Corroded Footwells
Discussion
Guys and Gals, I do not want to alarm you but you may not have heard about the problem of chassis corrosion on the Elise under the rubber mats in the footwells. I only heard about it yesterday and immediately checked my car, which appears to be affected:
There is more detail on the problem here.
Please check your car as soon as possible, and if you are affected, contact Neil Turner (Tel: (01953) 608844) who is customer services manager at Lotus Cars. He's a very nice bloke so please be nice to him.
He will probably ask you to write an email to formally inform them with as much information about your car as is relevant, including the chassis number and photographs if possible.
Lotus are taking this very seriously and are talking to experts on how to resolve the problem. The more information they have on this the easier it will be for them to work it out.
There is more detail on the problem here.
Please check your car as soon as possible, and if you are affected, contact Neil Turner (Tel: (01953) 608844) who is customer services manager at Lotus Cars. He's a very nice bloke so please be nice to him.
He will probably ask you to write an email to formally inform them with as much information about your car as is relevant, including the chassis number and photographs if possible.
Lotus are taking this very seriously and are talking to experts on how to resolve the problem. The more information they have on this the easier it will be for them to work it out.
Yup,
What to do . . . lift the mats asap, tell Lotus, they have been looking at this only for a couple of weeks.
My car, 2.5 years old, doesn't look pretty, but the damage is not too deep, yet . . . www.ziplockk.com/driving/corrosion1.jpg
I've removed both drivers and pax mats and will not be putting anything non removable on the floor until Lotus make some knd of recommendation.
Fd
What to do . . . lift the mats asap, tell Lotus, they have been looking at this only for a couple of weeks.
My car, 2.5 years old, doesn't look pretty, but the damage is not too deep, yet . . . www.ziplockk.com/driving/corrosion1.jpg
I've removed both drivers and pax mats and will not be putting anything non removable on the floor until Lotus make some knd of recommendation.
Fd
Felix7 said: Fergus you've been busy on the BBS thread too - for those who are interested or concerned there is more here - www.british-cars.co.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=lotusbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=2050&source=T&thread=2003041908014616836
> Edited to remove your access ID which allows people to change your settings and post as you!
>> Edited by Bonce (moderator) on Friday 2nd May 16:53
Cheers Bonce, got a bit distracted with that 9 to 5 thing called work, I think I was trying to bin the post having realised you'd already put this up!!
Hi all had a look under mats of my S1 (its under 3 years old and is in A1 condition, done about 7000 miles).
I found some corrosion, and more concerning water under the drivers mat. This was a surprise as the car has not been wet inside, i.e. not been left with roof off.
I propose to grind corrosion out, measure depth of damage (allow for upto10% of material thickness to be removed). And re-assess. If alls well then treat with something like ally bright to kill corrosion and apply ardrox 1200 (a solution used in the aircraft trade) to re-protect the surface. Before deciding on a final surface finish.
I found some corrosion, and more concerning water under the drivers mat. This was a surprise as the car has not been wet inside, i.e. not been left with roof off.
I propose to grind corrosion out, measure depth of damage (allow for upto10% of material thickness to be removed). And re-assess. If alls well then treat with something like ally bright to kill corrosion and apply ardrox 1200 (a solution used in the aircraft trade) to re-protect the surface. Before deciding on a final surface finish.
I haven't worked out how to lift the driver's side yet, but passenger side was easy. First remove the footrest - it's only held in with velcro so a couple of good tugs gets it out. Then you can easily get your fingers under the far edge of the rubber mat and lift it.
Lotus are hopefully going to give an official statement soon, we just need to be patient with them while they try to work it out.
Lotus are hopefully going to give an official statement soon, we just need to be patient with them while they try to work it out.
Sneaked in hear when no one was looking. When I built my Caterham (1990) i sprayed GT85 (like WD40) all over the floors etc to protect the alli. It stained under the carpets but no corrosion 12 years after. Mind the carpets always felt a bit oily but that could have been a leaky gearbox.
Off before i get caught...
Off before i get caught...
The BBS link's died so sorry if this has been covered. The corrosion is called pillowing and arrises when water is trapped in pockets (eg the 'cells' in the underside of the mats)it happens in aircraft wings and was one of the big concerns in testing of the new XJ and the Vanquish. Given that S2 chassis are sprayed with a corrosion inhibitor in this area I suspect Lotus are well aware of the problem...
The good(ish) news is that the floors are not structurally integral so in the worst case scenario they could presumably be cut out and new ones bonded in ?
BTW 'my' S2 has no signs of wear or corrosion in this area, but one of the Avex rivets is clearly moving
Oh yeah - do everyones indicators wobble ?
>> Edited by jaydee on Tuesday 13th May 13:16
The good(ish) news is that the floors are not structurally integral so in the worst case scenario they could presumably be cut out and new ones bonded in ?
BTW 'my' S2 has no signs of wear or corrosion in this area, but one of the Avex rivets is clearly moving
Oh yeah - do everyones indicators wobble ?
>> Edited by jaydee on Tuesday 13th May 13:16
JD
If you mean the ones on the bonnet then yes, when I wash them they move about a bit! Otherwise no
Heard about a couple of people with rear light clusters coming loose at high speed (also on S2) so if you are talking about those then yes!
The ones on the sides? Hm I will check this weekend!
If you mean the ones on the bonnet then yes, when I wash them they move about a bit! Otherwise no
Heard about a couple of people with rear light clusters coming loose at high speed (also on S2) so if you are talking about those then yes!
The ones on the sides? Hm I will check this weekend!
How old is your car? Bulbs may have been replaced and the light housings not replacxed properly, quick trip to the dealer and they should be able to pop them out and then back in straight at no cost...piece of mind as the car is tight and this is a shame!
As for carpet at the back, no yours isnt missing, mine had none when it arrived from the factory via the dealer...not like yacan get that much in the boot to do any damage ,)
As for carpet at the back, no yours isnt missing, mine had none when it arrived from the factory via the dealer...not like yacan get that much in the boot to do any damage ,)
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