date I have been looking for an SE with little success.

Any specific S4 observations/ faults perculiar to this model I should be aware of chaps ??

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Edited March 9, 2005 by rocket63

[s4simon]

Main things are the manifold and general oil leaks around the cam towers (oil pooling in the spark plug wells).

And check that all the warning lights do a self test at turn on ('Check Engine & ABS').

Check lights work - raise and lower okay

Also check when the last 'C' check was carried out and by who.

[rocket63]

Main things are the manifold and general oil leaks around the cam towers (oil pooling in the spark plug wells).

And check that all the warning lights do a self test at turn on ('Check Engine & ABS').

Check lights work - raise and lower okay

Also check when the last 'C' check was carried out and by who.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Simon. Noted

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Good luck mate hope you find a beauty.

[Couger]

Theres not much worth having a look at at the minute Troy, Ive been looking for a decent GT3 for months thats realisticly priced. Its just the usual suspects that have been advertised for months even years, think the summer willbring in a few better examples.

[Couger]

Sorry, meant Paul

[Paul C]

Main things are the manifold and general oil leaks around the cam towers (oil pooling in the spark plug wells).

Also check when the last 'C' check was carried out and by who.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sound advice there!

I've had a new manifold AND a 'C' service AND a cam tower oil leak.

Thats about three thousand pounds with all bits and that

NOTE:

Cam tower can leak from either top (intake) or bottom (exhaust):

Simon mentions the top one (leaks oil into plug wells), i saw this on a few

i looked at and it is common.

My cam tower leak was from the lower tower, This leaks onto the manifold.

Very hard to see as when moving its obviously burnt off straight away, but when

stationary each drop gives a little plume of smoke through the engine vent.

When my car had been sat for a couple of weeks (serve me right!) the oil gathered

on the manifold to the point i wiped it off to save too much embarrasment when

starting her up.

HTH

[s4simon]

a little plume of smoke through the engine vent

Mine was more like a small atomic bomb going off - rising up from the vents - every 60 seconds. Very embarrasing when stopped at lights.

But as you said Paul - 3000 fixes that.

[Mark Blanchard]

Main things  . . . oil leaks around the cam towers (oil pooling in the spark plug wells).

When viewing a car, it's difficult to gauge how bad this is. I'm sure some leaks are bad. However, I noticed I had small pools of oil in the plugs wells and it hasn't had any adverse effects so far. The car hasn't had any oil since the last service, last April and the level is still measuring high.

Spoke to Lakeside about this and they said "the 910 engine weeps and it's common. It's fine as long as it's not coming out in buckets."

[rocket63]

Thanks chaps. Every bit of info is a help. Been looking for 8 months now and the same eagerness to find a reason to buy is still there. As they say "Patience is a virtue" Pants. Bloody frustrating is what it is

[rocket63]

Well what can I say. Just done a 300 mile round trip to look at the S4. I may have rose tinted glasses, but this guy must have had s##t on his.

Telephone conversation was along the following:

Me - Bearing in mind I am a fussy git with attention to detail. What condition is the bodywork in?

Reply - Bodywork is immaculate.

Me - Are there any scratches, cracks, dings, donks, imperfections, stone chips.

Reply - Absolutely none.

Reality. Lower bib spoiler ripped off and hanging in two parts where it has been kerbed. OS door, big chunk of paint missing the size of a 50p. Several other scratches ranging from 1 inch up to 5 inch.

Me - What is the condition of the interior?

Reply - Also immaculate, no rips or tears although some scuffing on the drivers bolster.

Reality. Magnolia interior. Looks like someone has emptied coal dust in there. Drivers side bolster devoid of any colour anymore. Needs total re connilising. Drivers seat maybe beyond repair and require new panels. Carpets! Obviously never seen a hoover.

FSH - Yes D

Er in actual fact no. Despite reassurance to the contrary during phone conversation that it had a documented service history.

Wheels. Reported condition unmarked. 3 kerbed and one with water ingress. 4 good boots though.

Exhaust. Wheres the end pipe mate.

What end pipe?

Get the picture, there you have it.

Ps no sale

[s4simon]

Where have I heard all that before

I think your best bet will be next weekend at the show.

[rocket63]

Where have I heard all that before

I think your best bet will be next weekend at the show.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep. I think you are correct. Cant wait. Roll on Saturday

[Paul C]

Yep. I think you are correct. Cant wait. Roll on Saturday

You going sunday too Paul?

Bad news on that car. I had a similar thing happen to me when

looking for the SE. I did the 300 mile round trip to find the guy

'had to go out for the rest of the day' when i was half an hour from

him. Luckily i was able to combine the trip with visiting family who

lived nearby, but was vary annoying as it was the reason for the trip

and i had organised viewing it a week in advance...

[rocket63]

You going sunday too Paul?

Bad news on that car. I had a similar thing happen to me when

looking for the SE. I did the 300 mile round trip to find the guy

'had to go out for the rest of the day' when i was half an hour from

him. Luckily i was able to combine the trip with visiting family who

lived nearby, but was vary annoying as it was the reason for the trip

and i had organised viewing it a week in advance...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not sure yet Paul. Knowing my current needs for all things Lotus, due to esprit withdrawal symptons, its a good possibilty. Depends on the Doris and what latitude she gives me.

Credit where credit is due though, she will travel with me everytime I go on an Esprit hunt. Wont be left out. Top girl