Does this sound right?

[MummyDust]

Today my car had its fourth service and I’ve been told that an oil pipe is corroded and may need replacement. The dealer has advised using anti-corrosion paint on the pipe first but if that doesn’t work it will need replacing. However, the pipe runs through the sill and the dealer is saying that the sill will need cutting out to access the pipe and welding back up once the new pipe is in.

Does this sound right? Obviously if the pipe needs replacing then it’ll have to be replaced but it seems strange to be cutting and welding the chassis on a relatively new car. I’m wondering if there has possibly been a miscommunication between the tech and the service manager.

The car is a Lotus Exige and I really, really don’t want my car to have such major surgery if it’s really not necessary.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[shtu]

MummyDust said:

Today my car had its fourth service and I’ve been told that an oil pipe is corroded and may need replacement. The dealer has advised using anti-corrosion paint on the pipe first but if that doesn’t work it will need replacing. However, the pipe runs through the sill and the dealer is saying that the sill will need cutting out to access the pipe and welding back up once the new pipe is in.

Does this sound right? Obviously if the pipe needs replacing then it’ll have to be replaced but it seems strange to be cutting and welding the chassis on a relatively new car. I’m wondering if there has possibly been a miscommunication between the tech and the service manager.

The car is a Lotus Exige and I really, really don’t want my car to have such major surgery if it’s really not necessary.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Doesn't sound right. It looks to be an involved job, but no cutting required, https://howtune.com/articles/441-remove-the-oil-co...

There;s bound to be an existing solution - there's always an aftermarket fix for Lotus' cockups. Speak to a specialist that isn't the supplying dealer.

[MummyDust]

shtu said:

Doesn't sound right. It looks to be an involved job, but no cutting required, https://howtune.com/articles/441-remove-the-oil-co...

There;s bound to be an existing solution - there's always an aftermarket fix for Lotus' cockups. Speak to a specialist that isn't the supplying dealer.

That’s brilliant information, thank you very much! Sounds like crossed wires somewhere then. No surprise that Lotus manage to make something like that so complicated!

Thanks again!

[Krikkit]

Looks like a much better solution than cutting the sills apart! Bloody hell.

[MummyDust]

Krikkit said:

Looks like a much better solution than cutting the sills apart! Bloody hell.

Tell me about it! I nearly had a heart attack!

[kambites]

I rather doubt a typical main dealer has the facilities to perform structural welds on aluminium anyway.