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Lotus
have a reputation for producing unreliable cars but the 'Elise 1' proved to be
the exception.
In general you can say that the later your car is, the less likely it is to be
affected by any of the problems mentioned below.
On
march 2000, Lotus has recalled 1,300 Elise 111S models. In some circumstances
electromagnetic interference could cause an engine misfire, leading to exhaust
catalyst damage. Only 111S variants are affected.
On
some later cars the accelerator can stick causing the engine to idle at higher
than normal speeds. Some say its a feature of the automatic choke but the
problem will occur long after the engine has reached its normal operating
temperature. This is usually down to the throttle end of the cable which gets
wet in the rain. Some owners have had the throttle body replaced under warranty.
On
older cars it is possible for the fuel injection pump fuse to blow. Older cars
have a 10A fuse which is a 20A fuse on later cars. It has also moved location.
It is advisable to carry some spare fuses.
Earlier
Elises had problems with the door retainers breaking. This has been redesigned
and is fitted to all later cars.
Some
Elises had problems with the under tray working loose. Check this regularly,
especially if it gets noisy. It is recommend that these zinc plated bolts are
replaced with stainless steel equivalents to stop corrosion problems.
On
a number of later cars the accelerator can stick causing the engine to idle at
higher than normal speeds (2000rpm seems common). This is often mistaken as
being a feature of the automatic choke but the problem will occur long after the
engine has reached operating temperature. This is usually down to the throttle
end of the cable which gets wet in the rain. Some owners have had the throttle
body replaced under warranty.
Lotus
have now replaced the throttle body on the Elise, the existing plastic item
being replaced with a metal one that is less prone to the sticking problems
caused by heat in the engine bay. Several owners have had this fixed under
warranty.
There
have been a few cases of problems with the category 1 alarm system fitted to
later cars, but in general the system seems to work well. In its worst
manifestation the immobiliser can trigger leaving the driver stranded, but his
has been a rare occurence.
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