neill1607

The cover was ok it was just the rubbery bit coming away from the U bit. Took a while to get the hang of putting the U bit on the cover edge, but now that it's done, even my wife commented on how much better it looks!

I'm replacing the seal on the top & bottom of the engine cover. The seal has a lip which sticks out slightly on one side. The question is which side should the lip be? On the top, should point towards the centre hole or point away from it? On the bottom, should it point towards the engine bay or away from it? Thanks Neill

Great Bibs - Got it out, thanks to Paul's write up. Now all I've got to do is make it look good when I've finished.

I'd like to take the console out to make it easier to modify it, to fit a touchscreen in there. I need to move the fan switch & temp/direction controls down a bit to fit the screen in. Whilst I could do it in situ, it would be soooooo much easier if it was out of the car. I've already taken the radio out & disconnected all the controls for the heater panel, but can't see how the console comes out. Anyone know? Ta

What's behind the speakers then? can you see the fuel tanks if you take the speakers out? If there is a hole that goes through to the tanks, it doesn't seem much of a firewall. I'm wanting to mount a laptop behind the passener seat, which has my satnav/music on it, to link to the screen i'm mounting in the front. Is there an easy way to inspect the bottom of the tanks? From what i've read they tend to go at the bottom which I haven't yet, found a way of looking at. The tanks look almost brand new from the top. I do get a smell of fuel from time to time but I'm pretty sure it's just from the breather - would be nice to know though. If mine looks as good as yours does in 10 years time, I'll still be happy. Been following your interior change with interest, as my wife's not a great fan of the existing one & would like somthing a bit more up to date.

Mileage is now 67,000. Last C service was at 56,000 so shouldn't need the belt doing until 81,000, but is there a time limit on them as well? The C service at 56,000 was in July 2004. Belt condition & tension seem real good - just wondering.

I've seen a couple of photo's with amps mounted behind the seats & obviously that's where the speakers are mounted. Is there a void between it & the fuel tanks?, is there a seperate firewall? I don't want to mount something on it & then find I've put a hole somewhere I shouldn't have done!

Ok I was going to have another look at it this weekend. Last weekend I lifted up the sill carpet by the floor & by the door. There seems to be a sort of cardboard cover under the carpet, over the sill, screwed in at the bottom & the top. Although it was only a quick look, it seemed like I'd have to take the seat out to get the carpet & "cardboard" cover out to get to the handbrake mechanism/connectors. Surely this can't be right! Any suggestions?

When you turn on the ignition key the parking brake warning light comes on - so the bulb is ok. It doesn't come on when the handbrake is on. I presume there's a switch somewhere which triggers the warning light when you put the handbrake on - anyone know where? or is there likely to be some other reason! Thanks

SCC082910JHD13125 1988 Esprit Turbo Dawn Stoddart, Jersey, Channel Islands. White with blue interior. Bought for my wife, but somehow I seem to be the one driving it!

My '88 has the "stripey" console with a strap over the top. I'm sure I've read somewhere that the front (by the gear lever) is held in place by velcro & that all I'd need to do was push the whole cover forward (to clear the map compartment) & lift it up, but that doesn't seem to work. Am I not pushing/pulling hard enough? (don't want to break it). It seems lose at the front sides (near the gearlever) but there seems to be something in the centre holding it down. Thanks.

The master cylinder is leaking which is why I need to top it up. Just ordering a new one along with a slave cylinder & a braided hose to replace the red one, once I've got those, should be better than new. The leaking fluid has settled in a dip under the master cylinder beside where the red hose goes down. As everyone knows the fluid doesn't like paint and has made a bit of a mess. I've mopped up as much as I can, but will it have done any harm to the fibreglass? Is there anything that is good at soaking up the fluid? If fluid is spilt most things I've read suggest lots of water to rinse the area free but I can't do that in this case as the fuses/relays are right beside there and the "bonnet" would (i guess) fill up with water as well!

If I'm topping up the existing fluid, is it ok to mix them? I don't know what's in there at the moment!

The cap on my '88 clutch master cylinder says Dot3 only. Should I use Dot 3? or have others used a different fluid?

Thanks Phil, I've asked Bibs to try & get Lotus to send it to Jersey & if not, to Poole. I'll let you know when I hear anything more. Neill

The plastic mounting for the mirror is still there but the glass has all gone. Reading further through Bibs' link it doesn't like like Lotus would ship to the dealer here in Jersey as technically we're not actually in the UK - the English Channel gets in the way! I'll have to have a word with the dealer in Poole to see if they can send it to me, if ordered, or hang to it 'till I can get someone to pick it up from them. A stick on job from Halfords maybe the easiest option.

I'm sure the one that was on there wasn't convex, so I guess it's the etched one I need, but do you what the etched bit says/means. Thanks again

can't believe some of the price reductions on that list - but I can't see a mirror glass for an '88 there - am I going blind? have you got the part number? Ta

Hi guys, New to Lotus ownership so I'm sure I'll have loads of questions in future, although the info on this forum is great. I need to get a new drivers door mirror glass for an 88 esprit turbo, it fell out on the M1! I've managed to get a mirror from a Citroen Xantia which is about the right size & have cut it down to fit, but it's not right - I'd rather have the proper one. Can anyone tell me which mirror glass I should get my local garage to order as they don't have a clue. Thanks. Neill