engine problems

General General Lotus Talk
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i just took my car in for the ecu recall and service and had them check an oil leak while it was there . engineer reckoned it was the main rear oil seal so after a lot of arguing with the warranty people they took the gear box out. now on refitting the oil seal they found that it and or the end of the crankshaft is deformed and may need replacing , they were trying to contact lotus tech support when they rang me … so anyone heard of a similar problem ? and whilst the engine is completely in pieces what should i have done to it , any suggestions ? humourous or none , all accepted …

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[image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]RogerI think that is the same seal which caused Russ’s engine failure.I’ll give you his phone number, so you can talk direct - plus arrange the gig for his big birthday bash in the New Year [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]Hope it all gets sorted soon.

3

Hard Luck Roger. As Pesky says, my crank oil seal “went”, causing oil to leak onto the exhaust. When the engine was pulled to bits, the crank was sent for testing and was OK, so not the same as you, I think. My main problem was scored pistons/liners, which were eventually (partially) paid for after much negotiating/arguing with the warranty company. I would be very “forceful” on getting the crank done under warranty if I were you, as I believe the cost is into four figures…

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p.s. - any engineers out there know how this could happen (a deformed crank) ?

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RogerMy warranty is with Warranty Holdings - they state oil seals are covered. Bottom line is to stand your ground, be polite yet firm and keep saying, “Pay up”.Give them 14 days and mention the magic words -“breaking contract” & “solicitor”!

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i just spoke again to olympic lotus in exeter and they say now that they put the new oil seal in and it was still leaking so they are sure now that the faulty oil seal wore the end of the crankshaft into deformity … a new crankshaft is �695 plus 8 hours labour ! warranty people actually did agree to the oil seal after some discussion , id like to see their faces when they hear this , mind you who in their right mind would give a warranty on an exige … the moral of this story would appear to be if your main oil seal goes or you suspect it to have gone get it fixed as soon as possible or it might destroy your crankshaft … luckily i have new toys to play with and dont miss the exige … coming flying russ ? hah

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quote:Originally posted by roger x:coming flying russ ? hahToo right! I have just done my qualifying cross country & radio nav flights, so should be OK for end Sept - will pop down and see you … Grob G115 @ 85kts… should be there in 2 hours? [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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well done mate … i just bought a pulsar so i might even pop up and see you and pesky seeing as i havent got my car ! … it cruises at 120 knots not bad for a two stroke haha

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RogerJust tell us when - we’ll re cobble the airstrip for you to land on [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]So, when are you coming “oop North” ???

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as soon as i get my visa …

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That’s it get me jealous - I only went solo (in a microlight) 6 weeks ago, and have only just been let out of the airfield circuit. Qualifying cross country flights are still another test away and two exams!!But at least my oil seals are Ok.

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Roger, Pesky, I have just bought the Exige, no longer than four hours ago - I haven’t picked it up yet - and this is after much research of engines problems on the web. But now I am having second thoughts, having heard about your problems with the main rear oil seal. Is this a common problem with the Exiges?

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KevinNo need to worry unduly. As far as I recall, only Russ’s & Roger’s have had the oil seal problem that we are aware of.I’ve done 22K miles in mine, including 18 trackdays, & all that’s broken are aircon pipes (both times fixed at Lotus’s expense), the alternator (a couple of weeks ago just as I completed a trackday). Exchange alternator was �80, so not exactly the end of the world!There are lots of owners on this bbs (& I know a further few who don’t post here), who use their cars regularly on track without experiencing any problems.A search of this bbs will show that the most common problems have been intermittant misfire (now seems cured by revised ECU program FOC Lotus), dodgy aircon pipe in engine bay (again a Lotus FOC repair), & alternator failure(covered by initial Lotus warranty)Don’t forget, the Exige was designed & built for the track, so get out there & enjoy [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pesky:Thanks for allaying my fears Pesky. I intend to take a driving course (booked one with 1st Lotus driving centre, based in Essex), and then I look forward to the track days [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image] Cheers [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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quote:Originally posted by Pesky:No need to worry unduly. As far as I recall, only Russ’s & Roger’s have had the oil seal problem that we are aware of.Pesky…I don’t mean to undo what you are saying but i have also had this problem, although it was quite early on with the car and probably down to it being incorrectly fitted from new rather than any long term problem.I certainly agree with the trackday message…after keepng the car off track due to oil consumption, I was back on yesterday for the 1st time with rebuilt engine and although not going absolutely balls out it was an absolute revelation what an exige would do and will never fail to amaze me each and every time.I was running slicks and will be interested in catching up with you on your toe link developments…Its also made me think about the aero package and possibly changing to the Motorsport package with perhaps a slotted splitter that could be adjusted upwards for road use…

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Hi SteveGlad to hear that you enjoyed yourself yesterday - you really must try another circuit sometime!!! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]All credit/respect to Mr Admin, who I understand was chucking his new Pork Pie around too - did you get a trip out with him (daft question no doubt!!!)? Also, I believe that young Mr Drought was having tremendous fun in his Merc 500, until a water hose blew [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Robyou seem very well informed as usual…David did turn up praying for rain so as not to use all his rubber…but to no avail and giving him his due (but he’s still a southern poofter with soft hands) he gave it some serious welly and left some serious black lines for everyone to follow where the circuit went - there were no cones as those that had not been flattened or pushed off the right lines where to be found under David’s car! Suffice to say it is seriously quick and he will have his hands full in taming it.Brian’s merc looked like good fun although i didn’t seem to be on track at the same time to see it firsthand…shame about the waterhose but glad it was such a minor item and with just a little help from the AA was soon running sweet again.Plan to do some other circuits in the future, just need to get myself organised possibly with a trailer.