Coolant Flushing

[GilesM]

I recently had a few over heating problems, the final result was a very slow journey home from Oxford on a low loader, to be precise, 3 different low loaders, 56mph is painfull.

Anyway, the main reason seems to be a perished and then split right hand side radiator hose, I bought two new radiator hoses, silicone ones from Elise parts. Last night I fitted the new hoses, filled the system with water, used the two bleed valves, (engine bay and front left hand rad hose) to get all of the air out, the engine ran okay, temperature seemed to operate normally, up to normal temperature 88degC, then slowly started to rise until the fan cut in at 101degC, the temperature then peaked at 102degC, then dropped back, the fan cut out at 99deg C as normal and the temp then dropped down to 96degC stayed there for a while, then started to rise again, and the same fan sequence happened. I opened both bleed valves at various stages while the engine was running to ensure all air locks were removed, seems fine, abit more air came out, and the water level in the expansion box dropped very slightly, but seemed to stay stable after that. So as far as I can see everything is fine. Is there anything else I have missed before I road test it?

The car had a HGF about 20k miles ago, and the coolant system was never flushed out properly and there has always been sludge since then, I would like to clean out the system, I have a pot of radiator flush, my problem is, where should I drain the system, is there any valve anywhere, I have looked but can't find anything, or should I just remove a hose, which hose is best, I have the front clam off right now so front access is no problem.

Just to clarify:
S2 Elise with K-Series 120bhp engine.

Thanks

Giles

[graeme]

Hi Giles, hope you are well.

Photos about half way down this page of the drain points:

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/wiki/ind ... ith_photos

Cheers,
Graeme

[GilesM]

Hi Graeme

All is well here, how's yourself, I won't say how good it was at Achmelvich a few weeks ago, it'll only upset you.

Thanks for the pics, as I was beginning to realise, it's a hose off job, no worries, right now hoses are my speciality.

Cheers

Giles

[graeme]

I'm doing well thanks. Finishing a contract this week, followed by 2 weeks at home, then 2 weeks on the Med, followed by a search for another contract.

I saw Mr Ford's pics from Ashmelvish and had a good sob about not being able to make it. It's my favourite part of the world and I haven't been for far too long!

If I don't find another contract in September, I might take a few days out for a pilgrimage!

Cheers,
Graeme

[campbell]

I am almost certainly going back to Achmelvich some time in Sept. Prob the 3rd or 4th weekends of, depending on commitments. If I can commit to specific dates soon enough, I'll post it up as a Campaganza trip on SE. But if I can't...just stay in touch and maybe we can work something out that at least suits both of us

[graeme]

Perfect! I'll say now then I'm definitely in.

[GilesM]

I'm away some of September, our annual visit to the Goodwood Revival, but will definately come along if I'm home.

Giles

[MacK]

I am almost certainly going back to Achmelvich some time in Sept.

I was there on Sunday night, brilliant, better weather than the rest of the country too



Oops, thread drift


On topic:

Giles, to flush the cooling system maybe try taking a couple of hoses off, possibly either side of the rad, and put a hose pipe up the in hose and run it to back-flush the system, maybe a hose of at the engine side to to make sure no crap blocks any waterways round the engine.

Unless Robin or others say not too!