Help please steaming front end ...!
Discussion
Firstly hello to everyone out there, and, secondly please make allowances for any breaches of etiquette on my part as this is my first every post to any forum.
After picking up my 2002 S2 Elise on 21st October she has spent more time out of use or back at the dealer than I have driven her due to a continual overheating and loss of water problem. At the third attempt the head gasket was changed and the head skimmed. She has been back a week and now after about 5 miles when you stop at traffic lights etc there is always an amount of what looks like steam wisping up from the radiator vents or out of the front grill. The temperature gauge does not read over hot 89 or 90C and does not appear to be loosing water (it is difficult to tell after on 70miles). Although under cover at night she does stand out in the rain all day and I am hoping (probably stupidly)that it is just water drying out or off somewhere (only round trips to work this week of about 5 miles each way). Is this a common or am I going to have to pull limbs off the dealer to get it sorted again?
I think I know the answer but any advice would be much appreciated as when she is working OK I can't stop grinning!!
After picking up my 2002 S2 Elise on 21st October she has spent more time out of use or back at the dealer than I have driven her due to a continual overheating and loss of water problem. At the third attempt the head gasket was changed and the head skimmed. She has been back a week and now after about 5 miles when you stop at traffic lights etc there is always an amount of what looks like steam wisping up from the radiator vents or out of the front grill. The temperature gauge does not read over hot 89 or 90C and does not appear to be loosing water (it is difficult to tell after on 70miles). Although under cover at night she does stand out in the rain all day and I am hoping (probably stupidly)that it is just water drying out or off somewhere (only round trips to work this week of about 5 miles each way). Is this a common or am I going to have to pull limbs off the dealer to get it sorted again?
I think I know the answer but any advice would be much appreciated as when she is working OK I can't stop grinning!!
Welcome to pistonheads. This scares the heck out of every new elise owner! Remember the radiator is at the front and exposed to the elements. When you stop with the car at running temp, rain falls on the raidiator and steams - often so badly that it fogs the front windscreen - but if wipers are on, no issues. Never really happens when you are on the move.
Don't worry - it is perfectly normal! Happens to us all.
As for the smile - I am still grinning after 2 years. BTW, if it is your first mid-engined sports car, take care in the wet, especially exiting roundabouts. You might find yourself going faster than you think. Driver training on an airfield is a definite recommendation - even the most experienced elise drivers get out on the airfield now and again.
Try www.carlimits.com
>> Edited by shangani on Friday 2nd December 19:38
Don't worry - it is perfectly normal! Happens to us all.
As for the smile - I am still grinning after 2 years. BTW, if it is your first mid-engined sports car, take care in the wet, especially exiting roundabouts. You might find yourself going faster than you think. Driver training on an airfield is a definite recommendation - even the most experienced elise drivers get out on the airfield now and again.
Try www.carlimits.com
>> Edited by shangani on Friday 2nd December 19:38
Shangani, thanks for putting my mind at rest, sounds as if it is just part of the Lotus experience, like the leaking hardtop, the permanent smile, fantastic handling and laughing at friends trying to get out of it.
I did feel a little foolish asking question but given her history I just need to restore some faith in her ability to act as my everyday car.
This is my first "proper" car as have always had GTi's and last time a type-R. I have wanted one for years and the BRG goes well with my father's yellow Europa.
I have discovered that on roundabouts already! Not particularly good in snow either I discovered this week. To be honest the most unnerving thing are the non servo assisted brakes, just remember to stand on them hard!!
Still bring on the summer!
I did feel a little foolish asking question but given her history I just need to restore some faith in her ability to act as my everyday car.
This is my first "proper" car as have always had GTi's and last time a type-R. I have wanted one for years and the BRG goes well with my father's yellow Europa.
I have discovered that on roundabouts already! Not particularly good in snow either I discovered this week. To be honest the most unnerving thing are the non servo assisted brakes, just remember to stand on them hard!!
Still bring on the summer!
Sounds like you have had front wheel drive cars up to now - the oversteer / understeer correction will be completely different with the lotus. Being RWD, snow / ice is really tricky.
It is unusual to have a leaky hardtop - just check it is on properly. Softtops often leak though. It is an experience and the brakes take getting used to. On a brake test on an airfield I was stopping my 111s more than a car length faster than a honda s2000 with ABS. Don't worry - they stop quickly. I can't recommend driver training enough though.
Cheers and look forward to seeing more posts here.
It is unusual to have a leaky hardtop - just check it is on properly. Softtops often leak though. It is an experience and the brakes take getting used to. On a brake test on an airfield I was stopping my 111s more than a car length faster than a honda s2000 with ABS. Don't worry - they stop quickly. I can't recommend driver training enough though.
Cheers and look forward to seeing more posts here.
Pop over to Seloc as well. 
welcome to the clan.
We are sad people talking about cars, but with very large grins
on our faces.
Half the posting on here are about problems that people are suffering and want help with, the other half is a social club, either organising meets, or just general chit chat about cars and other stuff.
Glad you found us, and look forward to seeing yours posts in the future.
One of the most frequently used training days is www.1stlotus.com/intro.htm
Also known as "Walshy Days", due to the guy that does a lot of the training. I have had my 111R for a year and have been meaning to get on one for ages.
>> Edited by beachbum on Friday 2nd December 20:37
We are sad people talking about cars, but with very large grins
on our faces. Half the posting on here are about problems that people are suffering and want help with, the other half is a social club, either organising meets, or just general chit chat about cars and other stuff.
Glad you found us, and look forward to seeing yours posts in the future.
One of the most frequently used training days is www.1stlotus.com/intro.htm
Also known as "Walshy Days", due to the guy that does a lot of the training. I have had my 111R for a year and have been meaning to get on one for ages.
>> Edited by beachbum on Friday 2nd December 20:37
Welcome to the nut house dude 
Deffo take great care with the car at this time of year, very easy to get it unstuck and heading backwards into the scenery if you don't respect it's dynamics (RWD mid-engine).
Get yourself to one of Andrew Walsh's airfield training days asap... the best £170 you'll spend on your car.
Deffo take great care with the car at this time of year, very easy to get it unstuck and heading backwards into the scenery if you don't respect it's dynamics (RWD mid-engine).
Get yourself to one of Andrew Walsh's airfield training days asap... the best £170 you'll spend on your car.
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