radiator cap looks new

[Guest teigan]

i've never had any overheat problems even stopped in traffic midsummer. temp stays just above 90.

however, it has always been an annoyance that i can't fill my coolant resevoir higher than 2" from the lower lip without the overflow valve regurgitating the last bit later, like a spoiled tyke. would a new radiator cap be a priority investment, or is it normal to fill below maximum. i checked the springs/rubber seals and close inspection doesn't reveal any flaws.

[WayneB]

What you are experiencing is normal, as the water heats up and expands it will take up more volume (and push the rad cap spring up to allow extra to vent off)

Dont fill it to brim to prevent this happening

[slade]

+1 to what Wayne said.

You're temp guage reads just above 90? Isn't that a little high? It's the same place mine reads, but mine reads wrong, maybe yours does too. (Right pod guage syndrome)

With an infrared heat gun mine registered something like 80 on a 100 degree day...

Where's everyone's temperature here?

slade

[WayneB]

Are you suggesting Smiths Gauges are a tad innacurate? Mine reads about 90 degrees as well. Never had a infa- red gun on it to check real temp(its never boiled over yet) Jussi, whats yours normally read?

Edited July 29, 2005 by WayneB

[Jussi]

Just drove yesterday with my car Temperature here was about +24celsius.

Car's temperature was about 90degrees as yours. And yes I also noticed yesterday that coolant reservoir couldn't be full, otherwise it blows from vent (just happened). We just put new thermostat (in our little renovation), new one is 82celsius (like manual suggests). Before my car even haven't any thermostat we don't know why, maybe previous owner was worried about temperatures I was wondering last autumn why the car stays pretty cold, now we know why.

My radiator cap looks pretty crappy, it would be a good idea to get the new one.

Edited July 29, 2005 by Jussi

[Guest teigan]

thanks lads. that puts my mind at ease. good to have so many similar cars to compare notes with. it's been a sea of s-models at pistonheads. i had to start every post with, "well if it's anything like my car..."

[Mikes2esprit1979]

My S2 sits at just over 90 . Previous owner also had removed the thermostat.

Makes you worry a bit when the temp gage goes so far up but the fans do cut in eventually.

[WayneB]

Mine had a thermostat (and a blocked up radiator core) It didnt get hot till I drove it at speed (over 100mph on my private test facility) I cant stress enough how as a matter of course you should have the rads recored on a 20 yr. old plus Esprit(cheap insurance) and whilst its out have the fans re -Brushed and bearinged at an electrical motor rebuilders

[matk]

Earlier Federal G Cars had 3 radiator fans but UK spec only had 2. If you have a UK car it's easy to stick a 3rd fan in and this helps too.

Regards

Mat 79 S2

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

My 86 Turbo had 3 fans....

They got a bit flocked up in the crash so we didn't bother replacing them as the fan gantry is whack and the metal mounts are a tenner a go and you need 9 of the buggers!

I have (bigger) Elise stlye fans that bost directly to the rad... Lighter, cheaper, dont crack or rust and waaaay more efficient and reliable

[WayneB]

Does this mean you fit right in with the Elise clique now?

[diasafe]

i have been messin trying to get my temp down to 90c.

new header tank (origional repaired badly), fan therm switch and a engine flush and still not got there !! but i feel better

paul

[Guest teigan]

if you're that concerned, you can install a manual override switch on the radiator fan as well as the engine cover fan. you can also force your radiator fan on by activating the AC.

[Jussi]

Today water temp was over 100 I was a bit of worried! Coolant reservoir blows water quite fast. Then I noticed water temp sensor's connector was loose. I put it back turn the ignition on and radiator fan started...huh that was close. Luckily I came home when I noticed this.

How's the USA-model's fan (over the engine), where it's temp sensor connector is? Or does it use the same connector as radiator fan? It doesn't worked today...before it worked fine. And what's the right temperature when it's start?

[WayneB]

The temp sensor for the engine compartment fan is located up in the engine cover. There is a connector at the right rear of the engine compartment, it might be undone or the wires could be loose. The fan is always live and will run even when the ignition is off. There is a safety switch at the right front of the engine bay(fan wont run unless cover is shut down)

[Jussi]

The temp sensor for the engine compartment fan is located up in the engine cover. There is a connector at the right rear of the engine compartment, it might be undone or the wires could be loose. The fan is always live and will run even when the ignition is off. There is a safety switch at the right front of the engine bay(fan wont run unless cover is shut down)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank's

Wires are connected, we made new connector for them (rapid connector). Where that temp sensor is located?

[Guest teigan]

it's on the lid sticking down toward the engine. as a test, you can force it to go on with any blow dryer. hasselhoff will have one if he happens by.

[Guest teigan]

____________

Edited July 29, 2005 by teigan

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

What engine bay fan? Im thinking this is clearly a foreign market only thing?

Any chance of a wee pic-ette?

[Guest teigan]

yes it was an add on, done late in the game. lotus redesigned the engine cover and turbo bridge, to improve cooling. the large fan turns on with a preset temperature sensor, and runs until an electronic timer orders it to recheck temp. it was a hachet job, and the engineering of the timer mechanism is insecure. it eventually commits suicide, taking the car battery with it, by running the fan all night. i ripped mine out and built a stable one from scratch. most owners with the engine cover fan have been forced to permanently unplug their fan, thus defeating the whole effort by lotus.

Edited July 30, 2005 by teigan

[WayneB]

Yeah the SEs have a ch*rgecool*r , but the Federals have a little fan in the engine cover lid to create ground effect like the Brabham F1 Fan car( not really)

Edited July 30, 2005 by WayneB

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Hahaha

I thought Lotus were the first to use (and get banned from using) ground effect? Or am I mixing it up with the active suspension?

[dglotusltd]

My US 77 S1 is still running up to 100c if i am stick in traffic.

After a full flush, 74c thermostat, water pump check and a Rad Flush only I am convinced only a recore and the addition of more tubes will help me.

When I ran a hose into the system, including at the rad output into the chassis, she ran cool. No mikly oil after all the flushing so I am discounting the possibilty of a blown head gasket or cracked block.

There is just no damn airflow under the stock engine cover when your not moving.

DomG

[WayneB]

Hahaha

I thought Lotus were the first to use (and get banned from using) ground effect? Or am I mixing it up with the active suspension?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lotus pioneered ground effect( Tony Rudds idea whilst he was at B.R.M.) They also pioneered Active suspension (John Miles ex. F1 driver, head of Lotus engineering) Both innovations were legislated out of F1 , but not before they were adopted by the other teams. The Brabham Bt 49 fan car was banned after it won 1 race(designed by Gordon Murray). It was claimed to be a cooling fan!

[USAndretti42]

Lotus pioneered ground effect( Tony Rudds idea whilst he was at B.R.M.) They also pioneered Active suspension (John Miles ex. F1 driver, head of Lotus engineering) Both innovations were legislated out of F1 , but not before they were adopted by the other teams. The Brabham Bt 49 fan car was banned after it won 1 race(designed by Gordon Murray).  It was claimed to be a cooling fan!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Brabham fan car was about the only thiong that Chapman protested being convinced it was illegal but while the governing body was considering his protest, he got one of his F1 cars fitted with 2 fans, 1 per sidepod, just in case. Always on the ball.