Noises / Cracks - Diagnosis please!

[W022A]

Hi

Crack
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I took my car (S2SP135) down the the cotswolds this weekend. Upon returning yesterday and giving it a wash I noticed a crack which I havn't seen before
[Photos here]. The crack is in the corner of the drivers side door sill. Whilst it appears to be just a crack in the paint, something must have caused this. Should I be worried?

Noises.
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I had the car serviced one month ago, shortly after I purchased it (privately second hand). Recently it seems to have developed a couple of noises:
1) Tappet/pinking noise at ~1900-2300rpm. This noise seems to be constant when the engine is running between these speeds.
2) Transmission noise on the overrun in high gears (most prominent in 5th). The noise is a gentle grinding-like sound that is only appaerent on the overrun and occasionly with under full throttle at low revs.

The irony of this situation is that the warranty runs out TODAY and it is bank holiday monday

Any ideas? Thanks

[Elise-Shop]

>> Whilst it appears to be just a crack in the paint, something must have caused this.

Dunno, but this certainly is not a crack in the paint but a crack in the rear clam.

>>Should I be worried?

Yes, you should visit a dealer or specialist (like Sinclairs) to get this diagnosed. It might be bad luck, it might be something has hit or whatever. The bad news is that S2 clams are hard to repair, the material used isn't the standard GRP anymore. If you decide to move on, this might get worse and end up like a bad and long crack

1) Tappet/pinking noise at ~1900-2300rpm. This noise seems to be constant when the engine is running between these speeds.

Not sure, what's the milage? Oil level ok?

>> 2) Transmission noise on the overrun in high gears (most prominent in 5th).

As long as it's not a really loud noise, it's a typical Rover box noise. Almost all Elise's are prone to this noise. Not to worry as long as it's not too loud. You might try to compare it with others..

[nobbles]

I have the same noise at similar rpm, I think its the speedo as when you put your clutch in the noise is still there. The gearbox noise also gives me some concern but as everyone says "its like that" I keep thinking there is no oil in the gearbox. The good thing is its much quieter with the roof off and summer is nearly here... Good luck...

[jboughto]

I'll add by saying that my fifth gear makes this noise as well, especially at low revs - get up to 80/90 and I either can't hear it or its not there any more.

JB

[DanH]

Does it sound like gravel being poured onto a piece of sheet metal?

If so mine does that.

[W022A]

Gravel being poured over sheet metal - spot on! That's exactly what it sounds like. Anyone got a good analergy for the 1900rpm "ticking" noise. I'm not so worried about the noises now - it seems like they are a pretty common thing (certainly doen't seem to affect performance).

Sadly, it looks like the crack could be a bit more serious. Can't belive my baby is falling apart

I've sent the photos to the dealer (Stratton Motors) today - they are going to show them to Lotus and get back to me. Fingers crossed.

[abz 7001]

Any news on the cracks?

Had a vision of a total recall on all S2 elises last night becasue of some structural integrity defect!

Gotta stop eating cheese just before I go to bed!

[Nightmare]

the gravel on metal noise is the thrust release bearing in the egarbox....tossy build tolerances. Ive been told 'its not a problem' - I disagree cos it p*sses me off, but wot can you do eh?!

My engine sometimes does the ticking thing, and occaisionally develops a hissing noise which sounds likes I have a serious flat tyre problem...but it doesnt se to do anything else, and goes away on its own...weird.

good luck re: that crack...I wouldnt be as definite as Elise Shop...could be a decent sized top-coat crack as it goes.... (paint on GRP can do some fun things sometimes)...but good luck with getting it sorted out whatever it is

Night

[W022A]

A HAPPY ENDING (or lucky escape?!)
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Lotus have authorised Stratton Motors to carry out the repair of the crack! I dropped the car there this morning. Apparently, the join not that strong and the crack can result from undue downward stress. The service manager told me that he has seen the same thing a few times before but it is not a common problem. They are going to check out the noises and replace the door striker pins to stop the damn thing rattling so much over every little bump in the road (recall job) .

I'm picking her up on Saturday good as new!

Thanks for all your help, guys.

[Bonce]

Very good to hear that Lotus weren't about to quibble over the warranty expiring the day before!

[AndyToone]

Good news for the repairs.

That ticking noise is pretty annoying.. seems to come on just when you're ambling through town and the car is otherwise quiet.

[Bart G]

I have the gravel on metal noise too but only when i make a medium hard left turn. According to the dealer it's a worn bearing in the rear left wheel. But when i put it in reverse and it's not in 100% right it makes the gravel on metal noise too. Any ideas? Should i cancel the bearing replacement for next week?

[DanH]

Bart, it may be the wheel bearing if its only when you make a turn. The noise I describe is when you lift off the throttle from high revs. Sounds like its coming from the front foot well to me (odd acoustics I guess?).

The grinding when you fail to get it into reverse is standard crunching gearbox noise and not associated with the noise I just described.