Lotus Elan

+2 bad heater leak

PostPost by: checkrail » Sat Jun 01, 2024 2:25 pm

Hi, Running the engine in the garage a water puddle appeared under the car, dripping down from the back of the engine area. I suspected the heater hose connections at the bulkhead but surprised to find that they were bone dry.
So I guess it must be the matrix, I' m not looking forward to this job.
Any helpful tips please?
Thanks John
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PostPost by: types26/36 » Sat Jun 01, 2024 3:46 pm

There are a couple more possibilities that can be a source of a coolant leak.
There is a cor plug/welsh plug at the rear of the engine which is often forgotten with a engine refurbishment, this can leak but unfortunately it is inside the bell housing and is a engine out job.
There is also another cor plug/welsh plug at the rear of the head on cars with the early head, this can also leak but you are unlikely to have that type of head on a plus two.
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eng rear.JPG and
head rear.JPG and
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PostPost by: mbell » Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:00 pm

types26/36 wrote:There is a cor plug/welsh plug at the rear of the engine which is often forgotten with a engine refurbishment, this can leak but unfortunately it is inside the bell housing and is a engine out job.


First time I had my engine out I inspect that and it was basically rusted thru but not leaking yet due to all the crud behind it.

I'd suggest making sure the system is fully and getting a radiator pressure tester. Then look where coolant is coming from, if it comes out of bell housing or rear of sump it could well be this.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
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PostPost by: shynsy » Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:44 pm

This was the rear core plug in my cousin's 1500 pre crossflow. Same block as the twink. Cousin waw confused why his engine would loose all its fluids over time.
Here's your answer
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Current Cars: '72 Elan +2S130/5, '72 Triumph Stag 3.9L, '72 Spitifire Mk IV. Past Cars: '72 Triumph TR6 (supercharged), '70 MG Midget (K-Series + Type 9), '76 Triumph 2500TC, '72 Lotus Elan +2S130/4, '76 Triumph Spitfire 1500.
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PostPost by: checkrail » Sun Jun 02, 2024 11:44 am

Yes it's running down from the bell housing/ block join
John.
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