Esprit roof panel

[jleasure]

OK -- here's a *real* dumb question.. how the hell do you get the thing off? does it pop off the inges or do you need to actually unscrew the scerws holding everythingon? Unfortunately my just-purchased S4s did not come with teh owners manual.... (or it did and I can't find it yet)

TIA!

James

[maggio]

What year and model do you own.

[cnh1990]

while in either seat, twist around so you are facing towards the rear.

Put your index and forefinger in the handle slots and pull diagonally down (down and towards the front of the car. You will hear it pop loose.

Fold the handle flat and make sure the hinge clips are retracted on both handles.

Get out of the car and with the door open, use one hand in cabin to push up and the other hand to lift the roof up.

After you go beyond 45 degrees use both hands on the outside and as you tilt further towards the front the spade tips will start to retract out of the front sill. This is the time when removing or replacing the roof the greatest chance of damage will occur. You will get to a point when the roof is ready to be lifted off to clear the car.

Also to prevent damage to the hatch and roof do not open or close the roof with the rear hatch open. The rear hatch can be opened or closed with the roof in it's proped open state, but never open the roof with the hatch open.

Good Luck,
Calvin 90 SE

>> Edited by cnh1990 on Wednesday 13th August 08:21

[lotusespritworld]

Check this page out!

www.lotusespritworld.com/EMaintenance/Sunroof.html

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[ErnestM]

Right - just added this to FAQ...

ErnestM

[adrianmugridge]

Getting it off is the easy bit... just wait till you try getting it in the boot !!!

Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[johnny boy]

On some of the later cars, Lotus put little split pins through the hinge clips to stop you being able to remove the roof (why??)

If your Esprit has these, they need to be removed with a pair of fine pliers - there's one on each side.

John

[jleasure]

Thanks all! FYI - the car is a 95 s4s -- just got it yesterday and loving it so far.

Unfortunately a headlight is burnt out, so that needs replacing, and I need to browse the FAQ and figure out how to open the front "hood" as well. But I did figure out where the gas tank releases were

JL

[ErnestM]

jleasure said:

Thanks all! FYI - the car is a 95 s4s -- just got it yesterday and loving it so far. Unfortunately a headlight is burnt out, so that needs replacing, and I need to browse the FAQ and figure out how to open the front "hood" as well. But I did figure out where the gas tank releases were JL

Under the left side of the dash - there is a U shaped piece of wire - pull it...

To close - ease the bonnet down - push U wire back in place. WARNING - make sure it latches securely...

Cheers

ErnestM

[cnh1990]

Don't you actually push the bar forward to release and push forward then back to latch the front bonnet?
Calvin

[ErnestM]

cnh1990 said:

Don't you actually push the bar forward to release and push forward then back to latch the front bonnet? Calvin

Yes - sorry I didn't put the directionals in. Mine always feels that I am pulling it down when I unlatch it and that I am pushing it "back up" when I relatch... My bad...

ErnestM

[fj40]

The first time I put mine in the boot It took me 20 min. to get it out! Anyone know the trick to this?

Dan L.

adrianmugridge said:

Getting it off is the easy bit... just wait till you try getting it in the boot !!! Adrian www.adrianmugridge.co.uk

[cnh1990]

Detailed instructions are to be found in the owners manual in the glove box.
Calvin

[adrianmugridge]

The day I bought my 1st Esprit I proudly drove it to work to show it off to my mates ( TVR owners ) and they said "Lets have a look at the engine then". It took all 3 of us about 10 minutes to work out how to open the boot !! ( That was 12 years ago and I can still remember it ).

Adrian
www.adrianmugridge.co.uk