It might be my next lover

[Manou]

Hello everybody,

I have been reading a lot in the past few days...
I live in Singapore, where I "enjoy" a tropical climate all year long without having the monsoon season.
I am currently the happy owner of an Alfa Romeo Spider 1973, previously I had an MGB GT 1973.
I am not mechanically incline however I can find may way around basic problems.
My car is a daily drive, I have happily put up with all the little things of 70's cars for the pleasure of a real driving experience.
After having swear not to fall for car later than 75 I have discover a Lotus Elan.
She represents everything I hate! Plastic everywhere, Japanese kind of look, and it looks modern! Yurk!
Well I thought so, but having look at all your pictures, something was not right...
I realized that I do love this car, the sharp front, solid side look, pop up head light etc...
So I started to read all reviews, feed back, and comments. As much as I hate to admit I was dam wrong. A lotus elan with its front wheel drive, outstanding handling, happy engine (Isuzu yurk again! ) sound just like the car I have been waiting to have.
Ok ok I am pushing a bit, but you got the picture, I have been hooked.
However I will not rush to that car, I still need to sell my spider ( I have room for only one car at home) then I will get this one if she's right.
I should be going for a first viewing tomorrow. I have already a good idea on what to look for so I will not ask again. But I have not seen this color so far on an Elan, so is it original?
The car has 64000 Km and in Singapore owner take great care of their cars in general. Washed every week, polished every month, the speed limit is 90 km/h on high way so I really don't think the car was abused but in the same time it has not been sitting under used too much.
If you have any comments...

Cheers Manou.

[Manou]

Hello,

Sorry it seems like I can't copy the picture from internet...
I will take some picture myself tomorrow and load it.

Cheers
M

[muley]

M

Looking forward to seeing the pic.

Good luck with selling the spider.

The Elan IS a good car IMHO - I'm hooked, too!

Rgds

Jim aka muley

[Manou]

Hello everybody,

I hope this time the picture will work.
I went to see the elan 1993, 64 000 km.
Unfortunately the owner couldn't make it he just left his garage open for me to look at his car.
So no test drive.
Here are my founding:

Overhaul body very good condition, other than a small little scratch on the back bumper the paint is good.
Tire wear even, rear wishbone are neat, both bumper are well fix with the screw at the right place.
Hood, wings, doors everything looks straight. Rim no scratch. The interior is neat and tidy, the sits in very good condition.
So that was for the up things.
No the down...
The head light are stuck open, he told me that a piece needed to be replace every 3 years, he has that part for me. A plastic wheel?? I think
The door seal don't so good. The soft top looks a bit untidy at the base near the door.
The light have been tarnish by the sun, and the signal cover have been over tight so they have some little crack.
The piece of plastic surrounding the back plate number is a bit loose.
Last but not least I found a 10 cm mark on the floor under the engine on the right side (facing the car). It's a oily fluid pinky redish.
The car hasn't really run for the past 3 years.

First impression, the car is good but in need of a new care taker. That's my speciality, in the past few years I brought back to some glory 3 classic cars that were neglected. SO a crack on a signal light or an oil leak don't scare me.
I will of course go again to view this car with the owner and go for a test run. to know what I am dealing with.

I love the car, yet I am not rushing into it.
Could you give me your diagnosis base on my comment and pictures (if they work!)
Cheer
M

[Manou]

Oh yeah,

I forgot if this can give more detail the serial number of the car is:
SCC100ZT1NHA26476

Cheers
M

[tigerdog]

Hi Manou! I was bitten by the Elan bug, same as you. Never even considered it, until I saw one, then found this forum, then drove one, then bought one! You sound like the right kind of person to enjoy the Elan. If you haven't already checked out the WikiLEC Buyers Guide, it would be a good idea for you to review this very thorough document and use it as a guideline for examining this or any other Elan. I'll leave further comments to others but the pinkish fluid under the right side could be power steering fluid. My car has a leak in a similar place. New racks are still available from Lotus aftersales, but replacement is a very big job. Good luck in your search!

Doug (Tigerdog)

[Specky]

Hi there and welcome,

The car sounds much the same as any normal Elan.

to fix the motors Clicky

For the indicators, try this kind Gent Clicky

Power steering leak, worse case it's a steering rack change, (They just happen to be in the Lotus aftersale at a very good price...They were £1.279.52 without tax , They are now £127,65 without tax )LHD S2 PAS RACK & PINION (G100H0003F) RHD S2 PAS RACK & PINION (G100H0004F) (The S2 and SE rack are interchangable).

Lotus aftersale list

hood Seals are available, but they are a bit expensive.

The other stuff is easily fixable, love the colour.....

Hope that helps


TTFN

[Gee0]

I thinks that is the BEST colour of the lot !!!!!!!!

[speed-demon]

It's not though is it!

[Manou]

Hello,

Thank you for your replies.

Yup I love the color too, it makes the car look more classic.
Power Steering leak it is then, ok at least I know now what to look for.

I will keep you posted, I am rather busy right now.
I just hope it will happened, being the owner of a Lotus is so special.
After a Alfa spider 105 that have a chassis extremely flexible, a Elan seems to be treat.
I have just enter into a whole new world, modern classic

Bye guys

M

[Manou]

Hi,
Could you give me a bit more info please.

I have been on the "technical" part of the forum. It seems like a steering leak is pretty common, at it seems like quite a few people live with it rather than fixing it. So is it a must fix or a matter of topping up the level once in a while. The car is under use, so it is difficult for me to evaluate how bad is the leak.
On top of that I am a bit confuse, the elan I am looking at is a RHD, so is it normal that the leak occur on the left?
Is changing the rack and pinions a big job?
Not that I will do it myself, but I might just ask the current owner to fix that, rather than negotiating the price too much.

Base on my reading, underused Elan can be a bit of a gamble, this one has 64000 km, but has not move much in the past few years.
What should I look for in priority?

Thanks in advance.

M

[Specky]

If the rack is leaking,

As well as total replacement you have the option of using a seal replacement kit as well.

TTFN

[Manou]

Hello,

The spider has found a new owner, she will change hand on Tuesday.

On the brighter side I went to test drive the Elan. Ok guys now I understand a bit more what you are all crazy about...
Nice drive, really! The gear box is silky, the clutch seems to be just nice, the engine smooth & the turbo just where it suppose to be.
I mention some leak before, that was the coolant the owner change the pipe. The steering didn't make any noise, feels tight.
Suspension also are fine, the soft top is good.
The only thing that are not working properly are:
Driver window doesn't go down, but the engine is running
Passenger window rattle when it goes down & up.
Head light are stuck open (the owner will provide me the plastic gear replacement)
The most annoying is that oil warning light while driving. Looks like it s on between gear change, but not only then.
According to the owner it s the switch (his own term) that need to be change.

Now the most important, the car feels good overhaul, a bit of cosmetic need to be done, new tires will be fitted, I guess I am in for a window system rebuild.

I am so not familiar with the lotus elan that I am afraid to miss out something and buy that with heart rather than my head.
Any last minute recommendation?

Manou

[Specky]

The oil warning light should not be on...

Alarm bells should now be sounding...

How much oil was on the dipstick?

What pressure was the engine at idle?

Has the oil pump been changed?

If in doubt walk away.....

Oh and if it is the pressure switch, get him to rectify the issue first....

TTFN

[Manou]

The car has been service 2 weeks ago so I didn't check the dip stick.
Dam I can't recall oil pressure, but I ve checked if it would have been wrong I would remember I always check oil pressure while drive my alfa...
No the oil has not been change, the owner has this car for two years, did not drive it too much, didn't change any part on it.
What's the risk?

Thanks

Manou

[Specky]

As you didn't see anything leaking under the car...(Engine Oil)...

It says to me a few things...(all suppersition as I don't have the full picture)

I'd assume an internal fault... she's possibly using the oil... so the question has to be how...

FWIW

Sensor failure, possible.... but I've never heard of one fail....(And not when you're changing gear, that says low oil level/pressure)

Oil leak from theTURBO (Turbo failure, expensive).... Not good
internal engine leak... head gasket, Piston rings, valve stem seals, (Expensive)

The present owner may be using an oil that just too thin....

may be if I put it this way....

The car has been off the road for two years...The lights don't go up and down, the power steering has a leak, the engine oil light comes on and then there's all the rest you've said...

unless you get a very favorable price and fancy a bit of work, I'd stay away....

This is only my opion and mine alone

TTFN

[Manou]

Hi,

Point taken.

I honestly don't mind a bit of work on the car. It has been the case on my MGB then the Spider.
On the other hand I do not want to buy a lemon of course.

The things is I am in SIngapore, the car pool is pretty sad, and my search for a car that stand out led me to this Elan.
Lotus is an iconic brand, I am on a mission to fulfill my dreams one after another in life. I am not poor nor rich so buying a car in need of work is a way.

Car prices in singapore is stupid, to give you an idea I sold my 73 spider for euro 26 k and my MGB 73 for euro 22 K. Both car were sound and clean but no where near concours condition. The elan is going after discussion for euro 17 K, that's the way down here. So spending a couple of K fixing the car is actually acceptable.
I mention last week a 250 000 km elan, it was sold for euro 30K!!!

I am really attracted by this elan ( there might be 2 or 3 unit only in Singapore), again don't mind some work. What I don't want is a blown engine.

Do you think that if I bring the elan to the local Lotus dealer they will be able to spot the problem via ECU and inspection? Or will it be useless as they might have NO clue on this model?

I appreciate your feed back and trust your judgement. Yet I have always listen to my weak side when it comes to car.

If that can give you a better picture the turbo was showing figure higher than 0.5 under acceleration. I didn't notice white smoke either.
The leak under the car was a coolant not oil.

I look forward to read from you again.

Cheers
Manou.

[Specky]

Firstly there are a couple of Lotus Parts suppliers that will ship internationally....

Any garage could check the engine over.

Compression check

Block tester

Emissions testing

Most things can be fixed, but if you have a cracked engine block ....

TTFN

[tigerdog]

maybe one who knows Isuzu. Unless your Lotus dealer has been in business for 20+ years (with mechanics on staff that long,) they probably won't know much about the Elan. A good independent mechanic can work with you and use the info here in the forums and the Wiki effect repairs. IMO, this is at least as good an approach as taking it to a dealer who might not know the car. Because the engine and ECU are common to Isuzus from the early '90s, an independent who knows these might be a good place to start. I agree with Specky, though: check the oil and especially the oil pressure.

[Manou]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your input.

I have arrange to meet the seller and his car tomorrow in a work shop to do the compression test and head gasket, as well I will check the oil pressure gage.
Could you please give me the reading I should expect from a healthy 64000 km engine.
Cylinder compression
Oil pressure, cold and warm...

Thanks

Manou