Strange Noises

Dave Jackson · Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:59 pm

I have an Elise S1 and I seem to have developed an alarming metallic noise when the engine gets very hot after a long run. Yes I know they all have quaint strange noises, but this one sounds like the engine is going to fall out whenever I go over the slightest bump in the road!!! Give it 10 minutes to cool down and all is back to normal. Has anyone any clues or suggestions.

Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:24 pm

Hi Dave, Welcome to NYLOC

So the car is fine on bumps when it's cold ?

can you describe the noise a little better ? is it engine related ?

Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:13 pm

Sounds like the rear toelinks/suspension bushes getting hot and creaking - it gives a kind of metallic clunk, similar sound to if an exhaust on a regular car was knocking/squeeking against something?

Nearside sussy mount/toelink come pretty near near the exhaust, and grease in them tends to dry out over a period of years? Newer cars have a heat shield fitted in these areas.

Only makes the sound when hot...
Happened on my S2 elise

Mart.

Dave Jackson · Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:07 am

MartL wrote:Sounds like the rear toelinks/suspension bushes getting hot and creaking - it gives a kind of metallic clunk, similar sound to if an exhaust on a regular car was knocking/squeeking against something?

Nearside sussy mount/toelink come pretty near near the exhaust, and grease in them tends to dry out over a period of years? Newer cars have a heat shield fitted in these areas.

Only makes the sound when hot...
Happened on my S2 elise
Mart.

I think and hope your right. Someone has suggested I change the bushes!

Thanks

Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:08 am

Check the toelinks as well

You used to be able to buy a heatshield but I can't see it on the eliseparts website anymore...

Dave Jackson · Fri Jul 10, 2009 12:32 pm

Matt R wrote:Hi Dave, Welcome to NYLOC

So the car is fine on bumps when it's cold ?

can you describe the noise a little better ? is it engine related ?

Hi Matt

The noise was just as someone else described, like a knocking/squeaking on the exhaust. The car has been in the South Of France and there it does get HOT, where it did make the same noise but not as bad. I drove it back on Monday and coming over the speed bumps in my road I thought the engine was about to fall out!!!! 10 minutes later, no problem all quiet! Someone else mention bushes to me when I had Bilstein shocks fitted recently. They make an awesome difference and they are very reasonable from Lotus.

I will look into replacing the bushes and look for a heat shield.

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated