Things You'll Need

• Philips head screwdrivers
• 10mm, 12mm, 14mm sockets
• 3 inch socket extension
• Pliers
• Appropriate basin to drain coolant
• 1 gallon of coolant
• Distilled water

Lotus Specific Parts Required

Section K - Cooling Parts List

• Replacement Radiator, if required.
  • Series 1 and 2: 026K0001
  • Series 3: A026K0001
  • Series 4, Sprint and Plus 2: A050K0001

Tips and Warnings

• Do not begin this job when the car is hot. You might get burned, and you might not be able to drain the coolant properly. Opening the system when it is hot could result in a steam release.
• Do not over or under tighten the hose clamps. Over tightening breaks the necks and under tightening allows coolant to leak when the system is under pressure.
• When you reinstall your radiator, be very careful not to damage the cooling fins. They bend like aluminum foil and damaged fins will reduce the cooling ability of your radiator.
• Automotive coolant is highly poisonous, but its sweet flavor makes it attractive to animals. Keep pets away from your work area and keep coolant sealed.

Items To Consider

• Aftermarket electric fans. Any aftermarket electric fans will need to be removed and installed per the manufactures instructions.

Best Practices

• Replace the thermostat when changing a radiator
• Flush the cooling system and install new coolant
• Replace upper and lower hoses with new clamps

You Might Also

• Check for water pump leaks
• Check belt tensions

To Remove

This section would have pictures included for each step of the way. Sample pictures are not Lotus specific for example.

1. Remove the Bonnet (See Section 'B').
2. Drain the cooling system (Section 'K.3'). Retain the coolant if an anti-freeze solution is being reused.
3. Release the clips from the forward ends of top and bottom water hoses. Pull off hoses from their locations on the radiator. Pull off the overflow hose between radiator and expansion bottle (where fitted).
4. From each side flange of the radiator, remove two bolts with their nuts and washers securing the radiator to its mounting brackets. Lift out radiator from its location.
   Note: Series 1 and 2: The radiator securing nuts are situate on the underside of the body shell.

To Replace

1. Place radiator in position and secure to its mounting brackets. Note that on Series 1 and 2 cars, mounting studs are attached to the underside of the radiator, these in their turn passing through rubber blocks and then through the body shell. Washers and 'Nyloc' nuts are used for the retention of the radiator.
2. Re-attach top and bottom water hoses and secure with their clips. Replace the overflow hose.
3. Check that the fan is between 1/8in. to 3/16 in. (3 to 5 mm.) from the radiator matrix.
4. Close both the radiator and cylinder block drain taps and refill cooling system (Section'K.3').
5. Replace the bonnet (see Section 'B').

© Lotus Cars Limited. (1971). Lotus Elan Workshop Manual (Part No. 36T327). Norwich Norfolk, England: Author. The information on this page is a derivative work based on copyrighted materials owned by Lotus Cars. Any use or reproduction of the information and/or data owned by Lotus Cars Limited requires permission from Lotus Cars Limited.