Well It Had To Happen Eventually......

[smithpaulg]

Firstly I need to say what a great day Wednesday was, both my mate and I enjoyed the MLOC pilgrimage to the factory, so a big thanks to Chris for organising, and for everyone else's company.

 

After only just getting my car back and having my electrical problems fixed 3 days before, 8 miles from the factory, 'steadily bringing up the rear of our sedate convey, I lost some coolant, and saw my temperature gauge flash when it got to 111 degs C, I dont know whether there is an irony in that ? the other irony is that we were just discussing the fact that i didnt like a digital temperature display! Fortunately a garage appeared and I coasted into the forecourt to find a steaming engine and a puddle of water under the engine. A quick top-up of water, and discussion with Eddie, showed there were no leaks, so we put everything down to the headertank cap. A steady 10min trip to the factory got us there just in time to do the tour (which was good - I love the the Evora GTE).

 

Following that the chaps at the factory found me a header tank cap at a local Lotus dealer (there were none at the factory!) a quick trip over to them and Eddie fitted it and topped the car up again ready for the trip home.

 

At this point I would like to thank Eddie for all of his support and knowledge and for sticking with me on the way home.

 

The trip home, on the A14/motorway, everything thing was normal temperature-wise, until I got off 10mins before home where I started to see the temperature change erratically, so suddenly the paranoia set in and i started to worry again, just when i thought the problem was sorted.

 

On reaching home and checking everything, I had lost some water, but i put this down to just needing topping up again to replace the missing coolant earlier. Later that evening, after the car cooled, I restarted it. On starting there was a lot of steam, also I could see the coolant has become quite dark and on starting the engine it was 'missing' occasionally (at higher revs this then disappears).

 

So, now the paranoia has set in, based on the following

1. I am losing water

2. the coolant is becoming quite dark

3. steam on startup

4. erratic temperature display (previously it was a solid 87 - now goes anywhere between 79 and 95)

 

I suspect the early onset of HGF

 

Although I can see no signs of Mayonnaise etc so am hoping there is nothing major.

 

So I am now officially off the road for fear of further damage!.

 

So onto the reason for the post - can anyone recommend anyone in the Midlands a reputable company to diagnose the problem and ultimately fix it? I can see a number of suppliers on here all advertising servicing and upgrades, but do they do this type of work. I would like to get some feedback from MLOC so i can get quotes, get it shipped off and back on the road asap and want to find out my options.

 

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

ps yes I have considered this might be time for upgrading, but don't tell the boss!

[DeanB]

It does sound like HGF to me Paul. I would recommend Gav at Unit 4 in Burton if you are just swapping gaskets. He does a proper job, and is relatively cheap. He was a mechanic at Peter Smith (Lotus agent) before setting up on his own. He does all the work on mine.

 

If you want to upgrade your head while it is off I would have a look at Sabre Heads website. The guy there also goes by the name "kiwirog" on seloc. His work is reputedly top notch, and he peens the heads he does to avoid porosity probems that are apparently common. DVA power also have an excellent reputation. Both of those guys will take your old head off and re-fit the modded one with the uprated head gasket, but there may be a waiting list. Or you could have them send an exchange head to Gav for him to fit I suppose.

 

I know it is expensive, but you may want to think about fitting a remote thermostat at the same time. You should then be able to say goodbye to HGF forever...so they say....!

[P4N Lotus]

how many miles has it done? Theres also Monster Motorsport in Loughborough or MGW-racing in Nottingham. I dont know anyone else who specialises in the Kseries locally, DVA power which has already been mentioned

[smithpaulg]

Thanks for the suggestions, I shall start phoning on Monday and see what they say.

 

The mileage is 44k just.

[scatty]

firstly bad news...its only just been run in at that milage.....

 

im sure any of the above will sort you out. my dealings with gav at unit 4 have been fantastic and hed be the first place id ring.....

[Mike Fellows]

I'm X Army, and we were always told , to change the thermostat , at the same time as replacing the head gasket .

 

I believe that this is always a fail safe, must do IMHO !!!!

[Martin R]

Pound to a pinch of s##t it is blowing across the fire ring. Not technically HGF but near enough. This pressurizes the coolant circuit and blows the coolant out the cap. Most unfortunate if you happen to be thrashing around Le Mans at the time A quick check run it up to normal temp for a while. Turn off and leave it for a couple of hours to cool down.

 

Slowly remove the coolant cap. Does it hiss loudly ? If yes the coolant circuit is over pressure.

 

Ahh found it. Fit a PRT as well. You can now consider yourself a real Elise owner IMO

 

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/topic/41791-late-summer-diy/page__hl__%2Bearly+%2Bwinter+%2Bdiy__fromsearch__1

 

HTH

[Phil S1]

Sorry to hear about your suspected HGF.

Would I be starting a trend if I said I'm seeing an oil tidemark in my expansion bottle too

I've never removed a head in my life but I'm going to trust to the power of MLOC (mainly Martin's DIY guides) and my old mate Brian and give it a go. That way, the money I save in labour means I can talk to KiwiRog about a KR1 porting job

Every cloud has a silver lining

[Martin R]

Phil, dont go buying sockets to cut down or cam locking tools. I have some you can use. i appear to have at least a couple of sets. I also have a 3/8 and 1/2 inch torx sockets for the head bolts.

[smithpaulg]

Thanks for the feedback. Will be making some calls this week.

 

I like the idea of having a go myself, but I might be biting off more than I can chew!

 

Will keep you advised.

 

Paul

[Phil S1]

Phil, dont go buying sockets to cut down or cam locking tools. I have some you can use. i appear to have at least a couple of sets. I also have a 3/8 and 1/2 inch torx sockets for the head bolts.

 

Thanks Martin, I might take you up on that, we've got the cut down socket and locking tools already, (Bri only just did the cambelt for me last weekend) not sure on the torx socket front though. Might like to borrow those liner retainers you made up if that would be okay?

I'm not starting the job just yet as I've not get a likely date from Roger for the head (probably going to be sometime around late May). I'm going to run the car a bit in the meantime and keep an eye on things, the oil still looks fine and I've cleaned the expansion bottle out to see how soon it gets mucked up again.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack Paul, I'll start one of my own nearer the time.

[Martin R]

Phil, no problem. Let me know when and i will pop them in the post.

[a7esk]

 

 

Thanks Martin, I might take you up on that, we've got the cut down socket and locking tools already, (Bri only just did the cambelt for me last weekend) not sure on the torx socket front though. Might like to borrow those liner retainers you made up if that would be okay?

I'm not starting the job just yet as I've not get a likely date from Roger for the head (probably going to be sometime around late May). I'm going to run the car a bit in the meantime and keep an eye on things, the oil still looks fine and I've cleaned the expansion bottle out to see how soon it gets mucked up again.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack Paul, I'll start one of my own nearer the time.

 

Hi Paul

Good to here you got home

I used this guy when mine went last year On my blue 111s before I sold her and got the 111R

http://www.mgroversolutions.com/

Really helpful

Thanks for you comments

Eddie

[Elise+Imp]

I like the idea of having a go myself, but I might be biting off more than I can chew!

 

 

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

 

are you thinking of a straight gasket swap or taking your time and some porting / remote thermostat upgrade etc.

 

If you want a hand, i have the tools etc and can spare an evening or day at a weekend for a few beer vouchers.

 

did my own HG in november and whilst you can take the clam off - it's probably quicker (though not as easy) to leave it on unless changing to a remote thermostat, oh and if you do take the clam off you may want to spend a day or two cleaning those parts you normally cannot reach (if you're anything like phil? :-) )

 

Edit to add: if you do go DIY then i found nevlock in coventy to be a fraction of anywhere else for a genuine payen gasket set and bolts.

 

Cheers

Brian

[Martin R]

Cleaning and polishing if you are like Phil Its called project creep. You find the roll bar supports are rusty and need rubbing down and a few coats of POR 15. You then notice the fire wall insulation has a rip in it and change it. You then decide as you have the clam off you may as well give the chassis a good clean.

 

While im at it i will clean the damper mountings etc etc. God i hate this OCD.