Newbie - possible stupid question!
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm currently in the process of shopping around for my first ever elise - always wanted one and can now afford insurance! I have only looked at one so far and liked it (S1 2 owners 42k no mods) but was concerned at the loud whirring noise that was going on from the moment I started it 'til it was switched off??? It sounded really loud from the cockpit - too loud for a fuel pump I thought, but not so loud from the outside. Is this a feature of the S1 - I have little/no experience of them other than what I have read on this forum!
I'm currently in the process of shopping around for my first ever elise - always wanted one and can now afford insurance! I have only looked at one so far and liked it (S1 2 owners 42k no mods) but was concerned at the loud whirring noise that was going on from the moment I started it 'til it was switched off??? It sounded really loud from the cockpit - too loud for a fuel pump I thought, but not so loud from the outside. Is this a feature of the S1 - I have little/no experience of them other than what I have read on this forum!
Dependes how long you were in it??
Charcoal Cannister maybe??
its used to soak up petrol fumes when engine is off - fan comes on to clean it? Least I think thats right - if any of the more technically experienced know different please correct me, I'm only halfway through the service manual.
Charcoal Cannister maybe??
its used to soak up petrol fumes when engine is off - fan comes on to clean it? Least I think thats right - if any of the more technically experienced know different please correct me, I'm only halfway through the service manual.
If it starts when you turn the ignition on but before you've started the engine, and comes from low down behind you then it *is* the fuel pump, and yes they can be loud.
Otherwise bear in mind your bonce is about a foot from all the belts and stuff around the alternator so it's never going to be quiet car.
On the other hand, apparently the cam covers can get misaligned somehow and rub on the cam belt, which makes a similar racket and is obviously bad news.
As the man said, try a few and see. This is worth doing anyway so you get used to what's "normal" in the clunk and rattle dept.
AdrianR
Otherwise bear in mind your bonce is about a foot from all the belts and stuff around the alternator so it's never going to be quiet car.
On the other hand, apparently the cam covers can get misaligned somehow and rub on the cam belt, which makes a similar racket and is obviously bad news.
As the man said, try a few and see. This is worth doing anyway so you get used to what's "normal" in the clunk and rattle dept.
AdrianR
Beaky - where in E.Sussex are you? I'm in T.Wells - if you're around you're welcome to have a look at the beast and I'll take you out for a run.
Also you may like to take a look on the SELOC (South East Lotus Owners Club) site too for info on local meets.... http://forums.seloc.org come along, meet a few people and see lots of Elises. I went to my first monthly meet last month and everyone was really nice.
Other good websites to read through for info are www.elises.co.uk and www.elise-faq.info
Happy hunting!
Also you may like to take a look on the SELOC (South East Lotus Owners Club) site too for info on local meets.... http://forums.seloc.org come along, meet a few people and see lots of Elises. I went to my first monthly meet last month and everyone was really nice.
Other good websites to read through for info are www.elises.co.uk and www.elise-faq.info
Happy hunting!
rfoster said:
S Works, was it you I saw on a saturday morning a few weeks ago going into T Wells? I was coming in from High Brooms direction in my silver beast after a night out with friends in the Pantiles.
Could well have been mate - depending on the Road... in fact if you were drinking along the Pantiles and had been in the Duke of York, there's a fair chance we might have had a pint in close proximity also!
I always wave if I see another Lotus but apologies if I didn't
Got flagged down by a driver last week in a Land Rover Discovery who thought I'd nicked his car! Turns out there are two Silver Elises with Red leather with the Bell & Colvill 160 conversion in little old East Grinstead! He lives about 800 yards up the road. What are the chances of that...
rfoster said:
Got flagged down by a driver last week in a Land Rover Discovery who thought I'd nicked his car! Turns out there are two Silver Elises with Red leather with the Bell & Colvill 160 conversion in little old East Grinstead! He lives about 800 yards up the road. What are the chances of that...
Suggest you do the Lotto this Saturday - as the odds of winning the jackpot would be less!
Thanks guys, very helpful input - I'd heard that these cars are quite loud anyway, but this whirring definitely sounded too loud to be 'normal' - Wouldn't the fuel pump just make a whirring noise for a few seconds at the start of use rather than all the time?
S_Works - would definitely like to be shown the ins and outs of Elise ownership, I live in Heathfield just down the A26 any chance of a meet up ASAP. I don't have very regular internet access so me moblie is 07745 620339 (although you might have to endure me missus making 'blonde' comments!!!) send us a text and we'll sort something out.
Cheers guys - Any other ideas on what it might be???
S_Works - would definitely like to be shown the ins and outs of Elise ownership, I live in Heathfield just down the A26 any chance of a meet up ASAP. I don't have very regular internet access so me moblie is 07745 620339 (although you might have to endure me missus making 'blonde' comments!!!) send us a text and we'll sort something out.
Cheers guys - Any other ideas on what it might be???
Hello beaky, sorry I didn't see your message on here until yesterday and couldn't meet up as I was in Southampton...
I'm not being much help either as I'm off on holiday for a week this weekend coming back Bank Hol Monday.
There's a chance I could meet one evening but I work in London and usually don't get back home 'till 8ish which makes it tricky. Do you work locally or are u commuting too?
If you've still not got one by the time I get back from holiday give me a shout.
I'm not being much help either as I'm off on holiday for a week this weekend coming back Bank Hol Monday.
There's a chance I could meet one evening but I work in London and usually don't get back home 'till 8ish which makes it tricky. Do you work locally or are u commuting too?
If you've still not got one by the time I get back from holiday give me a shout.
captain_beaky said:
No worries matey - would like to meet up tomorrow(Wednesday) evening to see your vehicle and get acquainted with all the useful ownership bit and bobs if possible. Am viewing one on thurs eve in West Malling! VERY EXCITED!
Might be tricky mate as I usually train on a Weds night... depending on work I'll see what I can do though. If you can get to TW that would be best.
Don't worry.... it's just the fuel pump.
Basically on mine, when you turn the ignition on from cold you'll hear the fuel pump whirr for about 2 seconds then stop.... once the engine has started, the fuel pump runs continuosly... and it's an intrusive bugger noise-wise... ESPECIALLY with the hood on. Without the hood it's still intrusive but not annoying... it's entirely normal for this to be loud and it's not a problem.
Remember, you're driving a car with an aluminium chassis (aluminium does not damp noise very well at all) and very little sound deadening or carpets... it's gonna be loud... but that's part of the charm.... When you buy an Elise, you're buying a road-legal Go-Kart with only A FEW concessions to practicality (windscreen, headlights, small boot etc) and just enjoy it for what it is... a WONDERFUL piece of engineering
Basically on mine, when you turn the ignition on from cold you'll hear the fuel pump whirr for about 2 seconds then stop.... once the engine has started, the fuel pump runs continuosly... and it's an intrusive bugger noise-wise... ESPECIALLY with the hood on. Without the hood it's still intrusive but not annoying... it's entirely normal for this to be loud and it's not a problem.
Remember, you're driving a car with an aluminium chassis (aluminium does not damp noise very well at all) and very little sound deadening or carpets... it's gonna be loud... but that's part of the charm.... When you buy an Elise, you're buying a road-legal Go-Kart with only A FEW concessions to practicality (windscreen, headlights, small boot etc) and just enjoy it for what it is... a WONDERFUL piece of engineering
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