Slow coolant leak

[LotusEater666]

Elise 2003 std, Rover K engine

It has a slow coolant leak, it was 1cm below min (when cold), topped it up to min, and after 70 miles, it was down to 1cm below min again (when cold). It would then stay at this level for a week before going down a bit more. It's not HGF as this was fixed last year and the header tank is clean. I think I notice this more during winter months so wonder if the leak is in the heater circuit.

Anyone any ideas and/or similar experiences?

Thanks.

[Stephanie Plum]

I had this happen - had a tiny pinprick hole in the radiator, that only leaked when the engine was under load. Clean the front up and the windscreen, take it out for a good hard drive, and then have a look around

[J2LOT]

I have got the same problem just now - slight wisp of steam now and again in traffic that I thought was the usual drying out when there is water on the rad but then noticed a steady spray of steam when driving harder. I guess there is a pin hole somewhere in the radiator. Hopefully AA P&L will cover a replacement

[LotusEater666]

Update: seems the coolant is leaking where the thermostat housing is, just left of the dipstick (is this the inlet to the engine?). There's a little puddle of orange liquid on a small ledge of the engine :O

[saaby93]

LotusEater666 said:

Update: seems the coolant is leaking where the thermostat housing is, just left of the dipstick (is this the inlet to the engine?). There's a little puddle of orange liquid on a small ledge of the engine :O

Or search for post about water pump leak

[LotusEater666]

saaby93 said:

LotusEater666 said:

Update: seems the coolant is leaking where the thermostat housing is, just left of the dipstick (is this the inlet to the engine?). There's a little puddle of orange liquid on a small ledge of the engine :O

Or search for post about water pump leak

Hi saaby93, I found your post with your pump problem. However there's no puddle on the undertray under the cambelt area, the puddle's on small ledge just left of the water pump and under the thermostat housing (a black rectangular object with a hose attached)

[saaby93]

LotusEater666 said:

Hi saaby93, I found your post with your pump problem. However there's no puddle on the undertray under the cambelt area, the puddle's on small ledge just left of the water pump and under the thermostat housing (a black rectangular object with a hose attached)

The thermostat plops out of the water pump. It's only an O ring seal, maybe a leak there? Otherwise there's three screws holding togther the two halves of the thermostat housing. Is the leak from that seal?
Or there's the inlet manifold gasket

Edited by saaby93 on Sunday 14th November 11:41

[tomtom]

Stephanie Plum said:

I had this happen - had a tiny pinprick hole in the radiator, that only leaked when the engine was under load. Clean the front up and the windscreen, take it out for a good hard drive, and then have a look around

My S1 did this too, tiny pinhole where the access hatch hinge was touching the rad. Would only leak out above about 3500rpm.

Sealed it up with some super-strong Araldite type stuff (can't remember the name now) and drove it for another 3-4 months before I changed the rad.

[DrDougster]

Don't even start!!!

Mine was none of the usual suspects and worsened to the point where me and father bit the bullet, cut the crash structure and pulled the alloy pipes out of the chassis. After some careful parking on slopes we went off-side first - nothing. However, as we were bought into the process we took the nearside one out and found a hole where it had bumped against a screw about a foot infront of where these disappear through the rear grommet. An incredibly careful spot of MIG welding, sanding, thin plate of aluminium and single sheet of epoxy'ed glass fibre (in Lotus fashion) and reinstalled. Sorted.

Well, actually there's still a slow leak but I think that's from one of the jubilee clips I've not fully tightened. I'll sort that over the winter.

These are the things that bring you closer to you're car!

[LotusEater666]

All fixed now, it was the inlet manifold gasket that was to blame.

[Sarsonic]

I suspect I also have a faulty inlet manifold gasket, I just seem to lose a little coolant most of the time. Although on one very long trip I lost half a litre! Can I ask LotusEater666, did you fix this yourself or take it to someone to fix it?

[LotusEater666]

Sarsonic said:

I suspect I also have a faulty inlet manifold gasket, I just seem to lose a little coolant most of the time. Although on one very long trip I lost half a litre! Can I ask LotusEater666, did you fix this yourself or take it to someone to fix it?

I took it to Sports Car Services, Halesowen.