New member first post

[llpasee]

Hi to all and many thanks for the information which I’ve benefited from already. Thought it was time to register and get a bit more up to date advice on M100 ownership, although I’ve been an owner for 12years! and been able to manage and maintain my car without too many problems. The time has come to make some decisions on what to do with the car as I feel it’s going to be engine out for a clutch exchange as a minimum, so will be scouring the relevant posts for info. Sadly I’m no longer in the game for doing it myself so would welcome any advice on engine removal, clutch replacement, any other things to consider looking at etc. etc. which may be useful advice to pass on to whoever I get to do the work. Many thanks Ken

[Denny]

Hello Ken. Welcome to LEC. If you add your location to your profile, I'm sure you will get some good garage recommendations local to you.

[Giniw]

Hello and welcome to you llpasee!

[llpasee]

Many thanks for the welcome. Updated my location as suggested Denny and it looks as though I’m within shouting distance of you. Looks like you have a pristine example of my red elan! As said in my intro I’m looking for someone that can do a bit of diagnostic work on possible coolant leak first to identify issues before thinking of lifting engine out for clutch exchange. Cheers Ken

[GeoffSmith]

Welcome Ken. What took you so long?

Many people (including some North of the border) recommend Colin at Revline in Whitley Bay who is a bit of a Lotus nut and also owns an Elan.

[Simon_P]

Hi Ken,

I get that you don't want to do heavy lifting, but I think(haven't done it) the clutch can be done by moving the gearbox.

Have you checked the clutch cable adjustment? There are also a lot of light maintenance that can be done. Keep asking the questions and we'll offer armchair assistance and let you know the level of oomph required.

[dapinky]

Simon is correct in that the clutch can be done with removing the gearbox - either completely out of the car (from the bottom) or by undoing everything and shunting it around in the space.....

...personally, if other things are 'unknown' I'd suggest whipping the engine and box out in one unit (you cant disengage the engine from the box and just remove that as there isn't enough space to clear the first motion shaft before the engine hits the chassis). Once the whole power unit is out, changing the clutch is a doddle - and you can take the opportunity to whip the timing belt off for a swap (with tensioners and waterpump).

Removal of the 'box requires quite a bit of other stuff coming out of the way (prongeron and possibly lower suspension arm), so either choice is acceptable, depending on what else you may wish to do or not.

The nature of the design of these cars precludes anything being simple purely because of access space, not because anything is actually difficult.

[Denny]

I use Falcon Performance UK Ltd in Skippers Lane Ind. Est.
They have all the original service books and excellent expertise on the M100, having worked on many since the 1990's.
I got my timing belt kit (from Rock Auto) and full service done last year when I bought the car.
Some of the cars I've seen in there are unbelievable; Ferrari, Porsche, Astons, Lambo's from all over the country.
Not the cheapest, but you can be assured you're getting a good, honest, and professional job done.

[llpasee]

Thanks again for the responses.
Denny you’re right about Falcon. I’ve had a load of work done on Range Rover V8s and Steve did the maintenance on my Elise when I had it. Sadly he didn’t seem too interested when I approached him about 18months back for work on the M100.
there's only on f in Geof Smith - Thanks I’ve been in contact with Colin at Revline who is going to do some prelim coolant checks. Probably confirming my suspicions of a cylinder head gasket.
I guess the next hurdle will be getting back to grips with parts availability. It’s. Been some time since I had a need to do any shopping. Genuine parts obviously where possible, but first indications are maybe the clutch is now n/a as I see SJ are only listing their own clutch kit.
Looks like a night scouring LEC archives lies ahead

[Saltire]

I got my clutch from Kelvedon Lotus

[Denny]

Thanks again for the responses.
Denny you’re right about Falcon. I’ve had a load of work done on Range Rover V8s and Steve did the maintenance on my Elise when I had it. Sadly he didn’t seem too interested when I approached him about 18months back for work on the M100.

That's odd? Steve spoke very knowledgably about the M100 and I've seen another one in there getting work done.
I'll speak to him about it in a couple of weeks as I have mine booked in for an MOT & Service.

[david924s]

Should have read this sooner and said welcome to another one from nearby.

Used Falcon Engineering on previous cars I have had and they were good never thought about them working on the Elan so good to know, bit nearer than Whitely Bay for me.