So I just bought this. Don't laugh! Update: not gonna happen :(

[Chris_D]

I miss mine! I had a ‘90 SE with full leather - bought with 50k on the clock and sold with 165k, still running sweetly with compressions all even and over 200psi. At one point I was commuting 140 miles a day in it. Great car for eating the miles but also a lot of fun in the twisty bits - awesome steering feel! The engine needs some revs to get going but pulls nicely to 7k once you get above about 4K!

The best mod I did to it was fit 17” wheels so that the front brakes could be upgraded from 260x22 to 325x25 (modded mg ZT 190 discs - cheap as chips) with hi spec 4 pot callipers...

Lotusexcel.net is a great forum!

And no, there’s no cat fitted to them, just a middle box and two rear silencers ... oh a pair of lovely dellorto 45DHLA’s ...

Great to hear Steve.
Was all over that forum for research. It's where I found out about the weird green cam filter. Sort of a CCV system for the Excel.
Must be the middle box and not a cat I'm seeing then.
Did you have any overheating issues? I've had it out for 2 test runs. On the second run I was let loose on my own and it started to go a bit warm so eased back off the revs and nursed it back to the dealer.
He's going to give it a coolant flush/renewal and check the pump and stat.
Final shakedown will be next weekend after they've done an oil-change and general service after I suggested they should really get it into some form of 'sellable' shape as it's been standing for so long (only driven 500 miles in the last 5 years!!). see pic.
The brakes were shall we say 'lively' under hard braking, so they're going to balance them and swap in some new pads. The tyres are also very old but with a decent amount of tread but they felt squishy.
The aircon works but it was feeble at best so a re-gas will also be part of the refresh by the dealer. Was happy it was actually working tbh.
Any other reccommendations, things to look out for from your perspective?
IMG_20190518_155805.jpg

The time mine started to get warm was when the otter (fan) switch only started to fail ... the fan would normally start at exactly 92 degrees on my gauge and cut out at 87. If there was a slight buzz from the relay as the fan started, that was a hint that the otter switch was starting to fail! I never had any overheating problems at speed, including track days. I found the thermostats tended to fail on the cold side and open early - temp gauge on a cruise on mine was bang on 82 deg.

The aircon was awesome on mine when filled with good old R12 - some days, it was so cold you’d get freezing fog out of the vents! It wasn’t quite so extreme on the eco R12 replacement (can’t remember the R number, not the same as modern cars!), but was still good! I found the a/c compressor took a fair chunk of power so left it switched off most of the time!

MOT time was generally ok, sometimes the carbs idle mix screws needed a 1/4 or 1/2 a turn in to get the target CO but go too far and the HC went high ... as soon as it passed, turn the screws back out so it runs smoothly!

Oh and keep a check on the condition of the cam belt pulleys - after about 100-110k my crank pulley developed sharp edges and started chewing the belt - luckily I spotted that before disaster struck!

The brakes came from the supra 2.8i and were also used on the Esprit SE turbo with 264bhp - even with calliper rebuilds and various different pads I always felt they were the weak point. Luckily the handling meant you didn’t need to use them much!

Overall, I loved that car and kept it 17 years! Feel free to PM me any questions!

Enjoy!

Great tips Steve, many thanks!
I'm really hoping the overheating issue isn't more serious i.e. cracked/warped head. Hoping the worst case scenario is air bubbles or blockage somewhere and I'll suggest to the dealer before next weekend to look at the fan switch too.
How did you get such precise temperature measurements from yours? From the guages?

It's currently on a D service and I believe the belts are changed at C (?). It may be worth swapping some new ones in however and checking the pulley condition at the same time.

I'll PM you for any detailed questions and thanks for the offer!

 

[Steve67]

Yep, measurements were just from the gauges! Unlike most modern cars, the gauge does actually move as traffic conditions change! My R53 Cooper S gauge used to show exact “middle” temperature from 77-to over 105 degrees FFS, what’s the point in having a gauge!? The Z is probably just as bad, I just haven’t checked it against the OBD port or hidden dash menu yet!

For the life of me, I can’t remember whether there was a radiator bleed on the excel - but I think there was a small bleed pipe from the thermostat pipe / outlet back to the header tank and it’s worth checking that isn’t blocked!

 

[Chris_D]

Yep, measurements were just from the gauges! Unlike most modern cars, the gauge does actually move as traffic conditions change! My R53 Cooper S gauge used to show exact “middle” temperature from 77-to over 105 degrees FFS, what’s the point in having a gauge!? The Z is probably just as bad, I just haven’t checked it against the OBD port or hidden dash menu yet!

For the life of me, I can’t remember whether there was a radiator bleed on the excel - but I think there was a small bleed pipe from the thermostat pipe / outlet back to the header tank and it’s worth checking that isn’t blocked!

Reet thx

 

[Chris_D]

So, today was supposed to be full of joy and excitement as the plan was to pick up the Excel after the dealer promised to get it into a 'good sellable condition' after my previous 3 visits to view and test drive it. The overheating and brake issues were the highest concern and he advised that they had both been addressed, along with the replacement battery, aircon re-gas and wheel balancing.
It's on old rubber but that will have to be addressed at my expense due to the fact that I negotiated almost half the asking price away.

But, as with all the best laid plans, it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib.
I rocked up with a bag of cash and before parting with said bag it was down to business with another long test-drive.
30km in and the overheating issue sadly was still present. I was on back roads around Soesterberg with a lot of stop-start driving, giving it some beans here and there. This, after the dealer assured me it had been sorted and tested.

The braking was, if anything, worse than before! Before it would squirrel around under constant brake pedal pressure. Now it seemed to pull to the left quite badly. So it's definitely still unbalanced. The pads have been replaced though.

The only thing that did seem to have been adressed was the aircon. I actually had to turn it off after a while due to an icicle forming on the end of my schnozz!

Disappointed to say the least.

We spoke some more when I got back and the dealer went into pantomime-mode at his 'chief mechanic' who I thought was a decent bloke.
In any case, I advised that I was still interested but only if they can get these issues addressed.
Glad I didn't put a deposit down but by the same token I'm really into this car now. It just has to work!

@Steve, I advised about the otter switch relay and suggested they replace the relay to see if it makes a difference.
I also suggested to replace the temp sensors in case the guage is reading false.
It doesnt smell like it's over-heating, if you know what I mean? No boiling coolant smell or excess heat from the engine bay. But that's a dangerous supposition perhaps.
Any ideas from you?

 

[Thrustyjust]

Nice clean car. Not many around with originality. Plenty been stripped out and ruined. Saying that , a Jag V8 or a Lexus V8 do fit in there
Have a look at Seloc.org for info . Used to be on there when I had an Elise

 

[Chris_D]

Nice clean car. Not many around with originality. Plenty been stripped out and ruined. Saying that , a Jag V8 or a Lexus V8 do fit in there
Have a look at Seloc.org for info . Used to be on there when I had an Elise

It’s tempting to hope that the engine is actually toast on this one as that would enable me to negotiate even lower and then it would be a proper project car and opening the door to perhaps a swap-in of a tasty v8 as you suggest.
I’m a bit ambivalent however. We’ll see how the dealer gets on this week....
Feeling lucky i didnt put any money down on this already. Dealer is in for 100’s more (apparently) since we started negotiations.
Thx for that link.

 

[firebobby]

Oh, the joys of old Lotus ownership Chris :wink:

 

[ShaunKC]

Here is one I saw on my travels today, a bit more of a project car, but the same model I think!

 

[Chris_D]

Here is one I saw on my travels today, a bit more of a project car, but the same model I think!

It's quite literally become part of the scenery!

 

[Lazza]

Check the seat belt mounting on the sill. I was in goods-in when a faulty batch came in with the captive nut welded on the wrong side. I refused to sign them off despite pressure from management. Eventually they got another inspector to sign them off and a few weeks later I was sacked due to my poor attitude. If it is the faulty batch, the seat belt mount will basically be held on by just 2 small welds rather than be being clamped by the nut.

 

[Mr Tidy]

Not quite the same model but the same era!

These two were at a local car meet in March:-

 

[Chris_D]

Check the seat belt mounting on the sill. I was in goods-in when a faulty batch came in with the captive nut welded on the wrong side. I refused to sign them off despite pressure from management. Eventually they got another inspector to sign them off and a few weeks later I was sacked due to my poor attitude. If it is the faulty batch, the seat belt mount will basically be held on by just 2 small welds rather than be being clamped by the nut.

Blimey! Thanks for that tip!

Not quite the same model but the same era!

These two were at a local car meet in March:-

My budget doesn't stretch to an S1/2 sadly.
My dad has an S2 that's spent more time over the last 40 years on axle-stands in his garage than it's been driven!
Partly due to it's loathsome reliability and partly due to his somewhat clandestine tactic of avoiding his wife and kids! :| :roll:

 

[Mr Tidy]

My budget doesn't stretch to an S1/2 sadly.

No, they are in a different place price-wise but it seemed to fit in with your thread - they're even both white!

Hope you get a good outcome.

 

[ShaunKC]

Here is one I saw on my travels today, a bit more of a project car, but the same model I think!

It's quite literally become part of the scenery!

Yes, sad to see a car like this left in this state, needs a real enthusiast to bring it back to life, one with very deep pockets!!

 

[Chris_D]

Here is one I saw on my travels today, a bit more of a project car, but the same model I think!

It's quite literally become part of the scenery!

Yes, sad to see a car like this left in this state, needs a real enthusiast to bring it back to life, one with very deep pockets!!

One of the reasons I went for this as a 'project car' over say, a TVR, Porsche, old Italian sportscar [insert make/model here] etc., is the fact that for relatively little money and a decent baseline you can actually have an old exotic on the road eventually.
OK, now it looks like the engine might be a goner in the one I'm considering but even if that's the case, a bit more spent on a new V8 engine/gearbox will probably work out way cheaper than fettling any of the aforementioned motors.

The motivation basically is to keep me occupied during the evenings and weekends so that I'm not spending all my hours with the business.
I don't watch telly, I don't have a wife/kids/ expensive gf (and no I'm not batting for the same team :lol: ) so I have total freedom to make the best of my spare time doing something productive that won't break the bank.
I reckon the one on the hillside, if it hasn't rotted is salvageable. There's probably a story in it. Why don't you make some enquiries if you're round that way again? Where was it?

 

[ShaunKC]

It's quite literally become part of the scenery!

Yes, sad to see a car like this left in this state, needs a real enthusiast to bring it back to life, one with very deep pockets!!

One of the reasons I went for this as a 'project car' over say, a TVR, Porsche, old Italian sportscar [insert make/model here] etc., is the fact that for relatively little money and a decent baseline you can actually have an old exotic on the road eventually.
OK, now it looks like the engine might be a goner in the one I'm considering but even if that's the case, a bit more spent on a new V8 engine/gearbox will probably work out way cheaper than fettling any of the aforementioned motors.

The motivation basically is to keep me occupied during the evenings and weekends so that I'm not spending all my hours with the business.
I don't watch telly, I don't have a wife/kids/ expensive gf (and no I'm not batting for the same team :lol: ) so I have total freedom to make the best of my spare time doing something productive that won't break the bank.
I reckon the one on the hillside, if it hasn't rotted is salvageable. There's probably a story in it. Why don't you make some enquiries if you're round that way again? Where was it?

It's in Southowram, which is a small village outside Halifax, I think the chances are it has rotten to bits underneath though. I imagine it does have a story, otherwise it would be in the scrap heap by now! One for car SOS I think! If you really want a project, I'm more than happy to knock on their door and pass on your telephone number.

 

[Chris_D]

Yes, sad to see a car like this left in this state, needs a real enthusiast to bring it back to life, one with very deep pockets!!

One of the reasons I went for this as a 'project car' over say, a TVR, Porsche, old Italian sportscar [insert make/model here] etc., is the fact that for relatively little money and a decent baseline you can actually have an old exotic on the road eventually.
OK, now it looks like the engine might be a goner in the one I'm considering but even if that's the case, a bit more spent on a new V8 engine/gearbox will probably work out way cheaper than fettling any of the aforementioned motors.

The motivation basically is to keep me occupied during the evenings and weekends so that I'm not spending all my hours with the business.
I don't watch telly, I don't have a wife/kids/ expensive gf (and no I'm not batting for the same team :lol: ) so I have total freedom to make the best of my spare time doing something productive that won't break the bank.
I reckon the one on the hillside, if it hasn't rotted is salvageable. There's probably a story in it. Why don't you make some enquiries if you're round that way again? Where was it?

It's in Southowram, which is a small village outside Halifax, I think the chances are it has rotten to bits underneath though. I imagine it does have a story, otherwise it would be in the scrap heap by now! One for car SOS I think! If you really want a project, I'm more than happy to knock on their door and pass on your telephone number.

That's a very kind offer mate, it could facilitate as a donor/parts car for the one over here - especially if the engine is in good order, or at least better order than the one I'm looking at :lol:
I'll PM you.

 

[ShaunKC]

One of the reasons I went for this as a 'project car' over say, a TVR, Porsche, old Italian sportscar [insert make/model here] etc., is the fact that for relatively little money and a decent baseline you can actually have an old exotic on the road eventually.
OK, now it looks like the engine might be a goner in the one I'm considering but even if that's the case, a bit more spent on a new V8 engine/gearbox will probably work out way cheaper than fettling any of the aforementioned motors.

The motivation basically is to keep me occupied during the evenings and weekends so that I'm not spending all my hours with the business.
I don't watch telly, I don't have a wife/kids/ expensive gf (and no I'm not batting for the same team :lol: ) so I have total freedom to make the best of my spare time doing something productive that won't break the bank.
I reckon the one on the hillside, if it hasn't rotted is salvageable. There's probably a story in it. Why don't you make some enquiries if you're round that way again? Where was it?

It's in Southowram, which is a small village outside Halifax, I think the chances are it has rotten to bits underneath though. I imagine it does have a story, otherwise it would be in the scrap heap by now! One for car SOS I think! If you really want a project, I'm more than happy to knock on their door and pass on your telephone number.

That's a very kind offer mate, it could facilitate as a donor/parts car for the one over here - especially if the engine is in good order, or at least better order than the one I'm looking at :lol:
I'll PM you.

No problem, I'll look out for your PM and head up at the weekend.

 

[Steve67]

It sounds like you have a sticky caliper if it's pulling to one side, probably the front but it's also possible that a rear is upsetting the balance ... MOT brake test rollers should confirm that under different pedal pressures. I found that braided hoses firmed up the pedal a bit, but it's not going to fix your problem. Even with rebuilt calipers, new discs and pads I was disappointed with the brakes. Upgrading the brakes to larger diameter front discs & 4 pot calipers was the biggest smiles per pound on my car - the confidence it gave was worth every penny!

For the overheating, if it's mainly at speed, I suspect that the radiator is clogged up and needs a re-core. Since the thermostat is easy to access and cheap, I'd probably change that and check the small hose from the thermostat cover to the header tank is clear since this purges the air from the high point in the cooling system.

If overheating at idle, check that the fans cut in at 92 degrees. The otter switch itself (in the radiator) can also cause the relay to buzz. Over the years, I changed the otter switch twice but never had to change the relay. To check the fans, turn the AC on (not ECO mode), both fans should run. In ECO mode, the AC compressor still runs but does not activate the fans - this is fine when cruising with airflow through the radiators but not when stuck in traffic!.

 

[Chris_D]

It sounds like you have a sticky caliper if it's pulling to one side, probably the front but it's also possible that a rear is upsetting the balance ... MOT brake test rollers should confirm that under different pedal pressures. I found that braided hoses firmed up the pedal a bit, but it's not going to fix your problem. Even with rebuilt calipers, new discs and pads I was disappointed with the brakes. Upgrading the brakes to larger diameter front discs & 4 pot calipers was the biggest smiles per pound on my car - the confidence it gave was worth every penny!

For the overheating, if it's mainly at speed, I suspect that the radiator is clogged up and needs a re-core. Since the thermostat is easy to access and cheap, I'd probably change that and check the small hose from the thermostat cover to the header tank is clear since this purges the air from the high point in the cooling system.

If overheating at idle, check that the fans cut in at 92 degrees. The otter switch itself (in the radiator) can also cause the relay to buzz. Over the years, I changed the otter switch twice but never had to change the relay. To check the fans, turn the AC on (not ECO mode), both fans should run. In ECO mode, the AC compressor still runs but does not activate the fans - this is fine when cruising with airflow through the radiators but not when stuck in traffic!.

Thanks Steve.
Theres a good level of communication from the dealer at the mo. He's as keen to get it into good order as I am to buy it. I set some clear objectives re this and he's now busy with both issues.
He's suggesting a rad refurb and that might resonate with your idea for a recore.
I'll suggest that to him.
In the meantime, ShaunKC l, as above has spotted an excel on the side of fhe road and has kindly offered to reccy it for me at ghe weekend. If its an SE it could be a potential donor/parts car. Curious about the interior.

I'll update this thread at the weekend.
Thanks fir your input fella