Elise SC aux belt and alarm pin codes

[Kelvin]

The SC handbook supplement says that:

"The increased demand placed on the auxiliary belt by the supercharger, requires that this belt be renewed at the first occurrence of 24 months/18000 miles."

However, the dealer is telling me that this is just a recommendation and few people actually get it done. However, clearly Lotus think otherwise and not getting it done would invalidate the warranty I expect. So are people changing the belt as per the requirement or not?

It also says that the alarm should come with two pin codes on plastic tags attached to the keys. A four digit code for the mechanical key and the vehicle owners five digit alarm pin. It further says that you need both codes in order to allow replacement transmitter keys to be ordered. I have the four digit pin code but not the five digit code and the dealer is telling me that I don't need the five digit code and in fact, they rarely ever get these codes with second hand cars they buy. However, again Lotus appear to be saying it's a necessity to have both pin codes. Views?

Ta
Kelvin.

[vxc]

i would be incline to ask the dealer, in said situation, would they be replacing a key or be able to if you required one, with just the 4 digit code.

An d if you had to make a warranty claim would they be honouring it with the belt not being changed.....in time

[Kelvin]

That's my intention. I just wanted to be sure of my facts before I speak with them again about it as what they are telling me doesn't square with what the manual states. If it turns out the belt should have been changed I'll be a little annoyed about it as they've carried out the last two services on the car, one for the previous owner and one while it was in their care after it was two years old. Had I known about the belt beforehand I would have insisted they replace it before buying the car. The 12 month warranty they've supplied with car is through some insurance company so I can see it being complicated if something did happen.

Ta
Kelvin.

[robin]

I would go as far as saying they will deffo not honour any engine damage if the belt wasn't changed even if the belt had nothing to do with the failure - these warranty companies are experts at wriggling out of claims!

Lotus factory may be able to help with the PIN codes and certainly will confirm/deny the dealer assertion that the belt change is advisory/mandatory.

Cheers,
Robin

[Kelvin]

I would go as far as saying they will deffo not honour any engine damage if the belt wasn't changed even if the belt had nothing to do with the failure - these warranty companies are experts at wriggling out of claims!

Lotus factory may be able to help with the PIN codes and certainly will confirm/deny the dealer assertion that the belt change is advisory/mandatory.

Cheers,
Robin

Yep. The belt looks straightforward to change myself but I figure I ought to get a garage to do it so that it gets recorded/stamped in the book while it's under warranty. I need to go up to the Silverstone area to get the replacement fuel lines so will see if I get the Lotus place up there to do it while I wait.

Ta
Kelvin.

[GraemeLotus]

The belt should be changed at 2 years - it is not a big job, Craig and I always did it on used SCs - and the factory archive department can help with the PIN code if the dealer doesn't have it. Get their parts dept to fax the required sheet in.....

[Kelvin]

Just a quick update.

Dealer (Steve) is just off the phone. They are going to send me a belt plus a cheque for the labour to get it done at a Lotus dealer down here. They've also updated their processes to ensure every Elise SC has it done now as it seems they weren't aware that it is a 24 months/18,000 miles service element. They are also going to get the five digit pin code for me too.

It shouldn't have needed me to point this out to them especially as it's written in the supplemental manuals that come with the car. However, they have apologised and are fixing it. Can't say fairer than that.

Thanks for the help everyone.

[robin]

Cool. I like to say that everyone makes mistakes, it's what you do next that counts ... in this case they've made good which is a result