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Just back from LOG, in the tech session these subjects were discussed.
The A/C unit is built by bergrstrom for Lotus. At some point during manufacture bergstrom determined a problem with a regulator/solenoid/sensor (something like that) that wasn't functioning properly. This change was made and Lotus is in the process of figuring out what vin range is affected. Will be fixed under warranty.
The oil cooler - apparently in the early build cars the particular way the hoses were attached to the oil coolers and tightened caused stress on the fittings. This assembly process has been altered to prevent from occuring again. They're in the process of issuing a service bulletin on what vin ranges are affected, please note: it only happened to a few cars in a certain build range and not all. ALso, it was NOT a catastrophic failure (ie split, etc). It just developed a very slow intermittent drip at the lower fitting. What would then happen, oil would seep down onto the foam rubber cushion at the bottom of the oil cooler, when this became saturated, you'd then get a drip which would be noticed on the floor of your garage. An easy way to check yours is to reach under the front clam where the oil coolers are located and give a squeeze to the rubber pad, if it's saturated with oil might want to have it looked at. Apparently if it hasn't happened in the first few hundred miles it won't. AGAIN THE BUILD PROCESS HAS BEEN REVISED TO PREVENT REOCCURENCE ON LATER CARS.
They also had a set of clear polycarbon front lower clam protectors, to be mounted to the right and left lower clam. Should be available soon.
The Lotus guys of course read this board and did make reference to the warranty issues for autocrossing or track day cars. Basically not an issue and at the autocross this morning I'm promise that Dave Simkin, Andy Plante and Tony Shute of lotus WERE NOT scooting around getting vins on the autocrossed elises!
Of further note, if heard right the 500th US elise has started build this week.
Finally, to let everyone know Arnie was not forgotten, some great guy made a "thanks arnie" bumper sticker with pic of the elise on it, they were posted on doors at the hotel on car windows at the concours etc. Great to see he's still though highly of by the Lotus community and rightfully so!! Never could find out who had them would love to have gotten some, I think Kiyoshi got one.
Chris
The A/C unit is built by bergrstrom for Lotus. At some point during manufacture bergstrom determined a problem with a regulator/solenoid/sensor (something like that) that wasn't functioning properly. This change was made and Lotus is in the process of figuring out what vin range is affected. Will be fixed under warranty.
The oil cooler - apparently in the early build cars the particular way the hoses were attached to the oil coolers and tightened caused stress on the fittings. This assembly process has been altered to prevent from occuring again. They're in the process of issuing a service bulletin on what vin ranges are affected, please note: it only happened to a few cars in a certain build range and not all. ALso, it was NOT a catastrophic failure (ie split, etc). It just developed a very slow intermittent drip at the lower fitting. What would then happen, oil would seep down onto the foam rubber cushion at the bottom of the oil cooler, when this became saturated, you'd then get a drip which would be noticed on the floor of your garage. An easy way to check yours is to reach under the front clam where the oil coolers are located and give a squeeze to the rubber pad, if it's saturated with oil might want to have it looked at. Apparently if it hasn't happened in the first few hundred miles it won't. AGAIN THE BUILD PROCESS HAS BEEN REVISED TO PREVENT REOCCURENCE ON LATER CARS.
They also had a set of clear polycarbon front lower clam protectors, to be mounted to the right and left lower clam. Should be available soon.
The Lotus guys of course read this board and did make reference to the warranty issues for autocrossing or track day cars. Basically not an issue and at the autocross this morning I'm promise that Dave Simkin, Andy Plante and Tony Shute of lotus WERE NOT scooting around getting vins on the autocrossed elises!
Of further note, if heard right the 500th US elise has started build this week.
Finally, to let everyone know Arnie was not forgotten, some great guy made a "thanks arnie" bumper sticker with pic of the elise on it, they were posted on doors at the hotel on car windows at the concours etc. Great to see he's still though highly of by the Lotus community and rightfully so!! Never could find out who had them would love to have gotten some, I think Kiyoshi got one.
Chris