QUESTION
What should I use to seal off the gasket between inlet manifold plenum cover and throttle plate on my '88 Lotus turbo Esprit?
RTV or blue Hylomar? I have both.
PO (previous owner) used red RTV gasket-maker on both sides of the paper gasket.
C.G. - USA
ANSWER
If you check in the Lotus service manual there is no mention of having to use any kind of sealant on these gaskets.
All that is necessary - is to make sure the mating faces are completely flat, free of screw-driver witness marks and scrupulously clean.
The paper gaskets are sufficiently thick to take up any surface machining marks or discrepancies between mating components so sealant is not required.
RTV should be avoided because it is not resistant to fuel vapour.
In addition to this, when regular RTV sealant cures it produces vapours that can damage oxygen sensors located in the turbo-charger exhaust manifold.
ONLY ever use silicone based sealants that are specifically described as "oxygen sensor safe" for any application on an injected turbo Esprit.
One of the most popular and readily available silicone sealants is Loctite® 587™ - Ultra Blue and is stated to be "sensor safe".
Lotus Marques regularly uses and recommends the convenient 95 gram tubes of Loctite® Blue Maxx™ and Grey Maxx™
To view the brochure below in more detail simply click on it, and it will automatically enlarge.
To view its full size, click on the "screen maximise symbol" in the pop-up control table at the bottom of the page.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
What should I use to seal off the gasket between inlet manifold plenum cover and throttle plate on my '88 Lotus turbo Esprit?
RTV or blue Hylomar? I have both.
PO (previous owner) used red RTV gasket-maker on both sides of the paper gasket.
C.G. - USA
ANSWER
If you check in the Lotus service manual there is no mention of having to use any kind of sealant on these gaskets.
All that is necessary - is to make sure the mating faces are completely flat, free of screw-driver witness marks and scrupulously clean.
The paper gaskets are sufficiently thick to take up any surface machining marks or discrepancies between mating components so sealant is not required.
RTV should be avoided because it is not resistant to fuel vapour.
In addition to this, when regular RTV sealant cures it produces vapours that can damage oxygen sensors located in the turbo-charger exhaust manifold.
ONLY ever use silicone based sealants that are specifically described as "oxygen sensor safe" for any application on an injected turbo Esprit.
One of the most popular and readily available silicone sealants is Loctite® 587™ - Ultra Blue and is stated to be "sensor safe".
Lotus Marques regularly uses and recommends the convenient 95 gram tubes of Loctite® Blue Maxx™ and Grey Maxx™
To view the brochure below in more detail simply click on it, and it will automatically enlarge.
To view its full size, click on the "screen maximise symbol" in the pop-up control table at the bottom of the page.
Copyright © 2012 Lotus Marques
