Gear Box Problem

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

Hi,
This is my 1st post and was hoping that it would have been a happier one!
Last Saturday I picked up my Exige S from Nick Whale Sports Cars with 590 miles on the clock. Prior to buying the car I test drove two other S’s before opting for this one.
The first couple of hundred of miles were fine but gradually third gear starting ‘catching’ going into from both 2nd & 4th.
I reached the milestone 1000 miles and booked the car into Nick Whales for the 1st service which also coincided with a visit from the Lotus factory engineer - this was yesterday. When I left home to drop the car off, it took an alarming amount of effort to get into 2nd gear and third was met with a full crunch as if I had not engaged the clutch. Things improved by the time I had come off the M42 but the 3rd gear problem was still evedent when I dropped the car off.
I received the dreaded phone call in the afternoon saying that both the Lotus and Nick Whale’s engineers could not fault the car! It was decided to leave the car over night so it could be driven from cold this morning and low and behold Nick Whale acknowledged the fault, saying that it is a sticking synchromesh on third.
John Willis from Nick Whale is pushing for an exchane gear box but Lotus are currently saying rebuild it - I await the outcome.

Can anyone advise me on the following;

Is this a common proble - Nick Whale say it is their first
Are the boxes baulky by nature and worse when cold
Is my potential fight with the Dealer or Lotus
Where do I stand legally if Lotus refuse to replace the box

Cheers
Harvey

2

Hi Harvey,

Sorry to hear of your woes and although not 100% sure, I thought you could return any product bought within 14 days if it is found to be faulty?

Good luck!

3

I bought my Exige S from Plans last November (it was then 3 months old) and its always crunched 3rd when going from 2nd gear until the gearbox warms up. I did ask Plans to check it out when it was serviced back in May and it seemed to be a case of TADTS.

4

I think if I was you I’d pick up on what Knievel77 has said and see if there is an opportunity to reject it; but you might have to pay for the mileage you have done - at anywhere from 40p to �1.00 plus per mile it would be quite expensive (note I’m guessimating here, I don’t actually know).

I don’t think you can insist on a new gearbox, only that the fault is remedied and that’s for Lotus to decide. In any event, if it’s partly a case of TADTS then a new g/box will not help, whilst a carefully rebuilt one may just do a better job?

5

Guys thanks for your replys.
The latest from Nick Whale is that they are 99% sure that from further discusions with Lotus that the box will be replaced - we’ll see on Monday!
What is the general concensus on the Exige box - are they all as Nick Whale say - non problematic or are TADTS.

6

Latest from Nick Whale is that the new gearbox is on order, just waiting for the delivery date.

Any guesses on what this one will be like!

7

Any guesses on what this one will be like!

Aye, it’ll be summat like this (only different)

[image]http://www.breakeryard.com/images/Gearbox_car_parts.jpg[/image]

8

Thats what you get when you ask a vague question.

On a serious note, are the boxes baulky by nature or have I just been unlucky?

9

Thats what you get when you ask a vague question.

Sorry dude, seems not many S2 owners are able/willing to answer

10

On a serious note, are the boxes baulky by nature or have I just been unlucky?

From previous postings, I would say that more than a few have had issues…

11

Not the best changing from 3rd to 2nd. Actually got worse when they changed the gear lever on the recall. I got the same answer TADTS!! I’ve only done 4k miles though so it may improve with use.

12

Better once the box has warned up. Worth checking the cable adjustment?

13

I am having it checked at the next service. Cheers

14

Update - dropped the car in yesterday for it’s exchange box, should get it back by Wednesday and then it’s the moment of truth

or

15

Some pics taken by Nick Whales during the exchange of gear box

Old in place


[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00005.jpg[/image]

Old out

[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00007.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00009.jpg[/image]

[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00010.jpg[/image]

old & new

[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00012.jpg[/image]

New installed

[image]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc232/HT67/DSC00013.jpg[/image]

Only had a short drive home, but a great improvement on the old box all be it 1200 miles old.

16

I seem to be having the same problem going from 2nd to 3rd as well.

The car has only done 800miles.

I have to pause(double clutch) before I dare attempt to engage 3rd otherwise it makes a horrible crunch noise.

17

The S has now covered 10500ish miles and the crunch going into 3rd from 2nd reappeared on the new box after about 1000 miles. Mid summer the field engineer agreed for the 3rd gear syncro to be changed - not ideal. I have had a busy summer with car, sprinting etc and not had a chance to get the work carried out. I have spoken to the factory about the works being carried out there along with some other bits and pieces.

Have a look at the following for some more info

http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=153765&page=1

18

It does it ever so slightly going when from 4th to 5th also.

Tried joining SELOC but my email address is “@hotmail” so can’t seem to register.

19

Guys… I just got some Redline MT-90 oil put in my 111R’s gearbox (that has 31k miles on it)… oh my god. The difference is amazing. 1st gear is much easier to get now. 2nd slots in much easier, no grinding feeling. 3rd is now smooth as a baby’s bottom - no scaley or grindy feeling. 5th was starting to develop the same bad feeling as 3rd but even 5th is now smooth

So pleased with this oil. It has literally given my gearbox a new lease of life.

20

ive just had a brand new gear box under warranty due to this…

only third to second crunched…

worn synco but metal shavings in the gears…

all went under warranty

Tom