Gold FFM RobinB5 Posted March 27, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 For those Esprits that have been hibernating over the winter months, does anyone go through a list of things to check prior taking her out for the first drive of spring? Sure it will be model dependent, but it would be useful to know what people look/check for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted March 27, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Water, oil, start and warm up until fans kick in and out. boot her down the road 👍 1 Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post snowrx Posted March 27, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Tire pressures, fluid levels, registration & insurance, kick the rodents out of the boot. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteyg Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Wouldn't know, I drive all year round 😈 Seriously though, what they've said above. Don't complicate it. Pete 2 Quote Pete '79 S2 LEW Miss September 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted March 28, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 With any car that has not been driven for a while I check water, oil, brake/clutch fluid levels and tyre pressures and have a good look (or a quick look, depending how much time I've got) at the engine and ancillaries for peace of mind. Then just drive it but take it easy at first, both to let everything settle and give yourself a chance to get a feel for the car again. I don't like having an engine idle unnecessary, can't see it doing any good compared to an easy drive. No offense meant Barry, just my take on things. 😉 Filip 2 Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM RobinB5 Posted March 29, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 Thanks guys. Common sense really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suitably.obscure Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 Being paranoid I started this year with the engine cover off. I was rewarded with signs of petrol leaking from the new! fuel hoses (not cheap but from eBay) and rapidly killed everything. I now have new new hoses from SJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted May 13, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 Good thing you caught it in time! I never have the cover on, I prefer to be able to see the engine. An I must admit, when at traffic lights or such I sometimes glance over my shoulder at the engine, seeing if it's stable, not shaking or anything. Mostly psychological, 'cause there's a lot to go wrong that you'd never spot, but still nice to see a running masterpiece of engineering. Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suitably.obscure Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 I've never thought if that but agree totally, but don't you then get fumes in the boot, such as it is? With the same idea after my rebuild I have only just put the tailgate back, I've probably done 100 miles without it and the engine cover so I could watch everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giniw Posted May 26, 2021 Report Share Posted May 26, 2021 When a car has not been started for a while I like to disable the petrol pump so the oil pressure has time to build up. As for running the Esprit without the engine cover, I think it is a heat shield too, isn'it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted May 27, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 27, 2021 Yes, the boot does get a bit warmer without the cover, but you also get better heat extraction from the engine bay (certainly in the SE with the rear glass panel acting a bit as a venturi). I never noticed any extra fumes in the boot. There is an easy solution, something I've been thinking about since my first SE about 10 years ago but never got 'round to: fit a thick rubber to seal the opening between the front of the boot and the tailgate. Filip Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giniw Posted May 27, 2021 Report Share Posted May 27, 2021 Actually what would worry me the most would be the excessive heating of the GRP of the tailgaite itself. Although it might be a bit different on the cars with the glass panel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted May 27, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 27, 2021 I don't see that as much of a problem. Most of the engine bay is GRP as well and not all is covered with reflective or insulating material. By removing the cover ventilation will improve, so less heat trapped in the engine bay. I've done >60k miles without the cover, no signs of ill effects. It is louder in the cabin though, especially at higher loads. So for traveling I put the cover back (if I don't forget), so we're able to have more of a conversation on long motorway runs. 1 Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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