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35 Posts
Hi Everyone,
I purchased a 1988 Esprit Turbo in 2002 and I knew at the time it was not running. I bought it from body shop that had done a paint job on the car and the owner that was having the work done had skipped the country (back taxes) and moved back to the UK. I have no history on the car. I then purchased a Ferrari shortly afterwards and got side tracked with that restoration. I recently purchased a 1997 Esprit and my interest in the 1988 has been renewed.
I have drained the gas and replaced the primary fuel pump (would not operate with a 12 V power supply) and fuel filter. I have changed plugs and replaced engine oil/filer. I have drained the gas tanks and lines and the gas was golden/yellowish color. It had been in there quite sometime.
The primary issue I am having with the car is the engine turns over at a very slow rate (maybe 100 RPM's) and the starter motor sounds like an old Chrysler. When the first atttemped to crank the engine without the spark plus it would not rotate. However, I turned it over at the flywheel and broke it free.
I am getting spark but the fuel pumps are not coming. I have checked the continuity at the fuel pump relays and I have no issue with wiring. However, when I check voltage at the relays when the starter is active the voltage is low (maybe 8-9 VDC according to my Fluke MM). My thinking is because of the high rotational resistance from crank and rod bearings the starter is really laboring, thus drawing all the current not allowing the fuel pump relays to activate. Also, I should state the battery is brand new.
I have checked compression and timing and it appears of ok. I would like to know does anyone have any suggestions on how to prime the engine with oil. I really hate to pull the engine to clean and inspect the bottom end, but I need to pull the gas tanks (leaking) and change the timing belt so maybe I should be pull the engine. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers,
Alan
I purchased a 1988 Esprit Turbo in 2002 and I knew at the time it was not running. I bought it from body shop that had done a paint job on the car and the owner that was having the work done had skipped the country (back taxes) and moved back to the UK. I have no history on the car. I then purchased a Ferrari shortly afterwards and got side tracked with that restoration. I recently purchased a 1997 Esprit and my interest in the 1988 has been renewed.
I have drained the gas and replaced the primary fuel pump (would not operate with a 12 V power supply) and fuel filter. I have changed plugs and replaced engine oil/filer. I have drained the gas tanks and lines and the gas was golden/yellowish color. It had been in there quite sometime.
The primary issue I am having with the car is the engine turns over at a very slow rate (maybe 100 RPM's) and the starter motor sounds like an old Chrysler. When the first atttemped to crank the engine without the spark plus it would not rotate. However, I turned it over at the flywheel and broke it free.
I am getting spark but the fuel pumps are not coming. I have checked the continuity at the fuel pump relays and I have no issue with wiring. However, when I check voltage at the relays when the starter is active the voltage is low (maybe 8-9 VDC according to my Fluke MM). My thinking is because of the high rotational resistance from crank and rod bearings the starter is really laboring, thus drawing all the current not allowing the fuel pump relays to activate. Also, I should state the battery is brand new.
I have checked compression and timing and it appears of ok. I would like to know does anyone have any suggestions on how to prime the engine with oil. I really hate to pull the engine to clean and inspect the bottom end, but I need to pull the gas tanks (leaking) and change the timing belt so maybe I should be pull the engine. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Cheers,
Alan