Genuine oil filter

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 17:02

A while ago I commented on here that the genuine Lotus oil filter was a bit bigger than the one from my local factors.

Well it's that much bigger it won't fit

It's to long to fit in between the starter motor and the filter housing. At first I thought it was fouling on the advance/retard housing on the dizzy but after many tries it does seem to be the starter motor that is the problem.

Having checked the history that came with the car I can't find any bills for a replacement starter.

So what do you think?

Dougie · Post by **Dougie** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 18:00

I've just changed the oil and filter last Monday, using a Crosslands filter. The gap seemed pretty tight anyway.

If you've used non genuine filters before that fit, are you sure you've been supplied with the correct filter from Lotus?

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 18:15

Hope this pic helps a bit.

Plenty of room on mine, is the starter motor the original?

I must turn it a little more so I can read Lotus on it

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 19:33

Dougie:
New owner and this is the first time I've changed it. Got the filter from SJS so sure it wil be the right filter.

Dpr:
From looking at your picture I think I've not got the original starter. Mine has a red 'rubber' cover on the end of the actual starter motor spindle and also has the solonoid about 90 degree round from yours. It is also a lot closer to the (non Lotus) oil filter.
Tried to take a picture but they didn't show the situation well!

There must be something wrong with your engine - from that picture I can't see any signs of oil, that starter motor is rusty, I thought Lotus engines were designed to leak oil

Dougie · Post by **Dougie** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 19:58

Dave, Did you take that picture with the air box still on ?

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Sun Aug 20, 2006 20:43

Dougie wrote:Dave, Did you take that picture with the air box still on ?

Yes, just stuck the camera under it.

No I didn't hang upside down to use the viewfinder.

kkv444v · Post by **kkv444v** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 22:25

Guys,
From my dealings with Sunbeams I know that the latest Lotus oil filters are larger than previous versions (this causes problems for some Sunbeams with oil coolers fitted). I was told by Lotus that they had tested the new filters on various cars with Lucas Starter Motors (3M100 & M80R) and found no problems.

Graeme.

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 21:35

I will try to take a picture like DRP's at the weekend (I love digital cameras

).

I'm going to do another oil & filter change because last weekend I drained the oil cold ( to get the old sump plug out) so I'll do it right this time with hot oil.

Also plan (I said plan!) to replace ariel lead - wish me luck!

Steve

Skeggy · Post by **Skeggy** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 17:01

Here's a picture of my oil filter/starter motor:

The Mahle filter that I fitted is 85mm long same as the Fram one I took off. The Lotus one is 100mm.

There just isn't enough clearance to get the Lotus one in.