1994 Esprit S4 broke down, could use some thoughts | FerrariChat
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1994 Esprit S4 broke down, could use some thoughts

Discussion in 'British' started by Meister, Jun 6, 2011.

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  1. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
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    The Meister
    #1 Meister, Jun 6, 2011
    Hi All,

    I know this isn't generally a tech section, but thought someone might be able to help.

    Friday while driving on the highway (70 MPH), my 94 S4 lost power and began running rough as if a cylinder down. Car would not rev properly, had a lower engine tone, etc.

    I got her back home today. Changed plugs and found a crack in one of hte old ones...hoping it was that simple, but it's not. When I pull off any one of the plug wires I have a ton of spark arcing to the plug, so I don't think I have a bad plug wire and the spark module is obviouslhy sending spark out...

    Timing belt is intact, with no shreded teeth so I don't think it jumped cam timing. The car will run and idle so I think the alternator is charging the system.

    Would a burnt up turbo cause hte car to not rev, and sound like it's missing? Is there any way to test it out of the car? Possible cracked exhaust manifold...

    Next thing I'll look into is the fuel filter

    Any thoughts would be great.

    Thanks
     
  2. L8Braker

    L8Braker Formula 3

    Nov 10, 2003
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    Asheville NC
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    Jeremy Stafford
    #2 L8Braker, Jun 7, 2011
    If you aren't getting enough air it can cause issues. My v8 had an Idle air adjuster that needed cleaning, but it never caused any real issues just a slight stumble. I'd reccomend you hit up lotustalk forum.
     
  3. kverges

    kverges F1 Rookie

    Nov 18, 2003
    3,179
    Dallas
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    Keith Verges
    #3 kverges, Jun 7, 2011
    do a leakdown to make sure all is well as to rings and valves, then check fuel pressure and see if you have a bad injector
     
  4. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
    18,081
    Savannah
    #4 thecarreaper, Jun 7, 2011
    my 89 SE was VERY sensitive to where I got fuel. i would look at fuel, spark and then check compression and for vacuum leaks.

    Did the check engine light come on?



    perhaps there is a code you can pull to aid your investigation .
     
  5. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

    Jan 28, 2007
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    Stan
    #5 open roads, Jun 7, 2011
    I hear turbos when they go, just go.

    Godd luck. I'll follow this.
     
  6. 88MONDIAL

    88MONDIAL Formula 3

    Apr 13, 2005
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    Jim Smith
    #6 88MONDIAL, Jun 8, 2011
    My NSX had symptoms like yours last year. It was a coil pack that went bad. Good luck to you. Esprits are awesome cars!
     
  7. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Apr 27, 2001
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    The Meister
    #7 Meister, Jun 8, 2011
    Checked fuel pressure yestersday. Was just under 40 PSI with key on/engine off. Went to around 42PSI when running, and stayed firm even when it began to run rough. The range is 30-55PSI...so thats pretty good.

    I got some horrible looking fuel out of the pressure relief valve on the tester, so I'm going to drain the tanks and see what comes out. I might have just gotten some really bad fuel.

    Thanks so far, will update.
     
  8. Lexdiamonnyc

    Lexdiamonnyc Formula Junior

    Dec 5, 2004
    507
    North NJ
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    Lex
    #8 Lexdiamonnyc, Jun 9, 2011
    how bout an LSx engine swap???....:D
     
  9. Mowgli

    Mowgli Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2009
    435
    Bristol, CT
    #9 Mowgli, Jun 9, 2011
    Check to make sure if all the injector clips are properly seated. If they are....

    With the car running, pull off each of the injector clips and listen for knocking. Could be a spun bearing.
     
  10. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
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    Rich
    #10 rdefabri, Dec 17, 2011
    Great idea, but from what I understand, not terribly easy. Would love to know more on how this could be done...
     
  11. JasonMiller

    JasonMiller F1 Rookie
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    Jason Miller
    #11 JasonMiller, Dec 17, 2011
    op


    are you back on the road? what was the problem?
     
  12. sunburn

    sunburn Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
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    Rick R.
    #12 sunburn, Dec 19, 2011
    A clogged cat can cause it to idle well but have no power when you rev it.
     
  13. cgperry

    cgperry Formula Junior

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    Charles Perry
    #13 cgperry, Dec 19, 2011
    My dad's 3000GT-VR4 once had symptoms like that. Turns out the airbox was cracked between the turbo and the engine intake, so the air-fuel mixture was WAY off because the mass airflow sensor was reporting a quantity of air that wasn't actually making it into the motor, so it was running so rich that it essentially flooded it. Something to check for.

    Good luck!
     
  14. texasmr2

    texasmr2 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 22, 2007
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    Gregg
    #14 texasmr2, Dec 20, 2011
    I ran into this situation on several occasions with my '92 MR2T especially after I upgraded the intercooler along with upgraded piping. It was nothing more than a pipe blowning off under heavy boost caused by a loose screw clamp so I unpgraded to t-bolt clamps and never had it happen again. If yours is the TT V8 it will take some digging around and up and down on a lift to check.

    Good luck,
    Gregg
     

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