Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

A few weeks ago, my plus 2, 4 speed, clutch was operating fine.

Then I had to replace a leaking slave cylinder.

All bled thro and pushrod clearance set to 2mm.

Release arm throw is good.

But clutch not disengaging.

On pulling the boot back for a look inside, a clip fell out! Burton GB2E 201. Carrier to arm clip.

Also a good bit of oil in there. Maybe crank rear oil seal?

Any thoughts on best course of action?

Lack of responce suggests people are stumped. I have not looked at which clip you make reference to but I suspect that whether it is the curly one or the long one, the engine will be coming out to replace it. I have never known either of those clips falling out in service, IF they were fitted correctly.

The oil in the bell housing could just be the lower bolt that secures the BH was not fitted with any PTFE tape when installed. It goes straight into the gearbox. Or, it could be more serious like the rear seal. Either way, you will no doubt be doing some 'whilst I'm in there work'.

Good luck.

Leslie

The clip that fell out is one of the 2 curly ones that secure the release bearing carrier to the arm.

Just double checking today......I found that I can engage gear with the engine running, after pumping the clutch pedal several times.

Maybe some air trapped? We bled the slave by pumping the pedal..........

but my friend is borrowing a vacuum bleeder for us to use tomorrow.

Never used one before, but sounds better than using the Gunsons pressure bleeder

Common for clutch plate to stick to the flywheel if left for a while. Could be that it a hydraulic issue.

Surely you are not considering starting the engine and then operating the clutch with one of the short and curlys missing from the assembly? Or even not starting the engine and operating the clutch?

Leslie

I suspect the clip has been loose. since the previous owner fitted a new clutch in 2014 !

It was sitting on top of the release arm gaiter.

I had a peer into the bellhousing today.

The D clip was just floating loose!

I managed to remove it using a magnetic pick up.

Leslie, you are right.....the engine is coming out.

I must say, it does seem an over complicated set up.

Other cars simply have a release bearing sitting on the release arm.

Dave
There are two ways to fit the "curly" retaining clips , the right way and the wrong way...

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=14501&start=

.. and some of the " modern " reproduction springs are vastly inferior...

John

Thus...



John

Does this image suggest that at one point they were handed.

Not sure?

John

Good to hear from you John!

I've got the Lotus manual and can see the drawing you posted.

But its a bit worrying that repro clips might not be up to the job.

So, your challenge for a cold day, is to sit in your warm office, and come up with a better alternative!!

You did this many times before.

Dave

I'm a little busy at the moment finding out how to adapt a Volvo ABS system ( Mk2 ) to the Moggie , taken the 2.0 Zetec out, re-fitting a 1330 A-Series..

But a Mondeo slave cylinder

https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/index.p ... s_dpRuiVs0

with an adaptor plate like..




This is in the A-Series to Type9 bellhousing..

John

Craven wrote:Does this image suggest that at one point they were handed.

rb3 3.jpg

It does.
I asked TTR about this when I recently got some of the curly springs from them and they said in 30 years they've never supplied handed springs. So I have 2 identical springs on at the moment

The springs were never handed. You do have to fit them the right way around however. Around a million Mk 1 Cortina’s used the same parts reliably - except for the clutch fork itself which is marginal with the higher capacity Lotus clutch.

The clips themselves are very reliable if installed correctly. That’s with original clips of course. Can’t comment on repro’s