I’ve just bought an S1 exige, now i’ve spent some time with it there are few things that seem odd to me.
Firstly, it seems to use, or be burning alot of oil. I’ve done a 1000 mile trip, mainly on motorway’s and it’s gone through a couple of litres. I’ve had a look underneath and there is some oil on the undertray, but it looks old and could just be old road rubbish.
The engine sounds a bit tappety too, in fact that’s what made me look closely at the oil level, it’s better once i’ve filled the oil up, but are most of the K series like this?
The other thing i’ve hit a what seems like a rough limiter on a couple of occasions. It’s happened when i was accerating onto motorways, at about 4-5000 rpm? I’ve read a couple of references to an ECU limiter that can cut in, but does anyone have any details how/why this happens?
Any help gratefully accepted…
Oh, last thing i need a few bits like new headlamp covers, towing eye, tool kit and immobilser key etc. Where’s the best place to go?
I can’t comment on the oil consumption, other than saying it seems a bit high.
The “rough limiter” you talk of, could it be happening around 3500rpm ? It’s a fairly common problem, a search of “3500rpm” may give you some clues. I had the problem on my first Exige and found that the plug leads were loose around the coil pack, try seeing if you can click them back. From memory, others have reported the old ECU causes the problem too
thanks, i’ll get the wheel off and have a look and clean round down there.
I’m not sure what oil’s been put in before i collected it and i didn’t have much choice as it was very low when i checked. I used Castrol RS, but i think it was a 0-40W.
There are few black dots on the black, but i think that’s carbon from rich running rather than oil.
Mines done 48k miles and uses a fair bit of oil but I am using castrol RS 0w-40 which is probably a bit thin. it’s like brake fliud so its probably pissing past rings and seals.
Mine get really sooted up at the back but not as bad now since fiting the emerald ECU/vernier cam pullies.
Oil on the under tray could obviously be loads of different things (spills when filling, weeping oil filter/sump plug) but its likely to be the oil cooler pipe unions weeping a bit. Im sure mine are. I am planning on replacing them this winter if I get time.
There’s also a local club NYLOC to you and there are several K powered S1 members who can provide shoulders to cry on.
Are you a season Lotus veteran or the bravest man on earth who’s totally new to Lotus and S1 Exige ownership???
PS there is supposed to be an inbetween meeting of NYLOC tonight at J39 M1 Red Kite/Kestrel pub on left of dual carriage way heading into wakey. PM me if you want any more detail
Simon
PS try ELISEPARTS for any parts. The dealers can be a bit silly when it comes to parts…or anything for that matter!!!
Ok thanks, i’ll hopefully have some time this weekend to give the car a good look over.
And i’m new to lotus, i collected the car on thursday and got straight on the ferry to the Nurburgring with it. I’m been very pleased with it, although i’ve been taking it very easy until i find out what the K series can put up with. The oil was halfway down the dipstick by the time i got to Adenau.
I’m planning a K20A swap eventually, but judging by the current state of my bank account i need to look after the k series for a while.
definately can recommend the nyloc club there. some awesome blokes there and more than happy to help. how are you enjoying the s1?? i have a 340r and am currently looking at getting an s1. anyone experienced both care to comment as i haven’t driven s1 exige as yet…
definately can recommend the nyloc club there. some awesome blokes there and more than happy to help. how are you enjoying the s1?? i have a 340r and am currently looking at getting an s1. anyone experienced both care to comment as i haven’t driven s1 exige as yet…
with a k20a installed…golden
So far it’s great. From the brief track use the handling and steering communication are really impressive. But i suspect that’s very similar to your 340. As a car, it’s noisy, difficult to get in, hard to see out the back and a bit hot. But i love that too. Once you’re in it’s very comfortable, it’s not tiring to drive and i’m certainly very pleased with it and the 1000 mile round trip was easy.
I’ve got concerns about the fragility of the K series, but i don’t really know what condition it’s in, or what kind of stress it can take (it does seem to need high revs to get the most out of) but once i’ve had the internals checked i’m sure i’ll settle down. It certainly has character.
was looking to swap the 340 for an s1 and may have some interest. the 340 is awesome but between work and weather i never get to drive it. i realise the exige is not a daily driver, but at least i’ll be able to use it as a car from time to time instead of just a toy! anybody know how similar they are in feel etc.? (if not, i will find out wednesday!!)