After my oil cooler hose mishap (Oil Cooler/Line Failure at speed), I have been paying close attention to any and all strange sounds. While putting the car in the garage one evening, I noticed a strange new sound.While standing right by the right rear wheel I could hear a tap-tap noise, almost like the old baseball card in the spokes sound. As I revved the engine, the tapping increased in frequency. From inside the car, I could barely make out the sound over all the other Elise sounds. Even directly behind the engine with the lid up, it was difficult to hear. But, stick your ear down by the rear wheel and it was very obvious.So, in to Criswell before my warranty is up (June 22). The verdict was the Belt Tensioner Assembly and a new belt. No more noise, and once again a nice experience with Marty in service. While poking around on Google, I found this
Toyota TSB for the Belt Tensioner
So, if you hear a similiar tap-tap, take it in. If you are out of warranty, try taking along the Toyota TSB, who knows, maybe it will help to get it covered.
Filed in DIY, Lotus
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Also tagged belt tensioner, Criswell, Elise Belt, Lotus, lotus elise, noise, oil cooler, strange sounds, tapping, Tensioner, tsb
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Wednesday, January 9, 2008
One of the interesting aspects of the Internet is the ability for car enthusiasts to share information about their vehicles. I am always amazed how many people have similar issues with their car, however when discussing with a dealer, the dealer acts as if no one else has an issue.
Recently the folks on LotusTalk.com have identified a potentially serious issue with the overhead oil feeds in the camshaft cover. This is believed to be causing a failure of the camshaft, which ultimately results in a broken rocker arm. Multiple people have now confirmed that their car also shows evidence of a problem. So far, Lotus, and Toyota who manufacturer the 2ZZ-GE engine are silent…. You can read more here.
What other cars have similar issues? I would love to hear other folks experience, I have included a few well known issues that I currently know of.
Ford Spark Plug Issue
Toyota Oil Sludge Issue
BMW Engine Failure
Filed in Lotus, Repair
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Also tagged BMW, bmw engine, camshaft, Cars, engine failure, failure, Ford, Internet, Lotus, oil, rocker arm, spark plug, toyota oil sludge
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Wednesday, January 2, 2008
These are some of the cars I have owned in the past, starting with the first car I owned.
1976 Datsun 710
1970 Datsun 240Z
1987 Toyota MR2
1988 Toyota Celica All-Trac
1972 Datsun 240Z
1991 Eagle Talon
1992 Mazda Miata
1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo
1994 Mazda RX-7
1968 Datsun Roadster
1970 Datsun 240Z
1976 Datsun 260Z
1998 BMW M3
1997 Mazda Miata
1993 Mazda RX-7 CYM
2003 Mazda Miata
1987 Toyota SDK8
2005 Lotus Elise
2006 Infinite G35x
1997 Ford F150
I have also owned a couple Tundra’s, T100, and Troopers mixed in there as well. What was my favorite car? I love my current Lotus Elise, however my 1993 RX-7 CYM was probably my all time favorite. The Talon was most reliable, it went over 150K miles, very few of them were what you would call “easy” miles.
Filed in Cars, Lotus, Past, Toyota SDK8
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Also tagged 1970 datsun 240z, 1972 datsun 240z, 1991 toyota mr2, BMW, bmw m3, Celica, CYM, datsun, datsun 260z, Eagle, eagle talon, Elise, first car, Ford, ford f150, Infinite, Lotus, lotus elise, Mazda, mazda miata, mazda rx 7, Miata, Roadster, RX, SDK, t100, Talon, toyota celica, Troopers, Tundra, Turbo
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