Leaky cylinder liners - LotusTalk

finnerty · 09-10-2009, 05:14 PM

I've done a search on the forum but couldn't find an answer to this question ---- sorry if this is a re-post...............

I've heard mentioned that the early V8's had a problem with leaking cylinder liners, but this was later remedied by the factory at some point in production. Does anyone know the MY and VIN (serial) that marks the start of when the "bad sealant" issue was resolved in production?

Simba · 09-10-2009, 06:16 PM

They changed to the new sealant mid-2000. Never heard of an 00+ car with liner sealant issues. The earlier cars are hit and miss, though the vast majority are usually fine.

The condition of the oil is a dead giveaway of liner leaks. Check the oil regularly for any water (white froth, opaque oil, foam under the fill cap). You can also pressure test the cooling system, though that's generally somewhat inconclusive if there are other issues present.

finnerty · 09-10-2009, 10:23 PM

Interesting...

In your experience, does this problem tend to show up right out of the gate, or does the engine have to rack up some mileage before the leaking develops (on the cars which actually end up with the defect, of course)?

Seb · 09-11-2009, 12:06 AM

I'm willing to bet any ring seal issues are due to an improper break in.

Newsflash: An 'easy' break in is not the correct way to achieve good ring seal.

Source: Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

E5PR1T · 09-11-2009, 04:32 AM

Leaking liners usually happens when the car gets overheated. That's why some early V8 owners put in the larger and better Aluminum Radiator as a level of insurance. However, words are those cars that are not leaking by now, should not leak at all.

Lotus switched to the new sealant (Hylomar) in June, 2000.

Alan

Feffman · 09-11-2009, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E5PR1T

Lotus switched to the new sealant (Hylomar) in June, 2000.

Alan is correct. Lotus used a different sealant (a Loctite product I believe) after using good old Hylomar for years on the 4-cylinder Esprits. The early V8s used this new sealant that needed to cure for 72 hours before getting it wet. Supposedly no one told the engine assembly guys about the 72 hours and if you got an engine that didn't sit over the weekend or a few days, chances are the liners leaked. Hylomar, which Lotus switched back to can be soaked immediately with no ill effects.

I owned a 1997 and 199 Esprit V8. Neither had any liner issues.

Feff

s4s · 09-11-2009, 02:12 PM

If the car hasn't experienced the issue by now, I wouldn't worry about it. As someone else mentioned cheap insurance on the early cars is to install a better radiator with upgraded fans.

Esprit2 · 09-29-2009, 06:42 PM

Lotus went from Hylomar PL-32 (Universal Blue) in the 4-cylinder 9XX engines, to Loctite 572, to Hylomar 3400 (an anerobic, not the blue goo). So while they did go back to Hylomar the brand, they didn't go back to the original Hylomar sealant.

The problem with 572 was Lotus' engine assembly vendor's failure to follow the sealant's procedure, and not a failure of the sealant itself. If you have an early V8 that doesn't leak by now, then there's no particular reason to fear the 572. It's a good sealant, but perhaps the long cure time makes it a less than ideal choice for series production.

Hylomar 3400 has a cure time, but it's much shorter than 572's.

Hylomar PL-32 is ready to go right away... no cure time required since it never really cures.

Regards,
Tim Engel

09-10-2009, 05:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
finnerty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA Posts: 31	Leaky cylinder liners I've done a search on the forum but couldn't find an answer to this question ---- sorry if this is a re-post............... I've heard mentioned that the early V8's had a problem with leaking cylinder liners, but this was later remedied by the factory at some point in production. Does anyone know the MY and VIN (serial) that marks the start of when the "bad sealant" issue was resolved in production?

09-29-2009, 06:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Esprit2 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Minnesota, USA Posts: 80	Cylinder Liner Sealants Lotus went from Hylomar PL-32 (Universal Blue) in the 4-cylinder 9XX engines, to Loctite 572, to Hylomar 3400 (an anerobic, not the blue goo). So while they did go back to Hylomar the brand, they didn't go back to the original Hylomar sealant. The problem with 572 was Lotus' engine assembly vendor's failure to follow the sealant's procedure, and not a failure of the sealant itself. If you have an early V8 that doesn't leak by now, then there's no particular reason to fear the 572. It's a good sealant, but perhaps the long cure time makes it a less than ideal choice for series production. Hylomar 3400 has a cure time, but it's much shorter than 572's. Hylomar PL-32 is ready to go right away... no cure time required since it never really cures. Regards, Tim Engel

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09-10-2009, 06:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Simba 2/3 hp to the paws. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NY Posts: 497	They changed to the new sealant mid-2000. Never heard of an 00+ car with liner sealant issues. The earlier cars are hit and miss, though the vast majority are usually fine. The condition of the oil is a dead giveaway of liner leaks. Check the oil regularly for any water (white froth, opaque oil, foam under the fill cap). You can also pressure test the cooling system, though that's generally somewhat inconclusive if there are other issues present.

09-10-2009, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
finnerty Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: USA Posts: 31	Interesting... In your experience, does this problem tend to show up right out of the gate, or does the engine have to rack up some mileage before the leaking develops (on the cars which actually end up with the defect, of course)?

09-11-2009, 12:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Seb <3 QR25DE Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 753	I'm willing to bet any ring seal issues are due to an improper break in. Newsflash: An 'easy' break in is not the correct way to achieve good ring seal. Source: Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

09-11-2009, 04:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
E5PR1T 98 Esprit V8 Calypso Red Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 138	Leaking liners usually happens when the car gets overheated. That's why some early V8 owners put in the larger and better Aluminum Radiator as a level of insurance. However, words are those cars that are not leaking by now, should not leak at all. Lotus switched to the new sealant (Hylomar) in June, 2000. Alan

09-11-2009, 02:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
s4s Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 12	If the car hasn't experienced the issue by now, I wouldn't worry about it. As someone else mentioned cheap insurance on the early cars is to install a better radiator with upgraded fans.

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