Changing The Intake Manifold Gaskets

[Jamie Triner]

Hey everyone,

 

I posted a few months back about a really annoying idle problem i have with my lotus elise 2003 111s k series. 

 

Its a intermittent problem and as it shows up now and again and decides to cut out when stationary. Happens for a few days and runs great for another month.

 

Well the beast has decided to do it again so good time to tick another possibility of the list, the intake manifold gaskets!

 

Question is, is there any guide on how to do this correctly? I have no manual or anything and my dad is pretty good with cars but im unsure about torque figures on all the bolts that have to come off.

 

I went on a website and bought top and bottom gaskets, I asked the website if i was ordering the right parts for my car and they sent them out so im guessing there ok. Heres a picture to give me peace of mind. 

 

Any tips of information id really appreciate, as much as my car annoys me i do like working on it.

 

Cheers guys! 

[Alex B]

Just for reference I believe there to be a water way through the inlet mani.

So a bleeding of the cooling system may be required.

[Wildspark]

I presume also that if there is a waterway to the inlet manifold that there will be some leakage when you break the joint, needing a bit of a top up at least?

 

I have a similar annoying idle problem on my S2 111S like you describe Jamie.

Mine has only twice actually stalled when pulling away at a junction. Normally it sits at 800 rpm and just dips occasionally to about 600 and then recovers.

So far I've only cleaned out the IACV - no change.

 

I'm also slightly suspicious of a very slow leak, as the expansion bottle level has been going down a bit. I let it go below the "min" mark, and it does seem to have stabilised about 5mm below, but I've not driven the car very much since.

 

I've got a new lambda sensor, but not got round to fitting it yet.

 

Please post some pictures if you can

[Jamie Triner]

Both Inlet manifold gaskets changed

New IACV fitted

Lambda sensor fitted

New plugs

New leads

 

Still running the same and overfueling, just checked spark plugs that were fitted 2 months ago, very carbonated. 

 

Been to 1 garage, said emissions were out which lead me to change the lambda..

then changed the lambda went to 2nd garage emissions were spot on.

 

So next job is to change the pre cat lambda sensor next week.

 

As i said the problem is intermittent which is causing bad idling and misfiring, if i drive it to work tomorrow and give it some stick no doubt it will clear it up again for a month. Just very annoying to be honest. Ill post some pictures of the job a little later when the car is back together.

 

Cheers guys 

[Alex B]

Both Inlet manifold gaskets changed

New IACV fitted

Lambda sensor fitted

New plugs

New leads

 

Still running the same and overfueling, just checked spark plugs that were fitted 2 months ago, very carbonated.

 

Been to 1 garage, said emissions were out which lead me to change the lambda..

then changed the lambda went to 2nd garage emissions were spot on.

 

So next job is to change the pre cat lambda sensor next week.

 

As i said the problem is intermittent which is causing bad idling and misfiring, if i drive it to work tomorrow and give it some stick no doubt it will clear it up again for a month. Just very annoying to be honest. Ill post some pictures of the job a little later when the car is back together.

 

Cheers guys

 

I think only the pre car lambda actually does anything to the running of the engine.

Post cat is there to tell the car the car is working.

[Jamie Triner]

Well just ordering the pre cat so im hoping to will clear it up as the car can't be driven the way it is!