Any one know what this smell is ??

[GirlyLotusTamer]

Coming from my radiator - its a mk2 Elise 160bhp 2002 27k miles on the clock. When warm/hot steam starts coming up from the radiator which smells really bad. I know steam comes up if it’s wet or raining but this is different it happens all the time now and has got worse and smells.

It’s like something is burning rubber or some chemical is leaking getting hot and causing the steam and smell.

It is losing some water but not significant e.g. I top it up a couple times a year

I have booked it in to be looked at but wondered if anyone has experienced or know what this is and work/cost involved etc

Many thanks in advance for your help

[Thorburn]

The coolant is the first thing that springs to mind for me, but sure others will be able to give a more informed answer.

Haven't done anything silly like trapped the washer bottle line when the service hatch has been open and cut it perhaps?

[andy_s]

Sounds like a hole in the radiator/tube, check the water levels again? Prepare wallet for Alu rad?

[Sam_68]

Yep, sounds like coolant. Antifreeze has a very 'chemically' smell.

The way to check it to run it up to temperature, then (carefully!) remove the cap from the expansion bottle in the engine bay and have a sniff. If what's in the expansion bottle smells the same as what's steaming out of the radiator, then you definitely have a coolant leak. Fix it immediately - there's very little reserve capacity in the Elise's cooling system, so coolant loss is a sure-fire way to kill your engine (HGF if you're lucky, seized engine if you're unlucky).

[stringthing]

^

Sam_68 said:

then (carefully!)

very, very, very carefully

[RichQuy]

Could well be a coolant leak from where the coolant pipe on the left-hand side (when looking front on) joins the radiator. If you haven't got the uprated aluminium rad which has much better quality connection, then yours is probably the standard lotus fitment which is notorious for rupturing. Mine did, whilst driving and sprayed coolant all over the windscreen, result was a clam off job and new aluminium rad fitted - probably looking at £700ish all in.

[GirlyLotusTamer]

RichQuy said:

Could well be a coolant leak from where the coolant pipe on the left-hand side (when looking front on) joins the radiator. If you haven't got the uprated aluminium rad which has much better quality connection, then yours is probably the standard lotus fitment which is notorious for rupturing. Mine did, whilst driving and sprayed coolant all over the windscreen, result was a clam off job and new aluminium rad fitted - probably looking at £700ish all in.

Ouch - thanks everyone for you advice

[Philygumbo]

You don't have to pay a garage to fit a rad, that's what husbands are for.
I did my own, as I couldn't get my wife to do it.

http://www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page...

[piooly]

I had this happen, it will be the smell of the coolant for sure..., just look underneath the rad to see if its leaking......

if you do have to replace it, get one with aluminum ends not the standard plastic ended one as it may happen again in the future.....

[Sam_68]

I stand to be corrected, as it's a while since I had an Elise, but if it is a loose coolant hose connection, I thought you could avoid clam removal by just removing the wheel arch liner, if you're prepared for a few skinned knuckles?

[bencollins]

Mini Rant:
No wonder Lotus dont make profits if for every warranty repair they are shelling out 6 hours dealer rate labour to get clams off to get at basic stuff. Tw*ts*
Noblesque front and rear hinging clams seem like a better way to go IMO, either that or a bonnet. Over and out.

• Twits.

[GirlyLotusTamer]

Just in case this is useful info for anyone else who has this problem. You guys were right its wear in the radiator which requires replacing. Labour cost is going to be between £200 - £300 as its such a time consuming job getting to it etc.

I use Geoff at Esprit Engineering in Downton near Salisbury who I think is great - very honest, knows his stuff and fairly priced

http://www.espritengineering.co.uk/menus/main.asp

Thanks everyone for your advise

[Stampede]

GirlyLotusTamer said:

Just in case this is useful info for anyone else who has this problem. You guys were right its wear in the radiator which requires replacing. Labour cost is going to be between £200 - £300 as its such a time consuming job getting to it etc.

I use Geoff at Esprit Engineering in Downton near Salisbury who I think is great - very honest, knows his stuff and fairly priced

http://www.espritengineering.co.uk/menus/main.asp

Thanks everyone for your advise

+1 ^^^^^^^

That reminds me, must book in for a service.

S690