Discussion
Hi all you chaps. Just got me first leise, and I don't think it's gunna be me last either. Not quite up to speed on all the model types etc yet so all I can say is...Magnet blue '05 111s, don't know what mark (1-2, whatever), but I just love it! Had a problem with the radiator up front letting a small ammount of coolant out now and again. First time it happened, thought it was the truck driver I was overtaking squerting orange juice or something out of his window in envey of my fantastic car, so sorry to him. Dream machines got it sorted but I had to wait a week for a new radiator to come through. Man was that a long wait. Felt like the car was teasing me a bit, (bitch). Just to get started though, 95 or 97 octaine rated fuel? like to hear from experienced Lotus oweners about this subject, also if anyone can point me in the right direction to identifing my model car and where I can find true specs etc for it, love to hear from you. A deffint :-))
Hi Ian, if you can post a pic of your car or let us know the year and reg we'll be able to tell more about if it's S1 or S2.
The rad going is a known problem on the S2 - plastic end cap blows, empties the cooling system and throws hot water all over your pride & joy. Can be an expensive fix too as the clam has to come off. Suggest you check what work has been done - the smart fix is to replace with an uprated rad from somewhere like Eliseparts.
shangani, one of our regular posters has just done this on his S2 111S.
As for fuel, unless your car is a 111R, you have a Rover K Series engine which does not have a knock sensor and is mapped to take 95 RON regular unleaded. Hence the ECU cannot adjust the fuelling for 98 or higher. The only surefire benefit of using something like Optimax will be it's cleaning properties, however Dave Andrews (K series guru) has found that this provides the best results of engines measured during his fettling.... and I'm not about to start arguing the toss with him!
My Sport 160 runs fine on 95 and gets the occasional tank of Optimax if I'm filling up at a Shell station. I can't tell the difference to be honest.
The rad going is a known problem on the S2 - plastic end cap blows, empties the cooling system and throws hot water all over your pride & joy. Can be an expensive fix too as the clam has to come off. Suggest you check what work has been done - the smart fix is to replace with an uprated rad from somewhere like Eliseparts.
shangani, one of our regular posters has just done this on his S2 111S.
As for fuel, unless your car is a 111R, you have a Rover K Series engine which does not have a knock sensor and is mapped to take 95 RON regular unleaded. Hence the ECU cannot adjust the fuelling for 98 or higher. The only surefire benefit of using something like Optimax will be it's cleaning properties, however Dave Andrews (K series guru) has found that this provides the best results of engines measured during his fettling.... and I'm not about to start arguing the toss with him!
My Sport 160 runs fine on 95 and gets the occasional tank of Optimax if I'm filling up at a Shell station. I can't tell the difference to be honest.
I tried to get specs from Lotus.co.uk and there is a wealth of information on the site I must admit however, I still need to know the specific model I have (derrrr) to get the correct information. I know I have the 'K'series engine but have found a variance in stated H.P. etc. I will get some pics sorted in the near future and keep posting. Thanks for the information regards the radiator S Works, I will consider changing this before it happens again. Car reg is AU05 AUX.
Hi and welcome. Good coice of car - obviously as I have one too! 
Your 05 111s is a MK2 (from 02 onwards 111s will be Mk2's). [If it is the same shape as the car on my profile which it should be.]
Fuel - I use 95 octane for the reasons outlined above. I use 98 for the track, but that is psychological as the engine lacking a knock sensor doesn't know the difference.
Re the radiator - common problem unfortunately. Mine lasted 18000 miles which is about average. I replaced it with an all aluminium radiator as the weak point on the oem one is the plastic end caps.
Cheers
Andrew
Your 05 111s is a MK2 (from 02 onwards 111s will be Mk2's). [If it is the same shape as the car on my profile which it should be.]
Fuel - I use 95 octane for the reasons outlined above. I use 98 for the track, but that is psychological as the engine lacking a knock sensor doesn't know the difference.
Re the radiator - common problem unfortunately. Mine lasted 18000 miles which is about average. I replaced it with an all aluminium radiator as the weak point on the oem one is the plastic end caps.
Cheers
Andrew
Might as well ask the same question but for the Exige S2 (Toyota engine): What do you guys use? My dealer told me 95 is fine as there is absolutely no difference and using a higher octane fuel is a waste of money. Any truth to that or are there any members that have experiences to the contrary?
On one hand, I'm happy that I can get away with 95 since it's cheaper, but I psychologically, I'd feel better with higher octane fuel since the belief would be that there is a difference?
On one hand, I'm happy that I can get away with 95 since it's cheaper, but I psychologically, I'd feel better with higher octane fuel since the belief would be that there is a difference?
As i understand it the amount of energy in high octane fuel is less than regular fuel. Because there are more additives there is of course less fuel.
In order to see any benefit from the higher octane fuel your engine has to find itself in a situation were the knock sensor is about to retard the ignition (if you have no knock sensor you should run the octane your engine was designed for) which will result in a loss of power. With higher octane fuel the ecu would not sense the onset of "knocking" and would be able to run the car un retarded in the same situation and therefore still be producing the best power.
The super charged cars would benefit mostly from this because the hot intake temperatures they experience often mean they are not producing optimum power.
In order to see any benefit from the higher octane fuel your engine has to find itself in a situation were the knock sensor is about to retard the ignition (if you have no knock sensor you should run the octane your engine was designed for) which will result in a loss of power. With higher octane fuel the ecu would not sense the onset of "knocking" and would be able to run the car un retarded in the same situation and therefore still be producing the best power.
The super charged cars would benefit mostly from this because the hot intake temperatures they experience often mean they are not producing optimum power.
iccees said:
I tried to get specs from Lotus.co.uk and there is a wealth of information on the site I must admit however, I still need to know the specific model I have (derrrr) to get the correct information. I know I have the 'K'series engine but have found a variance in stated H.P. etc. I will get some pics sorted in the near future and keep posting. Thanks for the information regards the radiator S Works, I will consider changing this before it happens again. Car reg is AU05 AUX.
Are you sure that's your reg. ? It comes up as a Bike !
www.rac.co.uk/web/carbuying/vehicle_data_search/;jsessionid=A93F963C0ED70541726B33B99F5E49F5
cheekymonkey said:
I tried to get specs from Lotus.co.uk and there is a wealth of information on the site I must admit however, I still need to know the specific model I have (derrrr) to get the correct information. I know I have the 'K'series engine but have found a variance in stated H.P. etc. I will get some pics sorted in the near future and keep posting. Thanks for the information regards the radiator S Works, I will consider changing this before it happens again. Car reg is AU05 AUX.
Are you sure that's your reg. ? It comes up as a Bike !
www.rac.co.uk/web/carbuying/vehicle_data_search/;jsessionid=A93F963C0ED70541726B33B99F5E49F5
cheekymonkey said:
I tried to get specs from Lotus.co.uk and there is a wealth of information on the site I must admit however, I still need to know the specific model I have (derrrr) to get the correct information. I know I have the 'K'series engine but have found a variance in stated H.P. etc. I will get some pics sorted in the near future and keep posting. Thanks for the information regards the radiator S Works, I will consider changing this before it happens again. Car reg is AU05 AUX.
Are you sure that's your reg. ? It comes up as a Bike !
www.rac.co.uk/web/carbuying/vehicle_data_search/;jsessionid=A93F963C0ED70541726B33B99F5E49F5
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