Dented engine cover
Discussion
I have the older aluminium engine cover, and some drunken-vandal-head-rush idiot thought it would be fun to smack 4 dents onto the cover late on saturday night. Anyone had to replace this before ??? Please don't say it's painfully difficult and involves taking the whole car apart.....
I guess it will be fairly straightforward to get a replacement cover, I just wonder whether replacing it is the sort of job I can do myself (complete novice).
Thank you anyone out there!!
I guess it will be fairly straightforward to get a replacement cover, I just wonder whether replacing it is the sort of job I can do myself (complete novice).
Thank you anyone out there!!
Shouldn't be a big deal I don't think. Was considering taking mine off this weekend during the "hurricane saga" (see other thread!) and it only seems to hang on via 3 (IIRC) bolts at the hing point. You'll have to unhook the ariel and take off the catch etc. but all can be done I guess with basic tools and a bit of patience. An extra pair of hands to help wouldn't be a bad idea either.
Give it a go, if you can't sort it you can always get your local friendly Lotus-men to do it for you.
Tim
Give it a go, if you can't sort it you can always get your local friendly Lotus-men to do it for you.
TimI'm guessing you're most likely to end up with the newer GRP cover as the Ally one was only used while they sorted the drooping early GRP versions - apparently the problem was cured (groan) and the Ally version dropped.
If you do find an Ally one remember to close it by pressing either side of the lock as the bonded box that the lock is bolted to is hollow allowing a small dent to appear if you repeatedly press in the centre.
Tony.
If you do find an Ally one remember to close it by pressing either side of the lock as the bonded box that the lock is bolted to is hollow allowing a small dent to appear if you repeatedly press in the centre.
Tony.
Hey Joeh,
Easy job.
Few tips that might help.
You will need to disconnect the stereo ariel. The connector is "hidden" inside the ally heat protective tube. You just need to bunch it up until you can slide it along the lead and expose the connector.
The lid is fixed with 3 bolts. Watch out though, there is a stack of shims that you need to catch when you remove the bolts.
When you re-fit, hold the lid in the open position, align the hinge and put the two outer bolts on a few turns. Then slide the shim stack in between the hinge and mounting face (the shims have slots, not holes to facilitate this). Then put the third (center)bolt in.
Then tighten everything up and check the fit. Adjust as ness'
Hope it helps
Dunc
Easy job.
Few tips that might help.
You will need to disconnect the stereo ariel. The connector is "hidden" inside the ally heat protective tube. You just need to bunch it up until you can slide it along the lead and expose the connector.
The lid is fixed with 3 bolts. Watch out though, there is a stack of shims that you need to catch when you remove the bolts.
When you re-fit, hold the lid in the open position, align the hinge and put the two outer bolts on a few turns. Then slide the shim stack in between the hinge and mounting face (the shims have slots, not holes to facilitate this). Then put the third (center)bolt in.
Then tighten everything up and check the fit. Adjust as ness'
Hope it helps
Dunc
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