Esprit V8 Coolant 101
Discussion
Hi All:
Over the last few weeks, I've had to add coolant more frequently then expected to my 1999. The oil is thankfully clean (no coolant mixed in).
After a short drive to warm everything up, I noticed a drip onto the right side (passenger side in the US) 1/2 shaft. The high quality (HA, HA) plastic tubing attaching the coolant tank to the coolant overflow tank was split. Thus the leak and need for continued coolant topping.
May I suggest to V8 owners you quickly dispense of the cheap tubing and replace it with some proper rubber hose and new clamps. You may want to fill the overflow tank 1/2 way as well to keep the system air tight.
I beleive the cracked tubing was allowing air into the system as well and that's why it has been running a little warmer then usual.
Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit V8
Over the last few weeks, I've had to add coolant more frequently then expected to my 1999. The oil is thankfully clean (no coolant mixed in).
After a short drive to warm everything up, I noticed a drip onto the right side (passenger side in the US) 1/2 shaft. The high quality (HA, HA) plastic tubing attaching the coolant tank to the coolant overflow tank was split. Thus the leak and need for continued coolant topping.
May I suggest to V8 owners you quickly dispense of the cheap tubing and replace it with some proper rubber hose and new clamps. You may want to fill the overflow tank 1/2 way as well to keep the system air tight.
I beleive the cracked tubing was allowing air into the system as well and that's why it has been running a little warmer then usual.
Mark Pfeffer
1999 Esprit V8
Mark...
Check your cooling fans and thermostat as well (although, you seem to me the type of responsible owner that probably already has).
I was running warmer "in traffic" and when I mentioned it to my mechanic he found that a new thermostat was in order and that one of the fans failed. He replaced both and things are back to normal...
One of the weak points (IMHO) of the V8 seems to be it's marginal cooling system. I know that Kevin M is working on a replacement for his car and I can't wait to see his results.
One last thing - and you probably already do this as well - water wetter is your friend (especially here in Florida)
ErnestM
Check your cooling fans and thermostat as well (although, you seem to me the type of responsible owner that probably already has).
I was running warmer "in traffic" and when I mentioned it to my mechanic he found that a new thermostat was in order and that one of the fans failed. He replaced both and things are back to normal...
One of the weak points (IMHO) of the V8 seems to be it's marginal cooling system. I know that Kevin M is working on a replacement for his car and I can't wait to see his results.
One last thing - and you probably already do this as well - water wetter is your friend (especially here in Florida)
ErnestM
Ernest:
Fans are all working fine, checked that yesterday as well. Am planning on a complete re-hose over the winter and will put new thermostat in then. Water Wetter is my friend too.
I'm going to yank the radiator while re-hosing, taking it to a local radiator shop to re-core it. The stock V8 radiator is a 2-row, 25 fin per inch core. Garth and Wally at Star Motors (Houston Texas Lotus dealer) have been re-coring the V8's with a 3-row, 22 fin per inch core. They have one client with a 1998 and 67,000 miles who driving in Houston summer heat with the AC on never has heat issues. Cost should be about $300-$400 and to me that's cheap insurance.
Happy Lotusing!
Mark Pfeffer
Fans are all working fine, checked that yesterday as well. Am planning on a complete re-hose over the winter and will put new thermostat in then. Water Wetter is my friend too.
I'm going to yank the radiator while re-hosing, taking it to a local radiator shop to re-core it. The stock V8 radiator is a 2-row, 25 fin per inch core. Garth and Wally at Star Motors (Houston Texas Lotus dealer) have been re-coring the V8's with a 3-row, 22 fin per inch core. They have one client with a 1998 and 67,000 miles who driving in Houston summer heat with the AC on never has heat issues. Cost should be about $300-$400 and to me that's cheap insurance.
Happy Lotusing!
Mark Pfeffer
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