Engine Work

[Tournesol]

Good afternoon all,

My car is a +2 from 1969. The engine was rebuilt at some point but I haven't got the details, it pulls well and so far ran about 10k in the last 18 months without problems (fingers crossed it carries on...). I have (always had since I bought the car) a relatively important oil leak which seems to be coming from the front plate gasket and possibly also the back plate. It needs a top up of about 1L every time (but never more) I use the car which is more or less every week end. I am looking at getting it looked at as well as other stuff to be done.

Do you guys have any recommendations for specialists based around South East London? (up to around an hour drive?)

Have any one dealt with Maidstone Sports Car in the past and if so what was your experience?

Could always take the car down to Miles Wilkins who did the chassis/suspension last year but a bit far away.

On a different subject I am looking at taking the car to a track day with Lotus on Track in May. Anyone on here also a member there? Would it suit a "novice track day driver" and a +2 which is unmodified and will remain so?

Many thanks for your opinions/recommendations.

Bruno

[richardcox_lotus]

You could always try Baldyns - they use to be at Biggin Hill but are now at Orpington:

http://baldyneengineering.co.uk/

[Matt Elan]

It's a pretty major leak if you are loosing 1 litre each time you are using it. But (and its a big but) if you have to top it up each time, then its blowing it out / loosing the 1 litre but no more, are you sure you are not overfilling it?

Have you tried emptying the sump, then refilling with the correct amount of oil - i.e. 7 1/2 pints (uk) - 4 litres? Once you've done that, check where the oil level is on the dipstick - on my rebuild plus 2 engine the dipstick doesn't go all the way down in the tube so 'reads' low all the time. And chack the level when the car's on a flat surface of course!

You could always just look on the bright side - the chassis is never going to rust with that much oil thrown on it

[JJDraper]

A litre each time you use it?? Wow! Any idea where its going (newspaper under the car when you stop & see where the drops are). Sounds like both front and back seals are unhappy - also worth checking the state of the cork gasket on the water pump chest/head joint - they have a habit of squishing out..

Cars with major oil leaks such as you describe would not be popular on a track day! May be banned from going out after scrutineering.

Jeremy

[el-saturn]

unhappy seals is lovely terminology Jeremy and at 1 Liter per ride you'll see lots of unhappy scrutineers at any circuit: you'd have to carry a bag of "oildust"??? for the marshalls on you to keep the engine running without a shutdown. i'm lookin at a teaspoon per ride AND I KNOW WHY aand it bothers the sh.... out of me sandy

[Elan45]

My +2 had a big valve cam cover on it when I got it, but it was made late '69. The engine was standard, so just a fake cover.

The engine was seized, so required a rebuild right from the start. Upon completion, the Cordts ring set never seated but there was always a puddle under the right front corner. Close examination found a tiny casting flaw in the BV cam cover, right in line with the cam sprockets. The cover now hangs in my shop as a ornament and the engine is apart to replace the Cordts rings and other problems since 1999. Too many projects, too little time.

But don't rule out a hole in the casting!

Roger

[Elanintheforest]

Go to Miles Bruno....a bit further but he is very good, and wrote the book on Twincams.
Mark

[stugilmour]

Excellent replies already. My dipstick needed adjusting as well. I run a catch can from the vent.

Assuming you get the oil leak resolved before May, yes the stock Plus 2 should be fine for a Lotus Track Day. I used mine at a LOG Track Day at Sebring, which is about 3.5 miles and very flat and fast. It was the first time I had officially tracked a car, my only previous experience was a brief lunch time fund raising session at a local vintage race.

The Plus 2 will be slower than any modern Lotus (Elige, Esprit, etc.). Not an issue as you just point the other cars by. The Plus 2 handling and braking are a lot of fun, it just lacks power out of faster corners and top end on longer straights. Mine exhibits a lot of body lean on the rear springs, but is very stable and predictable. I assume they will provide a ride along instructor for you. The other drivers with modern cars will appreciate you bringing the car out.

Make sure your car is ready to go, including your oil leak and capacity, brake pads and fluid, gauges working, coolant, tires, exhaust clamps & hangers, no loose stuff like battery, spare tire, etc. Check you fit comfortably with a helmet, and that both front seats & belts are secure and in working order. Not sure for your group, but the Lotus Ltd track days over here require the car to be inspected and signed off by your local mechanic prior to the Track Day, so I try to get everything ready prior to the inspection.

I found I needed to tape the trailing edge of the bonnet to avoid it popping up due to body flex at the scuttle. I forget the exact tire pressures I used (30 to 35 psi IIRC), considerably higher than the 24 psi or so that is typical for road use, so make sure you have use of a compressor or add air at your fuel stop prior to the track. Do not overfill the gas tank as it may slop a bit at the filler depending on your venting setup. You may need to fill up at the lunch break depending on run groups, track time, etc.

There can apparently be issues with oil starvation on long sweepers as the sump oil shifts away from the pickup; I baffled my sump so have not had this issue. Understand some folks have added an oil pressure light (reacts faster than the gauge) to monitor things.

Have fun! Tracking the car is a complete gas and very safe. The details can feel a bit intimidating the first time, but leaving the track with a huge grin is worth it.

Stu

[RichC]

went to Lotus on track as a complete novice in my newly acquired standard '68 plus 2 about 7 years ago (north Weald bassett)and it was a hoot ! i even remember actually spinning it ... quite a tall order ... and it stalled . They helped me restart with such patience ... foot full on the throttle and turn over ignition for 2 revs ... in front of everyone else too!
Yes you'll find the car leans terribly but never lets go unless you're being mental- like i was on the slalom ! . Decent tyres is a must ... i remember one chap fretting because the tread on the edges of his tyres had disintegrated on the bends . Yes i remebered to put in 30+ tyre pressure in my new michelins and they did the job well .
One thing i would add.... as a result of all the fun I reckon i must have disturbed the layers of sediment in the tank and shortly afterwards i had to rebuild the carbs 'cos they were clogged with s**t.maybe you have the time to check the state of your fuel tank & remove any sludge beforehand??
you gotta sort the oil loss first though....