Rubber door grommets?

[jamesbxxx]

Whilst replacing some undertray fixings for stainless, I noticed that I only had one rubber grommet in each door (front hole). Is this normal or should I have two, as per the service notes?

 

[Anothernimbus]

Both should be plugged. Mine were until dealer had to fix driver window (nut had fallen off of regulator and window bounced around in door when the window was open). When I got the car back one of the plugs was missing. I found a 1” plug on ebay to replace it.

 

[crestima]

Whilst replacing some undertray fixings for stainless, I noticed that I only had one rubber grommet in each door (front hole). Is this normal or should I have two, as per the service notes?View attachment 57866

You should have both of those holes in each door plugged with grommets.

 

[jamesbxxx]

Thanks for the advice. Now properly plugged!

 

[scv]

Is there some concern about water retention? (See threads on paint bubbling). Suggestion of plug removal to address?

 

[crestima]

Is there some concern about water retention? (See threads on paint bubbling). Suggestion of plug removal to address?

Coincidentally, the issue of the door water accumulation/drainage inside the door panels was addressed in the thread "Lots of water in the car door" where a member sent a picture of the under section of his Seneca Blue door showing a single drainage cavity near the hinge section. That was when we realized that somewhere along the car's production process, Lotus must have changed the design of the door panel to the one with the two holes and grommet plugs (see my door's picture). However, it was never determined, at least with any degree of certainty, when this design changed, but I suspect that it may have had something to do with preventing water accumulation. The fact that the later design has the two holes plugged with grommets, leads me to believe there may have been other internal sealing changes as well. I, for one, have never experienced any of the reported water accumulation issues with my doors. Nothing very conclusive here, rather more a bit of speculation, but hope this makes some sense and helps.

 

[Aero]

Coincidentally, the issue of the door water accumulation/drainage inside the door panels was addressed in the thread "Lots of water in the car door" where a member sent a picture of the under section of his Seneca Blue door showing a single drainage cavity near the hinge section. That was when we realized that somewhere along the car's production process, Lotus must have changed the design of the door panel to the one with the two holes and grommet plugs (see my door's picture). However, it was never determined, at least with any degree of certainty, when this design changed, but I suspect that it may have had something to do with preventing water accumulation. The fact that the later design has the two holes plugged with grommets, leads me to believe there may have been other internal sealing changes as well. I, for one, have never experienced any of the reported water accumulation issues with my doors. Nothing very conclusive here, rather more a bit of speculation, but hope this makes some sense and helps.


View attachment 57966


View attachment 57967

My blue photo (my VIN 11320 build 12/23). Sometimes those grommets (on other cars too) are also used for tooling access to remove things internally to the door. (regulators etc) Seems like I remember looking at the service manual and those plugged holes seem like they were used for that. They should probably be plugged to keep moisture out of there. The cavity behind those may be different than the fwd drain slots.

 

[crestima]

My blue photo (my VIN 11320 early FE2). Sometimes those grommets (on other cars too) are also used for tooling access to remove things internally to the door. (regulators etc) Seems like I remember looking at the service manual and those plugged holes seem like they were used for that. They should probably be plugged to keep moisture out of there. The cavity behind those may be different than the fwd drain slots.

Yes, makes sense that those two holes were never intended for drainage. Out of curiosity, I removed one of the grommets and found a bolt behind it, so I think you're spot on that those are intended exclusively to access those small bolts. I added a couple of additional pictures, the last of which focuses on the section closest to the hinges. There's no drainage cavity there as found in your Emira. Btw, my build date is Nov. 23.

.

 

[scv]

So, @crestima what was build date of your car? Date of 12/23 @Aero shows "original" design, and yours shows "upgraded"? Would this give credence to Lotus addressing water retention (noted by others) should yours have been built after 12/23? If so, would think Lotus (hopefully) redesigning/manufacturing door may include effort to alleviate paint bubbling problem also; that would be nice to know........

 

[Aero]

So, @crestima what was build date of your car? Date of 12/23 @Aero shows "original" design, and yours shows "upgraded"? Would this give credence to Lotus addressing water retention (noted by others) should yours have been built after 12/23? If so, would think Lotus (hopefully) redesigning/manufacturing door may include effort to alleviate paint bubbling problem also; that would be nice to know........

I think you have it backwards. Crestima said his build was 11/23 and mine is 12/23. I think the holes like mine are there on newer ones. Water definitely runs out of there after washing the car and someone else had video of it. If someone with a much newer build could look that would help determine why some have the fwd drains and some dont.

 

[jamesbxxx]

I can confirm that I have replacement doors (August 2024) and they have a small drain hole right at the front of the door. Took me a while to spot it! Also 2 grommet holes with from grommets missing until now. See pics