Clutch lifespans
Discussion
Interested in other peoples experiences.
I have had my S2 Sports Tourer, standard 120bhp K Series (with EBay exhaust, Janspeed decat and Carbon Airbox)4 years this year and covered about 25k of "spirited" road driving, which translates to absolute thrashing every time I get in it. I am pretty sure the clutch was slipping at the weekend (working in Maastricht during the week). Put it in 4th at about 35 and floored it (a valid test I think) and the revs peaked before the car launched noticeably plus have noticed slight juddering on pull away in first recently. Then almost got caught napping by a very well driven Clio RSi and really had to give it some to get away - fueling my suspicions the clutch is on its way out. Guy seemed equally surprised!
Was interested to hear from other long term owners with or without track use to see how long their first clutch lasted, I know is all relative but wanted to get an idea in case I am barking up the wrong tree. Its going to be booked in for its C service in April but wanted to know how much life there is when you first feel it going. Biting point is right at the top of pedal travel now too so might not have that long.
Interestingly I am still on the original front tyres but they will be replaced at service as will the original discs - maybe I dont use it as hard as I thought?
Feedback would be much appreciated!
I have had my S2 Sports Tourer, standard 120bhp K Series (with EBay exhaust, Janspeed decat and Carbon Airbox)4 years this year and covered about 25k of "spirited" road driving, which translates to absolute thrashing every time I get in it. I am pretty sure the clutch was slipping at the weekend (working in Maastricht during the week). Put it in 4th at about 35 and floored it (a valid test I think) and the revs peaked before the car launched noticeably plus have noticed slight juddering on pull away in first recently. Then almost got caught napping by a very well driven Clio RSi and really had to give it some to get away - fueling my suspicions the clutch is on its way out. Guy seemed equally surprised!
Was interested to hear from other long term owners with or without track use to see how long their first clutch lasted, I know is all relative but wanted to get an idea in case I am barking up the wrong tree. Its going to be booked in for its C service in April but wanted to know how much life there is when you first feel it going. Biting point is right at the top of pedal travel now too so might not have that long.
Interestingly I am still on the original front tyres but they will be replaced at service as will the original discs - maybe I dont use it as hard as I thought?
Feedback would be much appreciated!
Buster44 said:
Elise's tend to be quite light on clutches.
Could be a gearbox seal causing oil to be deposited onto the friction plate?
Yes, good point. If it is oil getting onto the clutch then the car should do it when it's been stood for a while, but after a bit of slipping the problem should die away during that drive. On its last engine my race car used to do it for about ten minutes first time out in the morning, and then be fine for the whole day after that.
If the problem isn't dieing away after driving for a bit then you may well have a nackered clutch!
Either way I think the car needs looking at. It isn't inconcievable that you need a new clutch if you've driven the car particularly hard.
Liz will be on a flatbed tomorrow morn travelling to Sinclaires (hoping for a post on spotted)!
Looks like clutch finally went, tried to check it at weekend after Dominique had been driving it to work all week, footdown on clutch and nothing, it was through the floor, couldnt engage any gears. Assume clutch finally wore out!
Will post again if diagnosis is different but assume its gone. Is there any reason to consider anything else other than the standard clutch on a standard 120bhp model?
Cheers
Stuart
>> Edited by abz 7001 on Thursday 23 March 22:58
Looks like clutch finally went, tried to check it at weekend after Dominique had been driving it to work all week, footdown on clutch and nothing, it was through the floor, couldnt engage any gears. Assume clutch finally wore out!
Will post again if diagnosis is different but assume its gone. Is there any reason to consider anything else other than the standard clutch on a standard 120bhp model?
Cheers
Stuart
>> Edited by abz 7001 on Thursday 23 March 22:58
Mark, we got our cars around the same time, hope you dont mind me asking a couple of questions
1. How many clutches has the your beautiful machine been through with all that power?
2. Out of interest how much were the 2006 lights to supply and fit (might put in a late request)!
The new bodymods look great btw, had to double take when I looked at the pictures, thought it was a different car!
Cheers
Stuart
P.S Get them to fire her up if you have time, the Spitfire exhaust is well bedded in now
1. How many clutches has the your beautiful machine been through with all that power?
2. Out of interest how much were the 2006 lights to supply and fit (might put in a late request)!
The new bodymods look great btw, had to double take when I looked at the pictures, thought it was a different car!
Cheers
Stuart
P.S Get them to fire her up if you have time, the Spitfire exhaust is well bedded in now
1. - Had a new one on std engine at about 26K miles then another with TT engine at 27K miles (AP clutch) which lasted until 60K (engine went) and now on 68K with Honda lump and Exedy clutch
2. About £440 all in ..in fact MORE expensive than the older style ones are from Lotus !! ...old ones sell for £60 ea on Ebay recently
Cheers - yep...shes changed a bit over the last 4 years...just about finished now..Ive got my own version of 'the best' Elise ...or what I wanted in other words - the power, looks, and still maintaining cheap economy and running costs
Spitfire exhaust?? ...you didnt fit one of those Hong Kong jobbies off ebay like I had?? ,,that was unreal !
2. About £440 all in ..in fact MORE expensive than the older style ones are from Lotus !! ...old ones sell for £60 ea on Ebay recently
Cheers - yep...shes changed a bit over the last 4 years...just about finished now..Ive got my own version of 'the best' Elise ...or what I wanted in other words - the power, looks, and still maintaining cheap economy and running costs
Spitfire exhaust?? ...you didnt fit one of those Hong Kong jobbies off ebay like I had?? ,,that was unreal !
bogie said:
1. - Had a new one on std engine at about 26K miles then another with TT engine at 27K miles (AP clutch) which lasted until 60K (engine went) and now on 68K with Honda lump and Exedy clutch
>> Thats reassuring that my first one has gone at 26k too! Will stick to the OEM part then, so used to the feel!
2. About £440 all in ..in fact MORE expensive than the older style ones are from Lotus !! ...old ones sell for £60 ea on Ebay recently
>> How much???? Is there a lot involved in the upgrade then or are the units most of the cost? Will probably forget them then as it looks like I will be letting her go. C service and new clutch and probably new discs all round oh and the annual MOT. Thats enough for this month....maybe the gear linkage kit finally instead...seem to remember people referring to the kit as the best upgrade for the money many moons ago!!!
Cheers - yep...shes changed a bit over the last 4 years...just about finished now..Ive got my own version of 'the best' Elise ...or what I wanted in other words - the power, looks, and still maintaining cheap economy and running costs
Tis truly the best I have seen in 4 years
Spitfire exhaust?? ...you didnt fit one of those Hong Kong jobbies off ebay like I had?? ,,that was unreal !
>> Oh yes we did, the bean can version (with the extra can - for what difference that makes), CRP too, sounds like a mini le mans racer!!! Its worth a giggle! [/quote]
>> Edited by abz 7001 on Thursday 23 March 23:56
>> Edited by abz 7001 on Thursday 23 March 23:56
LOL - that exhaust is awesome..I just couldnt live with it daily - the original one with just 2 baked bean cans for silencers
the lights are about £93 ea + vat x 4 ...so yes..all the price is for the lamps - you can swap them over yourself in under an hour... i like em - a bit more modern look to the rear and they light up in full circles instead of half circles like the originals ..which are now over £100 each OEM parts !
the lights are about £93 ea + vat x 4 ...so yes..all the price is for the lamps - you can swap them over yourself in under an hour... i like em - a bit more modern look to the rear and they light up in full circles instead of half circles like the originals ..which are now over £100 each OEM parts !
Further update. Picking her up (car not missus) on Sat morn from Sinclaires. Final bill reads as follows at last check.....clearly a good 12 months of driving. 2002 Sports Tourer with 26k owned from new:
1 new clutch (upgrading to AP racing clutch)
1 C Service
4 new discs (to replace originals)!!! EBC Turbos
4 new pads and possibly braided hoses
4 new tyres (fronts replace originals, rears are second set) Opted for the new Yokohamas as slightly cheaper than the Bridgestones
Paint repair to front splitter (again!) Grounded on camber on particularly steep drive
Little change from 2k I think even with SELOC discount! Still when I think about it these bills only come once a year and this is the big one so pretty happy - plus Sinclaires always do a top job, worth every penny! Some of the above actually replaces original parts, checkign last years service notes I am surprised some lasted!.
Glad I held back on the 2006 light upgrade now Bogie!
All ready to sell now or so the missus has been led to believe - anyone selling a suitable second car?
Cheers Stuart
1 new clutch (upgrading to AP racing clutch)
1 C Service
4 new discs (to replace originals)!!! EBC Turbos
4 new pads and possibly braided hoses
4 new tyres (fronts replace originals, rears are second set) Opted for the new Yokohamas as slightly cheaper than the Bridgestones
Paint repair to front splitter (again!) Grounded on camber on particularly steep drive
Little change from 2k I think even with SELOC discount! Still when I think about it these bills only come once a year and this is the big one so pretty happy - plus Sinclaires always do a top job, worth every penny! Some of the above actually replaces original parts, checkign last years service notes I am surprised some lasted!.
Glad I held back on the 2006 light upgrade now Bogie!
All ready to sell now or so the missus has been led to believe - anyone selling a suitable second car?
Cheers Stuart
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