Help Oil leak

[tech1687]

Hi all, Well just went to move the car from one side of the garage to the other and found an oil leak from the front of the car under on passenger side front . I beleave its from the oil cooler, Oh let me give you some insight it's a 2005 Elise early built 2004 so it has the twin oil coolers. Has anyone ever had a leak from them? Thanks for your insight....

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by tech1687

Hi all, Well just went to move the car from one side of the garage to the other and found an oil leak from the front of the car under on passenger side front . I beleave its from the oil cooler, Oh let me give you some insight it's a 2005 Elise early built 2004 so it has the twin oil coolers. Has anyone ever had a leak from them? Thanks for your insight....

What are the last 4 digits of your VIN? A batch of cars had problems with the way the oil lines were crimped onto the oil coolers. They weren't crimped properly, so they eventually would come loose, leak, and in many cases, become completely detached. However, AFAIK, the early 2004 builds were usually OK. I'd be afraid of it getting worse, so it's best to get it looked at ASAP.

[tech1687]

It's 0234... thanks bud didn't want to move it after I noticed it.... I have been reading some of the post on the oil coolers and I'm going to take a peek at it tonight to see if its is at the coupler or line..

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by tech1687

It's 0234... thanks bud didn't want to move it after I noticed it.... I have been reading some of the post on the oil coolers and I'm going to take a peek at it tonight to see if its is at the coupler or line..

#234 is a pretty early build, May/June 2004?. Usually the crimping problem was more common on the later builds. With the oil leaking from the area you mentioned, I'd have to bet it's a cooler/line problem of some sort. Luckily, these things are fairly easy to diagnose once you get a good look at it. Good luck.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

What are the last 4 digits of your VIN? A batch of cars had problems with the way the oil lines were crimped onto the oil coolers. They weren't crimped properly, so they eventually would come loose, leak, and in many cases, become completely detached. However, AFAIK, the early 2004 builds were usually OK. I'd be afraid of it getting worse, so it's best to get it looked at ASAP.

Actually, the problem was with assembly and was subject to a Service Bulliten. The proper way to tighten the hoses onto the coolers requires the use of two wrenches - one to tighten the oil cooler hose and the other to hold the cooler side of the fitting in place (keep it from twisting). Apparently, some of the early cars were assembled without the use of the second wrench, and that leads to twisting strain on the cooler's fitting that can fail over time. Many of the early cars were repaired under warranty.

There also was a small number of cars with badly crimped fittings to the hose, but they were the exception. And they were on later cars.

Since this is on a very early car, I would suspect that there is a fracture in the oil cooler fitting. However, maybe if you are lucky, it's just a loose fitting - remember to use two wrenches to tighten it if that is the case.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Actually, the problem was with assembly and was subject to a Service Bulliten. The proper way to tighten the hoses onto the coolers requires the use of two wrenches - one to tighten the oil cooler hose and the other to hold the cooler side of the fitting in place (keep it from twisting). Apparently, some of the early cars were assembled without the use of the second wrench, and that leads to twisting strain on the cooler's fitting that can fail over time. Many of the early cars were repaired under warranty.

There also was a small number of cars with badly crimped fittings to the hose, but they were the exception. And they were on later cars.

Since this is on a very early car, I would suspect that there is a fracture in the oil cooler fitting. However, maybe if you are lucky, it's just a loose fitting - remember to use two wrenches to tighten it if that is the case.

Are you talking about the part that the hose fits onto cracking in some cases? I seem to remember something about that too.

[Demonized]

Jack the car up, take off passenger front wheel, take out the mudguard shield thingie (it has a name.... but.. yeah), if you can't locate the leak, take off the front aluminum underpanel, inspect from there.

It will help if you know what exactly is leaking.

[TimMullen]

Originally Posted by Cardinal

Are you talking about the part that the hose fits onto cracking in some cases? I seem to remember something about that too.

Yep. The tube that leads into the cooler that has the fitting on it that the hose's fitting screws onto. The twisting (from not using the second wrench) causes a fatigue crack to form in the tube.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by TimMullen

Yep. The tube that leads into the cooler that has the fitting on it that the hose's fitting screws onto. The twisting (from not using the second wrench) causes a fatigue crack to form in the tube.

[tech1687]

Its an original one..... I ate a bird into the oil cooler and he cause the leak in the fins of the oil cooler hahaha what away to go.... I now need a oil cooler son of a gun.... Do you recommend a factory oil cooler or is their an aftermarket solution that works..??? Thanks guys for you help....

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by tech1687

Its an original one..... I ate a bird into the oil cooler and he cause the leak in the fins of the oil cooler hahaha what away to go.... I now need a oil cooler son of a gun.... Do you recommend a factory oil cooler or is their an aftermarket solution that works..??? Thanks guys for you help....

Yup, that's a new one! I actually can't remember anyone talking about aftermarket coolers, so I'm guessing go with stock/OEM.

[buzzy]

Wow that is a new one. It's worth checking with bear01011 in the parts forum, he's always parting out Elise/Exiges...