Elan +2 repair and maintence

Hi,

My dad owns an +2 but is now ill and the car has being a garaged non-runner for the last 4 years during his illness. I am aware that the engine has siezed and parts were removed as he tried to identify the problem. But as he can no longer remember what is wrong with it and i am a car novice i would like to find a garage that can do the repairs. I live in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

I love the car and would love to get it running again.

Thanks

Rebecca

Rebecca

Not much help but there is a Lotus specialist just outside Huddersfield…(on the A616)…as soon as I remember the name I’ll post it (or someome will beat me to it)

John :wink:

Isn’t Chris Foulds up that way?..just looked it up, hes in Huddersfield
fouldsmotors.com/

Yep, Chris Foulds is the one I was also going to suggest.

Hi Rebecca and welcome.

Before you commit to getting the engine sorted out, it may be worth stepping back and thinking about the car as a whole, and what else may need doing to it. If your Dad didn?t restore the car, or buy it as a restored car, the chances are that it will need a lot more work to get it up and running again. If you don?t know about cars, it would be easy to get ripped off. Even charged properly, you could be faced with a bill of ?10,000 or a lot more to sort the car out.

If it is just the engine, you?re looking at something in the region of ?3000 - ?5000 for a tow-in, drive away fix of the engine if it is seized. Sometimes when people say the engine?s seized, it can be something as simple as the starter motor jammed up, in which case, it can be a very cheap fix.

The brakes will probably need to be renovated and that could cost over ?1000 or so.

If the car hasn?t had a replacement chassis, it could well need one?it is over 35 years old, and this was commonly required in Elans. For a garage to do this, along with suspension and bits and pieces, you?re looking at ?6000 or so.

The other big thing to sort out cost-wise is the paint. This is the most expensive bit at anything between ?4000 and ?7000.

That?s the big picture, and the ?worst case??..just to let you know that you could be in for a spend of thousands, rather than hundreds of pounds. I would strongly suggest that you get someone who knows Elans to come and have a look at and appraise your car before you make any commitment to spend. Perhaps there will be someone on this forum who lives up your way who could pop in for an hour or so one weekend just to see if it?s all worthwhile. Or they may just know a trustworthy local Lotus specialist who could do a proper costed appraisal for you (but you may have to pay a few hundred pounds for that).

Good luck and don?t rush to get things sorted.

Mark

Found it…

Chris Foulds
15 Honley Business Centre
New Mill Rd
Honley
Huddersfield
Tel 01484 666 552

Not heard any stories either good or bad

John :wink: Good Luck

P.S I live just over the tops (Glossop) and my sister lives in Heckmondwike and would be willing to spare you a couple of hours if you wish…

Mark gives some good advice! I wish I was half as composed when dealing with cars, it would’ve saved me a lot of money in the past.

As for Chris Foulds, my father in law has his Sprint looked after by Chris and is very happy with the service. I’m inclined to go to him with my S3 as well. He has a very good carb specialist who comes in when tuning is required (he mostly works on very exotic stuff, but does wonders on the Lotus as well). Chris has been restoring a +2 which was nearing completion the last time I saw it.

But yes, I’d follow Mark’s advice and have a willing enthusiast look it over first before spending money.

Good luck.

Adi

Rebecca, definately get it checked over by someone that knows the cars. John’s offer is the sort of thing that’ll get you going in the right direction from the outset.

In addition to John’s offer, if you want some ‘affiliated’ support, there’ll be a local club lotus group that could help and which’ll have regular local meetings. Take a look at club-lotus.co.uk/meetings.php and the contacts page. You may find they will soon be meeting in a pub not far from you, and you could contact the local group organiser beforehand.

Hope this helps and that we see your car up and running sooner rather than later.

All the best.

Sean.

Hi,

Thank you for the advice, knowing very little i am aware i could end up paying for things i don’t need. As a student i don’t have endless funds.

John your offer of a little time to have a look and see if any obvious needs doing would be greatly appreciated. I am around most weekends but live in Loughborough during the week.

Rebecca

Rebecca

If you PM me with your details I’ll get in touch,busy this weekend changing my gearbox (hopefully)but have some weekends free shortly (20/21 June looks good)…

John :wink:

Hope you’re not neglecting the Hamster/Guinea Pig John :slight_smile:

Peter

Don’t fret,I’ll take them with me…

John :wink:

Hi John,

You seem to be very sympathetic, whilst you’re at it could you look after this little fella’
He say’s that his head is overheating regardless of all the recent advice.
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Cheers
Another John

Have you tried a Jaffa cake, same sort of look but much smaller and lighter. Apparently they are cakes as they go hard when stale. :smiley:

I’ve got a hot dog who needs some help as well…