Headlamp Covers / Driving in France

General General Lotus Talk
1

Hello All,I’ve noticed on another BB that someone has recomended using clear silicon sealant (i.e the stuff used to seal bathrooms) when refixing the Headlamp Covers (this will also seal them from water ingress) - I’m about to give them a good clean at the weekend - has anybody tried this?I’m also off to the South of France in the Exige for 2 wks in August - any tips (i.e covering a couple of k’s in 2 wks in the Exige)?Thanks,James [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

2

I’ve given up making the headlamp covers super water tight, but given the headlamps are sealed anyway water ingress doesn’t cause a problem other than condensation…If you leave enough gaps in the seal around the cover, it’ll breathe enough to stop condensation.That’s the lazy way, anyway

3

JohnO drove from Manchester to Monaco & back in 4 days, earlier this year. (Search the archives for details)I think that you will find the cabin will get very hot in around town driving (even with aircon. Before the recent trip to Le Mans, I had my side windows tinted (like RussT’s & Steve Green’s, & this definately helps to keep the cabin cooler. Also, as Russ tipped me the wink, you can look at totty without being obvious about it [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]

4

Pesky - I’ll be traveling with the Girlfriend so any rubber necking at totty usually results in a dig in the ribs. I’ll stick to the sunglasses option and put up with the heat (no aircon in my car but then again I don’t drink Shandy [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image])

5

did Imola and back in ten days in May with my wife who hates the carIt was ok except when we did 3 or 4 hours non stip when I found the whole tub of the car got slowly hotter and hotter My advice for what its worth don’t do to much in one go JohnCps the Air Con was 100% Con and zero air

6

I’m going over on Eurostar AM and will probably break the journey with a trip to Le Mans for the night - my girlfriend feels the same about the car (too Hot / Noisy etc etc) but I’m hoping that a trip away will heal the differences [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

7

quote:Originally posted by duggan:I’m going over on Eurostar…Careful with ground clearance on those ramps! [I don’t they’re a problem, just guessing]

8

I’ve checked on various posts and it appears that the Eurostar is OK - I guess the Le Mans Run took the train (ferries are no go?). I’ve also read an article on taking the Exige to the 'ring in Topgear via Eurostar so I think it will be OK

9

quote:Originally posted by JohnC:ps the Air Con was 100% Con and zero airhe he - remove it and save 18Kgs like i have done !!!Phil

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DugganI thought all Southerners drank shandy [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]You should not have any problems on the ferries. They’ve seen it all before, & are very helpful to ensure that you don’t damage your car when embarking/disembarking [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]Finally, Mr Davies should have had body parts removed to save weight - & a bloody fortune in disposable nappies!!! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

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Mr Pesky sir [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/tongue.gif[/image]

12

quote:Originally posted by duggan:…using clear silicon sealant (i.e the stuff used to seal bathrooms) when refixing the Headlamp Covers (this will also seal them from water ingress) - I’m about to give them a good clean at the weekend - has anybody tried this?B&C did this to mine at it’s first service under warranty (that’s right, they bill Lotus for the labour!). Haven’t had any misting up since.Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

13

Cool to hear the positive story about the aircon, as I heard a lot of negative stories about it. I have finally convince my girl about this car, and now next week I will start with a test drive (this to ensure that what I think about the car is true).Any tips, on what I need to look at + ask for.Thnx for the help and will let you know my experience.

14

Hello Peter,Do a search on the BB for “Sale” which tends to dragnet all queries of this nature - this is a good site to glean overview information on the car and also indepth technical questions. Aircon - an emotive subject on the BB - I do not have it in my car primarily as I use it only on weekends and am not too bothered about the heat (also “ahm” for weight saving / power drain [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]) as an illustration on the heat I got caught in traffic in London (quel surprise) on Sunday afternoon (31C - hottest day of the year) and after 10 mins the sweat was racing off me - although on the move the heat is fine.Does anyone know of a good route to Le Mans - per the heading - I’m off to SOF on Saturday and will stop off in Le Mans?Cheers,James

15

Not sure which port you arrive in, but you might be able to adapt some of this? It does take a while, but the roads are fantastic and empty… http://ttstag.revolver.com/sites/tootes/lemans/thursdayroute.htm Cheers

16

Cheers Mark - I’m crossing via Eurotunnel so the route is fine - how long does it take to complete?

17

I think we were over in France about 9am local time, and arrived at Le Mans about 6pm local time, although this did include about 3 longish coffee stops. We also took the autoroute to just south of Le Touquet, and then took some D road over to the route above.Cheers

18

quote:Originally posted by YP:Cool to hear the positive story about the aircon, as I heard a lot of negative stories about it.My air con works, kicks out nice cold air, but the effect it has is minimal. Don’t expect too much. It’s rather like having Air Con in a sauna!However, after experimenting on a long hot journey yesterday, I do think it makes the difference between being uncomfortable and really uncomfortable. I think that is why Lotus fitted it.Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]

19

quote:Originally posted by IDG:I do think it makes the difference between being uncomfortable and really uncomfortable. I think that is why Lotus fitted it.The damn pipe on my aircon broke again over the weekend [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image] Being fixed on Friday along with the ECU swap.

20

PeskyAren’t you tempted to take the air con out -are you still getting the pipe fixed under warranty?.I think if mine goes again and I’ve got to pay for it I will get it taken outIan’s description of it’s effectiveness is spot onDavid[This message has been edited by David Ward (edited 30 July 2002).]