Lotus Elan Central

As the previous owner added an ally header tank you can't see the coolant level. So I added a stainless float switch to the tank and ran the lead to the instrument brinicle. so I now have an added waning light, it was the most suitable as I could not see a low coolant image.

While I had the cover off the brinicle I also added the missing wires for the O2 sensor and put the S2 ECU in and O2 sensor.

That's really clever

Although my aluminium header tank has a sight glass fitted, the tank doesn't sit exactly level, so fluid tends to collect in the glass window, which leads to me having to dip my finger in the top every so often to see what is in there.....

.... as such, I'd be interested to know what level/float system you used, and how easy it was to install.

It is easy once I worked it out. I used this float switch from a well known auction site.



Then earth one wire the other wire goes to the instrument binnacle.



Run the wire to contact circles red, I folded the wire and shaped it so that it made contact.

I removed the bulb from a spare position marked with the blue circle ( as I didn't have any of the correct type in may spares box) and placed it in the position marked with the red circle.

Having test driven it I can confirm it works as I am still loosing water but can't find from where. It maybe the radiator on the drivers side but it never shows when I am looking at it.

I had an issue with water going from the system. I had fitted new silicon hoses and thought they may be leaking but could not find a leak so took it to local garage to pressure test. The cylinder head gasket had gone. Car ran fine no 'mayonnaise' deposit on oil filler cap. Might be worth testing it.

dapinky wrote:Although my aluminium header tank has a sight glass fitted, the tank doesn't sit exactly level, so fluid tends to collect in the glass window, which leads to me having to dip my finger in the top every so often to see what is in there.....

.... as such, I'd be interested to know what level/float system you used, and how easy it was to install.

Hi Dave i fitted a float switch in the alloy tank for the matra, I got it from car builder solutions. basically you drill the hole as required for size and height in tank to allow the float to move up and down. It works like a pop rivet in principle as you do up the fitting it pulls up to the tank side an provides a water tight seal. as for wiring it was quite simple on the matra as there is a brake wear indicator circuit which provided a straight forward place to connect the float to.

Thanks for the info Tony (and Tony!).

I think I shall have a squint at doing this one over the Winter (which means I'll buy it all now and get round to fitting it the day before Castle Combe ).

Whether I keep the sight glass or not is a consideration for when I get the bits, and the wiring doesn't worry me at all as I've already utilised a couple of 'spare' lamp positions for other things.

Which aluminium tank did you buy Dave? The ones I’ve seen seem very expensive. Thanks! George.

Mine came from Coolex.

It was one of the first ones made, and we got them at a 'Group Buy' rate, but I can't remember what I paid for it now.

Nice mod. Tony - very neat