Oil line recall

[Drew09]

Originally Posted by swazi

tried to get my recall done. they told me the fittings on the oil cooler had seized, and apparently damanged the oil cooler when they managed to get it off.

they had to order new oil cooler, so now am in waiting pattern.

anyone else had this recall done also had to get new oil cooler?

Did you not read that last page or 2?

[Sburke]

Happened to me last night.

I was coming home on the freeway and went to change lanes and the car started to lose control, luckily I was able to get the car straight at highway speeds! A few seconds later the oil light came on. Luckily there was a exit ramp RIGHT there so I coasted and shut her down. It's currently stranded in a random parking lot right off the freeway, The Lotus dealer is having it picked up tomorrow AM. The only downside to this is the car just had a somewhat fresh oil change not long ago and they asked if I wanted to have the oil changed while the recall was done!!!!! At 200$!!!! I said it was just changed not long ago, if it wasn't for this HUGE safety issue I wouldn't even need another oil change. Luckily I didn't crash, things would have gotten ugly.

I obviously haven't tried to restart the car. I HOPE nothing happened to the motor as well


Oh yeah my wheel isn't gold, that's oil all over the whole side of the car and both rear wheels

[HocusLotus]

I'm bringing mine in on Friday morning to Lotus of Orlando. Had planned a radiator swap at the same time, but the shop called me this morning to tell me that they can now perform the oil crimp repair without removing the clams. Apparently Lotus offers (at dealer cost) a purpose-designed tool kit that makes the clam-on repair possible.
I plan on bringing the new radiator along 'just in case' I have the oil cooler fitting issue that's been described here and the clam has to come off. Otherwise it'll sit on my garage shelf until the next time I have reason to yank the clam off.
I'll post back again with the results.

[Felgacarb]

Wow Sburke, that sounds pretty scary!

I got my car back today. I had dropped it off on Saturday at Galpin in Van Nuys. It was a very pleasant experience. John Alavazo (The Lotus & Jaguar service guy) was great, all the people I spoke to were friendly, and they got it done quickly. (They didn't have to remove the front clam.)

Here's a shot of the invoice (for those interested in the part numbers) and one of the new fittings:





At this point, I'm very happy with how they handled things.

I also saw more Lotuses in one place than I probably every had before- two Evoras in the showroom, three more around back, at least two Elises in the shop (for the oil lines...) an Exige waiting to be washed, and another Elise pulled up before I left...

[agirls]

I'm glad it is not a clam off job.

[Sburke]

Originally Posted by agirls

I'm glad it is not a clam off job.

The lotus dealer it's being towed to tomorrow claims clam off 6 hour job

[jumpman1975]

X2. Glad it went well, hopefully all goes well when I bring mine this Wed.

[Drew09]

I don't understand how can this be done with the clam on? The front oil line between the two coolers has to be replaced.

[mrfiat]

I am having the oil line recall done Thursday here in Albuquerque at Melloy. They claim they don't have to pull the clam, we will see. I have an 2005 Elise.

[m111mk2]

Just to clarify. THE CLAM HAS TO COME OFF _ PERIOD! no way around it. Now lets find something else to chat about.

[SwingLo]

Originally Posted by alp

Been using Galpin for a while now. No problems at all. John has always been very attentive to my cars. If you bring up an issue, he will work with you. Did Juan work on your car? He's actually very meticulous. Only two techs can work on my Lotus and he's one of them.

Brought my car to Galpin.

Picked it up a few days later and that guy with the black nail polish and spikey hair installed a waterfall, cotton candy machine and sybian in my car.

[SwingLo]

Getting mine done on Tuesday of next week at FVMC.

I think it's the first they've done, but TJ is a whiz so I'm not worried.

[Nessal]

Then why are these other dealerships claiming that it is a clam on job? Possible that thry arent replacing all the faulty lines?

[blankdan]

I keep reading that they can do the repair without removing the clam. Can anyone that's had it done at the dealer under the recall confirm? Also, if that's the case, how are they gaining access - through the front grill? I'm wondering because I've had all of the grills on my Elise replaced with mesh and think that any access in there either has to go from underneath (can they remove the panel?) or else through the grills and my grills are no longer removable.

[m111mk2]

I did the training for all the dealers technicians on this recall and rest assured they do remove the clam to do the recall. If someone at the dealership is telling you they are not then they havent checked with the tech and I want to know their names and position at the dealership to check with them. Dave Simkin - Lotus Cars USA.

[HocusLotus]

Originally Posted by m111mk2

I did the training for all the dealers technicians on this recall and rest assured they do remove the clam to do the recall. If someone at the dealership is telling you they are not then they havent checked with the tech and I want to know their names and position at the dealership to check with them. Dave Simkin - Lotus Cars USA.

Interesting. I got the clam-on description from Russell, who I believe heads up the maintenance shop at the Orlando dealership. I need to get to the bottom of this - I'd hate to think that they're using an unvalidated approach to making the repair.

[jumpman1975]

I guess I'm cancelling my appointment with Galpin tomorrow since Felgacarb was told it was done with the clam on. I mistrust dealership service in general and I really hate to drop my car off to only get a half-assed job. I'll hold off until this is all cleared up and conflicting information resolved. Thanks Dave for officially confirming that the clam NEEDS to be off.

[SpeedRacerAYS]

Dont know if dealers do it different ways. But I think this job can be done clam on, if you take the fender liner off you will see the oil line going to the oil cooler its held by retainer clips on the top inside of the calm. Once removed its pulled to the back of the car running through the chassis. Havent done it myself since they were doing it but when I prepped the car to take it to the dealer, I removed the sills and side skirts and zip tie holding the oil line in the cabin. Correct me if I am wrong any experts listening?

[tommyc]

The cross line in front between coolers or even if only onecooler is impossible with normal tools clam must come off. I here lotus has a special to do it but if the fittings are siezed then a clam off affair

[Drew09]

Originally Posted by m111mk2

If someone at the dealership is telling you they are not then they havent checked with the tech

This. Whoever says that, does not know what they are talking about.