Did Lotus actually just say this to me (via email)????????

[Andy G]

"With the history that we have obtained off your car, as I have previously explained to you, because it has been over-revved, even if the car was still covered under Lotus Warranty, we would not normally cover repair costs, as the engine has been operated beyond its design limits and the rev limiter. This, we believe is the cause of the eventual engine failure and not the previously reported engine management issues."

First off they haven't previously expained this to me, and secondly, what a load of bollocks........approaching 9 weeks now and facing a major repair bill!

Oh the fact it was with MMC 7 times in 2 months has now been omitted as an issue.

I managed to beat the rev limiter - must be a fool proof system then????

[ninja]

how did you beat the rev limiter?

did it go pop or just fizzle out?

ninja

[MacK]

When are they saying the over-reving ocurred? I presume they must be able to tell, and how much over was it?

Surely MMC would have noticed this if it was a problem and told you that at the time..

[kenny]

The only way to over rev is on the downshift, limiters dont work that way.

Does the ECU still contain engine rev history if its been reset?


Sounds like you're going to have a fight on your hands

[Shug]

When are they saying the over-reving ocurred? I presume they must be able to tell, and how much over was it?

Not sure if the data would be date stamped - might just be a max revs telltale in the ECU. Could theoretically be done on a downshift, nothing the rev limiter can do if it's the wheels driving the engine....

Ask Scotty C about that one...

[The_Rossatron]

I think the only way to beat the electronic rev limiter and buzz it, is to ram it into too low a gear - which I am guessing you would have noticed!

However I hear these engines are quite sensitive to over revving one guy on pistonheads overrevved his Exige by about 500rpm and it killed the bottom end.

That sucks though man, keep giving them hassle!!

[ninja]

oh dear!

ninja

[Cammy]

I'm sure Paul Gibson on SE 1 had the same problem. Lotus tried to say he over revved the engine, trying to blame it on the down change. He then asked them to prove it as this would show up on the diagnostics.
After some tooing and froing they said they would fix it as a goodwill gesture, but not under warranty.
I'm sure Lotus & Toyota would hate the bad publicity of their engines blowing. I think I would pursue this one a little further.

[MacK]

Not sure if the data would be date stamped - might just be a max revs telltale in the ECU. Could theoretically be done on a downshift, nothing the rev limiter can do if it's the wheels driving the engine....

I realise the over-rev potential on downshifting, but if they can't say when it happend how can they say it was Andy, it could easliy have been MMC if they were test driving it..

[Shug]

Not sure if the data would be date stamped - might just be a max revs telltale in the ECU. Could theoretically be done on a downshift, nothing the rev limiter can do if it's the wheels driving the engine....

I realise the over-rev potential on downshifting, but if they can't say when it happend how can they say it was Andy, it could easliy have been MMC if they were test driving it..

I'm soooo with you on that one

Well called.

[Andy G]

Its good to see how well this has come along in 9 weeks!

Currently majorly pissed off!

[Sanjøy]

Option to go down there for a face to face ?

On the Exige test drive Graham told me of only on occasion he has had a yota go band and that was a SE menber who blew it at the ring ? PM me and I will let you know what he said.

SP

[Shug]

Option to go down there for a face to face ?

On the Exige test drive Graham told me of only on occasion he has had a yota go band and that was a SE menber who blew it at the ring ? PM me and I will let you know what he said.

SP

Graham has also told people that they had the 'only elise in that colour in Scotland'....

Nice bloke, but says more than his prayers sometimes.....

As for the SE member - Paul Gibson? Who subsequently got it replaced FOC, as above?

[Gareth]

Keep at them.
Typical Lotus.

[ryallm]

Bad news. As had been said above I would demand to see the evidence they have downloaded from the ECU. I don't read it very often, but I seem to remember Auto Express has a Watchdog type column which does a good job of intervening on behalf of readers having this kind of fight with manufacturers - might be worth a try.

Mark