[amanda11270]

Is the radiator in my 88 the same as the later years upto the v8 Esprit? I am getting a slight leak near the upper radiator hose on the pass side and cant make a determination if its the hose or the radiator.

 

[jtrealty]

Is the radiator in my 88 the same as the later years upto the v8 Esprit? I am getting a slight leak near the upper radiator hose on the pass side and cant make a determination if its the hose or the radiator.

As much as it may appear to be the hose it is most likely the radiator.
David Teitelbaum

 

[mieczkow]

The parts manual for 88-92 Esprits lists 3 part numbers for radiators:

DO82K4101F - non chargecooled, 2 row, 20 fins per inch
EO82K4101F - chargecooled, 3 row, 14 fins per inch, 54 mm frame
AO82K4237F - chargedcooled, 3 row, 14 fins per inch, 68 mm frame

I suspect your '88 has the 2 row if you have the original radiator in the car. The second two numbers apply to SE's and as you can see they have an extra row and a lower density fins/inch array. I am only guessing but I think you could probably make any of these fit in your '88 as I don't think any of the hose feed locations are changed on any of these radiators and given they are edge-fastened to the fiberglass "pod" I doubt whether the frame thickness would be a problem. The illustrated radiator in the parts manualdoes not reflect any real change in the critical dimensions of the radiator from '88 to '92.

When I did the rebuild of my own car (an '89) I just had my radiator re-cored. If you have an actual leak in the radiator, and it is the original, then you should consider re-coring it.

 

[carbuff]

As much as it may appear to be the hose it is most likely the radiator.
David Teitelbaum

^^ The irony is, you can't tell. :facepalm



I had my rad flushed and tested in '05 (warm running, turned out to be debris on the front) but by '09 there was a leak at that very same location that Mark is looking at. After pulling it again, I found it WAS because of the hose. (Had the rad re-cored at that point, anyway)

If you DO pull the radiator, the hoses should be attached and properly positioned before re-installation of the rad. So, take note before you remove it. Also note the position of the clamps (not that this helps access them, once the rad frame/radiator shroud is in place.)



Another Esprit radiator tip is to apply a smear of RTV on the front hose outlets before assembly. Coolant system pressure builds up before the t-stat opens, and a cold system is more likely to leak at that time as it has not yet expanded from the heat.

 

[amanda11270]

Here's the story, I dont know why, but I absolutely dont like working under the front of the car. But I forced myself to jack it up and get out my flashlight and can find nothing.

About a year ago I drove the car and when I came home I had it in my garage messing around with the idle and such when I noticed a small puddle under the area where the drain plug is, the car was hot that day. I later pulled and put sealant on and tightened the drain plug thinking that was it. It lost about a pint at that time.

Recently I came home on a hot day was running the AC on a longer drive, and the car leaked about the same amount on my garage floor, I jacked the car up a day later investigated everything, I could see trace amounts in the fins of the radiator near that hose on the passenger side upper, but no leaks after running and driving it again. I cant determine where the leak is, it comes and goes it seems, but not often do I see it. It also appears the fans have been blowing coolant back onto the pass control arm as its wet slightly.

This may sound nuts but it seems to leak after I let the car sit and it starts to cool down, I never see leaks in parking lots, just my shop floor those couple times.

 

[roblotus79]

It might not help, but I just went through this with mine. Some time prior to me owning the car (2 weeks now) the lower mounting point on the passenger side had been hit going over a speed bump of such. A small leak developed. We took the rad out etc. The weld between the end cap and core had been cracked open slightly.

It could be something like that as well. I could certainly tell that the top hose was not leaking, which in my case gave a sinking feeling as I then knew it was the core or the weld.

Cheers

Rob

 

[s2kseven]

The parts manual for 88-92 Esprits lists 3 part numbers for radiators:

DO82K4101F - non chargecooled, 2 row, 20 fins per inch
EO82K4101F - chargecooled, 3 row, 14 fins per inch, 54 mm frame
AO82K4237F - chargedcooled, 3 row, 14 fins per inch, 68 mm frame

I suspect your '88 has the 2 row if you have the original radiator in the car. The second two numbers apply to SE's and as you can see they have an extra row and a lower density fins/inch array. I am only guessing but I think you could probably make any of these fit in your '88 as I don't think any of the hose feed locations are changed on any of these radiators and given they are edge-fastened to the fiberglass "pod" I doubt whether the frame thickness would be a problem. The illustrated radiator in the parts manualdoes not reflect any real change in the critical dimensions of the radiator from '88 to '92.

When I did the rebuild of my own car (an '89) I just had my radiator re-cored. If you have an actual leak in the radiator, and it is the original, then you should consider re-coring it.

That's a good one Mieczk --- why not put it in one of the cross reference thread too?

 

[maxvelocity]

I go with Tom and have it re-cored if required. I hear problems from aluminum replacements.

 

[carbuff]

I go with Tom and have it re-cored if required. I hear problems from aluminum replacements.

SleekGT had his aluminum rad leak after 2 years of daily driving (I'm sure he would chime in with the brand or type when he sees this)


He then had his OE rad recored (again, I don't know if he stuck with two rows or went to three). It works OK, but he reports coolant temps a few degrees higher.


++++++++++++

There are several V8 owners that have used aluminum radiators for years without issue.

So, Just throwing it out there...

 

[sleekgt]

Is the radiator in my 88 the same as the later years upto the v8 Esprit? I am getting a slight leak near the upper radiator hose on the pass side and cant make a determination if its the hose or the radiator.

While this thread is for an aftermarket aluminum radiator, it is an 88 spec hose mounting - my leak was a cracked tank/fin assembly - see pics in thread.

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/eberin/lotus%20trip%20december%202013/DSCN6856_zps394dfdca.jpg