Hissing sound

[Bazza 907 1,063]

I thought about posting this in the Esprit Technical section but on balance thought it deserved a wider audience.

Sunday afternoon, just back from a weekend away at Castle Combe so decided to wash the Essex to get rid of the dead flies etc. Looking good, the neighbours Godson peers over the fence and shouts "Cor, how fast does that go?" Ten minutes I'm blasting round the local roads showing the future Lotus owning generation what they are missing sitting in their Dads mass produced eco box. Back home the lad hops out with a huge grin on his face - job done, another convert to Lotus, all's well. Except for the Essex...

I get out and hear this awful hissing sound. Worried and aware that an engine rebuild is the best part of £10k , I open the engine compartment lid but can't see any steam escaping or an oil leak. Nothing leaking underneath either but it's loud and is still there even when I turn the engine off. Put car in garage, cover on, hissing still present but not as loud. Retire to house for wine and decide not to mention anything to Mrs Bazza (in case it's expensive)

Next day call Gerald at GST asking for advice/help/understanding/soothing words. The hissing stumps even Gerald but we agree most likely a puncture as the hissing was loudest by the rear passenger side wheel (near the no longer available exhaust manifold!!). Dash home from work, quick change and into the garage. Take mobile as Gerald is on speed dial in case of emergency. No hissing. Tyres all look ok. Check engine bay, no leaks and all seems ok. 

Just wondering if I should start it when....the bloody hissing starts again.

Then the penny drops, the chap next door has just fitted a water irrigation system to keeps his flaming plants watered. With relief I call Gerald who, the pro that he is, doesn't laugh or call me a plonker but simply asks after the neighbours plants are doing ok...

         

 

[Barrykearley 6,855]

very funny indeed - the ownership of a lotus does indeed sometimes go hand in hand with scary paranoia !!

[Buddsy 1,622]

I had a similar hissing first time I drove my car into work. Sitting in traffic I could hear hissing inside. Was crapping myself...after a while I realised it was the air blowers I had turned on to demist with widows. I only really heard it when I turned off the stereo...plonka.

 

Buddsy

[andydclements 755]

It's odd how you can get seemingly un-related things as cause and effect, like a slight damp spot on the passenger seat just because the headlights go off for a split second (Eh Buddsy ), or the seat base somehow creeps between buttocks just because the tyres let go of the road a little bit.

[esprit22 84]

Guess you were a tad "hissed off" mate!