Coolant Level in header tank
- Mellow Yellow
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:51 am
Coolant Level in header tank
Got my Elise back from the garage the other day as it had a coolant leak, the mechanic said the leak was due to one of the jubilee clips on the radiator not being tight enough and leaking slightly. He said he also bled the system to remove air locks. I checked the coolant level today, first time since it was done and it's way above the max point, only about an inch or two from the very top. I was always under the belief that it's mean to sit on the min line normally? Is this going to cause issues and should I siphon some out? Concerned that this will cause a massive increase in pressure within the cooling system and cause a hose to burst or pop off.
Thoughts would be appreciated! Cheers
Thoughts would be appreciated! Cheers
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
It should be min at cold, max at hot, but actually it doesn't matter as there is a pressure relief valve in the expansion tank cap and it will just vent out any excess coolant.
Every elise appears to be different and they all find their own level. Keep an eye on it and so long as it remains constant, don't worry too much. Suggest you check once a week with cold engine.
Cheers,
Robin
Every elise appears to be different and they all find their own level. Keep an eye on it and so long as it remains constant, don't worry too much. Suggest you check once a week with cold engine.
Cheers,
Robin
I is in your loomz nibblin ur wirez
#bemoretut
#bemoretut
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
If it's overfilled it should release through the cap on the header tank when it's hot. I wouldn't worry about it.
(Robin beat me to it)
(Robin beat me to it)
2015 Lotus Evora
2022 Polestar 2 LRSM Plus
2023 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
2022 Polestar 2 LRSM Plus
2023 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
No big worry, use a baster if you have one to take out the fluid so that it is between min and max.
If everything is OK it will sit there between hot and cold with little difference in level.
tut
If everything is OK it will sit there between hot and cold with little difference in level.
tut
- Mellow Yellow
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2014 11:51 am
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
Thanks for the info guys, it's slightly concerning though it's been overfilled, wether bad for the car or not. Maybe I'm being overly hard on them but it doesn't fill me with confidence. Think I'll drop it between the min / max lines for peace of mind 

Re: Coolant Level in header tank
Mostly people brim it whilst bleeding the engine; then you bleed the engine until it's too hot to continue; whatever is left, well that's whatever is left 
Or maybe they assumed max was the fill line - depends on whether or not they know Lotus, I guess.
Either way, I wouldn't worry too much.
Cheers,
Robin

Or maybe they assumed max was the fill line - depends on whether or not they know Lotus, I guess.
Either way, I wouldn't worry too much.
Cheers,
Robin
I is in your loomz nibblin ur wirez
#bemoretut
#bemoretut
- Scottish Scrutineer
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:29 am
- Location: Dunfermline, Fife
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
At least they put coolant in. I picked up a Nova from the body shop and they hadn't refilled the coolant. It started to overheat on the way to a pupil's driving test.
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Renny
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Renny
Renny Thomson
MSA Scrutineer
Elise S2 (2002)
MSA Scrutineer
Elise S2 (2002)
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
Scottish Scrutineer wrote:At least they put coolant in. I picked up a Nova from the body shop and they hadn't refilled the coolant. It started to overheat on the way to a pupil's driving test.
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Renny
That wasn't yesterday!

- Scottish Scrutineer
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:29 am
- Location: Dunfermline, Fife
Re: Coolant Level in header tank
No, 1991 I think. Nova SR.
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Renny
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Renny
Renny Thomson
MSA Scrutineer
Elise S2 (2002)
MSA Scrutineer
Elise S2 (2002)