The Excel Diaries!

[Hawaiis0]

2 hours ago, JayEmm said:

I would suggest joining the "unofficial" Excel owners club, they have a forum of their own. Many of the members on here are also there.

Grrrrrr - we are very official

[Kimbers]

If you get a barn find Lotus, as James says, put aside a few grand. Mine included a new clutch etc but you will want to change all perishable pipes and their butterfly clips etc, all belts, probably the brakes, tyres, possibly exhaust...the list goes on.

[Inkyfingers]

I like the idea of a nut and bolt restoration, but it's just not an option at this stage with a young family and a full time job.

Instead, I will be looking for the holy grail...something that's not a wreck, but isn't perfect and therefore isn't too pricey!

[JayEmm]

Well, the Excel is parked now thanks to a seriously slippy clutch. Not sure what the cause is. Going to have to save up a bit because I have a sneaking suspicion she's going to cost me a fair bit.

[Inkyfingers]

Sorry to hear that James.

Though, as the great Confucius once said; Man who makes Youtube video about how reliable his classic Lotus is, may be asking for trouble.

[JayEmm]

Yup, I asked for it.

I'm hoping that it will turn out to be something relatively minor, hopefully just involving "a bit of adjustment", given the fact the clutch is nearly brand new

[ChrisJ]

That's a bugger.

I've just been up your way, was going to drop you a PM, however I was sent to Sudbury for a hockey match for my daughter. Got there, but there was no-one else, phoned the coach - discovered we should have been in Sunbury  However when the instructions In the email state

Quote

Meet Time:  11.50am
Match Time: 12.20

Venue:
Great Cornard Sports Centre
Head Lane, Great Concord
Sudbury
Suffolk
CO10 0JU

I guess I'll always end up in Sudbury. Turned round and went straight home.

[Stuart Monument]

James is it only slipping when warm ?

[JayEmm]

Haha, @ChrisJ yeah you'll have gone right past my road I expect. Sounds like someone doesn't proofread their mails before sending them out!

@Stuart Monument seems to slip when cold too. It did it a few times about 100 miles ago, then behaved immaculately for a while, then started doing it again. I wondered if there was a small oil leak, which then got worn off/burnt off, but then when the car gets parked it re-leaks and re-coats the clutch. Maybe. I dunno.

[Stuart Monument]

I had a similar thing on my Europa. When it got hot there was a pocket of grease that would throw across the friction plate. Might be a simple gasket ? 

[ChrisJ]

It was a nice drive - in the daylight, and Halstead wasn't closed on the way back either 

 

[JayEmm]

No idea. All I know is I'm going to have to save up a bit longer before it goes to Gerald methinks

[mdw]

On ‎29‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 20:50, Hawaiis0 said:

Grrrrrr - we are very official

Back in the mists of time excel.net was formed from the people who contributed to excel.co.uk.  That was falling apart as the site owner no longer had an excel and wasn't interested any more ( from memory).  .net was started and the bulk of people contributing  migrated over to .net.  Then I guess Bibs was offered the .co.uk name and here we are.   Mind you back then even this forum was called something else ( which has slipped my mind) Esprit only based from memory. 

[Inkyfingers]

23 hours ago, JayEmm said:

No idea. All I know is I'm going to have to save up a bit longer before it goes to Gerald methinks

Who is Gerald, and what is he going to do with your car?

[andydclements]

Gerald Turner aka GTS Performance

[johnpwalsh]

On 1/8/2017 at 16:00, JayEmm said:

No idea. All I know is I'm going to have to save up a bit longer before it goes to Gerald methinks

I suspect a rear oil seal has started a leek. Not a major job or cost to undertake Jay.

[JayEmm]

Behold, the lesser spotted Excel Window Frame

[oilmagnet477]

Nice frames James. I agree with John re rear crankshaft oil seal.

[JayEmm]

Car is booked in for the Mighty Gerald in late feb. Note to self, items to sort include:

Door and window beams installed

Get both electric windows working (o/s works, n/s doesn't)

Get door locks working

Get rev counter working

Get all dash lights working

Fix occasional "clonk" from n/s front

New choke cable

Fix clutch slip

Balance carbs + Service (running a bit lumpy)

 

After that, I hope to take it to my hi-fi specialist and have the old evil immobiliser removed, a modern alarm and remote locking installed, and new speakers installed and wired in.

[ChrisJ]

Mine should be there at the same time as it has it's MOT due at the start of March.

Sounds a good lot of work.

Have you taken the door cards off? Might be the fuses for the windows & locks - or he connector might have fallen off on the driver's set of buttons. You should have central locking.

I'm just about to order the window frames - but not have them fitted this time around.

Gerald removed my immobiliser after it decided to immobilise the car  He had previously removed the alarm as it wasn't working.

[JayEmm]

My car does have central locking I believe, I suspect Gerald may have disconnected it. I think like your car he may have disconnected the passenger side window motor too.

[RichardJGC]

James

Im a few months behind you but I've just purchased an 89 Excel SE which is in amazing condition. It's a 1 owner car...36000 miles and kept in a heated garage all its life.

It comes to me having just had a full C Service, New belts, brakes and some new bushes and a refreshed interior.

Its been MOT'd every year and serviced regularly (mainly at Paul Mattys) so it will be interesting to see how it copes when I put a few more miles on it.

Everything works apart from the clock (sound familiar?)

I'm expecting it to throw up one or two issues as time goes on but am prepared for that.

Should keep me occupied whilst my 82 Turbo is being restored.

Richard

 

[Barrykearley]

Lovely

[RichardJGC]

You know it makes sense Barry ?. I'm sure there is room for one more.

[ChrisJ]

@RichardJGC - I'll have to say snap -  82 Turbo Esprit & 89 Excel SE

Mine is an umpteen owner, 92k car (now 107k) - which I keep outside all the time.

Brilliant car - you won't be disappointed.

My clock wasn't working either. Just bought a replacement from Lotusbits.

Are you coming to Duxford at the end of the month? If so, we'll have to compare notes.