Update on my S1
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- Posts: 59
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:59 pm
Update on my S1
Not really a resto thread but anyway...........
So I had the car shipped up end of Jan……
As Will Blackham said it was fine to drive at low speed but when you went above 50mph the temperature would quickly spike and the fan would kick in. So booked it into a garage to get it investigated. They had a look and could see the pistons were getting washed so diagnosed HGF. They replaced the gasket with a different type going by advice from Dave Andrews (liner heights were a bit low) so put on the Payen BW750.
Once the head was off you could see the gasket had some slight heat damage and the elastomer had started to degrade but they checked the cylinder head and was all OK and didn’t need skimmed etc. Time will tell.The oil was changed and the water pump/ cambelt done as well.
It has an OEM plastic end radiator rather than an alloy upgrade. It may have been replaced so might not be the 23-year-old original but there is no evidence of this in the well documented service folder I got with the car. So, the plan is to do this work sooner rather than later and I will replace all the crusty bits I can see while the clam is off.
The car also had the original bonded rubber footwell mats, so I ripped them out and gave it a good clean. There was a fair bit of pitting but only one pin prick hole to fill. It got a coat of Hammerite Primer and then Smooth Silver to make it look presentable. I need to get some new car mats, the passenger side is pristine, but the driver’s side is well worn. There is a single aluminium door panel fixing missing which I find annoying but it seems you have to buy a full set so I might just have to live with it.
I don’t often clean my car but I’m pretty sure the previous owner hadn’t ever cleaned it so I took the seats out and did my best, so at least it will be my own dirt and grime in the car and not someone else’s.
I swapped out the amber indicators for smoked ones. I bought the lens off NOXX on SELOC and separated the original lens and base. It was a bit of a mess so I ended up getting some bases 3D printed to use instead. There was a link on SELOC to a 3D scan of the base which was done by the guy who developed the Prodimex shifter and is a better match for the NOXX lens (slightly smaller than the original). I’ll see how long they last but I managed to pick up a cheap OEM amber set of indicators off ebay so can always go back to original if needed.
The other thing I had done was the driver’s seat re-upholstered just to match the original again. I will eventually get both done and might try something different (tan leather??), but it was in a bad state so happy with it for now.
I had it away for a trip to Skye and it was fantastic. I was a bit nervous it would break down on me so had AA cover but I think I will just cancel it again. Spotted a green S1 coming the other way but can’t remember exactly where in the journey that happened. I bought some Loop ‘experience’ ear plugs for the journey and was very surprised at how good they were. The website looks a bit apple/ ‘studentity’ but it mentions they can be used for motorbikes so bought a pair to try. They were great for reducing the wind noise but allowed me to hear the engine and also music from the car speakers.
Things on the to-do list are radiator/ fan and crusty bits under the front clam, paint job, suspension refresh, new tyres (will need these next year). I would like different wheels but that’s more of a want than need so will look out for any that pop up. A gull-wing came up for sale (the right colour as well) which I would have liked but £1850 is a bit pricey. I think I will get the soft top repaired this year but will just drive it for a bit before any more major work. Baby number three is due start of July so probably won’t get as much done as I would like!
So I had the car shipped up end of Jan……
As Will Blackham said it was fine to drive at low speed but when you went above 50mph the temperature would quickly spike and the fan would kick in. So booked it into a garage to get it investigated. They had a look and could see the pistons were getting washed so diagnosed HGF. They replaced the gasket with a different type going by advice from Dave Andrews (liner heights were a bit low) so put on the Payen BW750.
Once the head was off you could see the gasket had some slight heat damage and the elastomer had started to degrade but they checked the cylinder head and was all OK and didn’t need skimmed etc. Time will tell.The oil was changed and the water pump/ cambelt done as well.
It has an OEM plastic end radiator rather than an alloy upgrade. It may have been replaced so might not be the 23-year-old original but there is no evidence of this in the well documented service folder I got with the car. So, the plan is to do this work sooner rather than later and I will replace all the crusty bits I can see while the clam is off.
The car also had the original bonded rubber footwell mats, so I ripped them out and gave it a good clean. There was a fair bit of pitting but only one pin prick hole to fill. It got a coat of Hammerite Primer and then Smooth Silver to make it look presentable. I need to get some new car mats, the passenger side is pristine, but the driver’s side is well worn. There is a single aluminium door panel fixing missing which I find annoying but it seems you have to buy a full set so I might just have to live with it.
I don’t often clean my car but I’m pretty sure the previous owner hadn’t ever cleaned it so I took the seats out and did my best, so at least it will be my own dirt and grime in the car and not someone else’s.
I swapped out the amber indicators for smoked ones. I bought the lens off NOXX on SELOC and separated the original lens and base. It was a bit of a mess so I ended up getting some bases 3D printed to use instead. There was a link on SELOC to a 3D scan of the base which was done by the guy who developed the Prodimex shifter and is a better match for the NOXX lens (slightly smaller than the original). I’ll see how long they last but I managed to pick up a cheap OEM amber set of indicators off ebay so can always go back to original if needed.
The other thing I had done was the driver’s seat re-upholstered just to match the original again. I will eventually get both done and might try something different (tan leather??), but it was in a bad state so happy with it for now.
I had it away for a trip to Skye and it was fantastic. I was a bit nervous it would break down on me so had AA cover but I think I will just cancel it again. Spotted a green S1 coming the other way but can’t remember exactly where in the journey that happened. I bought some Loop ‘experience’ ear plugs for the journey and was very surprised at how good they were. The website looks a bit apple/ ‘studentity’ but it mentions they can be used for motorbikes so bought a pair to try. They were great for reducing the wind noise but allowed me to hear the engine and also music from the car speakers.
Things on the to-do list are radiator/ fan and crusty bits under the front clam, paint job, suspension refresh, new tyres (will need these next year). I would like different wheels but that’s more of a want than need so will look out for any that pop up. A gull-wing came up for sale (the right colour as well) which I would have liked but £1850 is a bit pricey. I think I will get the soft top repaired this year but will just drive it for a bit before any more major work. Baby number three is due start of July so probably won’t get as much done as I would like!
Re: Update on my S1
Gull wing, really!
I all seriousness though, solid plan but don't underestimate how much work that is. With the front clam off towing post is a must. Not much to find crusty under the clam, bar the rad not a great deal under there, head light brackets maybe in poor condition.
Suspension refresh would be a good idea especially if they are the original bushes/ball joints.
Car looks tidy enough.
I all seriousness though, solid plan but don't underestimate how much work that is. With the front clam off towing post is a must. Not much to find crusty under the clam, bar the rad not a great deal under there, head light brackets maybe in poor condition.
Suspension refresh would be a good idea especially if they are the original bushes/ball joints.
Car looks tidy enough.
Elise S2 260
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)
GR Yaris
BMW M2 Comp
RRS HST
VW Caddy
Mk1 Escort (bare shell)
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Re: Update on my S1
Not a fan of the gull?Mikie711 wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 2:29 pmGull wing, really!
I all seriousness though, solid plan but don't underestimate how much work that is. With the front clam off towing post is a must. Not much to find crusty under the clam, bar the rad not a great deal under there, head light brackets maybe in poor condition.
Suspension refresh would be a good idea especially if they are the original bushes/ball joints.
Car looks tidy enough.
Yeah the towing post and head light brackets are both poor. The fan blower housing also looks quite bad. I turned the fan on in the car and a whole load of debris just keeps coming out. I was going to ask, should the 'cool' setting on the fan actually provide air that feels cooler than an oven?
Re: Update on my S1
Nope. Air con? You must be kidding
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy
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Re: Update on my S1
Looks great! Rear toe links? Well known to fail.
2018 Lotus Exige Sport (metallic grey)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
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- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:59 pm
Re: Update on my S1
Nice one, good weather for your run out!
Be careful with the refresh, it’s a can of worms. I’m at 2 years in and some on here are 12 years in and still going
Be careful with the refresh, it’s a can of worms. I’m at 2 years in and some on here are 12 years in and still going
S1 Elige Audi 1.8T
S1 Elise Honda K20
VW T6.1 family bus
S1 Elise Honda K20
VW T6.1 family bus
Re: Update on my S1
Buy some stockings. Open the front bonnet, pull off the aluminium bendy hose that joins the heater box to the cabin in the middle of the front bonnet area. Fit 1x stocking in the hole, as a filter. Enjoy not having dead insects thrown at you when you turn the fan on.MLCELICES2! wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2023 9:43 pmI turned the fan on in the car and a whole load of debris just keeps coming out.
Don't use fishnets
'16 MINI Cooper S - Family fun hatch
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
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- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:59 pm
Re: Update on my S1
Luckily(?), I don't believe in perfection, so hoping I won't get too bogged down with things!
I'm doing it this week! Think I'll order the stockings off Amazon though. Cheers.Corranga wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 2:13 pm
Buy some stockings. Open the front bonnet, pull off the aluminium bendy hose that joins the heater box to the cabin in the middle of the front bonnet area. Fit 1x stocking in the hole, as a filter. Enjoy not having dead insects thrown at you when you turn the fan on.
Don't use fishnets
Re: Update on my S1
I’d go with an Asda or Tesco trip. Use Amazon and you’ll be getting ads for women’s underwear for the next 5 yearsMLCELICES2! wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 4:44 pm
I'm doing it this week! Think I'll order the stockings off Amazon though. Cheers.
'16 MINI Cooper S - Family fun hatch
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
'98 Lotus Elise - Fun day car
'04 Maserati Coupe GT - Manual, v8, Italian...
'18 Mazda Mx5 - The wife's, so naturally my daily
'19 Ducati Monster 797 - Baby bike bike
Re: Update on my S1
LOOP "EXPERIENCE". I've had a look at website, usually just use foam plugs on long drives with top off. So recommended then, and would you upgrade to the extra 5Db mute if buying again ? £30 for a plastic plug seems steep but ifs they work they work .
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Re: Update on my S1
I wouldn't bother upgrading unless you planned to use them for other stuff like sleeping or possibly power tools. I find them more comfy than the foam plugs as well. I'm sure their markup is decent as like you said £30 for a plastic plug (with filter!).