ToDo List

[jtrealty]

Every time I drive my car if there are any problems I write it down on my "Squawk Sheet". I then try to fix at least one thing a week. If you are conscientious and keep up with your maintenance you can keep the list short. But there is always something. I try to keep modifications separate from the maintenance items. I also recommend Dr Colorchip. It does take some finesse and practice to get good at it but the results can be very good. You should keep a journal of all of the work you do on the car and when it was done. This way it helps you to know when something is due or if you see a pattern of things going wrong over time. All work should be prioritized. Anything that should be done to prevent further damage should be near the top of the list like fixing a windshield crack or flushing the brake/clutch fluid. Some items are expensive so they should be budgeted like replacing tires. Getting baseline #'s like a compression test is best done during a tune-up which you can plan for. Cleaning is something you can always do and do again, not necessary to put on a list. Some things are also best done over the winter (that is if you don't live in Florida). If the weather is crummy at least you can detail the car!
David Teitelbaum

[Laser Bob]

What I've done (or had done) to the car since purchasing it in March this year:
Repaired drivers door
Repaired drivers window track
Oil change
Tune up
Replaced 3 gas struts on boot & bonnet
Replaced speedo cable
Replaced a lot of light bulbs on exterior and in dash
Replaced interior compartment light


Still on the list of things to do:
Restore to working order the engine cooling fan
Replace some of the carpet in the trunk
Replace weatherstripping on boot & bonnet
Replace & aim all 4 headlights
Replace pass side headlight motor (it works but is slow & noisy)
Replace cracked windshield washer container

[driveawedge]

Maintenance/Repairs:

Rebuild headlamp motors
Upgrade headlamp controller
New set of keys
Replace passenger mirror
Headliner

Modifications:
Upgrade brakes to Brembo or AP
Shorten air intake hose
Replace engine compartment tubing with stainless

[lotusespritse]

Hey Drive, what's wrong with your passenger mirror? If it wobbles like mine did, it may just need tightening. If that's the case, you just pull up the trim cover, loosen the allen key, pull the mirror off, and tighten the allen key inside the mirror and put it back on.

[jtrealty]

If tightening is all it takes. More often than not the casting is broken and needs to be replaced.
David Teitelbaum

[lotusespritse]

If you have to buy the casting, don't pay Lotus prices. You can get the part from a Citroen suppler (Dave Burnham Citroen) in the US for about $50 (which is already double what it would cost you in Europe, but a fraction of what the Lotus parts cost).

I bought 2 of those castings thinking I needed to replace them, but I sent them back when I found out it was just loose. Ran into another guy in Houston that just bought an Esprit and both of his just needed tightening too.

[ArtB]

Well, my list is always long, but seems like as I get the car running nicely, something else takes a ****! I am about out of things to replace, so I guess that should shorten the list!
Travis, I removed my boost gauge, and moved the Volt gauge center of the binnacle and installled my Wideband where the Volt gauge was in my car at the far left side opening. My boost gauge is a digital display from my Blitz turbo timer, when you could still find them with the boost gauge integrated in it! I didn't like the idea of mounting the O2 gauge outside of the binnacle.

[driveawedge]

It may need tightening. I had to replace the driver mirror a few years ago due to the casting breaking. Just assumed its mate was heading to the same fate.

[sleekgt]

[QUOTE=driveawedge;1820703]Maintenance/Repairs:
[snip]/QUOTE]

Hey Dan - nice to see you here - I've been here since July 2011
-------------
July-October 2011:

Oil/filter, air filter, brake fluid, trans fluid changed.

Clutch master, slave, and hydraulic line replaced with stainless steel line

Timing belt replaced with 'blue' version.
Spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor replaced
accessory belts replaced
Fuel pumps, filter, and accumulator replaced
Water pump, Radiator and fans being replaced
Coolant hoses replaced with silicone black JAE hoses
Billet aluminum radiator with high efficiency fans

Since driving daily (up to 7 days a week) starting Oct 1, 2011
Nov 28 2012 - ~13,000 miles

Repairs/damage/failures since Oct 2011:

Oil change (Dec 2011)
New windshield washer arm/blade (Dec 2011)
New alternator (Dec 2011)
Cracked windshield (Dec 2011)
Loose door striker (Jan 2012)
Leaking cam tower gasket (Mar 2012)
AC recharged (R134) and working (Mar 2012)
Broken passenger door limiting bolt (Apr 2012)
Broken passenger window lift motor (Apr 2012)
?Stuck rear caliper - heavy scoring of driver side rear disc (Apr 2012)
New rear rotors/pads (Apr 2012)
Oil change (Apr 2012)
AC relief valve popped; venting all R134 out - reset and refilled (May 2012)
AC relief valve popped again; venting some R134. Refilled and plan to replace receiver/dryer (July 2012) Both AC episodes during 90F+ in Napa, California after about 1 hour of continous operation
Added factory glass sunroof (July 2012)
Replaced sealed beams with Hella H4 setup (Oct 2012)
Momentary 5th gear loss - changed oil/adjust linkage (Oct 2012)
latest to-do:

replace passenger window motor
refill R134
replace front brake pads/machine rotors

[Vulcan Grey]

Originally Posted by ArtB

Well, my list is always long, but seems like as I get the car running nicely, something else takes a ****! I am about out of things to replace, so I guess that should shorten the list!
Travis, I removed my boost gauge, and moved the Volt gauge center of the binnacle and installled my Wideband where the Volt gauge was in my car at the far left side opening. My boost gauge is a digital display from my Blitz turbo timer, when you could still find them with the boost gauge integrated in it! I didn't like the idea of mounting the O2 gauge outside of the binnacle.

My PLX DM-6 multi gauge is 2 1/16" or 52mm, not sure what size the Lotus boost gauge is... But my DM-6 will display boost, air intake temps, fluid temps, EGT, fluid pressure, and the wideband A:F info all on one gauge with 3 touch sensors to cycle between.

Each sensor module is daisy chained, so you don't even have to run more wires.