Cracked manifolds

[CharlieC]

Hello all - here goes my first post. Am scouting around for my first Esprit and having doen lots of reading on Kato's fabulous fountain of knowledge LEW i find myself stuck on one question.

1. The manifolds are notorious for cracking, allegedly due to water splashing onto them. Does this cause problems every time it rains or what?

2. Again with the rain thing. I've noticed from the crash pictures elsewhere on the sight that its wet in most (Correct me if I'm wrong). But is the Esprit to be driven carefully in the wet.

Having typed it out it seems a bit daft but hey, I'm new so can afford to be blonde for a bit.

Thanks for info in advance.

Charlie

[bladerunner]

Hi Charlie.

Welcome to the forum.

Don't worry about basic questions. We all learn something new every day.

My car is 23 years old and as far as I can tell it is the original manifold. So no, they don't crack at the first sign of rain. Like any metal making it red hot and then throwing cold water over it, it doesn't like it. They actually last very well (in my opinion) for the abuse they withstand.

Esprits and slippery surfaces don't go well together. It is a light car with a lot of power that comes in suddenly when the turbo spools up.

No traction control and a mid engine gives little warning before it lets go.

They handle well and usually bites when the driver gets a bit too confident.

So when are you buying a Esprit?

Greetings

Duncan

[CNH]

The manifold is a cyclic thing. Depends on how many times it heats and cools before it cracks. I know cars with original manifolds in them and others with replacements. Minimize the short runs and they should last a long time.

[Mark Blanchard]

Paul Matty once talked about a splash guard that could be fitted to stop water splashing on the manifold.

After a spirited run, allow plenty of time to let the engine / manifold cool down before turning off the engine (I understand as they

[WayneB]

Charlie, my car is 23 yrs. old and to my knowledge has the original exhaust manifold

The wastegate manifold however, cracks internally around the area the valve seats. I repaired mine, but alot of people buy a new one (quite expensive)

Have drove mine a fair bit in the rain with no problems, but you have to use your head! Smooth and progressive application of the throttle helps (poor mans traction control)

[CharlieC]

Thanks for advice chaps. All sounds good. Have heard about letting the engine cool for a bit before swtiching off for the sake of the turbo. good stuff.

As for driving I'm a bit of a pussy anyway. Once had an MR2 slide in front of an artic on the M-way and that was the mid engine lesson learned.

Duncan - Currently on the sniff for an SE or S4. Would like one yesterday but currently gurning in anticipation. Hope that doesn't sound too weird. :-)

Wayne: How'd you do the repair?

[esprit350]

where abouts are you, maybe some one local to you can help you with your search

[CharlieC]

Howard - Twixt Cambridge and Frankfurt.

Am shortlisting from the LEW site and others. Hopefully making a few viewings next week.

Must control urges....

[superdavelotus]

Hi Charlie, it's like Calvin says, it all depends on heat cyles, how often you use your car, letting the turbo cool down, where you store your car etc. If they do go though it can be a big bill. Lotus don;t quote a time and the majority of dealers will take the engine out. Some will have a go at fitting insitu.

BTW, I have an S4 for sale on LEW. I've recently replied to a guy called Charlie, wasn't you by any chance? A have a brand new manifold fitted to mine fitted two weeks ago!

Ah saw your last post, you are the same guy! Hello again and welcome to the forum. A very friendly bunch here. Hope to see you with your new car at the next show or event! If you need any help (unbiased) then you have my details.

Oh if you want to ask anyone about me or the car Iam selling then feel free to ask away I don't mind. Most of the UK people know me and at least half have met me in person. Always here to help!

Edited February 16, 2006 by superdavelotus

[WayneB]

Charlie, the wastegate adapter manifold cracking problem is only on the Giugiaro Esprits.

The Stevens cars use an integral wastegate on there turbos.

[s4simon]

Here's the little bugger in question.

This one (my replacement) was from SW Lotus and is supposedly stronger than the original Lotus piece.

I was 'Lucky' enough to have the more modern strengthened manifold fitted to my car at manufacture.

It still only lasted 40k miles.

[CharlieC]

Wayne - I'm with ya. All change from the HC?

Simon: can't see the pic keep getting websensed - hope you're not being obsene.

Superdave. You've got mail!

Thanks again chaps for your advice! Will let you know when the bullet has been bitten!

Cheers

Charlie

[s4simon]

Here's the 'Full On' version.

Hope you can see it...

[USAndretti42]

For the four-wheel drive Cosworth Sapphire we had to do a manifold cracking test specified by Ford where the engine runs at maximum power on the dyno for long enough to get the manifold up to temperature and then the fuel is turned off while the dyno continues to turn the engine and so cold air is pumped into the exhaust. Pretty viscious. This was repeated for so many cycles and would crack inside.

I don't think it necessarily needs water to crack it just warming up and cooling down quickly like going on and off the throttle a lot. I have no idea whether the Esprit turbo is worse than other turbo cars.

[WayneB]

The Buick Grand Nationals (Turbo V6 3800cc) of 1985to 87) and the 1989 Turbo Trans Ams are known for cracking exhaust manifolds.

I always thought the water splashing explanation was hokey myself.

Trev, you have a interesting job!

[Joey]

Has anyone tried to have them ceramic coated? Just wonder (haven't bought one yet, still looking in the USA) I have found 2 that I like a lot though...

One is red, one is black and yellow.

Stevens model.

[Vulcan Grey]

The Buick Grand Nationals (Turbo V6 3800cc) of 1985to 87) and the 1989 Turbo Trans Ams are known for cracking exhaust manifolds.

I always thought the water splashing explanation was hokey myself.

Trev, you have a interesting job!

I've driven my Esprit through some very deep water, no cracks on my original 1989 manifold.

I will not drive my Esprit through a carwash though! Those under sprays could thermally shock the manifold and turbo, I imagine.

I made sure my manifold is on with the correct torque of 14-16ftlbs (no more). That should help keep stresses down a bit. Some people tend to crank on the things .

Edited February 18, 2006 by Vulcan Grey

[Kato]

All the info on LEW is here:

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EMaintenance/manifold.html

As for the ceramic coatings. We know of a couple of owners who had there's coated, within a few months it started to peel and was completely gone pretty soon! From their experiences it's a complete waste of money.