New Face ,same old Gearbox probs

[MGFCUP]

I,m a relatively new and Happy owner (1 year) of 2 G Esprits ,an 87 Hc N/A and a 86 Turbo.
Have a box problem with the Turbo ; Clutch feels odd and cant get any gears whilst engine is running ( can get all gears while not running !).There is fluid in the Resevoir and the clutch fork moves! To confuse matters car will only move backwards in neutral a small way before appearing to bind on something!!I,m about to take the box out but wondered if I,m missing something.
Also I,m near Colchester in Essex ,does anyone know a good garage in the area used to Esprits ??

[feffman]

It sounds as though you have encountered the dreaded "red hose syndrome". When an Esprit heats up, particuarly the turbo cars, the plastice red hose carrying the fluid from the clutch master cylinder to the clutch slave cylinder expands preventing adequate pressure to engage the clutch. Contact any good Lotus parts supplier and order a braided steel clutch line. Install the line, replace the old fluid and bleed the system. This usually cures the problem.

Good luck!

Mark
1994 Esprit S4

[MGFCUP]

Thanks Mark,
I,ve ordered one for each car , although It doesnt appear to have lost any fluid and it happened suddenly whilst driving .Steve from Sj also said it definitely wasnt sounding like gearbox so hopefull I,m ok .The engine only came out 200miles ago so the pipe sounds good to me .I,m still alittle concerned that I cant move the car in neutral backwards more than a few inches .

I,ll hopefull get on it over the next few days and let you know.

Rich
87 h/c n/a
86 turbo