I picked up my 2004 111R almost a month ago. It has only done 8.5k miles.

2 weeks into ownership it got stuck in reverse. The dealer (independent) came out to pick it up and get it sorted. They managed to get it to change gear but suggested something was sticking. They did manage to drive it off, albeit with a burning clutch.

It was sent off to the Lotus dealer for assessment and is now having a new clutch fitted. It was fried.

Getting a new clutch is great, but.... what caused the clutch to become fried in the first place?

I suspect that it got fried when the dealer drove it, following it being stuck. Certainly there was no issue with slipping before to suggest it was on it's way out. It was smelt of burning when they were trying to change gear.

So I am concerned there is another problem that is yet to be discovered.

Any ideas?

What could possibly have led to me being stuck in gear?

What could possibly cause the clutch to be fried?

Is there anything related to the clutch that could cause this?

Should I be thinking gear box issues?

Any helpful ideas/suggestions welcome!

Cheers

Nick

 

that does not sound good Nick.

Hopefully when they fit a new clutch, any possible associated issues would be spotted while its in bits

 

Ahhh so it wasn't a woman riding the clutch then

But no idea to the rest! Sorry and good luck

 

That theory is not completely discounted just yet!

 

Why did the dealer drive it and not tow / flatbed when taking the car away?

Got say that I would be a bit miffed if they drove it any distance when the car is clearly struggling.

 

It's a LOTUS.

HTH

 

LOTUS - Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

So being the 2004 model is it the first with an MR2 roadster 1.8 vvti engine or the last of the MGF engine models?

Either way a clutch fault will hold a car in its gear especially reverse, I wouldn't worry too much IMO it is the pressure plate at fault but when they have the gearbox out all will come to light.

 

It's an R so it will be with the Toyo engine but it's from the Celica, assuming that the MR2 and Celica have different engines ?

paging Fluffy, paging Fluffy

 

The 111R only came with the 190bhp Toyota unit.

 

That's right.

The MR2 engine is similar, but not the same!