[ageek2000]

I bought a 2005 Elise (sport package) with 1,610 miles on it three weeks ago.

Now the car has about 2,100 miles on it, and one oil cooler is leaking. Searches on this forum reveal that my leak is most likely the oil cooler leak issue. The leak is on the front driver's side and has the usual symptoms -- puddle in the driveway (which just appeared tonight). Also by searching this forum, I did find the TSB related to this issue.

I am taking it to the dealer where I purchased the car (Sports and Specialists Cars in Hopewell, NJ). I am taking it tomorrow; the shop will get to it on Tuesday. I think I'll be OK driving it up there -- the dipstick still reads full.

They charge $102 an hour. I do not have an extended warranty on this car (didn't think I'd need one with the mileage so low). However, I will now look into purchasing one. . . I asked the dealer to have that information for me when I drop it off. . .

What do you guys think? How many hours to fix, and how much in parts? I just want to know what I'm in for. . .

And will the shop have to do an oil change to fix this issue? I know they can be pricey! Prior to my purchase, this car had the 1,000 mile service where the first oil change was completed, so it's not due for another one. . .

Thanks for your time!

Jim

 

[Demonized]

I bought a 2005 Elise (sport package) with 1,610 miles on it three weeks ago.

Now the car has about 2,100 miles on it, and one oil cooler is leaking. Searches on this forum reveal that my leak is most likely the oil cooler leak issue. The leak is on the front driver's side and has the usual symptoms -- puddle in the driveway (which just appeared tonight). Also by searching this forum, I did find the TSB related to this issue.

I am taking it to the dealer where I purchased the car (Sports and Specialists Cars in Hopewell, NJ). I am taking it tomorrow; the shop will get to it on Tuesday. I think I'll be OK driving it up there -- the dipstick still reads full.

They charge $102 an hour. I do not have an extended warranty on this car (didn't think I'd need one with the mileage so low). However, I will now look into purchasing one. . . I asked the dealer to have that information for me when I drop it off. . .

What do you guys think? How many hours to fix, and how much in parts? I just want to know what I'm in for. . .

And will the shop have to do an oil change to fix this issue? I know they can be pricey! Prior to my purchase, this car had the 1,000 mile service where the first oil change was completed, so it's not due for another one. . .

Thanks for your time!

Jim

Depends on how fast they can take the front clam off, and put it back on.

2-3 hours to take it off, probably the same to put it on, not including fixing the leak. You're looking at a few pennies...

Do it yourself.

 

[EliseAtLeast]

When I had my 05 Elise it was leaking at the passenger side and it was not from the oil cooler, it was from the oil line coupling adaptor because Lotus took out one of the oil cooler (they did that for the later 05 built non-sports pakage model). Just a little tightening solved that issue. Yours is leaking from the driver side so it probably is the oil cooler but you are in good hands with Sports and Specialists. Good luck.

 

[karajabola]

When I had my 05 Elise it was leaking at the passenger side and it was not from the oil cooler, it was from the oil line coupling adaptor because Lotus took out one of the oil cooler (they did that for the later 05 built non-sports pakage model). Just a little tightening solved that issue. Yours is leaking from the driver side so it probably is the oil cooler but you are in good hands with Sports and Specialists. Good luck.

I had the same problem. It was a loose driver's side lower fitting. They were able to tighten it without removing the clam somehow.

 

[ageek2000]

Thanks for your responses, guys!

I had the same problem. It was a loose driver's side lower fitting. They were able to tighten it without removing the clam somehow.

Any idea how they did that? How can you access that area?

 

[karajabola]

Thanks for your responses, guys!


Any idea how they did that? How can you access that area?

I asked them, they wouldn't tell me You need to get 2 wrenches up there, one to tighten, the other to support the cooler to prevent cracking. I believe one is a 15/16" (could be wrong). Either way, that's a sizable wrench, I don't know how you could get another one up there.

In the least, you need to remove the front access panel on the bottom of the car.

 

[HiroY]

If my memory serves right, I believe you simply need to remove the wheel liner within the front wheel well to get to the driver side oil cooler...Just a few plastic screws to pop the liner out and then you should be able to see the cooler at the front along with the lower fitting. I recall this from when I had to remove the liner and such to install new HID headlights and the associated balasts. I remember seeing the oil cooler at that time and checking for leaks myself since I had seen others having the issue.

 

[ageek2000]

Thank you for all your replies. My Elise was diagnosed today by Sports and Specialists.

When I dropped the car off, I submitted the TSB that I found via this website. I talked to the technician for about 10 minutes about the problem; he was great. All the details and information concerning this problem that I was able to research on this website and share with the technician were very helpful.

Well, the car needs a new left oil cooler. The front clam needs to come off in order to make that happen.

However, since I've only had my '05 Elise for three weeks, and there's a little over 2,000 miles on it, Sports and Specialists agreed to split the repair bill with me. I am very happy with that; things won't be so bad after all. Overall I am learning that this is a great Lotus shop -- everyone there is nice and has the customer's best interests in mind.

The worst part of it all is that the oil cooler won't be in until Tuesday of next week, which means I won't get the car back 'till Wednesday. I miss the car already -- haha!

Jim

 

[madden]

cost me like $1200

 

[ZAMMY1]

hmmm.. if it isn't a track car, wouldn't it be reasonable to put a fitting between the hoses and just bypass the (extra) oil cooler?
they did delete the unit on later cars....
just thinking....

 

[ageek2000]

hmmm.. if it isn't a track car, wouldn't it be reasonable to put a fitting between the hoses and just bypass the (extra) oil cooler?
they did delete the unit on later cars....
just thinking....

That is a decent idea. I'd go with your suggestion if dealer wasn't covering 1/2 of the cost. . . Maybe if the right one breaks this will be the backup plan.

 

[ageek2000]

cost me like $1200

Madden: I noticed in one of these oil cooler threads that you posted the original estimate for your repair was around $2300. $1200 is much better!

Still, it might have been worth your while to drive a couple hours up to Jersey. The full price Sports and Specialists quoted me was $690 total. We are splitting that.

What helped is that their mechanic told me he can have the front clam off in about 45 minutes (he said he's done so many of them). . . The estimate is still for 3 hours labor though.

In me, Sports and Specialists has a customer for life! :clap:

 

[madden]

nice! Criswell in MD seems to rip you off in the service department.
I ended up finding a half off coupon to get the price down.

 

[ageek2000]

nice! Criswell in MD seems to rip you off in the service department.
I ended up finding a half off coupon to get the price down.

Cool man. Do you have any pics of your car around? I'd like to see it.

 

[madden]

 

[ageek2000]

Hotness. Madden: I remember when I began researching and looking for my Elise in February, I saw a lot of posts from you on this forum as you were on the verge of getting yours or had just found yours.

Nice to see that you found a Lava Orange. Did you install that air splitter, or did it come with the car? I'd like to get one. . .

What's that orange-squared item on top of the center of the dash? Inspection sticker?

Nice ride dude!