This Red Hose Thing.....

[bigguss]

See, my S1 has the red clutch/brake hose......but all seems well, although I must admit I rarely do more than 2-3 hours in the car. Nice gear changes and not tightening up in that time period.

 

However, I am hoping to tour Scandinavia this summer.....should I be worried?

[AL G]

However, I am hoping to tour Scandinavia this summer.....should I be worried?

 

Not if you have Green Flag or the AA

 

Seriously, I have the red hose too - you won't notice it till it's really hot outside, and you have been driving a while. (Like a summer tour). Then you won't be able change gear.

 

False economy not to change it NOW mate if you are taking the car abroad.

[Heph]

I agree with Alasdair

 

Had red clutch hose fitted and changed it last week. I just didn't want to wait 'till I can't change gear to change it as it can lead to dangerous / expensive situations.

 

Changing it doesn't cost much if you do it yourself (hose: 100€/65£, fluid: 12€/8£, EZbleed: 25€/17£) and now I can drive trough the summer without any worries...

Just be prepared to spend a few hours changing it ... Infos about the change about everywhere. if you need any more info, just ask me

[Snapper]

Sorry what is this red hose thing?????

 

Is it a problems for S2 Exige Owners???

[Phil.S]

if you need any more info, just ask me

 

I'm gonna do mine soon hopefully. What is involved in the changeover?

[MarkH]

First had a problem with mine whilst at a track evening at Donnington - could hardly get second!

 

It's worth upgrading sometime - I'd certainly do it before a long trip - you could get quite a warm car after a couple of hours on the open European roads... If you do it yourself the only real problem is treading the new braided hose through the bodywork to the front of the car. I could not get the rubber grommet back in there at all & left it out, every now & then I can hear the braided hose vibrating agoinst the hole in the bodywork - at about 3000 revs.

 

Mark

 

[dobbo]

Sorry what is this red hose thing?????

 

Is it a problems for S2 Exige Owners???

 

Nope - early S1 cars had a red plastic clutch hose. Later cars, and most early cars, now have a braided hose.

 

The problem was that, on hot days, the hose would soften and some of the effort in pressing the clutch was converted to expanding the hose rather than moving the clutch plates = no gear change capability....

 

/unless you already knew that ?

[Chriso]

This is a well known problem with the S1 but I do believe they changed it on the S2 and so far you have been given good advice. Elise parts sell a good one not sure if this is the cheapest on the market but it will do the job just fine at £70.44. Some day you will get a problem with it so maybe you are better safe than sorry, I mean who wants to breakdown? Happy driving

[Heph]

First of, red clutch was replaced in june 1998 if I don't mistake, any later model is fitted with braided hose out of the factory (this include all S2). I you have any doubt, look at the slave cylinder moving the clutch, if the hose feeding it is red: red hose fitted (obviously)!!!

 

There's a few source of info for clutch hose replacement (Service manual, Wiki, fitting guide given with the braided hose, ...)

 

Personnaly I used some half flexible electric wire, tied it to the slave cilynder end of the pipe after making the steel end straight. Then I pulled the red hose out from the front of the car (the wire is then in place of the hose).

Took the hose protection off the red hose and put it back on the new one. It avoid noise from the braided hose but also avoid braided hose from damaging other parts by rubbing against it.

Then I tied the new hose to the wire at the front end of the car. Finnaly, feed the hose from the front and pull the wire from the back of the car.

 

You'll have to take a few things of to maximise hose acces: undertray, fuel tank panel, dashboard. As I own a Left hand drive, I had to take the part of the dashboard where the light switchs are. Once that done, you have enought access for the job

[dobbo]

Also, if you DIY, check the wiper still works when you've finished - it's quite easy to knock the connector off the motor whilst fiddling around there (where the hose goes down into the sill).

 

I never knew that until... it rained...

[bigguss]

Thanks all...well appreciated!

[kid phunk]

DO IT! I drove to the south of France last summer and the car had to be towed back to the UK! Luckily I had AA Euro cover for £40...they even used a firm who only transport Lotus around Europe to bring it back. I didn't know anything about the red clutch thing until the car was back home and I did some research. Only cost me about £70 to change it on service. Atleast it saved me 1500 miles on the clock on the drive home

[Pie]

ok so being a girl and not having a clue i take it my s1 1998 with have one of these red thingy?!

 

any idea what it will cost to get it changed? (diy not an option!! )

 

cheers x

[Chriso]

Lift the bonnet and look for where you put the brake fluid just under the windscreen. Can you see a red hose? You can’t miss it if you cant then don’t worry your safe. If you can then you will need to look into changing it.

 

Elise parts do one for around £70 to £80

[kid phunk]

yea, apart from the battery its the only red thing under the bonnet...a red tube around 1ft long (visible)