Reverse gear select problem on 1990 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE

[LotusExcelSA]

My dad has just bought a 1990 Turbo SE (first esprit!) and he loves it, but while trying to adjust to the gear box (from a Excel SA to the Esprit) he thought it was just naturally hard, but now it seems to be hit and miss. There is some considerable trouble selecting reverse gear, as you lift the collar and shift the gearstick seems to be hitting 2nd gear repeatedly

I have looked around on some other forums and have come up with these problems

1. Gear Linkage
2. Adjustment

are there any other problems that could be causing this?

[Bibs_LEF]

Is the car hot and does it have it's original red clutch hose? A braided hose will not distort under high temperature conditions.

Are you selecting first, erm, first? There is no syncro on reverse but using first lines it up nicely.

Is the clutch fluid topped up and fresh?

Is the slave cylinder leaking?

[LotusExcelSA]

after returning from a trip last night, the car refused to go into reverse at all

but this morning my dad was testing "the hot theory" and after it had all cooled down, the car went into reverse first time

I'll have to check with him about the clutch hose, but everything else is fine

[Bibs_LEF]

'Red Hose Syndrome' is well documented here...

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EGuides/EModificat...

I'd recommend you get a new hose from Pipelines Motorsport

Tel: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]

They will make you up a braided hose and can match it to the original red hose to keep the look but increase the usefulness! £43.50 last time I checked!

[G_Reaper2]

I have an S4s with a the same problem. my car has the braided clutch pipe however when I removed the boot panel to check adjustment etc I realised it was the other common Esprit/Renault gearbox problem i.e. the short 3" long translator rod on the gearbox where the cables attach had too much play I have ordered a new one.

Hope this helps.

regards Mike Y

[LotusExcelSA]

My looked at it, and its something to do with the translator, but he never told me what was wrong with it

thanks for all the help guys!