Service History Question?
Discussion
Hi, can someone help me please?
I'm buying an S reg 1998 Elise with only 23,000 privately and so far so good (my first Elise).
Before I buy the car I have agreed with the seller that the car will have a full check over at the local Lotus dealer to highlight any potential problems before purchase. My only worry is that although the car has been serviced at the correct times, none of the services were carried out at a Lotus dealer. The first few were done at a sports car dealer and the last one was done at a regular garage. Is this a big problem? Any advice would be great!
Cheers,
Graham
I'm buying an S reg 1998 Elise with only 23,000 privately and so far so good (my first Elise).
Before I buy the car I have agreed with the seller that the car will have a full check over at the local Lotus dealer to highlight any potential problems before purchase. My only worry is that although the car has been serviced at the correct times, none of the services were carried out at a Lotus dealer. The first few were done at a sports car dealer and the last one was done at a regular garage. Is this a big problem? Any advice would be great!
Cheers,
Graham
well at such low mileage all the suspension components should be in good shape (unless its been a track toy) but the dealer inspection should pick all that up...Id just make sure its had yearly services and a cambelt
also have a look at www.elise-faq.com
also have a look at www.elise-faq.com
gt.elise said:
Thanks again.
Also, I heard that it is quite common for the temperature to rise to the point the warning light comes on when the car is say stuck in traffic for a while. Is this true? Is normal running temp around 85c?
yeah normal running temp is 84-86 for me, and always runs v. hot when stuck in traffic, should cool itself down once you get a bit of a run again though. Gets hot enough for fan to come on if in rush hour for about 20 mins!
yes, mine tends to sit at 86, 87 when moving but it will head up if stationary. According to the owners handbook 110C(?) the fan cuts in with the system rated to 120C. All down to the horizontal radaiators I suppose.
Other thing to watch out for is rain on the radiator producing steam on standing - nothing's wrong! TADTS.
Other thing to watch out for is rain on the radiator producing steam on standing - nothing's wrong! TADTS.
AFAIK, all Elises tend to run between 86 and 88 when upto 'normal' temp. This will go up when stationary in traffic because the airflow over the rad is impeded. If you're in a jam, don't drive right up the arse of the car in front or your Rad will 'inhale' all their nice hot exhaust gas and inhibit cooling.
The fans should kick in at 102deg and bring the temp nicely back down to low 90's or 88ish.
At speed you'll find that the temp will dip as airflow over the rad increases.
If temp goes up over 102deg and the fans can't bring it down, don't cut in or whatever stop immediately and let the car cool.
If temp suddenly rockets, then drops intermittently seek advice. Could be an early sign of HGF.
If temp readout seems to one day fall to around 70ish but is stable then chances are one of the senders has developed a fault. Cheap and easy to replace - search for threads here or on SELOC for more info.
The fans should kick in at 102deg and bring the temp nicely back down to low 90's or 88ish.
At speed you'll find that the temp will dip as airflow over the rad increases.
If temp goes up over 102deg and the fans can't bring it down, don't cut in or whatever stop immediately and let the car cool.
If temp suddenly rockets, then drops intermittently seek advice. Could be an early sign of HGF.
If temp readout seems to one day fall to around 70ish but is stable then chances are one of the senders has developed a fault. Cheap and easy to replace - search for threads here or on SELOC for more info.
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