Lotus Elan Central

Hopefully this can stay in the minor category.

BRG Notes

I've started this thread to keep track of the projects I'm doing on the Elan.

1. Oil change. Old oil pretty dark. Filled with 5W30 as I've got lots of it in the garage. Note to self : check oil filter is the correct one before attempting to fit.
2. RHS headlamp pod. Not operating consistently. Bought repair kit, took motor apart, discovered cracked gear wheel was the problem. Bought from SJSports and installed.
3. Under bonnet tidy up with engine cleaner, rags and cotton buds. Replaced some hose clamps. Painted turbo water feed pipes. Rustproofed some shiny bits.
4. Engine check light comes on – code 15 per paper clip test. Temp Sensor (and cambelt) sourced from Rockauto – about £5 each (before tax and shipping). Sensor fitted with a bit of PTFE tape. Cas oil seal - O ring - replaced while I was at it.
5. RHS Escutcheon cracked. Bought from Wayne and to be installed.
6. Cambelt change. Note to self – take weight off engine mount to remove or install socket bolts. Mount will come out without dismantling.
7. Radiator leak (disturbed when engine lifted to install mount?) Coolproducts one ordered and fitting in progress.





p.s. MX-5

1. Removed battery and replaced corroded tray bolts with Dremel's help
2. Fixed passenger wet knee, grommet gasket replaced with a generous blob of black silicone sealant.

TBD – Install Eibach Sport springs
Replace rear disks and pads.

Jim,

When I took posession of YHO from you, you told me it was because you were fed up of faffing about replacing timing belts etc!!!

maz_r wrote:Jim,

When I took posession of YHO from you, you told me it was because you were fed up of faffing about replacing timing belts etc!!!

I cannot deny it, and I apologise. But after a while I wanted to have a car to tinker with, I did look at a couple of MGB GTs and did some work on Jen's cousins' MGB - that put me off. When BFGs came up at a keen price I couldn't resist.

So, I'm back on the slippery slope

Best regards


Jim

Well I got to the bottom of the radiator leak, There was a 'spike' of weld on the rad frame.



When I moved the rad towards the rear of the car as I jacked the engine slightly the spike punched a tiny hole in the rad.



The spike shows up as yellow in the poor picture and the leak is above the blue cloth.

Took my bastard file to it and all will be well.

Oh the joys of Elan ownership.

ETA ..and yes, my garage is carpeted.

You have an added bonus over the MX5 Jim. A much bigger boot so you can bring more baked beans, red wine and tinnies to Silverstone

PS It'll be Scott returning to the dark side next

I'll just eat Jims sardines

muley wrote:Note to self – take weight off engine mount to remove or install socket bolts. Mount will come out without dismantling.

On some cars it will, and on some it won't.

Simon

You are dead right. I've done cambelts on 6 and this is the first where I didn't need to.

You can have a go on the one I bring down to Silverstone if you want Jim

It will idle away a few hours after the racing and before the Quo get down, deeper and down

Yes, that makes sense - I'll have a few bevies first and it will be a piece of cake

Had a stab at the Cam O Seal today - plenty of oil over the engine. Turns out the o ring I had in stock is the wrong size - anyone local got one I can borrow - needed a.s.a.p.



tks

Jim

Got new O rings from Adam - removed gunk* from cam o ring holder and refitted. Cleaned oil off engine as much as possible and nipped up cam cover.

Hopefully the ExXon Valdez days are over.

Jim

*had a pic of this - removed by SWMBO

Swapped seats over. Driver's seat was clapped out and extensively modified. Patched up it'll do until I fit the S2000 seats (runners needed).

To get through MOT new exhaust required. I have a brand new PNM exhaust, but the studs/nuts on the flange are rusted to buggery. I've tried splitters, dremel, centre punch and hacksaw to no avail. It's now the the local 'blacksmith' for him to have a go.

Picked it up from the local garage today. I'll see how long I can cope with the drone from the Cybox/PNM system. My mechanic shortened the pipe before the silencer box slightly so the silencer ran fore and aft a little better. There's not a vast amount of clearance above the pipes - not sure if a slimline additional silencer will fit.

I was quite pleased - he only charged me 1 1/2 hours labour and he saved 2 of the studs. Top bloke!

Jim

MOT soon.

p.s. She ran fine on the Ypres trip in May. Slight leak from rad. hose on the way back, leaks from hood but otherwise fine.

You'll get used to it Jim. I have, but I must admit, it does go on a bit on a 320 mile journey to Silverstone Great for scaring old grannies though and it does make the M100 sound like a proper sports car

Small job today. NS headlamp was flopping around in it's housing - metal tags on lamp were lined up with slots in housing. Pulled apart, turned housing through 90 degrees - job done.

Rambo wrote:You'll get used to it Jim. I have, but I must admit, it does go on a bit on a 320 mile journey to Silverstone Great for scaring old grannies though and it does make the M100 sound like a proper sports car

Might sound proper but being being FWD it obviously isn't which is why Jim has another car not to be mentioned

It's not to do with evolution and natural progression then?

nice attachment Geoff

MOT passed, no advisories.

CO recorded as 0.1%

Tester made his usual comment about the rear brakes. (well, he's been testing my Elans for 15 years now)

Gave the Elan an Italian tune up on the way to the garage - the new, wider exhaust seems to work well with the Everest - the car goes like the clappers

Better than a 2 litre normally aspirated car !


Jim

next up : good clean and polish. S2000 seat brackets to be made up.