S1 Elise Oil Temperature Reading

[Cryssys]

Relatively new to the Elise and have noticed that the oil temperature reading bounces around by 5 -8 degrees. it can go from 85 to 93 to 85 to 87 to 94 within a couple of seconds and continues to fluctuate all the time. Is this typical or do other owners get steady readings?

[nessiemac]

Cryssys said:

Relatively new to the Elise and have noticed that the oil temperature reading bounces around by 5 -8 degrees. it can go from 85 to 93 to 85 to 87 to 94 within a couple of seconds and continues to fluctuate all the time. Is this typical or do other owners get steady readings?

Does the S1 have an oil temp gauge?

I'm sure mine doesn't.

Do you mean water temp?

[Cryssys]

nessiemac said:

Does the S1 have an oil temp gauge?

I'm sure mine doesn't.

Do you mean water temp?

It's not a gauge as such but it is shown in the digital display along with odometer and fuel level.

Edited by Cryssys on Thursday 14th November 17:58

[John D.]

That's water temp, and it's typical to see fluctuation as you describe.

[nessiemac]

Cryssys said:

nessiemac said:

Does the S1 have an oil temp gauge?

I'm sure mine doesn't.

Do you mean water temp?

It's not a gauge as such but it is shown in the digital display along with odometer and fuel level.

Edited by Cryssys on Thursday 14th November 17:58

That's the water temp.

Very usual to see it fluctuate a lot depending on driving speed and sitting idling etc.

Mine will sit at about 80 most of the time once warmed up but can rise to 90 and above fairly quickly on a hot day in a traffic and drop down just as fast once moving.

[Cryssys]

Thanks for the replies. Feel a bit of an idiot now!

Don't know why but I had always assumed that it was the oil temperature. I think it was because it usually reads between 87 - 94, sometimes a few degrees higher which is a bit worrying. Think I need to check things out!

[barryTrousers]

Cryssys said:

Don't know why but I had always assumed that it was the oil temperature. I think it was because it usually reads between 87 - 94, sometimes a few degrees higher which is a bit worrying. Think I need to check things out!

Those temps look about right in stop-start traffic, the fans should come on if they get too high - I think mine (2zz engine) come on at around 98˚c and it sounds like a hovercraft. The important thing is that the temperature stabilises when cruising, more info here - https://wiki.seloc.org/a/Normal_running_temperature

[jackh707]

Loads of info on this on seloc etc.

It starts jumping/misbehaving when the water temp sensor is on the way out. (Blue sensor that you can order on eliseparts)

It often does this before then giving very spurious readings like being fixed at 40C.

It’s a cheap part, and not that hard to replace if you have a supple wristed assistant, you have to remove the top half of the air box and you can lose a few ml of coolant as you do it but straightforward enough.

[Oliie]

If your temp reading goes up when you turn on your headlights, then you likely have a poor earth. Check the earth straps to rectify this.

[Mutley00]

Oliie said:

If your temp reading goes up when you turn on your headlights, then you likely have a poor earth. Check the earth straps to rectify this.

My guage jumps 10 degrees for every 'setting' on the blower, so when its on full, the guage reads over 100 and settles back to 80ish immediately I turn it off.

Is there a particular' strap' I should check?

Thanks

[Oliie]

Mutley00 said:

My guage jumps 10 degrees for every 'setting' on the blower, so when its on full, the guage reads over 100 and settles back to 80ish immediately I turn it off.

Is there a particular' strap' I should check?

Thanks

Sounds like an earthing problem so definitely check the earth straps. On the S1 Elise there are two - one at the front for the battery earth lead, and one at the left hand side of the engine bay for the engine earth braid, and rear harness earthing requirements. You can see a diagram of the location (and requirements for re-earthing the strap) if you search for the Lotus Elise S1 Service Manual PDF (page 376).

[Mutley00]

Oliie said:

Sounds like an earthing problem so definitely check the earth straps. On the S1 Elise there are two - one at the front for the battery earth lead, and one at the left hand side of the engine bay for the engine earth braid, and rear harness earthing requirements. You can see a diagram of the location (and requirements for re-earthing the strap) if you search for the Lotus Elise S1 Service Manual PDF (page 376).

Thanks Ollie, Ill have a good look when that yellow thing re-appears in the sky!