Lotus Elan 1991 problems

Common Lotus Elan 1991 problems

The Lotus Elan M100, produced from 1989 to 1996, is known for its impressive handling and reliable engines, but it also has some common problems that owners have reported.

Engine:
The 1.6-litre engine in the Elan M100 is known for its durability and longevity, as long as it is properly serviced. One owner has reportedly covered around a quarter of a million miles without needing a rebuild.

Transmission:
The five-speed manual transmission in the Elan M100 is known for its strength, and there is little chance of it causing problems even with increased power.

Suspension:
The Elan M100's suspension is generally tough, with springs and dampers rarely causing problems.

Roof:
The roof of the Elan M100 has been a common issue, with vandalism causing damage and folding roofs never effectively sealing the cabin from the elements.

Exhaust System:
Gear linkage failures and the engine torque damper are common problems on early cars, as are pop-up headlamp motors, electric windows, torn or damaged soft tops, faded paints, and loose front hub carrier ball joints.

Cam Angle Sensor:
The Cam Angle Sensor is a noted weak point in the Elan's engine, frequently failing due to internal corrosion and resulting in rough running with the fuel injectors firing off at seemingly random intervals.

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

Gear Linkage:
Gear linkage failures are a fairly common problem on early cars, as is the engine torque damper and exhaust system.

Pop-up Headlamp Motors:
Pop-up headlamp motors can be problematic, and it is best to leave the turbocharger to cool down for a minute or so after prolonged high-speed running.

Electric Windows:
Electric windows can also be an issue, and it is recommended to run the Elan on fully synthetic oil to better dissipate heat.

Soft Tops:
Torn or damaged soft tops can be a problem, as can faded paints, especially in red.

Front Hub Carrier Ball Joints:
Loose front hub carrier ball joints can also be an issue.

Door Windows:
Check the door windows for signs of scoring on the internal door guides, and don't worry too much about rattles from the fascia, doors, or hood, as all Lotus Elans rattle.

Glassfibre Bodywork:
Inspect the glassfibre bodywork for signs of accident damage or abuse, taking a good look at all the panels in natural light for crazing, starring, and paint fade.

Hood:
Take a test drive with the hood down, as poorly fitting tops can lift at the rear at high speed, adding excess wind noise to the symphony of buzzes, whistles, and rattles.

Warped Hood Frame:
A warped hood frame can be costly to repair.

Interior:
The interior of the Elan M100, particularly the dashboard, is known for its high development cost, with some owners adopting the 'hand-built low volume British sports car' mentality when dealing with the hood.

Bodywork:
The bodywork of the Elan M100, made of glassfibre, can show signs of accident damage or abuse, and it is essential to inspect all panels in natural light for crazing, starring, and paint fade.

Hood:
The hood of the Elan M100 can be problematic, with poorly fitting tops lifting at the rear at high speed, adding excess wind noise to the symphony of buzzes, whistles, and rattles.

Ride and Handling:
The Elan M100 is known for its excellent ride and handling, but it is crucial to maintain the car properly to ensure its longevity and reliability.

Performance:
The Elan M100's performance is impressive, with a 0-60mph time of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 137mph for the turbocharged version.

Price:
The Elan M100 was initially priced at £24,500, which increased to beyond £26,000, making it an expensive car for its time.

Driven Wheels:
The Elan M100's front-wheel-drive layout was controversial among Lotus purists, who preferred the rear-wheel-drive configuration of traditional Lotus cars

Success of the Car that Followed:
The Elise, which followed the Elan M100, was a massive success and overshadowed the Elan M100 in the minds of many sports car enthusiasts

In summary, the Lotus Elan M100 has some common problems, including engine issues, transmission problems, and roof leaks. However, with proper maintenance and care, these issues can be mitigated, and the car's excellent handling and performance can be enjoyed.

What is the common problem with the Lotus Elan M100?

Front and Rear Wishbones

After 2 years when it was time for the first chassis wax treatment, rust had usually occurred and the paint offered very little protection against the spread of rust resulting in whole sections of paint being lifted.

Is Lotus Elan Fibreglass?

Overview. The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. This style of construction was to be repeated in subsequent Lotus models for nearly three decades.

How much horsepower does a 1991 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.

What engine was in the Elan?

The Lotus-Ford Twin Cam is an inline-four petrol engine developed by Lotus for the 1962 Lotus Elan. A few early examples displaced 1.5 litres, but the majority were 1.55-litre (1557cc) engines. It used a Ford 116E iron cylinder block and a new aluminium cylinder head with dual overhead camshafts.

Lotus Elan 1991 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lotus Elan problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Fuel system problems
• Gasoline problems
• Visibility problems
• Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Lotus Elan 1991 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.