Given the age of the car and an Esprit the car appears to be in great condition. At the beginning of the video I was thinking head gasket so I was relieved to see only the coolant system itself is the fail. It’s a mess, but all manageable. Keep the content coming!
Had a overheating issue with Esprit after putting it back on the road after 30 years . In the end I removed the radiator and filled it full of white vinegar overnight , then central heating cleaner for a few hours , then a limescale remover for an hour, flushed it and now my car stays at normal temp all the time. I replaced those 90 degree alloy pipes with rubber versions from SJ.
Hopefully this video helps me lol. I have a 78 s2 esprit here in the usa east coast. Ive spent alot of money and time getting this thing good to go. Engine rebuild, new fuel tanks, exhaust, cross gate cables, bushings, oil cooler, Basically replaced everything but electrics. I just installed spal fans, a new radiator and radiator cowl. Ive read ont he forum to stay away from aluminum radiators, but sjsmotorsports sells one so I ended up with that. Havent done a wiring upgrade because im garbage at electrical~_~ He definitely needs to replace that oil line though oof!
I have silver 1978 S2. UK spec with small bumpers. Twin 45 Dellortos. No AC Still has original radiator and I have had no trouble with cooling, the fans aren't even shrouded on mine. Original nose badge is black with polished metal writing
You may want to pressure check the coolant and heater pipes that run through the frame, I had to replace both heater pipes after an internal leak on my S2. Given the condition of the other aluminum pipes it’s probably with the time.
If you are fitting a replacement aluminum radiator, you could run an OAT or HOAT coolant, since you don't need to allow for the copper radiator. Coat the aluminum pipe ends with Hylomar Blue, and tell the owner to keep the heater control pointing towards the 4 PM position, so that coolant always circulars a bit through the heater matrix!
Looks like rad weld been put in the system .This is what happens when you do not bother putting antifreeze in .Not just there to stop freezing , corrosion protection is way more important in most countrys
Aluminum radiators are a bad idea. They can’t handle the stresses and vibrations of the Lotus front end mounting, so they crack over time. Well known issue on the forums. Just recore the original radiator with more cooling capacity.
Thanks for the comment. I guess we'll have to devise some creative isolation mounting for it to eliminate the competing forces on the unit. This should reduce any stresses and strains which would lead to failure.
Given the age of the car and an Esprit the car appears to be in great condition. At the beginning of the video I was thinking head gasket so I was relieved to see only the coolant system itself is the fail. It’s a mess, but all manageable. Keep the content coming!
very informative video, great detail and very helpful. Will check all of my cooling connections and my anti-freeze to ensure they're ok.
Great work, on a great car. Shame the coolant system has been neglected, but it’s an old old car!
Worth the time
classic James Bond car . My childhood dream car. Sweet
Had a overheating issue with Esprit after putting it back on the road after 30 years . In the end I removed the radiator and filled it full of white vinegar overnight , then central heating cleaner for a few hours , then a limescale remover for an hour, flushed it and now my car stays at normal temp all the time. I replaced those 90 degree alloy pipes with rubber versions from SJ.
Hopefully this video helps me lol. I have a 78 s2 esprit here in the usa east coast. Ive spent alot of money and time getting this thing good to go. Engine rebuild, new fuel tanks, exhaust, cross gate cables, bushings, oil cooler, Basically replaced everything but electrics. I just installed spal fans, a new radiator and radiator cowl. Ive read ont he forum to stay away from aluminum radiators, but sjsmotorsports sells one so I ended up with that. Havent done a wiring upgrade because im garbage at electrical~_~ He definitely needs to replace that oil line though oof!
Thanks for the comment. Nice job on your S2! If you ever find yourself needing the oil lines, Dave Bean in CA has them in stock.
Interesting article - given the damage to the coolant pipes, would it not be a good idea to replace the head gasket as a precaution?
Hopefully we don't end up there, but you never know... For now I'm taking it one step at a time. Thanks for the comment!
I have silver 1978 S2.
UK spec with small bumpers. Twin 45 Dellortos. No AC
Still has original radiator and I have had no trouble with cooling, the fans aren't even shrouded on mine.
Original nose badge is black with polished metal writing
You may want to pressure check the coolant and heater pipes that run through the frame, I had to replace both heater pipes after an internal leak on my S2. Given the condition of the other aluminum pipes it’s probably with the time.
Good Idea. I'll do that. Thanks!
If you are fitting a replacement aluminum radiator, you could run an OAT or HOAT coolant, since you don't need to allow for the copper radiator.
Coat the aluminum pipe ends with Hylomar Blue, and tell the owner to keep the heater control pointing towards the 4 PM position, so that coolant always circulars a bit through the heater matrix!
Long life on those coolants! read up on HOAT - can't believe it last for 10 years... wow! Good comment - Thanks!
Getting the heater out is not as bad as many other cars and doesn't require dash out.
My car is UK spec though
Looks like rad weld been put in the system .This is what happens when you do not bother putting antifreeze in .Not just there to stop freezing , corrosion protection is way more important in most countrys
Funny, I was kinda thinking the same thing!
isn`t that s3 bumpers?
Not sure... but now you have me curious...
Electric water pump in the front.might help.....
Aluminum radiators are a bad idea. They can’t handle the stresses and vibrations of the Lotus front end mounting, so they crack over time. Well known issue on the forums. Just recore the original radiator with more cooling capacity.
Thanks for the comment. I guess we'll have to devise some creative isolation mounting for it to eliminate the competing forces on the unit. This should reduce any stresses and strains which would lead to failure.
@@west-cam Maybe. Or just stick with what is known to work, which is the original radiator re-cored. And then change the coolant on time.