S2 Elise Owners

[AstonXIII]

I need help from you guys, I own a S2 111S which I recently took to a garage for something really minor, however whilst there one of the mechanics noticed spashes on the windscreen / body panel above the radiator bonnet vent on the drivers side.

I was warned that the radiator might be leaking coolant, however I seam to remember these spashes ever since I got the car and associate it with washing the car, or using the windscreen washer. I assumed water was settling in the radiator area and then blowing out at speed, the splashes only ever happen after the car has been in contact with water (washing, windscreen washing or rain) and at motorway speeds 60-70mph.

Do you get the same splash marks, are they similar times to when I get mine?

Bill for new radiator is 500 -600 pounds, I dont want to replace it if these marks are normal and not caused by leaking radiator.

Its worth adding that I never top up the coolant and the car runs at a normal temperature of 83/84 degrees always with out any fluctuations in temp or coolant level.

Appreciate any feed back you guys could give me.

Thanks in Advance

A XIII

Edited by AstonXIII on Monday 6th April 13:10

Edited by AstonXIII on Monday 6th April 13:13

[AstonXIII]

I have spoke to 2 friends from my local car club who both say they get these splash marks too.

A XIII

[Mr_C]

does it do it when you've not washed it or used the washers?

could be end cap blown on the rad...

[AstonXIII]

Mr_C said:

does it do it when you've not washed it or used the washers?

could be end cap blown on the rad...

No never, only when car has come incontact with water. I am not losing coolant, level remains the same always.

A XIII

[Russ H]

Sounds normal to me. Steam coming from the front when
warmed up after a wash happens too. Both which a non
Lotus mechanic may regard as a 'fault'.

Russ.

[lee111s]

I get this too Aston on my s1. When it's been raining the water comes all over the screen above 50. Echoing what was said above, steam is also normal

[Justin S]

If it was a rad, you would smell it in the cockpit.When mine leaked, it dropped into the crash box and in the bottom of there is the fresh air vents for the cabin. It stunk. If you are worried, look in the crash box (behind the middle grill) as coolant doesnt evaporate and you will see it there, or prise out the indicators, there is a gulley behind which fills with coolant. If you have aircon, the rad from Eliseparts is over £300 but a standard alloy replacement is £200. Sods law mine has aircon.Not a difficult job DIY, just time consuming. Don't bother with a standard rad, they can fail from the day you fit them.One other thing, reason for fail.Some people say the rad is the weakest link and any form of overpressurising can cause it to fail, so check the HG as well if it is the rad.

[Royton Blue]

I'm having similar symptoms with my 111S although the splashes seem to be a pink liquid (my coolant is orange though). It doesn't happen all the time though just every now and then, temperature is normal and the coolant level is constant.

I think everyone encounters the water splash scenario (due to the position of the grills) but I'm just a little worried because of the colour of the liquid.........I've had a good sniff of it but it doesn't smell at all.

Hmmmmm

[JTBUSH]

Taste it. If it tastes nice, its coolant, if it doesnt, its not!

Ps, dont taste it, its poisonous, but apparently does taste quite nice!

[Justin S]

Royton Blue said:

I'm having similar symptoms with my 111S although the splashes seem to be a pink liquid (my coolant is orange though). It doesn't happen all the time though just every now and then, temperature is normal and the coolant level is constant.

I think everyone encounters the water splash scenario (due to the position of the grills) but I'm just a little worried because of the colour of the liquid.........I've had a good sniff of it but it doesn't smell at all.

Hmmmmm

In the reservoir it looks orange, but it is actually pink.If it isnt some fancy squirter water, then I would look at the rad or heater matrix or a hose clip.

[kahuna]

I've had exactly the same thing since I got mine and its not got any worse in the three years i've had it.
Its more likely to happen when really cold though, and seems to seal itself once warm.

[SeanyD]

I've been thinking about this today, and if its ONLY happening after washing, I'm 99% confident its simply washNwax/water from the wash being blown up on from the radiator area onto the windscreen.

ps Mine does it only for the first mile or so at motorway speed, then excess water is gone and it stops, so could be worth doing this to prove the theory.

but based on

1) Not losing coolant
2) Running temp normal
3) Only after washing

I'd be 99% sure its nothing, but then I'm not a mechanic

Sean

[VTECMatt]

Simple check is remove the OS 1/4 Panel and see if the spounge around the rad is wet, if it is taste it, if it tastes sweet your rad needs doing.