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Timing Chain Breakage

Timing chains can break. This problem isn't restricted to the Lotus Carlton. All the 6 cylinder 24 Valve Vauxhalls share the same single link timing chains, so this problem also affects Senators and Carlton GSi 3000's.  If the chain does go the damage will probably be 4-6 exhaust valves and 2-3 pistons. It can also damage the valve guide seals, and even crack the cylinder head. At best you're looking at £2000 worth of parts, at worst a new head as well which is £2500 on its own. In all it cost me over £5000 in parts and labour to have mine repaired.

On a recent Lotus factory visit, a little birdie told us that Lotus had wanted to change the design of this chain for a duplex one, but GM/Vauxhall/Opel had refused permission, probably on cost grounds.

Then, in early 1994 Vauxhall issued an 'Advice Note' warning dealers of weak timing chains in all 24V engines (i.e Senators, Carlton GSi3000's). Click here to see a copy (87KB sorry about the quality of the scan, but it's the best I have got). However, this didn't appear as a recall notice, and only those 'in the know' got to hear about it. So basically, the only people that got their cars done were the Police (a big Senator user) and those who work for Vauxhall. Pretty piss poor if you ask me. Although the letter does not mention the Lotus engine (C36GET), I believe that it is also affected. Production of C36GET engines would have started some time in 1990, and ended in 1993, so I think it is highly likely that most if not all Lotus's stand a chance of having the defective chains.

Post 94 cars are supposed to have the newer, stronger timing chains, but it isn't unheard of for these to break either. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to detect or prevent this failure, bar having the timing chain replaced on your new car as a preventative measure. This isn't an easy job though, and is likely to cost you £1000+ in any case.

If anyone is unfortunate enough to have an occurrence of this problem, or decides to do a preventative change just in case, then I would advise you to contact Ian Marsh of  The Autobahhnstormers. He has managed to source a supply of stronger timing chains for all the 24V engines that are affected. He also informs me that he will shortly have a package available detailing how to perform a preventative timing chain change on the Lotus C36GET engine.