K series engine, reliable or bag of spanners?

[Yobbo]

Although not unknown in Caterhams, HGF is not as common as some would have you believe, that is though when compared to Rover tintops and in particular the Freelander where it has been a real problem. The seven type of instalation seems to give fewer problems, don't know how this translates to the Elsie though

[chappers]

Hi Kev,

A coolant pipe diagram would be great. I will look into this for my brother's Cate...m, as temptation means his 1800 K series engine frequently gets worked hard without allowing it to properly warm up first. If you could send me one that would be great.

Cheers

Kev.

[gadrego]

Has no one mentioned the started motors yet or is that just on Cateringvans?

I'm in two minds about K's.  My mate has an Elise and I'm constantly teasing him about HGF but then, if thats its only major weakness, its not the worst thing that can happen if diagnosed quickly.  The engine has got lots of positives which people tend not to mention.

If it was my choice with prices as they currently are, I'd either want an S1 Elise 111s at the lower end of the market or a nice VXT for a bit more.

[gregh]

If it's in standard form and is the later model with the steel head locating dowels then you'll probably never have a problem with it.

Thanks for all the useful replies all, ref the comment quoted. How can I tell if the engine has steel head locating dowels?

From looking around, I can get a "standard" short roof S2 for around £15k vs £13-14£k for a NA VX-220, and I really prefer the looks of the Lotus.

I'm hoping prices may drop another 10% or so by Jan/Feb.

regards,

greg

[letterkenny]

Just in case the honda power theme is still running would like to add that I have been taken around Angelsey in the Blink converted Elise [ERise!] Turns a great car into an awesoem car, sub 10s to 100mph!

Otherwise my tuppence worth is that I hear the Elise installations of the k series are much less prone to HGF than those in the MGF.

[Martin Keene]

Has no one mentioned the started motors yet or is that just on Cateringvans?

Fairly sure thats just Caterhams, exhaust too close and cooks it, I think...

[Blatman]

Yup. I think there is a fairly easy fix for that too...

[S8ight]

I'm constantly tesing him about HGF but then, if thats its only major weakness, its not the worst thing that can happen if diagnosed quickly.  

have heard of a few with high mileage with cracked flywheels  

[gregh]

Honda conversions are running at £10kish, so £13k for an Else S2 and £10k conversion ain't even a starter!

[v7slr]

The coolant issue isn't an issue in a Se7en. It only seems to be a problem in *some* Elises. In many hundreds of thousands of miles between me and those I tour with in Se7ens, we've never had an issue attributed to the basic design of the cooling system.

Elises have a different starter and flywheel to Se7ens too. The Se7ens flywheel is smaller in diameter meaning the starter installation is closer to the block. There's little room in the engine bay so the exhaust comes a little too close to the solenoid which cooks. There are a few solutions to this but the best and most expensive, the replacement with a Brise starter, hasn't been proven in long-term service yet although it looks as though it will ultimately prove to be fine.

If you're talking of £10K to replace the K with a Honda, why not go for a 300bhp Audi turbo engine instead. See here:

Audi Turbo conversions

Or for half that, upgrade the K to 245bhp.