Class C Servicing - Elise S1

[jasandjules]

Just had my car serviced by a Lotus Dealer, but have noticed that the coolant level is well below the minimum in the expansion tank. I looked because recently we got caught in a traffic jam and the engine hit 104 !!

Now, would you expect the coolant system to be checked and refreshed with a Class C service?!?

Also, at what point do the fans come on in your Lotus Elise S1?

[MJK 24]

I'm not sure if the coolant is replaced at a C service to be honest.

I do know that when the engine is cold, the coolent should be on the minimum mark in the resivour.

My fan comes on at 98 but I think with most people 101 or 102 is the norm.

Hope this helps.

[Davey S1]

Lots of cars have the coolant below the min mark. it seems to settle where it needs to.

Dont worry about the temp as it will go high if you are stuck in traffic but keep an eye on it (temp & coolant level)

>> Edited by Davey S1 on Wednesday 17th August 13:44

[jasandjules]

That is very interesting indeed.

Cheers for that, another Lotus quirk then !

Jas

[dss123]

Jas,

My service book says that the coolant level should be "checked" at all services, c included.

If it is low, and it does sound like yours is, you should have been told and at the very least had it topped up.

There is no requirement to have it replaced during the c service.

My fan cuts in at 95 by the way. I have never seen my temp go into the 100's. Stuck in traffic just outside Leicester last week, passed 3 cars on road side with bonnets up! I'm always very impressed with the cooling in my car.

Dunc

[Jasandjules]

Yesterday I topped up the water, and took her for a drive.. No problems at all, 87 degrees max mainly.

Got her home after a 40mile trip, and left her on the drive. The fans kicked in at 95, they dropped the engine temp to 90 and switched off again... All seems ok now she has enough water.

But this means to me that the Lotus dealer failed to top up or even notice low water.. Worrying really, what else did they miss? They didn't miss billing me in excess of 1k though...

[340ragtop]

no - the coolant is not cvhanged as part of any service but shouold be changed every 2 years.

The levels vary hugely between cars and will settle to a 'natural' level - I tend not to top them up unless they're drastically low.

You will note that the level when hot and cold varies enourmously.

The level should be at or just below min when cold with the cap removed.

[jasandjules]

[quote=340ragtop]no - the coolant is not cvhanged as part of any service but shouold be changed every 2 years. [/nquote]

At the risk of sounding even more stupid than I actually am, how do they know when it was last changed?