Lotus Elan Central

by **JoPaS** » Wed 19.10.2005, 21:38

Hi

I have my lotus downstairs in the garage due to hose's cooling system problems, but i've been notice several other things.. like this. is this oil leak normal or should i be woried?

by **Monty** » Thu 20.10.2005, 00:15

The M100`s do seem to leak oil there, it`s more than likely it`s the O rings where the cams are (ie where the CAS is) the O rings are cheap and not to difficult to replace. If it`s not that could be rocker cover gasket.

by **Candles** » Thu 20.10.2005, 09:22

Yeah I agree with Monty. It is the o-ring on the CAS (black round thing on end of rocker cover). The o-rings go hard with age and don't seal too well. Cheap and simple to replace but you have to set the timing afterwards (or mark the current cas position and hope for the best).

See here for the fix:

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/repair/casseal.htm

Candles.

by **Scott J** » Thu 20.10.2005, 10:22

I had the same oil leak. So took the opportunity to fit my spare "new design" CAS as a precautionary measute too.

O rings and Camshaft rocker gasket cover available from sjsportscars approx. £25.

by **John_W** » Thu 20.10.2005, 12:44

JoPas,
I agree with the above. As well as following Candles link, try this one for some extra tips:
http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... t=job#8126

It's a pretty easy job.

John

by **Dave M** » Thu 20.10.2005, 13:23

Had the same leak - so it appears to be a very common issue.

by **Dico** » Fri 21.10.2005, 16:38

Before stripping out the CAS assembly check the blanking plug directly behind (towards the rear of the engine) It could well be this. Same part number as the one for the CAS iirc, and a lot easier to fit.
Having said that on removal of the old crumbily seal and replacing the new seal it seemed a little slack, so in conjunction with the replacement seal i also used high temp silicone sealant which did the job.
BTW, mine leaked onto the same area as yours has.

P.S. Very satisfying once youve done it!

by **Doc Fizzix** » Sat 22.10.2005, 01:44

Are you guys sure it is from the CAS? Could be a small amount coming from the head. How many miles on the car?

Mine have the same leak (bigger) but I have isolated it to the head, there is an oil way close to this position and the seals might start leaking over time.

by **John_W** » Sat 22.10.2005, 09:39

M100,
You may be correct that JoPas also has the same source of the leak as you have, however I like to check and eliminate the most obvious and cheapest probable cause first.

In this case, these two seals (CAS & blanking plug) are a known common source of an oil leak in that area, and rumour has it that dealers replaced a few head gaskets before Lotus had a quiet word about O-rings.

Were I a betting man, I would place a 95% probability on the changing of these two O-rings solving the problem in this case. Hopefully JoPas will be in the lucky 95% and not in the unlucky 5% as you were.

John

by **JoPaS** » Sat 22.10.2005, 18:53

Hello

I do'n have all the material needed to remove the CAS! I can't get to one of the nuts.
I'll open it and look for leaks. is it easy to see?

What are O rings? (dumb question?

)

thanks[/img]

by **John_W** » Sat 22.10.2005, 19:54

JoPas,
"O"-rings are rubber sealing rings. In this case they fit round the shaft of the Cam Angle Sensor and the blanking plug next to it.

John

by **Doc Fizzix** » Sat 22.10.2005, 20:12

You got some nice "O" rings

by **JoPaS** » Tue 25.10.2005, 10:40

"O"h I see...

I'll look in my Cam Angle Sensor for the leack an then post a reply .

Thanks.

by **Dico** » Wed 26.10.2005, 10:36

Dico wrote:Before stripping out the CAS assembly check the blanking plug directly behind (towards the rear of the engine) It could well be this.

by **JoPaS** » Sat 29.10.2005, 01:01

check the blanking plug directly behind (towards the rear of the engine)

soory, how can I identify this?

Thanks

by **Doc Fizzix** » Sat 29.10.2005, 01:55

I feel like an idiot! I had always thought my oil leak was coiming from the head gasket, I checked my CAS seal and sure enough, that is where my leak is coming from, well i'll be.

This was a good thread, thanks

by **John_W** » Sat 29.10.2005, 15:10

LotusM100 wrote:I feel like an idiot! I had always thought my oil leak was coiming from the head gasket, I checked my CAS seal and sure enough, that is where my leak is coming from, well i'll be.
This was a good thread, thanks

Result

I love it when a fix is cheaper than you thought it would be. That's the beauty of LEC.

John

by **Dico** » Sat 29.10.2005, 15:19

JoPaS wrote:check the blanking plug directly behind (towards the rear of the engine)

soory, how can I identify this?

Thanks

Its a pear shaped piece of plastic, secured onto the engine with one bolt. It sits directly behind the CAS assembly (towards the rear of the engine)

by **John_W** » Sat 29.10.2005, 15:45

Dico wrote:Its a pear shaped piece of plastic, secured onto the engine with one bolt. It sits directly behind the CAS assembly (towards the rear of the engine)

I hope DaveM doesn't mind me using one of his photos which shows this very clearly:

John

by **Dico** » Sat 29.10.2005, 15:52

I'm sure he wont John.

Thats VERY clear.......

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Is this oil leak normal?

Is this oil leak normal?

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