Leaking Coolant

[Ekapol]

dude, better change that hose out befor eall hell breaks loose!

Thanks for the new rank.

The force is weak. "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope."

[muley]

Ekapol,

I am in the process of replacing my hoses (although I've been sidetracked by discovering other issues and the dreaded 'project creep'.)

The bottom hose runs from a spigot on the front of the block to the lower connector on the radiator. The spigot (my name for it) is a little like a thermostat cover - but there's no thermostat in it of course. It can be accessed from below the car - but space is tight. Hopefully the spigot hasn't corroded out - it would be a swine to replace - maybe it's just the hose and/or clip that are causing the problem.

I have removed the wheel arch liners, the bumper, rad support and radiator which has made the job easier...that would be my tip.

Good luck

Jim

[Ekapol]

I have removed the wheel arch liners, the bumper, rad support and radiator which has made the job easier...that would be my tip.

Thank you Jim for the tip. No wonder I was blank looking at them.

[lotuska]

My tip to improve access to the hoses is remove the cylinder head...a little extreme but it makes replacing the hoses a walk in the park!!!

Seriously is the circled item in the picture the "spigot" being refered to?

[Ekapol]

My tip to improve access to the hoses is remove the cylinder head...a little extreme but it makes replacing the hoses a walk in the park!!!

Seriously is the circled item in the picture the "spigot" being refered to?

Nice Avatar!!

Yes, that's the end I'm talking about and couldn't access it from the top.

I was a little afraid to take out the front bumper. I might try your way instead.

[algirdas]

Dear Ekapol:

Those "spigots" are commony called "goosenecks" here in the states.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[muley]

My tip to improve access to the hoses is remove the cylinder head...a little extreme but it makes replacing the hoses a walk in the park!!!

Seriously is the circled item in the picture the "spigot" being refered to?

Well, that is more extreme than removing the bumper. That is the part I'm referring to - you can just about gain access from the bottom - but without the head, as you say it's a complete doddle (for that and all the other hoses, too) The only comment I would make is to suggest that when fitting it the hose clamp screw is positioned in such a way that it could be accessed from the bottom so that if it needed tightening later, or the hose needed replacing again then it could be done from the bottom without removing the head again

According to the parts manual - I was being lazy yesterday and didn't look it up - it is an 'Inlet Spout, radiator bottom hose to block' part number A100E6334S. With the radiator out, I +think+ you could just about get a socket on the bolts that hold it in place - I'm not going there because mine seems OK and knowing my luck on the blackie project the bolts would snap off.

Also, I can see it's a piece of wotsit to change the oil filter - what joy!

Cheers

Jim

[Dico]

I found doing it this way easier still.

[Ekapol]

wHoA~~

[algirdas]

Dear Dico:

Looks as if Ekapol is going to need help from more than just Yoda to do it your way.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[Ekapol]

Looks as if Ekapol is going to need help from more than just Yoda to do it your way.

From my computation, I only need ~ 11 Yodas for the job




“Ahhh! Yoda's little friend you seek!”
"Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

[Ekapol]

OK I might really need a Yoda or 2

Tracing the dripping leak which later I found out it happens only when the engine is dead cold at or around the right side of the block.

Is this possibly the classic symptom of water pump seal leaking?

I recall hearing that the timing belt was changed around 70K. I wonder if the water pump was changed at the same time too. If so, then I might need a new water pump seal correct? Are they hard to find

How many hour would it take for a professional mechanic to get it fixed?

[Doug]

Ekapol, Harry (my old mechanic in Orange County--known to others down there too) told me the pump was fine and not worth changing when he did the cam belt. Afraid I can't help with further diagnosis as it is all look-see stuff.

BTW, Ekapol, have you seen THIS THREAD yet?

[Ekapol]

Cheers Doug.

That thread seems right on. Can I just use other o-ring? Is it pretty much a generic part? Ordering a Lotus part always take forever for me.

2.5 cm OD ?

[GeoffSmith]

2.5 cm OD ?

O rings are usually specified in terms of ID and thickness (from which you can of course calculate the OD). Have you checked the thread that Doug highlighted recently?

Geoff

[Ekapol]

Yours looks like 19.8mm ID and 2.4mm thick

Yes, but I have no clue they go by ID and thickness You set me straight

[Doug]

yeah, an o-ring is pretty much generic -- and a plumbing o-ring from the hardware store would probably suffice.

. . . if that's the problem . . . .

[Ekapol]

My mechanic confirmed that it's the water pump. At the moment he doesn't know how to get there.

What are the parts I need to order? Thank you.

[Doug]

check the service manual:

isn't it under the timing belt

you could get a new timing belt from the Isizu dealer, and read the timing belt threads for other possible things to buy/replace

[Ekapol]

Will try to go through it. Thank you Doug.

I wanna make it a diy project too. How hard could that be