Just picked up Elise

[pftim]

Just picked up my new S1 Elise which I now realise I should have bought years ago instead of messing around with Impreza's. I have one main concern which is that there is a constant, what can only be described as 'grinding' noise coming from behind my head on over-run. This is more apparant on the motorway when lifting off at 70mph. I'm aware that k-series engines are known for noisy gearboxes (which Im hoping it simply is), but would like to be sure. It sound like the noise the drivetrain makes on a rally car. Can you put my mind at ease? It's not a vvc and has just had a c-service.

Also, last night after I'd driven it for 50 miles or so, I noticed smoke/steam coming out of the vent on the bonnet on the battery side. It smelt like something had been spilt somewhere during the service and was burnng off (silicone??). The dealer also did the floor corrosion under warrently. Anything down there that could cause a problem. I'm taking it back to the dealer to look at on saturday.

Sorry to rant on, but I've never owned one before and would to know of any niggly problems.

Thanks

[tuscan_thunder]

was it raining? the radiator can steam if it's hot and it's raining. Could just be overspill from something but can't think what would be spilt there? Screenwash is the only thing I can think of?

Grinding sound: my gearbox and/or diff whines ever so slightly as does any other Elise I've been in, but grinding sounds a bit strange. does it only happen at higher speeds?

[therossatron]

The noise is the thrust release bearings and they all do it! Don't worry.

Can't help with the smoke thing though sorry.

[pftim]

Thanks.

Perhaps grinding was a bit strong for the description. It's difficult to describe, but I would liken it to a bearing or gears.

I will run the car this evening to see if i can get smoke again. The smoke had stopped by the time I'd foung the bonnet lever!

[shangani]

Gear noise on the overrun especially in 4th or 5th is pretty much standard on the K box. Worried me at first - still sounds the same after 12000miles. ust make sure they checked gearbox oil level.

[TheLemming]

tuscan_thunder said:

was it raining? the radiator can steam if it's hot and it's raining. Could just be overspill from something but can't think what would be spilt there? Screenwash is the only thing I can think of? Grinding sound: my gearbox and/or diff whines ever so slightly as does any other Elise I've been in, but grinding sounds a bit strange. does it only happen at higher speeds?

If its been raining, the car can dump water into the rad (through those front bonnet vents) and create quite a cloud of steam when you brake. Or it can trickle in and create a little and intermittent trickle of steam that often looks like smoke.

[S Works]

The 'grinding' is totally normal. They all do it, an Elise just makes you realise how much you're insulated from the reality of the oily bits in 'normal' cars.

The 'steaming' is probably water dripping on the rad, the smell could just be something down there getting hot and you can smell it.

Have you heard the charcoal canister clicking yet, or the tappety sound behind your head when it's cold, or the buzzing from the exhaust (on some), or has the window dropped into the door yet etc.

Don't fret dude, ENJOY!!!!

[cej]

LOL. You said it all

There's probably no need to worry. You just have to get used to be able to hear each and every sound

[Mrs Triple S]

S Works said:

Don't fret dude, ENJOY!!!!

Great Advice

I've had mine for nearly two weeks now and I have been turning the radio down every now and then to find out where the latest noise is coming from. I realise it's nothing serious - then turn the radio up louder so it drowns it out

I haven't had the steam experience but glad I've read this cos I would really panic about that.

Lorraine

[beachbum]

Mrs Triple S said:

I haven't had the steam experience but glad I've read this cos I would really panic about that. Lorraine

Panic, hell I was so scared the first time it happened to me, I pulled over on a dual carriage way to make sure that all was well. It took 10mins in the pouring rain to convince myself there was nothing wrong

[Mrs Triple S]

beachbum said:

Mrs Triple S said: I haven't had the steam experience but glad I've read this cos I would really panic about that. Lorraine Panic, hell I was so scared the first time it happened to me, I pulled over on a dual carriage way to make sure that all was well. It took 10mins in the pouring rain to convince myself there was nothing wrong

[cej]

Heh, fortunately I had read you people post in here about the steam problem before I picked up my 'liz
The rain was pouring down and it was blowing steam from the nose like a mad dragon

[shangani]

Ditto me - stopped at a traffic light the day after I bought the car - windsceen steamed up, but on looking at where the radiator was situated, stopped worrying. Lots of rattles since - worst one was a 50p coin under the passeger seat! Sounded like the silencer was falling off. Now when I hear noises, I still worry its the silencer falling off (but only because it was me that put in on the first place!)

[boggy]

Hi all,

I love it, I sit there in traffic and either it's raining or ice or something is melting on the Radiator there's smoke coming from the front of the Car and people look at me in horror I just sit there laughing
Boggy

[S Works]

Just wait until your darling girlfriend breaks a bead necklace in the damn thing.

My GF did that in July/August I think and the b*st*rd things are still rolling around under there somewhere.

at myself!

[TheLemming]

S Works said:

Just wait until your darling girlfriend breaks a bead necklace in the damn thing. My GF did that in July/August I think and the b*st*rd things are still rolling around under there somewhere. at myself!

At one point we had the seats and everything easily removable in the interior out for a good clean and "find the rattles" excercise.

Think we found about a pound fifty in change and LOTS of random crap that had escaped from pockets. As well as, for some bizzarre reason, lots of little jade-green beads...

[DrColin]

A brand new 111r with a grinding....

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=224888&f=15&h=0

which sounds very similar to this one and is not normal - as vouched for by my dealer. Also it seems to have disappeared following Lotus' attempts to track it down. No doubt I'll find it again