97 Elise Temp Fluctuation
Discussion
Engine temp on my 97 Elise just started becoming erratic, rises to 130 then quickly drops to around 90 then up and down again
also get no heat from heater at times.
I have read in previous topic that this could be the head gasket but would be grateful of any tips to verify the fault without delving into major surgery if possible?
Lost approx. 1 pint coolant in 3 months
No traces of water in oil
coolant system has not been touched in the past 3 months (only had car 3 months)
also get no heat from heater at times.
I have read in previous topic that this could be the head gasket but would be grateful of any tips to verify the fault without delving into major surgery if possible?
Lost approx. 1 pint coolant in 3 months
No traces of water in oil
coolant system has not been touched in the past 3 months (only had car 3 months)
Temperature Sender
If the Stack unit is proividing eratic temperature readings this is usually down to poor electrical connection between the sender and the display. you can confirm a poor earth path by switching on the lights. This should not affect the temperature reading. If the fuel sender is also providing eratic readings then it is very likely that the voltage regulator in the Stack unit has failed.
I have nicked this from www.elises.co.uk/problems/s1/index.html
might solve your problem
If the Stack unit is proividing eratic temperature readings this is usually down to poor electrical connection between the sender and the display. you can confirm a poor earth path by switching on the lights. This should not affect the temperature reading. If the fuel sender is also providing eratic readings then it is very likely that the voltage regulator in the Stack unit has failed.
I have nicked this from www.elises.co.uk/problems/s1/index.html
might solve your problem
i had the same problem with my elise, also a 97. I kept losing coolant, more as time went on. I also didn't see any emusification of the oil, any oil in the coolant or any seepage on the block from the gasket. Unfortunately, it was the gasket, and it finally let go a few months after the problem first arose.
After I removed the head and had a good look at the gasket, it was apparent that the intial leak path had been from the coolant jacket to No. 1 cylinder and this had spread to between the water and oil galleries. In a way I was kind of relieved that the gasket had finally failed between the oil and water gallerys, as initially the lost coolant was being drawn into the combustion chamber and therefore if this had got worse, could have 'hydrauliced' the engine.
As far as the stack unit reading fault goes. Does your radiator come on or not after the engine temp reads 105 deg C and above? if it does, there might not be a fault with your stack system.
You could do a pressure check on your cooling system, make sure there are no leaks.
Elises are also prone to air locks due to the rad at the front and engine at the back etc. this could send your temperature skywards as well as answering where that coolant is going. Have you for any reason had your coolant out recently (problem with elises, rad pipe coming off etc)
If you are worried about your gasket, some garages can do a Nitrogen test on each cylinder. They screw an adapter in through the spark plug hole and test for any leaks between oil/coolant galleries and your cylinders.
*NOTE: this should only be done if you are pretty sure that the problem is due to the head gasket and need confirmation as this test might ruin a good gasket*
I've also heard that elises 97 and earlier are prone to gasket failiure. It would be interesting to find out if owners of these earlier cars have had a any problems with their cars.
Sorry to rant on. I hope that my comments have been helpfull. Just don't want some else to go through the whole circus of events I did and try and nip it in the bud so to speak.
After I removed the head and had a good look at the gasket, it was apparent that the intial leak path had been from the coolant jacket to No. 1 cylinder and this had spread to between the water and oil galleries. In a way I was kind of relieved that the gasket had finally failed between the oil and water gallerys, as initially the lost coolant was being drawn into the combustion chamber and therefore if this had got worse, could have 'hydrauliced' the engine.
As far as the stack unit reading fault goes. Does your radiator come on or not after the engine temp reads 105 deg C and above? if it does, there might not be a fault with your stack system.
You could do a pressure check on your cooling system, make sure there are no leaks.
Elises are also prone to air locks due to the rad at the front and engine at the back etc. this could send your temperature skywards as well as answering where that coolant is going. Have you for any reason had your coolant out recently (problem with elises, rad pipe coming off etc)
If you are worried about your gasket, some garages can do a Nitrogen test on each cylinder. They screw an adapter in through the spark plug hole and test for any leaks between oil/coolant galleries and your cylinders.
*NOTE: this should only be done if you are pretty sure that the problem is due to the head gasket and need confirmation as this test might ruin a good gasket*
I've also heard that elises 97 and earlier are prone to gasket failiure. It would be interesting to find out if owners of these earlier cars have had a any problems with their cars.
Sorry to rant on. I hope that my comments have been helpfull. Just don't want some else to go through the whole circus of events I did and try and nip it in the bud so to speak.
Thanks for all your helpfull comments,
The car is now in the hands of my LOTUS
dealer
Head gasket has gone!!
The cars only 30,000 miles, hope this is only bad luck and not a design fault
How many Elise Mk1 owners have had this problem?
Have any had their head gasket fail twice?
What sort of mileage have you done?
The car is now in the hands of my LOTUS
dealer
Head gasket has gone!!
The cars only 30,000 miles, hope this is only bad luck and not a design fault
How many Elise Mk1 owners have had this problem?
Have any had their head gasket fail twice?
What sort of mileage have you done?
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