Elise Series One Clutch
Discussion
'Tis likely to be the famous 'red clutch hose' syndrome!
[technical explanation}
On most Series 1 cars, there is a transparent red plastic hose that connects the clutch master cylinder to the slave. This hose goes soft when it gets hot, so that when you push your foot down on the clutch pedal the fluid displacement is simply absorbed by the hose expanding rather than acting on the slave cylinder to disengage the clutch.
[/technical explanation].
Ironically, for a company famous for acting at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, they used the same type of hose back in the 60's and 70's on Elans, with exactly the same result!
Cure is to replace the red plastic hose with a braided steel one, but fitting it is a bit of a pain, so it will cost you a few hundred quid if you pay a dealer or specialist to do it for you.
[technical explanation}
On most Series 1 cars, there is a transparent red plastic hose that connects the clutch master cylinder to the slave. This hose goes soft when it gets hot, so that when you push your foot down on the clutch pedal the fluid displacement is simply absorbed by the hose expanding rather than acting on the slave cylinder to disengage the clutch.
[/technical explanation].
Ironically, for a company famous for acting at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, they used the same type of hose back in the 60's and 70's on Elans, with exactly the same result!
Cure is to replace the red plastic hose with a braided steel one, but fitting it is a bit of a pain, so it will cost you a few hundred quid if you pay a dealer or specialist to do it for you.
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