honda coolant leak

[Dipper]

finally tracked down where my coolant has been going. for those that know the honda conversions its the short 90deg hose right below the oil filter. Hose was barely on the pipe and is at an odd angle. its damn awkward to get to but ive now got the leak stopped. its also up against the oil filter which is not the best.

is there a better solution to this? i get the impresssion it'll work its way off again.

also, i want to replace all the coolant as it now mostly water with dirty looking green stuff. new coolant is orange. whats the best way to flush the coolant so that when i replace it it stays orange?

[r10crw]

Im pretty sure the pipe you mean used to feed the sandwich oil cooler that most people do away with due to space. Trouble is when they do away with the cooler they just join the pipe or replace with a single one. In this area it gets really hot.

I blanked off the original outlets (just braised them shut) and moved it round the side but dont remember exactly how. I think the block has two exits and you can blank your one off and open one on the side. I still had a link pipe because I didnt want to upset the flow but was the intention to eventually run a cooler in the arch from my new pipe.

HTH Craig.

[tut]

No real need for an oil cooler if you drive quickly enough, airflow will do the job.

tut

[Dipper]

cheers Craig and erm...tut!

any advice on the best way to replace the coolant?

[Dominic]

It may be different for Honda'd cars, but I know you have to be careful not to mix coolant types in the elise, as the different types can react and become lumpy - blocking the radiator. Mine has pink stuff in it and I have been told under no circumstance to put "normal" blue stuff in it.

Dominic (not very technical faction)

[Dipper]

yeah ive heard that dominic which is the main reason for asking how to do a full coolant change. asked on seloc a while back as well with no joy. might just have to wing it see how i get on

[r10crw]

sorry just saw this. The honda is really easy to bleed in most cases as the vent pipe at the head feeds direct to the water bottle, at least in most Ive seen anyway. If you look at the inlet manifold you will probably see a pipe near the throttle body, this is usually used as the bleed and as its the highest point it works very well. You still of course need to bleed at the radiator.
To flush properly Ive taken off a hose and put a garden hose into the header then just left it running ( the hose that is, not the engine!). With the Liz it will be a little difficult because the best place to drain will be just where it enters the sill, the lowest point. On yours the best hose would probably be on the driver side rear, you will see a y piece which is the joint for main radiator and heater circuit. It might be best to drain fill with water and repeat this several times before putting in the new coolant.
HTH Craig.

[Gourlay83]

I've heard you're a man who can get 'bike stuff'

I can easy pop out and talk you through it, it's really not difficult when you've been shown the steps.

Cheers, Alan.

[pete]

*cough* K series

[Dipper]

cheers for that. im offshore for another 10 days so will give it a bash when i get back.

alan
yes i am that man. like a drug dealer but for shiny bike stuff i'll be in touch when i get back
cheers
richard

[Gourlay83]

Give me a shout when you return and we can sort something out.