S3 Turbo HC Radiator air bleed plug

[Tezza]

Hi,

I have a 87 HC turbo and have recently noticed coolant leaking from the front end. On closer inspection I find that the leak is coming from the air bleed plug. The plug does not tighten to a 'stop', just keeps on turning. I presume that this wrong and that it should tighten to a stop and that the thread has stripped? On undoing the plug I noticed that the thread is indeed distorted, however, the plug can not be removed to be replaced. Any ideas on the best way to seal this? Loctite or similar perhaps?

Many thanks,

Terry

[WayneB]

Terry, there should be a rubber gromet on the plug to seal it.

The plug is plastic and it has a slightly larger end on it thats forced into the end tank (to capture it to prevent loss)

If you tightly clamp some vice grips to the flat part, by pulling it and working it back and forwards, you will be able to remove it.

I cant find a Pn for it in my parts list as for some reason they put 3 identical pages in showing S3 rads only

Maybe someone else can find the lotus Pn for you!

[Tezza]

Terry, there should be a rubber gromet on the plug to seal it.

The plug is plastic and it has a slightly larger end on it thats forced into the end tank (to capture it to prevent loss)

If you tightly clamp some vice grips to the flat part, by pulling it and working it back and forwards, you will be able to remove it.

I cant find a Pn for it in my parts list as for some reason they put 3 identical pages in showing S3 rads only

Maybe someone else can find the lotus Pn for you!

Wayne, many thanks for the info, indeed there is a rubber seal, but it still leaks. My parts manual shows the turbo radiator but no air bleed plug, can it only be obtained with the radiator?

Thanks,

Terry

[WayneB]

Terry, the Esprit radiators were made by Covrad who supplied alot of other British car manufacturers as well as Lotus.

Im sure that bleed plug was used on other radiators as a drain plug.

I will look and see if its the same as an Spitfire or an MGB one.

No its not

Lotus call it an Air Bleed Plug though.

Maybe it was used on European Fords (Escort , Sierra etc.)?

Edited August 6, 2006 by WayneB

[Tezza]

Terry, the Esprit radiators were made by Covrad who supplied alot of other British car manufacturers as well as Lotus.

Im sure that bleed plug was used on other radiators as a drain plug.

I will look and see if its the same as an Spitfire or an MGB one.

No its not

Lotus call it an Air Bleed Plug though.

Maybe it was used on European Fords (Escort , Sierra etc.)?

Thanks Wayne I'll check.

Terry