Just Bought My First Elise..... Engine cover hinge?

[Mark82]

Hi All,

After years of saving I now have a silver S1 on my driveway. I'm currently in the proccess of doing the odd jobs to get it how i want it.

One of the things that needs looking at is the hinge on the boot / engine cover. It seems to be broken on the rhs. Anyone else had this happen? I pressume that it can be got to via the lump on the bulkhead behind the seats?

Cheers

Mark

[steff]

any pics to show what you mean?

[Mark82]

Unfortunately not, I'll see if i can explain it a bit clearer...

It seems that the rotating part of the hinge is made up of 2 M6 bolts which run through the braket attached to the chassis and screw into the assembly attached to the boot lid.

The right hand side one of these bolts seems to have come out allowing the boot lid to "waggle" about the sole pivot when it is open.

Consulting the Lotus workshop manual says that to get to the hinge the rear clam should be removed. I was wondering if anyone else had had this problem and new of a shortcut / route to getting a new bolt in position.

Inbetween the seats on the rear bulkhead is a bluge that seems to house the hinge but I can't see whether or not removing the plastic cladding on the cockpit side of the bulkhead would gain me access to the hinge assembly...

Any ideas? Hope that's clearer!?!

Mark

[oc7]

Hi Mark.

Where in the North West are you? I have a couple lotus friends who may be able to give you a few pointers.

Email me if your interested and I will pass on details.

Thanks

Gavin.

[dunxs1]

My engine cover did the same. It seems that the bolts work themselves loose! It's a clam off job to get to the bolts.Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

Dunx.

[TIPPER]

Congrats on your excellent taste Mark. Generally silver cars don't float my boat but when I saw my silver (New Aluminium incidently) S1 it was love at first sight.
Can't offer any advice re the boot I'm afraid, but have fun with her and be safe.

[TheLemming]

I'd have to second the note that it is a clam-off job to get at the hinge, its also a bit of a pain to get it aligned correctly once refitting, but other than that its not a tough job.

I'd suggest you queue up a list of jobs to do when you're removing the rear clam (saves doing it more than once) and have a friend on hand to help you with the physical removal of the clam (its really a two man job).

[mark82]

Hey all, thanks for the replies - did the job before christmas i think it was? Still going strong 4k miles on... Had the front clam off at easter to replace one of the driving lights. Threw some clear indicators at it too, she's looking great!!!