Lotus Elan problems

Common Lotus Elan problems

The Lotus Elan, particularly the M100 model produced between 1989 and 1996, has been praised for its handling and performance, but it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the issues that owners have reported:

• Hood (soft top) Problem: There is a design fault whereby the metal mechanism rubs on the hood material and wears it away every time the hood is put up and down. If ignored, this will eventually result in the metal mechanism arms piercing through the hood material.

• Engine: The 1.6-litre engine is generally reliable and can last a long time with regular servicing and oil changes. However, the Cam Angle Sensor is a known weak point in the Isuzu unit. This sensor fails due to internal corrosion, causing the fuel-injection system to malfunction, resulting in rough running and the fuel injectors firing off at seemingly random intervals.

• Transmission: The five-speed manual transmission is generally strong and durable, but the gear linkage is not, with failures being common. The ball link on the end of the cable can break away, leading to difficulty in getting some of the gears.

• Clutch: Hard-driven cars may suffer from a clutch that's past its best. The clutch may slip or have a biting point near the top of the pedal, indicating a worn clutch.

• Suspension: The Elan's suspension is generally tough, but the dampers can leak, and a swift visual check will establish whether replacements are due or not.

• Roof: Look out for a damaged roof, especially if vandals have struck. The folding roofs never effectively sealed the cabin from the elements, so don't expect any roof to be totally watertight.

• Electrical issues: Pop-up headlamp motors, electric windows, and torn or damaged soft tops can also be common problems.

• Faded paints, especially red, and loose front hub carrier ball joints are other issues to watch out for.

• Door windows: Check the door windows for signs of scoring on the internal door guides, as this can be a common problem.

• Turbocharger: The turbocharger is a largely reliable device, but it's best to let it cool down for a minute or so after prolonged high-speed running. Many Elan owners fit an aftermarket 'turbo timer' to perform this function for them.

In summary, while the Lotus Elan M100 is praised for its handling and performance, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems. Regular servicing, inspections, and maintenance can help mitigate these issues, but they are worth considering when purchasing a used Lotus Elan M100.

What is the common problem with the Lotus Elan M100?

Front and Rear Wishbones

Unless the loose paint areas had been treated, the wax had no effect as it lay on the loose paint and water could penetrate and continue the rusting process. The rear wishbones lower face is particularly vulnerable and in extreme cases can result in complete perforation.

How many Lotus Elan are left?

There are 34,012,789 cars & other vehicles with valid MOTs. There are 1,273 LOTUS ELAN left in the UK with an MOT. 0.0037% of all UK vehicles are LOTUS ELAN.

What engine does the Lotus Elan use?

Engine. The 1,558 cc "Lotus TwinCam" engine was based on the Ford Kent Pre-Crossflow four-cylinder 1,498 cc engine, with a Harry Mundy-designed two-valve alloy chain-driven twin-cam head.

How much horsepower does a 91 Lotus Elan have?

The basic engine produced a respectable 130 hp, while the turbocharged variant produced 162 hp. Because the new Elan weighed in at just 2,200 pounds, the 0-60 time of the turbo version was just 6.5 seconds and the car could reach a top speed of 137 mph.