Coolant Tank Replacement

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I had a talk with the staff at DBE about the replacement tanks from them that didn't have the internal reinforcement and were more opaque and Ken said they NEVER sourced tanks from anywhere other than Lotus. It is possible that when Vauxhall ceased supporting the tanks, Lotus found another supplier to make the tanks that DBE ended up selling or maybe the Kia tanks were the final part available (Lotus bought back most of KIA's general stock).

LMF seem to be a decent company and I believe they will entertain warranty discussions if a tank fails soon after replacement.

I also feel there is more to tank failure than a bad seam. A lot of original tanks have failed like Tigerdogs by cracking along the lower side and bottom. Wayne's tank failed there.

I will be visiting a friends repair shop tomorrow and I will see if they have a more modern pressure tester than the old Stant one I have had for years. It would be good to figure out what is happening when the tanks are failing.

[tigerdog]

Please let us know what you find. I'm all for having a replacement that
A) won't fail, and
B) is translucent enough to see the coolant level.

[ccb056]

Please let us know what you find. I'm all for having a replacement that
A) won't fail, and
B) is translucent enough to see the coolant level.

There is a source in the UK for aluminum header tanks, doesn't help with criteria B though.
http://www.baileymotorsport.co.uk/

Late April I was in communication with them and here is some info:

The HT19 header tank is £115+VAT, however you do not pay the VAT (UK Sales tax) on direct exports.

Delivery charge would be £21.00 by Air parcel post (sent by Royal Mail from the UK, delivered by USPS in the USA) and will take around 7-14 days. Alternatvely, we can offer Federal Express Delivery for £40.00, this is next day.

We accept payment by either Visa or Mastercard, where a 2% surcharge will be added or you can make a bank transfer directly to our account. On this valvue of order, it would probably work out cheaper to use a credit card.

Is this actually for a Vauxhall Nova or is it for an M100 Lotus Elan?? If there is any further info you need, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for your reply. This is a point for discussion, as we know that the Elan did indeed come fitted with the same tank as the Nova, but we have a UK Lotus specialist that orders them from us with a larger bottom connection. The Nova tank has a 7/8" (22.23mm) spout, but we increase this to 1" (25.4mm) for the Lotus guy. He says this is due to the hoses swelling over time, so either he is 100% correct or he is forcing the original hose over the 1" connection !!

Maybe if you have a few moments, you can check the diameter of the bottom connection on your Elan and maybe even take off the hose itself and measuring the internal diameter of that. We can supply either, both the same cost. We have the standard Nova tank in stock, the 1" connection version will be 14 days.

[Lotus54]

I emailed the outfit selling time n eBay several times.
Once they said they would warranty - but then I cold never get them to talk to me.

I can't recommend buying from them. Mine failed in less then 1000miles.

Mark

[ccb056]

I emailed the outfit selling time n eBay several times.
Once they said they would warranty - but then I cold never get them to talk to me.

I can't recommend buying from them. Mine failed in less then 1000miles.

Mark

when you replaced the tank did you continue to use the old cap or did you also replace the cap as well?

[Lotus54]

I emailed the outfit selling time n eBay several times.
Once they said they would warranty - but then I cold never get them to talk to me.

I can't recommend buying from them. Mine failed in less then 1000miles.

Mark

when you replaced the tank did you continue to use the old cap or did you also replace the cap as well?

I replaced the cap as well.
But I think that may have been a mistake. I wonder if the new cap had too much pressure (?)

[superbad]

I'm so f**king sick of the cooling system on this car. Tank and cap were ~3 months old.

Symptoms- heater has been flaky at idle, today it went flaky at all RPMs. Engine temps started running highish. I guess water pump or belt would be suspect, they are only about 3 years old though. Thermostat was replaced a couple weeks ago. Temperature got to the top of the gauge for a couple minutes and the tank exploded about 5 blocks from my house. Obviously either that cap is doing a bang up job of venting pressure, or these tanks are dogshit.

[GeoffSmith]

Where did you get your latest tank from?

[superbad]

It's one of the new ones with the ground off GM logo. This particular one came from SJS, but I'm sure they all originate in the same place.

[Lotus54]

Yeah, I had poor luck with that same tank.

I'm back to the original, that I can't see into.
Plus the eBay vendor that sells them with a year warranty never would answer me...

[superbad]

It was such a clean break I was able to bond the two pieces back together with 3M DP8005. Went back to the black Lotus cap too. Hopefully that lasts until SJS gets the aluminum ones made again (it's probably better than the original bond actually). Not sure what was causing the initial overheating, may have been an air bubble or something. Just ran it all the way up to temp and it was fine. Thermostat is opening, water pump is pumping, heater is heating, fans come on and the temp drops, etc.

[superbad]

I can now report that DP8005 is not up to the task.

[Coolexperts]

Hello All,

This might be a bit late in the day but check out the thread on:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=17345&start=20

Regards

Steve.

[texas2201]

I got fed up with blown tanks and replaced it with an aluminium one - problem solved - I had three from LMF all failed

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Actually, this is a better link to the new aluminum tank by coolexperts: viewtopic.php?f=44&t=17345&p=277253#p277251

[muley]

I've taken the liberty of copying Steve's post from the Rad Thread.

Hello All,

THE HEADER TANK HAS LANDED!!

Just got back from fitting Woodies and it went on like a glove. The sight glass is a real bonus otherwise you have to take the cap off and dip the water to check the level. I have attached some pictures of the final fitting.

Header Tank:



Engine Bay:



This item is of extremely high quality in both manufacture and materials and this is the pricing structure:

The basic header tank will be offered on eBay for £168.00 inclusive of vat plus £10.00 shipping in the UK.
The cost including sight glass will be £198.00 inclusive of vat plus £10.00 shipping in the UK.

The basic header tank will be offered to forum members for £155.00 inclusive of vat plus £10.00 shipping in the UK.
The cost including sight glass will be £180.00 inclusive of vat plus £10.00 shipping in the UK.

We have nearly finished the second header for Steve in Virginia and would hope to have 10 available by the end on next week.

The items will not be placed on eBay until any forum members requirements have been fulfilled.

Please let me know if you like the design

Regards

Steve

Steve,

I do, I do

Have you thought of bringing some over to Donington next Saturday (20th)

If you do, I'll buy a sight glass version off you and pay cash on the spot. (Saves me postage )

Rgds

Jim

[dapinky]

Have you thought of bringing some over to Donington next Saturday (20th)

If you do, I'll buy a sight glass version off you and pay cash on the spot. (Saves me postage )

Go on Jim - start a list!!!

(and put me at number 2 - £180 cash!!!!!)

[muley]

Well I will if Steve's up for it.

Sod it, I'll collect some Friday if it helps...



Jim

[dapinky]

You beat me to it! - I was thinking the same - or we could persuede Neil to collect them (if we can pay Steve direct, it's just a straight pick-up )

[woody]

Dave,
Steve will be going to Donington on Saturday.
Cheers,
Woody