Own maintenance-realistic?

[GreekS1]

Hi,

I?m planning to import a +2 to Greece from the UK.

As there are no classic lotus specialists in Greece, I plan to have it serviced in the UK in a reputable dealer (ie Paul Matty) once every 2-3 years and then do the basic maintenance myself in Greece. I would want the car to be in very good condition to begin with, and needing nothing. I am not a mechanic but I am very interested in learning and have some experience from fettling with my S1 elise.
The +2 will not be covering vast mileages, only weekend runs and the occasional classic car event/tour.

My question is: would this be a realistic scenario??? How many of you do their own maintenance on your cars?

Thanks
Vassilis

[rgh0]

A Lotus is very much owner maintainable with very little specialist equipment beyond a basic tool kit required.

Get the workshop and parts manuals, ask lots of questions here of anything you dont understand and you will be able to deal with most problems if you want to learn and dont mind getting your hands dirty.

Looking after the car yourself is one of the joys of classic car ownership. I believe it increases the pleasure behind the wheel as it builds the empathy you have with the car and understand its moods and noises better.

cheers
Rohan



.

[MintSprint]

I'd Second what Rohan says - there are very few cars that are as easy to service and maintain as an Elan, provided you are careful, methodical and follow the manual.

Even if you lived in the UIK, parts supply would probably be via one of 3 suppliers and for most people that would mean mail order.

It might be a bit problematical if you have to rely on it as your only transport, but otherwise I'd say no problem!

You'll probably find that you'll quickly become confident enough not to need the 2-3 yearly specialist servicing, either - the only thing I'd want to entrust to a specialist would be a full cylinder head rebuild, if valve guides and seats became necessary.

[tdafforn]

Definately agree..
The workshop manual is a good starting point, and this forum is the best I have encountered for real problem solving rather than the innane "shooting the breeze" that you get on other forums..
In terms of annual servicing, that is also straight forward and easily achievable in a day. Spend the money you would pay to get a service from PM on buying a good quality set of tools..
Cheers
Tim

[peterako]

Geia sou Vassili!

Pos eisai;

I do almost all my own maintenance on my +2. There are no Classic Lotus Specialists in Ireland too!

All the routine maintenance is well within the capabilities of an owner.
As is routine servicing (plus, oil etc).

I DO have a background of 'playing' with cars when I was a lot younger and rallying on a non-existant budget....

BUT....one of the joys of the Elan is that anyone with some common sense, the ability to learn, not afraid to get their hands dirty....with the support of some knowledgable people (lotuselan.net is a great start)....can maintain an Elan!

It's a 'back to basics' REAL car! I.e. not a modern day computer with wheels attached!

What I can't do myself at the moment is lift the engine out, head work etc....but I am lucky to have made friends with a mechanic who is a classic enthusiast.

BUT....the engine block is a FORD (manufactured) block. If you need the head worked on you are best off getting a specialist to do it etc...
Other parts are from Triumphs....

I use suppliers from the UK for parts. Sue Miller is my favourite.

eBay.co.uk has a steady stream of Elan bits for sale....

Sigh....the thoughts of driving from England to Greece every few years....wow!

An Elan will love the Greek weather!!

Peter '73 +2S 130/5 Tha pathanomai olio (it's been a while....forgive my pigin Greek!)

[alaric]

Vassilis,

I've emailed one of the guys from the forum, Charlie, who lives in Greece - he has several cars it appears among which is an elan or two - a +2 if I remember correctly. He's given me his email and mobile, which I have just sent to you by personal mail. Hope this helps.

Sean.

[264889socal]

The best part of self maintenance is this forum. Anything you come up with can and will be answered, with complete instructions form several very informed sources. It must be considered the lifeblood for an Elan.

Exploring the history on this site will open doors few other sites can provide. Everybody has to start somewhere, and this site make the start very easy.

Rob Walker

[oldokie]

The best thing about doing your own work is catching problems before they become disasters. You know the car will get you home from wherever you've decided to go; I've driven from Orange County to San Francisco for lunch without giving it a second thought.

[Bill]

Vasillie

Rohan has it right!

I purchased 26/0538 (Elan 1600) in Dec of '63 direct from the factory, there were NO dealers in North America. It was the first car on the continent in western Canada (hey). I was supplied with both the preliminary mimiographed works manual sheets and later, by post, the shop manual and dealer parts manual.

For 45 years I have succeslully been my own mechanic from the era before the email help of forumes like this.

I will take special work to specialists with all the info I have (including a knowledgable overview of the particular situation) if need be (my lack of tooling or special experience is the influence)

My Elan was my daily driver for about 15 years as well as for my club racing and hill climbing passion. Now it is carefully maintained / restored in origional shape and is driven for events / pleasure only in decent weather. I must confess 'tho that I stupidly took it out in the rain last month and munched it in the ditich - a little fiberglass repair on the front lower apron. The first substantial accident in all this time.

I hope this helps give you confidence to keep it running - It is a reliable vehicle - and still fun for me - the best performance car ever

If you can lay your hands on a workshop manual, parts manual (for exploded views) and Dave Beans cataloge, Miles Wilkins restro book, Brian Bucklands extreemly helpfull adjunt to the factory manual you will have no problems and lots of fun keeping it going.

You own the most satisfying performance car ever made - keep it going.

Keep your stick on the ice!

Bill

[GreekS1]

Thank you all for the prompt replies!!
This forum really is very helpful. If anything I am now more confident for the maintenance etc. I will definately be needing your help in the future!

Sean: I have actually met Charlie at a classic car meet in here Greece, he has a +2 which he found abandoned here in Greece and restored over 20 years ago if I remember? I think it is the only +2 in Greece at the moment. It is also LHD. I will definitely be giving him a ring. Thanks a lot for that!

Well I am now on the hunt for a suitable car and will be update this forum on the outcome..

BTW are any of you going to the Club Lotus event at Donnington at the end of the month. It would sure be nice to meet up and talk.

Thanks again!

Vassilis

[triumphelan]

If you cant do your own maintainance I hope you rich.Elan are high on Maintainance

[tdafforn]

I should be at the show. Hopefully with +2
Tim

[type36lotus]

I did my own maintenance on my 66 Elan S3 coupe and a 78 Esprit S1. The Elan is easy, especially compared with the Esprit. On the Esprit most things are hidden from direct view on the Elan just about everything can be seen. The Esprit difficulty started at impossible and gets worse. The Elan was a joy to work on. Still loved them both.

[twincamman]

well Vassilis---- I went from the pics here to a complete car with a fairly stout tool box and a manual and 3 years time ----maintaining the car is simple ---oil changes -and -grease ----valve lash is some what complex but not impossible ---The weather in your area is warm enough you wont fear tools sticking to bare flesh as is the problem here 3 months a year ---so you will have a more enjoyable time of it --and the advice here is reliable --[usually]- --parts are mostly triumph running gear and Brit Ford engine and tranny -----parts are around if you know what car the part was from originally ----- ed

[Matt]

The Esprit difficulty started at impossible and gets worse. The Elan was a joy to work on. Still loved them both.

Agreed !

I'm restoring an S1 Esprit atm and it's alot harder work then my +2 restoration ever was

The elan +2's are so nice to work on, so simple yet kinda clever .. yes I know that makes no sense ...

Anyway I'm going to Donnington as are may of us here it's a great place to learn about +2's

Will take you for a spin in my +2 if you want


Matt