neill1607

Been looking at the Samco site recently trying to price all the hoses/pipes I'd like to replace, so cetainly interested to know what they can do & at what cost.

Fitted a new slave this morning, still having the same problem. I noticed that after locking off the bleed nipple & pressing the clutch pedal a few times there were air bubbles in the master cylinder reservoir that weren't there before I pressed the pedal, so to me that indicates a problem at the master. I guess the seals must have deteriorated, but 2 years seems a bit quick! Bibs you still got that master?

I don't have aircon. I don't have injection. I don't have a cat. But I did have a throttle jack, so it must have something to do cold starts or overrun or something. I broke the bracket attaching it to the carb so took it off. Can't say I've noticed any difference at all.

I see TF's also submitted applications for an ACBC Team Lotus logo and in the Team Lotus name for a whole range of products, including luggage, bags etc. surely this will have an impact on Clive Chapmans Historic team marketing, product range etc. The transcript certainly makes it sound as though Group Lotus is being amenable/helpful whilst 1MRT is the "naughty boy" that's being told they really ought to do this, that & the other, and can't come up with any acceptable excuses! Doesn't mean it'll go Group Lotus' way though.

Th slave cylinder I took off a couple of years ago had the bleed nipple facing down. I put mine on with it facing up.

It was dark by the time I got back from work. Won't get the chance now 'till next weekend. A pressure/vacuum bleed tool - wot dat den? Does it do away with helpers? Dawn's always happy to lend a hand, but I never know if Luke's going to be around!

I know what you mean by an adjuster on the pushrod now. I don't recall it, but I'm sure there would have been one there & I just don't remember it that well. There's no sign of a leak in the bonnet, but I haven't looked behind the carpet, I guess that's the next place to check. My son & wife helped with the bleeding. Dawn stood ready to top up the master whilst I loosened the slave nipple, Luke depressed the pedal; I tightened the nipple, Luke released the pedal. I losened, Luke depressed; I tightened, Luke released. I loosend, Luke depressed....... well you get the idea, I guessed we probably did this a couple of dozen times. Then when I hopped in & pressed the pedal it felt like there was no resistance at all.

Bearing in mind it's a couple of years since my head by the clutch pedal, the only "adjustment" I recall were two holes in the clutch pedal, upper & lower, can't remember which hole I used now. Is this the adjustment at the pedal or is there someting else? Pedal feels as if I'm only compressing air - no resistance at all. Is there a way that failed seals on the master could introduce air? If not, I guess it must be from when the level dropped & the air has now worked it's way in.

Ended up having to work this weekend, so I guess I'll have to wait 'till next weekend to have a go now. I wondered if the initial drop in level was due to clutch wear. I've no idea at what rate the level drops with wear. I agree that a leak is the most likely explanation, but couldn't see any signs of one. Taking out the pushrod out of the slave to test sounds like a good way to find if the pedal pressure drops (indicating a leak) or is spongy (indicating air in the system - although its never felt spongy at any time). If the pressure drops, is there any way of working out if it's slave or the master other than looking for the leak? I've read in a couple of other threads about adjstment at the pedal. Is the bolt in the cluch fork what adjusts this, or is there something else?

About 2 years ago the clutch master cylinder was leaking so I replaced it with a Wilwood item. I replaced the red pipe with a braided one & replaced the slave cylinder with a new one at the same time. All worked well. I have to say that since buying the car the clutch has always seemed quite heavy to me, not that I mind, with that and the lack of power steering it means Dawn's not so keen to have a go in it! I've driven one other '88 turbo & the clutch pedal on that seemed light as a feather in comparison. I noticed a couple of months ago that the point at which the clutch starts to "bite" had moved closer to the floor. Checked the resevoir & the fluid level had dropped to being non-existant. I topped it up, expecting to have air bubbles in the system now, & that I'd need to bleed it again. However I hopped back into the car & all seemed perfect. A few days later the bite point seemed to drop again. I checked the resevoir again, no drop in level. Perhaps the clutch is wearing out, I thought. Although now using most of the clutch pedal travel to change gear, there was no sign of the clutch slipping all at. (I have a heavy right foot at times!) Hopped into it one evening, depressed clutch pedal & couldn't get it into any gear. I've no garage & no electricity in the drive (for light) so I had to wait for the weekend to fiddle. The bolt in the release fork (to the slave cylnder pushrod) is screwed right the way in so there's no further adjustment available there (that's the way it was when I bought the car & I didn't adjust it when I changed the slave cylinder). I bled the system thoughly & only one airbubble came out., but after then hopping back into the car, the clutch now feels lighter than a feather (as if it's not doing anything at all) & there's no sign of movement at the slave cylinder pushrod. Could the clutch have stuck to the pressure plate/flywheel? Never fiddled with a clutch housing, so don't know how they work! Could the slave cylinder seals have gone? Could the master cylinder seals have gone? I can't see any signs of leaking fluid, but then the level in the resevoir hasn't dropped again either (and it's a bit wet outside!). I reckon I'll probably replace the slave cylinder again. If that desn't work I'll replace the master cylinder again. Though surely they should last more than a couple of years/10,000 miles. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

My rear valance is shaped for one outlet, on the left. If I were two get a twin outlet the right side would need altering. Has anyone else done this?

How is the plinth actually attached?

Jersey does lots of things wrong, but I tink this is one of the things they got right - although I wasn't convinced at first. The road tax disc was basically a method of ensuring that the vehicle is insured at the time the road tax disc is issued - and for getting money Jersey did away with road tax discs & put the tax on the fuel instead. The Insurance companies produce a "windscreen insurance dsc" to display on your car in place of the road tax disc, which has the dates your insurance runs from/to. Makes it much easier for the police to spot an uninsured car. From memory, I think aout 30% of what we pay goes into a central "pot", to cover injury claims caused by uninsured drivers - that's a worthwhile saving if it stays in my pocket.

Can't remember the engine specs that were proposed for the new esprit, but surely a little development work on the existing 918 engine would pay dividends. Cost savings on tooling etc. All in all it seems to have been a fairly reliable unit (never owned one though) & some people (Mike Sekinger for instance) don't seem to have too much trouble extracting more HP than standard! I agree that Lotus as a group could do with "bigger & better" things (don't think they should forget their roots either) but it just seems like they're ignoring some of the assets they already have. Now they've got some money (Don't know if that was instigated by Mike Kimberley or Dany Bahar, but to get that amount of money out of anyone in the current climate is no mean feat) they just seem to be gong on a spend, spend, spend spree.

Would they make a left hand exit for an '88 turbo(no cat)?

I can understand Dany Bahar wanting to get the Lotus name closer to the front, and the Renault team were closer than Lotus Racing in 2010. With the experience gained in 2010 & the renault engine, I'm expecting Team Lotus to perform better in 2011, but I still don't think they'll manage to pull ahead of the Group Lotus/Renault team. Although I'd love to be proved wrong. After arguing about the use of the Team Lotus name, it now looks as though the proposed Black\Gold colour scheme is being used by Group Lotus/Renault; after Team Lotus had made it clear that was their intended colour scheme for next year. Is there anything else Dany can do to promote unfriendly rivalry between the two "Lotus" teams? I'm sure Team Lotus are getting more hacked off as each day passes. Shame - Mike Gascoyne seems to have been fairly open & friendly towards the forum - Although Dany lent his Esprit for the NEC show. Any further insights Bibs?

Can't believe what you've finished with, considering what you started with. Looks amazing.

EASA AD Clicky to the latest release.

If I was cynical I'd question why Mark Webber was called in for a tyre change so early. It was obvious that when he came back out he'd be in traffic & lose a load places as the field was still so tight that early in the race. Also a fair assumption that Alonso would shadow Webber (being his closest rival), leaving Vettel to build up a lead at the front so that when he came back out after his tyre change, the field would have spread out more & he'd only go down a few places instead of the dozen or so that that Webber/Alonso lost. Vettel - winner by Red Bull tactics? Will Webber stay with them next year?

I've wondered more than once what the logic is to having them vent near to the turbo/exhaust manifold. As mentioned it seems like a good way to start a fire. Surely it would be make more sense to route them out the other side by the battery. Anyone know why it's done the way it is?

My left hand pod's starting to have trouble flipping up - no problem going down though. I've found that all I need to do is turn the winder half a turn & then it works fine for a day or two. It's noticably harder to wind that first bit than the right hand one, it's as if it needs lubricating so it doesn't get "stuck" on a stop, but there's nowhere obvious to spay any lubricant. I guess it means taking out, apart & lubricating the gearbox.

It was some kind of treacle tart - Prize winning, world renowned chef/recipe, apparently. As neither bride nor groom like traditional wedding cake they thought they'd opt for it instead. I'd never heard of the chef & can't remember his name now - but it was tasty Good selection of music for the evening, but where are Mat & Mario when you need them! I'll pass along everyones compliments Thanks

Lookin' good "> Proud Dad & Daughter "> Bride & Groom. A great time was had by all.

Does have a kinda wicked grin though.

Back at work so I've finally got a decent internet connection! Huge thanks from Dawn & me to everyone for making the trip such a great experience, but especially Mat & Myriam. Mat really pulled out the stops to fill everybody's time with different experiences, enjoyable company, some fun drives & he's not a bad cook - superb host. See you next time. Neill