Lotus Elan

Heater problem

PostPost by: Davidb » Fri Apr 12, 2024 4:59 pm

We rarely have a problem with heaters in the Elans-they are so simple if not exactly great.

After years of working fine mine has suddenly developed an odd problem. I get lots of heat and air out of the l/h (drivers) side only air and no heat out of the r/h side! This doesn't seem to be possible but there it is.

Any suggestions as to cause?
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PostPost by: Davidb » Fri Apr 12, 2024 9:28 pm

Well, as you were! The heater is now working normally. This after months of only working on the l/h side.
All I did was look at it and threaten...
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PostPost by: ericbushby » Fri Apr 12, 2024 10:10 pm

Hi David,
Please tell us that all you did was open the air flap on the right hand side because that was what we all thought.
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PostPost by: Davidb » Fri Apr 12, 2024 10:27 pm

No, I am not THAT senile yet! :roll: My co-driver and I both played with it and could get no heat out of the heater outlet or the demist. Now both are working. I did add some foam between the heater box and the lid but it had always worked reasonably well with the gap there.
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PostPost by: ericbushby » Sat Apr 13, 2024 8:50 am

Sorry David, but I do lots of things which I hope no one finds out about and correct them quickly. It is still a mystery then!
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PostPost by: The Veg » Wed Apr 17, 2024 9:29 pm

Davidb wrote:We rarely have a problem with heaters in the Elans-they are so simple if not exactly great.


Try a Plus 2 then. Mine is so warm that I generally don't have to use the heater at all above around 45F/7.2C outside.
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PostPost by: Davidb » Wed Apr 17, 2024 9:53 pm

Thanks for the responses/comments. I would like to try a Plus Two! (Hint)

It seems to be working normally now-I dunno what was going on the last time we tried to use it.

I will shortly be going on the Spring Thaw Rally-this is about 1200 miles over a long weekend, through the mountains and back again. We WILL get rain and we sometimes get snow-it will be around freezing in some areas.

I will report back.
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PostPost by: gus » Sat Apr 20, 2024 12:45 pm

You probably woke the mouse up
As to the +2 being hot, yup
Combination of poor firewall sealing and no coolant valve.
I added a valve years ago and it helped.
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PostPost by: Davidb » Sat Apr 20, 2024 3:04 pm

My Elan S2 remains cool in all conditions.
I had the exhaust headers ceramic coated and I glued reflective insulation to both foot boxes. Plus, I have a large, double pass radiator.
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PostPost by: The Veg » Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:19 pm

gus wrote:As to the +2 being hot, yup
Combination of poor firewall sealing and no coolant valve.
I added a valve years ago and it helped.


I added a valve too, still fairly warm.
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PostPost by: h20hamelan » Tue Apr 23, 2024 5:22 pm

Has anyone wrapped their exhaust manifold to reduce cabin heat, options?
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