9 replies to this topic

[stuartgb100]

Hi,

 

New to the Forum, and hoping you guys will take pity on a poor Lotus Europa owner !

 

I'm looking for some basic advice on the Z220LER turbo engine, gearbox and diff, please:

 

Best engine and gearbox oils (and where to buy at best price) ?

Best diff oil (and ditto) ?

Where can I get Vauxhall parts at a discount ?

 

Many thanks,

Stuart.

 

 

[Zoobeef]

Opie oils for engine oil. I use Mobil 1 or shell helix ultra 0-40. Or Fuchs. Fez may be along in a minute with his latest recommendation. In the VX I just use vauxhall own oil as it's not expensive and good enough. I use some Millers motorsport in the Noble though.

 

The diff in is the gearbox.

 

Autovaux is prob the best place. Usually have to ring them as the website isn't good for finding parts.

[stuartgb100]

Thanks for that.

 

I've had it 2 years now. First service last year, I took it to a Lotus dealer. Fell over when I got the bill !

Now the next service is due, and it's a biggie. Needs cambelt change.

 

A Lotus dealer wants £285 labour only & happy for me to provide parts.

I will also get the water pump changed at the same time (price includes for the labour and new coolant).

 

Rest of the service (brakes, fluids, air filter etc.) I'll happily do myself, with more time to spend now.

 

So I need to know which best products to buy, and where best from etc.

 

Thanks again.

 

[Nev]

£285 for cambelt change is quite reasonable IMO.

[SteveA]

IMO if you can change disks and pads you are competent enough to change a cam belt (inc waterpump, pulleys and tensioner) . You just need a locking tool to make things easier.

[siztenboots]

its easy once its explained about the waterpump and tensioner marker points.

[leevx2.2]

Hi if you want a good  place to go try Griffinautous  in Ampthill  two great blokes Craig and Russell  they  no  everything about the Z20let or leh top mechanics  ;-)

[stuartgb100]

Thanks for the further help.

 

Competent ?

I do all the mechanical work on my other Lotus (an Elan Sprint) including a full engine rebuild), however I always refer to the official Lotus Workshop manual.

 

If I had the correct manual for the LER, then I probably would tackle it myself. However, I've been unable to find a pdf for this online.

 

As regards the cost of parts, obviously via Vauxhall is much cheaper than the same part from Lotus. Iis there anyone out there who will offer a discount to Joe Public, or is there a recommended seller on ebay, for example ?

 

I'll give Griffin Autos a ring and see what services they can offer.

 

Does anyone rate Redline products for gearbox/diff ?

 

Cheers.

 

[Pidgeon]

Deroure provide Lotus parts to the door, Autovaux for vauxhall specific stuff.

[Gedi]

Engine oil 101 - http://www.vx220.org...625-engine-oil/

 

Basically, any oil that has a [color=rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;]A3/B4[/color][color=rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;] [/color][color=rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;]or A5/B5 rating is good.[/color]

Edited by Gedi, 09 June 2015 - 11:58 AM.