Engine Oil Leaking problems of the 2005 Lotus Elise

Oil line failure by the front left (driver side) tire. Was traveling straight on the freeway, no collision of any sort. Oil light came on and car started leaking oil by the front tire. Apparently a recall is in effect for this issue, but no fix is available yet. . Read more...

After reading of serious oil line fitting failures on my model of car, I inspected my oil line fittings and found one that was leaking. If this fitting had failed to the point where the hose came off (which has happened to others), it would have sprayed oil in front of my right rear wheel, which could have caused loss of vehicle control, and ruined my engine. I repaired it with a new fitting that is more secure than the factory fitting. I also made measurements (using digital calipers) of the original fitting crimp before I removed it, and another fitting on the car that wasn't leaking oil. The measurements showed that the leaking fitting was not crimped as tightly as the one that wasn't leaking. I recommend that the original crimp specifications be reviewed (the original specification may not be tight enough), and that a recall be issued to, at a minimum, measure the actual crimp size on all six oil line fittings on the car to see if any are not sufficiently crimped. If they are not, then they should be replaced or recrimped (if that can be done properly).

Vehicle inspection found oil is leaking at oil hose connector due to insufficient crimping of adapter to oil hose. Eventually this will lead to oil hose disconnection and a loss of engine oil.

The contact owns a 2005 Lotus Elise. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer however, the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 14,000 and the current mileage was 14,200. The right rear oil line at the metal fitting is currently leaking oil. Updated 10/28/11.