Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all. I'm fitting the front sidelights - basically working through the wiring from the front of the car to the back - have not got far... The original 'foam' gaskets are now brittle and useless. I've bought some 3mm thick rubber sheet from ebay to make up new gaskets. I just wondered if anyone had a neat alternative way of sealing these things up that allows them to be taken apart again easily.

All the best.

Sean.

Have you checked with Matty recently to see if he has the gaskets? As he's had the sidelights re-made, they must have gaskets fitted...so someone's making them!

Mark

I made my own out of an old inner tube, used the old perished ones as a pattern, do the job fine.

Two excellent suggestions. Thanks very much guys. I think I have the remains of an inner tube from where I used one before.

Regards.

Sean.

Hi Guys,
Two excellent replies as usual but..You can always buy a bit of Gasket rubber from various companies (woolies? for E.G.) even Su Millar sells it. It's a bit different to inner tube rubber in as much as it's a lot less 'squidgie' for the want of a better word. and stays put very well & cuts good too!

I can send you enough to do your lamps if you want.. Just give me your address...


Alex B....

Thanks for the offer Alex. I took delivery of some ebay best rubber sheet today that may be ok - a bit hard though. I'll try the inner tube idea as I've used that approach before and it worked well. I'll let you know if I need any of the stuff that you have.

All the best.

Sean.

Not sure whether you are refering to the rubber gasket between lamp & body, or to the gasket between lens & lamp? For the latter, the most effective gaskets I have seen are soft foam with a thin clear plastic 'washer'. The washer stops the inevitable lumps & bumps on the lens moulding from sticking to the foam when fitted/removed. The lenses are not very strong where the bayonet-type tabs fit, so the foam needs to be soft and the washer needs to be smooth to avoid breakages...

Anyway, after a while the lenses tend to melt since they are so small & fit close to the bulb...

Matthew

...not if you fit LED bulbs...

John

Go on then John, please give us more details - make, model, availability, etc...

Thanks,
Matthew

Hi

I made my own from http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pc-line-f ... 4-pdt.html

Jason

Matthew

It's late now ,I'll dig out the details in the morning, but they're the only LEDs I have liked, they fit the front sidelights and number plate lamps.
John

Hi. I didn't know there was a gasket between the lamp and body. I did check some time back, and am sure I concluded there wasn't one. I'd rather fit one though so good to hear. I was referring to the gasket that seals the lens unit to the body of the light, so the foamy gasket. Mine have shrunk and are brittle now. So a soft neoprene seems like a good idea.

I thought about using LEDs. For me that falls into one of those conversions I can do once the car is on the road.

Thanks for the help.

Sean.

I didn't know there was a gasket between the lamp and body

Hi

There is not. I made the gasket between the lamp body and the lamp lens. It is shown in the Lotus Parts manual.

Jason

If you need material try these guys they stock a wide range of rubbers and foam, I found them very helpful when I needed material to refurbish my +2 heater unit.
www.foamandrubberstrip.co.uk

Sean,Matthew et Al


Here's the LED's,have had a good look and there's no marking on them and I can't remember where I got them from..Fleabay,China/Hong Kong rings a bell...Good Luck

John

P.S. Just noticed my sidelights are reversed,am also about to make a gasket for them (bed them in white silicone),will post piccy after if they look O.K.