Hello and a perennial problem

[rival]

Hi folks,

I've just joined the forum after buying a 1990 SE at the end of August (see link in sig block for photos if anyone's interested). I've found this a really useful forum in researching the car and sorting out some issues e.g. the link to the illustrated guide to removing the door inner.

I'm having a great time driving and tinkering with the car, and no major problems so far.

But I do have droopy sunvisor syndrome. I've read the other postings on this topic and since I don't want to remove the sunvisors completely, I've used a succession of different glues to finally attach some velcro in the left hand corner.

So far so good. But whenever I drive at motorway speeds with the roof down, the wind rushing past the top of the windscreen has a tendency to push the visor away from its velcro holding. Very annoying.

Has anyone got a guaranteed solution to this problem?

(And also how much "chattering" from the turbo should I expect when I change gears under acceleration? Mine sounds quite loud - which I like - but is that ok, and does it mean I've got a wastegate fitted somewhere).

Thanks,

James

[Paul.P]

James, chattering is quite normal without an after market dump valve, & yes, it is quite load. Also yes, you definitely have a wastegate, which can be quite prone to sticking, although it is normally an easy fix !. Happy elaning

[Enright]

Yes, a while back I came up with this solution. Others have done similar and we haven't heard from them about it again, so I guess it worked!

[GeoffSmith]

Welcome to Elan ownership James. Looks like a tidy car you've got there.

My visors already had two pieces of velcro attached and still kept flying down at the worst possible moments. Also, as the weather got warmer, the visor plastic stretched and they would slowly droop down. In addition to the velcro approach, there are various solutions posted on LEC (clips and heatshrink are two that spring to mind) but I don't think any are as elegant or successful as taking them off. I did this on mine several months ago and can honestly say I've only missed them once for about 10 seconds. A pair of dark wraparound sunglasses (rather than the ones you've got on the dash) also help.

The chattering is quite normal and is quite loud on high banked Cotswold lanes so it doesn't sound like you've got a problem. The hissing of the PAS at full lock is also quite normal.

Dans is up in the Cotswolds as well and we've tried to get a few of us along to the Club Lotus meeting at the Compass at Tormarton on the first Tuesday of the month, but without success. Maybe we'll get to meet you soon.

Geoff

[John_W]

I just wrapped insulating tape round the shaft of my visors about 5 years ago and they've been fine since. I drive with the top down most of the time, and haven't had any problems at "motorway speeds".
John

[rival]

Thanks for the swift suggestions. I hadn't seen the coat hanger solution before so I'll give that a go next.

Is removal of the visors pretty simple and reversible?

I can't make Tormarton this Tuesday - I'm seeing the Morecambe & Wise tribute play! - but I am interested in any meets in or around Glos. I hadn't found any that close yet from Club Lotus or Lotus Drivers Club, so grateful for any tip-offs or recommendations.

Bring me sunshine

James

[Enright]

Very simple and completely reversible.

Just prize off the plastic cover, then it reveals 2 allen bolts for each.

[Ekapol]

Dear James,

Congratulations!! Nice Elan SE you have.

I would fix my passsenger side soon. Doesn't bother me at the moment cause it stays there if I fold mine towards the windshield. My plan is to wrap the electric tapes few times over the shaft then apply some glue over the electric tapes, then heatshrink tube over the glue and electric tapes.