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The very first Esprit Turbo's from October 1987, came
with a vulcan grey valance around the sills and front splitter. Later in
spring 1988, the cars were painted all one color.
Model: Lotus Esprit Turbo
Year: 1988
Color: Calypso Red, Vulcan Grey valance
Interior: Dark Grey Leather
Miles per year: 3,000 miles
Owned Since: April 2002
Purchase from: Private Sale
Serviced at: Esprit Engineering, Lakeside Engineering
Upgrades: K & N Air Filter fitted. I've upgraded the wheels to SE Turbo
OZ Italia 7 spoke alloys Goodyear GSA s all round to improve handling.
Alloys are 7J X 15 and 8.5J x 16 and tires are front 215/55/15, back
245/50/16.
Problems: Oil leak from drive shaft seals. Steering rack gone. Gear
linkage (no reverse gear, now sorted).
Info: December 1987 Steven's X180, registered in Jan 1988. Car No: 0064
off production line.
Work Done: Oil leak from drive shaft seals. All seals replaced. Gear
linkage problem - no reverse gear. This was rectified.
New clutch
New clutch slave cylinder
New exhaust box
New braided SS Clutch hose - Replaced the red clutch hose
New wheel bearings - front off side
Rebuilt rear suspension and new shock absorbers
New hand brake cable
New pipe connecting the fuel tanks
New steering rack
K & N Air Filter
April 2002
Work was carried out to the gear linkage. A full C service was carried
out by Steve Williams, who also replaced the exhaust box and front off
side bearings.
October 2002
I fitted Turbo SE wheels and Goodyear GS A s tires all round, which made
a marked improvement to the handling and road holding. With the original
wheels, the car was under-steering around corners. Also, to improve the
interior, I have "Leatheriqued" the grey leather, which prevents it from
cracking.
The leather interior
I did a bit of research into the car. Lotus said the car was
manufactured and released from the factory in December 23rd 1987 and
register in January 1988. it was no. 064 off the production line.
The Lotus Esprit Engine Bay
It has been quite reliable so far, other than a small oil leak. This
seems to be quite common for Esprit, as the oil leaks from the drive
shaft seals. I often have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind
something more serious will happen, and I will have to take out another
3 grand loan. So I make sure I drive it regularly (to stop it all
ceasing up), and allow plenty of time for the Turbo to warm up and cool
down.
April 2003
I had a new clutch fitted to the car as the last one was feeling very
heavy. While this was being done, I had the red clutch hose upgraded to
an SS braided hose and the clutch slave cylinder replaced.
Welding was also carried out to the chassis, as the chassis strut next
to the manifold had rusted. This seems to be a common problem on Esprits,
because as the manifold heats up the chassis strut (which is close), and
over time the strut's galvanized coating flakes off. Rust builds up as
condensation forms (when manifold heats up and cools down). So the
engine was removed, to get better access, and a shaped plate was mig
welded on. After this a heat resistant paint was sprayed to protect it.
April 2004
An A service undertaken by Esprit Engineering.
April 2005
I had the left and right rear shock absorbers replaced and the
suspension rebuilt. This was due to a creaking noise from the rear
suspension over humps. At the same time I had the cambelt replaced and
full C service was carried out. I also had fitted a new aluminum coolant
pipe to the radiator. The central connecting pipe, joining the fuel
tanks had also rusted and was weeping fuel, causing a strong smell of
fuel. So a new pipe was welded to both tanks. Luckily the fuel tanks
hadn't rusted. (Rusted fuel tanks are a common problem on Esprit's, due
to water leaking through disintegrated seals on the rear windows. The
tanks are protected with foam on the top and bottom. The water drips on
to this foam and is soaked up, leaving the steel tanks surrounded by wet
foam. The tanks rust, which eventually cause fuel leaks. it is
recommended annually to check for rusted tanks. A strong smell of fuel
is a sign. However, this can also be attributed to a cracked breather
pipe).
I also had a new handbrake cable fitted to the Esprit, new rear brake
pads and a new steering rack. The existing steering rack was a
reconditioned unit and had mechanical wear in it, causing some slack
under movement. The new rack has made a big improvement to the feel of
the car.
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