Have Just Purchased A Plus 2.....
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Mon Oct 11, 2004 4:47 pm
To all those who know a lot more than me about the Plus 2
I have just bought a 1971 Plus 2 130s - Red with Silver roof, 23k miles since the engine rebuild. I was on my way to B&Q to buy a step ladder and came back with this instead. Both me and the Wife absolutely love it, it is a beautifully presented example but it was VERY MUCH a spur of the moment thing. I will be using this as my every day car - although I am restricted to 5k miles by insurance. I know absolutely nothing about Lotus, running Classic Cars, Car Maintainence etc etc. Being such a novice I am not keen to get to stuck in if anything should (and it inevitably will) go wrong.
I am currently based in Colchester - Can anyone advise where to take my car for servicing & maintainence, where the best place for parts is, what I need to watch out for on a day to day basis, how often I should service the car and check the Oil and any other useful hints, tips and things to watch out for.
Finally when retracting the Headlights the left Pod stops an inch short of being flush with the Bonnet and has to be pushed down by hand. Any ideas?
Any and all is very much appreciated
Rich H
I have just bought a 1971 Plus 2 130s - Red with Silver roof, 23k miles since the engine rebuild. I was on my way to B&Q to buy a step ladder and came back with this instead. Both me and the Wife absolutely love it, it is a beautifully presented example but it was VERY MUCH a spur of the moment thing. I will be using this as my every day car - although I am restricted to 5k miles by insurance. I know absolutely nothing about Lotus, running Classic Cars, Car Maintainence etc etc. Being such a novice I am not keen to get to stuck in if anything should (and it inevitably will) go wrong.
I am currently based in Colchester - Can anyone advise where to take my car for servicing & maintainence, where the best place for parts is, what I need to watch out for on a day to day basis, how often I should service the car and check the Oil and any other useful hints, tips and things to watch out for.
Finally when retracting the Headlights the left Pod stops an inch short of being flush with the Bonnet and has to be pushed down by hand. Any ideas?
Any and all is very much appreciated
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: tdafforn » Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:05 pm
Hi Rich,
Congrats on getting such a handsome car...
I got a '73 +2 130s 18 months ago... great fun..
General advice is a little hard to give, if you are going to do the maintainance yourself:
1) Get a lotus handbook (they contain all the information required to completely disssemble the car!)
2) Get subscribed to as many Lotus elan lists as possible (you're part way there on this)
If you are going to get someone else to do it get advice on good trustworthy garages that know lotus..
Otherwise in many ways, you learn as you use...
Keep an eye on water, oil (twincam tends to leak a fair bit)
, and brake fluid levels.
Its worth having a fire extinguisher in the car as all fibreglass cars are susceptable to fire..
Check the condition of the Rotoflex couplings on the rear axle, if they are old and cracked, and they let go they tend to punch holes in the body..
make sure the front tunions (lower swivels on the suspension) are regularly lubricated with oil. They can sieze and at worst lead to the suspension collapsing usually at low speed (car parks)
other problem is rotting of the front suspension turret, worth having a poke around here, although if your lamps stay down for more than 15 mins it means that the front cross member is OK.
Finally wiggle the water pump, if it wiggles more than a little you are in for a new pump (expensive) although if the rebuild of the engine was done well this shouldn't be a problem..
Saying all this the only problems I have had have been those you'd expect from a normal car (new shocks, new tyres, bit of tuning..)
So enjoy,
Cheers
Tim
Congrats on getting such a handsome car...
I got a '73 +2 130s 18 months ago... great fun..
General advice is a little hard to give, if you are going to do the maintainance yourself:
1) Get a lotus handbook (they contain all the information required to completely disssemble the car!)
2) Get subscribed to as many Lotus elan lists as possible (you're part way there on this)
If you are going to get someone else to do it get advice on good trustworthy garages that know lotus..
Otherwise in many ways, you learn as you use...
Keep an eye on water, oil (twincam tends to leak a fair bit)
, and brake fluid levels.
Its worth having a fire extinguisher in the car as all fibreglass cars are susceptable to fire..
Check the condition of the Rotoflex couplings on the rear axle, if they are old and cracked, and they let go they tend to punch holes in the body..
make sure the front tunions (lower swivels on the suspension) are regularly lubricated with oil. They can sieze and at worst lead to the suspension collapsing usually at low speed (car parks)
other problem is rotting of the front suspension turret, worth having a poke around here, although if your lamps stay down for more than 15 mins it means that the front cross member is OK.
Finally wiggle the water pump, if it wiggles more than a little you are in for a new pump (expensive) although if the rebuild of the engine was done well this shouldn't be a problem..
Saying all this the only problems I have had have been those you'd expect from a normal car (new shocks, new tyres, bit of tuning..)
So enjoy,
Cheers
Tim
1972 +2S130
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:01 pm
Tim
Many thanks for your advice - I will certainly have a look at those bits and pieces you mentioned when I have half a chance. It will give me a break from Polishing it! If anyone else has any more useful day to day hints please let me know and If anyone knows of a decent Garage in Essex??
Rich H
Many thanks for your advice - I will certainly have a look at those bits and pieces you mentioned when I have half a chance. It will give me a break from Polishing it! If anyone else has any more useful day to day hints please let me know and If anyone knows of a decent Garage in Essex??
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: elan_fan » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:52 pm
I don't know if they still do it but one of the best/only classic car courses used to be run at the colchester institute go check them out and learn to do it all yourself its cheaper and you get a better job.
good choice by the way
regards
mark
good choice by the way
regards
mark
_________________
Mark
1969 ELAN PLUS 2S
1998 CATERHAM 7 SUPERSPORT
Mark
1969 ELAN PLUS 2S
1998 CATERHAM 7 SUPERSPORT
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:20 pm
I will check that course out in the Morning - thanks for the heads up. Following Tims advice where is the best (Cheapest) place to get hold of a Workshop Manual. Have seen a couple advertised but they are all coming in at around ?50 - does this sound about right?
Rich H
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: hat » Mon Oct 11, 2004 9:30 pm
<!--QuoteBegin-richardhallett99+Oct 11 2004, 09:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (richardhallett99 @ Oct 11 2004, 09:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->heads up. Following Tims advice where is the best (Cheapest) place to get hold of a Workshop Manual. Have seen a couple advertised but they are all coming in at around ?50 - does this sound about right?
Rich H[/quote]
They pop up on ebay quite often , usually starting around ?30. Watch out for postage cost though, these things are heavy.
Mines striped for a respray at the moment, what a hoot, never seem such a mess.
Regards
Rich H[/quote]
They pop up on ebay quite often , usually starting around ?30. Watch out for postage cost though, these things are heavy.
Mines striped for a respray at the moment, what a hoot, never seem such a mess.
Regards
"lets look on it as an investment darling. One day it will..................................."
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:48 pm
Just purchased one on E-Bay so Ta for that!
Just remembered that I have another question. The stereo that is fitted in the Car is not the original one. I want to put in an original Stereo (is it a Motorola?) but have no idea where I can find one.
Anyone any ideas?
Rich H
Just remembered that I have another question. The stereo that is fitted in the Car is not the original one. I want to put in an original Stereo (is it a Motorola?) but have no idea where I can find one.
Anyone any ideas?
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: 1964 S1 » Tue Oct 12, 2004 3:00 am
Hello Rich, I'm in the USA and monkey on my own cars, sorry I'm no help locating a Lotus mechanic. Make sure he loves 'em.
Advice:
Onboard Fire Extinquisher Is Mandatory.
Check the entire fuel system carefully for leaks, including all lines and the back of the tank where the fuel level sensor is located.
Check the brakes.
Check the water pump belt and make sure it isn't too tight.
Drive it fast and have fun !
My '69 +2 has an original PYE AM/FM radio. We put Motorolas in new Lotus here in the early seventies. You may need headphones.
I've owned my car for six years or so and still catch myself staring at it. Congratulations, Eric
Advice:
Onboard Fire Extinquisher Is Mandatory.
Check the entire fuel system carefully for leaks, including all lines and the back of the tank where the fuel level sensor is located.
Check the brakes.
Check the water pump belt and make sure it isn't too tight.
Drive it fast and have fun !
My '69 +2 has an original PYE AM/FM radio. We put Motorolas in new Lotus here in the early seventies. You may need headphones.
I've owned my car for six years or so and still catch myself staring at it. Congratulations, Eric
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Post by: Roy Gillett » Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:00 am
<!--QuoteBegin-richardhallett99+Oct 11 2004, 10:48 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (richardhallett99 @ Oct 11 2004, 10:48 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->
Just remembered that I have another question. The stereo that is fitted in the Car is not the original one. I want to put in an original Stereo (is it a Motorola?) but have no idea where I can find one.
Anyone any ideas?
Rich H [/quote]
The radio (NOT stereo, notwithstanding two speaker grills in the rear shelf) is a very odd and rare affair because there is no depth behind the dash. More modern units stick out of the dash if fitted. Originally it would have been a Philips Turnolock or a Pye Master. Neither are FM and with a plastic car and situated a few inches from the spark plugs I found interference was enormous. It just becomes an audible rev counter rather than a radio! There are solutions. I had the Vintage Wireless Co comvert my Philips to receive FM (cosmeticly invisible) and I know people who have fitted a modern unit in the glovebox (one cleverly switched on and off using the control on the old radio left in place for originality. Of course FM is much less sussceptible to RF interference but even then sometimes it is more entertaining to listen to that wonderful engine rather than anything radio can provide! Even non-working Turnolocks seem to fetch big prices at autojumbles (when you can find one).
Good luck with the car, I love mine to bits.
Just remembered that I have another question. The stereo that is fitted in the Car is not the original one. I want to put in an original Stereo (is it a Motorola?) but have no idea where I can find one.
Anyone any ideas?
Rich H [/quote]
The radio (NOT stereo, notwithstanding two speaker grills in the rear shelf) is a very odd and rare affair because there is no depth behind the dash. More modern units stick out of the dash if fitted. Originally it would have been a Philips Turnolock or a Pye Master. Neither are FM and with a plastic car and situated a few inches from the spark plugs I found interference was enormous. It just becomes an audible rev counter rather than a radio! There are solutions. I had the Vintage Wireless Co comvert my Philips to receive FM (cosmeticly invisible) and I know people who have fitted a modern unit in the glovebox (one cleverly switched on and off using the control on the old radio left in place for originality. Of course FM is much less sussceptible to RF interference but even then sometimes it is more entertaining to listen to that wonderful engine rather than anything radio can provide! Even non-working Turnolocks seem to fetch big prices at autojumbles (when you can find one).
Good luck with the car, I love mine to bits.
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Tue Oct 12, 2004 8:38 am
Roy
That is a great help - Ijust got an e-mail from another helpful owner who has a Pye RADIO from the 60's. Even if the thing doesn't work I will probably still fit it and take your advice - possible fitting a CD/MP3 player in the glove box? When I say I will fit it - what I mean is I will keep throwing money at someone until it is fitted....
Rich H
Any ideas ref the Light Pod anyone?
Rich H
That is a great help - Ijust got an e-mail from another helpful owner who has a Pye RADIO from the 60's. Even if the thing doesn't work I will probably still fit it and take your advice - possible fitting a CD/MP3 player in the glove box? When I say I will fit it - what I mean is I will keep throwing money at someone until it is fitted....
Rich H
Any ideas ref the Light Pod anyone?
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: tdafforn » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:42 pm
Hi all,
I've got the turnlock on my car, actually the reception (baring inmind when they were already fitted) isn't too bad...
One of my thoughts as to an upgrade had been to get the radio converted to FM and then use an MP3 player with one of those FM transmitters you can get on Ebay...
I also have one of the modern phillips unit (tape and FM) that a number of people have fitted in a box somewhere..
They we original fitment in certain land rovers and renault vans and do not protrude from the facia like many of the modern alternatives..
Cheers
tim
PS the only garages I know of around your neck of the woods are triumph specialists (which might be alright as the front suspension is triumph derived)
quiller triumph Unit 1, White Hart Road, Plumstead, Woolwich, London. SE18 1DH
I've got the turnlock on my car, actually the reception (baring inmind when they were already fitted) isn't too bad...
One of my thoughts as to an upgrade had been to get the radio converted to FM and then use an MP3 player with one of those FM transmitters you can get on Ebay...
I also have one of the modern phillips unit (tape and FM) that a number of people have fitted in a box somewhere..
They we original fitment in certain land rovers and renault vans and do not protrude from the facia like many of the modern alternatives..
Cheers
tim
PS the only garages I know of around your neck of the woods are triumph specialists (which might be alright as the front suspension is triumph derived)
quiller triumph Unit 1, White Hart Road, Plumstead, Woolwich, London. SE18 1DH
1972 +2S130
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Post by: john-c-elan+2 » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:32 pm
Hi Richard, probably the closest pucker chap is Rapier Services (Eammon Swords)
does all you may need mechanically. Also sells 2nd hand parts. Tel: 01787 237221
He's at the back of Gt Dunmow. Nice chap too.
Club Lotus (which you could join) has a parts fair at Stoneleigh on November 21 which is a useful source for new & used parts/books/manuals/memorabilia etc. Dealers like paul Matty & Christopher Neil to mention just 2, supply new parts and usually attend. Rgds John
does all you may need mechanically. Also sells 2nd hand parts. Tel: 01787 237221
He's at the back of Gt Dunmow. Nice chap too.
Club Lotus (which you could join) has a parts fair at Stoneleigh on November 21 which is a useful source for new & used parts/books/manuals/memorabilia etc. Dealers like paul Matty & Christopher Neil to mention just 2, supply new parts and usually attend. Rgds John
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Post by: richardhallett99 » Tue Oct 12, 2004 4:38 pm
John - That is a huge help as Gt Dunmow is V close to me. I have no doubt that he will be receiving some business in the future!
Will also attend the parts fair - thanks again.
By the way thanks to everyone who has contributed. All information is priceless to an enthusiastic young Novice like myself.
Now... My passenger side door will not lock... Is this hard to fix? I am waiting to receive the manual from E-Bay.
Rich H
Will also attend the parts fair - thanks again.
By the way thanks to everyone who has contributed. All information is priceless to an enthusiastic young Novice like myself.
Now... My passenger side door will not lock... Is this hard to fix? I am waiting to receive the manual from E-Bay.
Rich H
I should have learned how to fix cars before I bought a Lotus....
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Post by: tdafforn » Tue Oct 12, 2004 7:17 pm
I second the suggestion of attending the Lotus fair, I'll be there (Its only 5 mins from home).
Also suggest you become a member of the lotus elan Yahoo group
<a href='http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuselan/' target='_blank'>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuselan/</a>
They have an incedible depth of knowledge on the lotus elan.
There is also the Chesire Lotus Owners Group (CLOG)
<a href='http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshirelotusownersgroup/' target='_blank'>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshi...tusownersgroup/</a>
I know you don't live in Cheshire, but they don't seem to care, and are also very helpful
Hope this helps
Cheers
tim
Also suggest you become a member of the lotus elan Yahoo group
<a href='http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuselan/' target='_blank'>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lotuselan/</a>
They have an incedible depth of knowledge on the lotus elan.
There is also the Chesire Lotus Owners Group (CLOG)
<a href='http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshirelotusownersgroup/' target='_blank'>http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cheshi...tusownersgroup/</a>
I know you don't live in Cheshire, but they don't seem to care, and are also very helpful
Hope this helps
Cheers
tim
1972 +2S130
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Post by: cliveyboy » Wed Oct 13, 2004 7:03 am
Rich
For advice on problematic headlamps try :-
<a href='http://www.clublotusbboa.co.uk/' target='_blank'>http://www.clublotusbboa.co.uk/</a>
For the last few months the website and local news letter have been running an article on similar problems to the one you are having with your headlights.
(The latest part of the article might not be on the website just yet.)
Clive
For advice on problematic headlamps try :-
<a href='http://www.clublotusbboa.co.uk/' target='_blank'>http://www.clublotusbboa.co.uk/</a>
For the last few months the website and local news letter have been running an article on similar problems to the one you are having with your headlights.
(The latest part of the article might not be on the website just yet.)
Clive
1972 Elan Sprint FHC
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