UPAUTO Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Hi everyone I am just a newer on this forum, I joined member since May this year after when I got my 96 S4 in U.K. Since it - I have been working on it. The story is……………………. Early this year (2012), I have travelled to Taiwan for 10 days holiday, during the holiday - I have purchased a 1996 Lotus Esprit S4 which was for sale in Taiwan, this is only 1 of 3 Lotus Esprit S4 which been made in 1996 and those three are all in Taiwan. This Lotus esprit S4 only has done 12096km (7560miles) during last 12 years, 1 ownership; however it has not been used for few years, due to some leaking problems. I will be showing all the process from when the car was in Taiwan to U.K, faults finding and finally fully recondition back to 90's supercar showroom condition. 23/02/2012 Lotus Esprit S4 was on the way to the port, ready for shipping from Taiwan. 03/04/2012 Lotus Esprit S4 has fianlly arrived to Southampton U.K in the container. With only (12096 km) 7560 miles on the clock and nearly half tank of fuel. Off loaded from the container and waiting for delivery to Nottingham next week. 11/04/12 after many weeks waiting, Lotus Esprit S4 has finally arrived to Nottingham. Due to lack of care & use, engine bay is covered with all the dirts, oils and carbons. 14/04/2012 Fuel leaking problem found - fuel breath pipe has cracked in few sections. Removed the boot carpet and panel for close inspection, degrease and clean. Fully dgreased, washed and cleaned the gearbox and rear top chassis. 16/04/12 Removed intake pipes, manifold, fuel rail and throttle body. All the removed parts are waiting for degrease and clean. Faulty intake manifold core plug has caused rust and coolant leak. Removed air condition pump and alternator pump. 18/04/12 Chargecooler, intake manifold and throttle body have all been cleaned. 20/04/12 Fully degreased, washed and cleaned the engine. Carbon fibre vinyl wrapped on the starter motor. 22/04/12 Fully degreased, washed and cleaned underneath of rear chassis (Left). Fully degreased, washed and cleaned underneath of rear chassis (Right). 02/05/12 Cleaned and de gasketed for intake manifold flange. Cleaned and de gasketed for intake manifold throttle body flange. Cleaned and removed the old rusty core plug. New 1st core plug has inserted with sealant. New 2nd core plug has inserted with sealant. De gasketed on the intake flange and moved the wiring loom, ready for more cleaning. 03/05/12 Carbon fibre vinyl wrapped on the charcoal canister. 21/05/12 Got back from Matla break, removed engine covers and clean all the rubber tubes. 22/05/2012 The ECU wiring harness before clean. After cleaned and re taped. 23/05/12 Air con pump, starter motort and rear strut bar re fitted. Cleaning and degreasing the engine covers. 24/05/12 After many many weeks waiting, the C&E 386 form has arrived. 27/05/12 Alternator, new oil filter and cable convoluted conduit fitted. 29/05/12 New fuel breath pipe has arrived. Proper fuel pipe rather than original plastic pipe. Near side new fuel breath pipe fitted. Off side new fuel breath pipe fitted. Near side trim panel re fitted. Off side trim panel re fitted. 31/05/12 Coil pack and air con pipes re fitted. Cleaned and waxed the engine panels. Rear window fabric trim re fitted. 07/06/2012 Removed 4 x spark plugs, it has been running rich, due to lack of use. Degreased again for touch up chips of the paint on the surface and custom made the gasket. 08/06/2012 Re assembled the intake system. 09/06/2012 New engine covers, intake manifold gasket and O rings arrived. 10/06/12 Cleaned the old dirty spark plugs for now, will fit new set in the future. Cleaned the lower engine head surface and applied with gasket sealant. The gasket fitted on the lower engine head surface. Cleaned the lower engine cover surface and applied with gasket sealant. Finally bolted the lower engine cover to the engine. Sorted out all the coolant pipes, re fitted the charcoal canister, spark plugs & HT leads. 15/06/12 Re fitted air box, engine cover and chargecooler. Check Garrett turbo - it is in nearly new condition, no play and no oil leak. New 10w60 racing oil and Anti freeze coolant. 1.5 liter's oil ready to put into engine. Fresh oil pouring in to engine. Re fitted vacuum pump, coolant header tank and induction pipe. Engine re started! That is it!! so far.... I haven't been working on it for last few months. I have deicded to save fund and leave till next spring to do more work - hopefully by next summer and car will be on the road with number plate. Tony Sorry about the last few pictutes are only showing links rather than pictures, I have used my all picture usages. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.oogieboogie Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Cool thats 3 s4 in notts Quote It's Oogies turn to boogie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 :-) great..my one is just for look for now....haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit s2 Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) Says on that import form that your S4 is a 2.0. That right? Cool pics by the way! Lovely looking car. Edited November 4, 2012 by esprit s2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) yep 250BHP model, Left hand side drive as well :0) thanks Edited September 13, 2013 by ramjet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karmavore Posted November 4, 2012 Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Great color. Love the long transom too. Quote Luke Colorado, Super Spy. - Lotus Owner No Longer 1987 Zender Widebody 560SEC | 1994 Lotus Esprit S4 | 2013 Honda Fit EV (#269) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted November 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2012 Many thanks, still a lot of works to do - but need fund to do it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peppo Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 (edited) great work! (except the carbon fibre wrap ) Edited November 5, 2012 by peppo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 thanks - just tart it up a bit.... I washed and cleaned during the weekend I even cleaned the other Toy too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.oogieboogie Posted November 5, 2012 Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 cool. looking good. if theres anything me or derek (sailorbob) can help with drop us a line Quote It's Oogies turn to boogie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted November 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2012 Wooooo...lovely racing green! Big thank you - will do Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted December 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 I know Louts Esprit manifold always have a bit of problems after many years….. I checked my S4 during the weekend – wowow after 16 years. The nuts and studs are still in zinc plated condition and manifold just like new. WOW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted August 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Today I spent some time to clean wheels and suspensions from my Esprit, checked the brake & suspensions too - every things are ok so far..... On the brake discs surface - the brown stuffs are very light grease to stop disc rust up. As my Lotus still no ready on the road yet. Near side front Near side rear Off side front Off side rear Edited August 30, 2013 by UPAUTO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonwat Posted August 31, 2013 Report Share Posted August 31, 2013 I seem to remember the manual saying not to remove the manifold from the back plate as the air flow has been very accurately set at the factory??? Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizla603104 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Really interesting to see this progress! I didn't know that the last S4's were 2.0 engines. It'll be great to have another S4 back on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon350S Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 The 2ltr engine was a tax dodge in a few countries! Car looks nice! Quote Chunky Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted September 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 Thanks Guys.... I am trying.......err...... I seem to remember the manual saying not to remove the manifold from the back plate as the air flow has been very accurately set at the factory??? I don't know about this...... too?? The 2ltr engine was a tax dodge in a few countries! Car looks nice! Indeed.... especially for Italian market..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPAUTO Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) After few months wet weather, I decided to clean up under the bonnet. And then I discovered there is water in NS headlight pod buckets. Not sure about OS, therefore I removed all the lamps to exam. OS is in good condition and luckily I discovered earlier - NS rust is re workable. After good cleaned the head lamps - they all in great condition, not bad for 18years old Edited February 24, 2014 by UPAUTO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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