Burst Radiator

[Andy D]

The 135R was being Mot'd this morning and it was just being taken off the ramp when the radiator burst....looks like the core is ok but the plastic end has burst on the drivers side.

Questions....is the radiator likely to be salvageable, and does the front clam need to come off for either the repair or replacement? I can't see how it could come out any other way?

Your help is appreciated

[jj]

When my plastic ended one went it was toast.

Given its a known weak-spot you would be best off with a new all-alloy one. I bought mine direct from Proalloy and it was a nice looking thing, and yeah the front has to come off.

[ed]

I imagine they had the car idling and the temp shot up. Id double check your fan is working also.

Do you have parts and Labour cover?
Afraid its a clam off job, I wouldnt bother trying to repair it!

[Andy D]

Thanks guys, thought that would be the diagnosis...Yup, the car was idling for a while when it burst, will check the fan as well.(which was working fine yesterday when the car was sitting in traffic...)

Should be able to do most of the work myself, I work for the company that was doing the MOT so can use the workshop

Looks like this Saturday is taken care of!!

[Sanjøy]

AA P&L ?

[kenny]

Mine was replaced under AA P&L last year.

[Andy D]

Don't have AA P&L unfortunately so that's one to put down to experience...

Labour will be FOC, our technicians are taking the clam off this afternoon and will fit the new parts so it will just cost me the Rad

Any advice for taking the Clam off/replacing radiator?

cheers

Andy

[Sanjøy]

iirc there is a 2 week no claim period ....

[vx220]

Aye you will need a new rad, check Eliseparts, think they had all alloy ones in for £199.

Clam off jobbie too!

[gorrie]

That's freaky Andy...
When my 135R (yellow as well) was in for it's MOT a few years back (due in January as well) I noticed the temp had risen up while idling for the CO2 test...
Got it home & decided to leave it idling in the garage to see when the fan would cut in (to make sure the fan was OK).
Went to make a cuppa, 5mins later as I walked in to the garage the radiator exploded (gusher !!).
Turns out my fan was goosed/seized.
Clam off job. The core was definitely NOT ok on mine !!
I just got a standard replacement one from Lotus as it was (only just) still covered by the approved warranty.

But, I would suggest getting the upgraded one if you are paying... I got the Elise parts one when the plastic end caps leaked on the last Elise... I think the difference was only about £60 or something.

Cheers, another ANDY.

[Rich H]

Should be able to do most of the work myself, I work for the company that was doing the MOT so can use the workshop

So it passed then!

Clam off isn't hard if all the bolts come out.

[whaleys]

I recently replaced my radiator as the ProAlloy one that was in had "issues" but ProAlloy were very, very kind a sent me a replacement free of charge.

I would recommend you replace your rad fan anyway as they arent too expensive and if it is because of that/on its way out its a clam off job again to replace it.

Taking the clam off can be a bitch, particularly if it hasn't been off before/last wee while. I didnt take mine off, I assisted rather than taking the lead role . The advice that was given at the time though was any allen/torx bolts removed should be replaced with hex ones. As if you have to take the clam off in the future, if they are jammed on there is more you can do to remove them, with the others however if you chew up the slot you're going to be drilling them out.

Another recommendation was to have plenty spare shims as when the clam comes off it will not go back on the same and if you're anal like me about lines and even gaps then you'll need them.

No doubt some of the guys with much more experience will keep you right/correct me, either way though, good luck!

[Stu160]

I have just taken the clam of my S1 ( see Bobins) and had a few problems, but it has not been off in 3 years.
had to drill out 3 bolts.Also removed the rad, which is not burst, but I am going to replace it as its 10 years old.Was going to just refit a standard one from Elise Parts, but may just go the extra for an all alloy one.Also had to drill and grind off all the bolts holding on the cowel, not sure if its the same fitting on an S2?
Not a big problem as they are just onto the metal panel type clips( same as the undertray) so easy to replace. I will be putting M6 St St socket cap screws back in though, not the mild steel posidrives that Lotus have used.

Best of luck

Stu

[Andy D]

Should be able to do most of the work myself, I work for the company that was doing the MOT so can use the workshop

So it passed then!

Clam off isn't hard if all the bolts come out.

Passed with flying colours...

Thanks for all the advice

[Gourlay83]

How much is AA parts and labour ? Its not the kind off weather for an Elise anyway. Maybe give it a couple of weeks until the roads dry, cough, cough, wink, wink.

Alan