Is it time to replace the exhaust back pressure valve on your Turbo Esprit?
The exhaust back pressure valve (Lotus part number A082S4167J) is intended to reduce the warm up time of the catalytic converter and hence reduce emissions.
However, the original Lotus design is flawed.
When the component operation becomes faulty, the butterfly valve fails to open when the engine and catalytic converter approach normal operating temperature.
This can often result in the engine and exhaust system overheating if the problem is not detected quickly.
Symptoms of a faulty valve include a significant loss off engine power and a distinct smell of over-heated metal.
This problem can be verified by examining the exhaust manifold and turbo charger.
From experience gained in our workshop, both items have been observed to glow a cheery red colour when this fault is detected.
The above adapter has been carefully machined in house from stainless steel as a direct replacement for the original component.
Care has been exercised with the design to ensure the component is robust whilst removing excess weight.
Stainless steel has been selected to withstand the harsh environment whilst being subjected to high temperatures and corrosive exhaust gases.
This operating environment and use of the correct materials is not understood by an Australian supplier of a similar aluminium product, so be aware of substandard products.
This high quality component is supplied in a comprehensive kit that anticipates having to replace the badly corroded fasteners.
The kit contains the following items:
1. Instruction sheet
2. Stainless steel bypass adapter, quantity 1
3. Stainless steel bolts, quantity 3
4. Stainless steel washers, quantity 6
5. Special stainless steel lock nuts, quantity 3
