I have asked this a while ago and not had much luck with an answer, my problem started a year ago on a hot trackday when my car started to totally lock me out of second gear, its been in three times for it now, first time all linkages lubed, second all linkages removed from car and re fitted (this did feel better) third time lubed again, it was only done about two weeks ago and then today (its hot and muggy here) its done it again.
Its only locked me out once and on the road you cant really get it hot enough to play up like on track but the whole of my gearbox feels tight, first to second shift is very difficult.
This goes worse the hotter it gets.
My mate has a 111R and his feels miles better, his is 55 plate though and I think they had a different mech iirc? (mine is 57).
Is anyone else having problems with this? I cant be on my own as I know RussT had the same problem with his exigeS before it got damaged.
Cheers for the replys guys, nothing has been changed oil wise as far as I know, I think I need to speak to the dealer with some feedback and possibly get Lotus involved as its a recurring fault and my warranty ends in a couple of months.
I think I will try the new oil as I do keep reading good things about it, however I think the heat shielding around the linkage sounds like its possibly the issue.
We use one of the Redline flavours and it greatly improves things.
The temp of the oil goes up a hell of a lot in the box and the standard stuff goes really really thin. The Redline stuff handles this temperature increase a lot better.
I have found it quite interesting how different gearboxes heat up there oil.
I think we all know that PG1 oil temps go through the roof, I have seen upwardes of 145 degrees back in my K series days.
My 5 speed VW box has to deal with loads more grief and the temps never go above 90.
The Honda box also doesn’t seem to suffer with temp issues, but theToyota box does.
Change the oil mate, for the sake of �30 in oil, I think you will find it makes all the difference.
Had these sorts of issues with previous cars Boothy (mainly modded turbo Sierra’s)… Solved by using top oil…
When my diff was fitted I expressly asked for top quality oil to be used. Have no gearshift problems on my “s”
Well worth a try as it’ll only cost ya a few quid…
JK
Spoke to CN’s today, they want to try the oil first, Paul said that Motorsport have their own oil and he’s going to put that in first. Fingers crossed.