Psycho.

Update on the problem…. When looking at the 2nd expansion tank in the boot (trunk 😉) I noticed coolant leaking from the bottom of the tank, initially I thought the tank had split. I decided to remove and clean the tank out (loads of crud in bottom). After cleaning and testing the tank, (fortunately no leak). I started to put it back and inspected the bottom hose to the tank and noticed it had a tiny split where the jubilee clip goes. I cut the pipe back and reconnected…..leak sorted I did as Atwell suggested, some time at high rpm. The level in the expansion tank started to rise near the top, I shut the car down, left it for a while until level dropped back to the fill level. I repeated the process, this time the level went up a little then back down to fill level when I switched off. I left for 45 minutes and the tank was empty. I filled it up to the fill level and repeated the high rev process again, but this time with the rear of the car jacked up, level rose again but not to the top, then dropped back to fill level when switched off. 45 mins later tank was empty. Filled again to fill level and repeated rpm process, this time level in tank was more stable. Switched off and 45 minute later tank was almost empty again. CC did get a little bit hot but nothing like it did before. I’ll drive the car over the weekend and keep an eye on it, hopefully it was just air in the system. If it isn’t, then it’s chargecooler off for cleaning as well as a serious flush out of the whole system. I really hope it’s not a head gasket problem, 😱 there’s no sign of any water in the oil. I really don’t know where the coolant is going, there’s no sign of any leaks

Thanks John, I'll probably use what you suggested unless someone else comes along with something else.

The coolant that’s in there is red. When I flush the system, I will use a red longlife antifreeze that is suitable for nonferrous metals. It’s supposed to clean and protects against corrosion, attacks and helps preserve the non-ferrous components in your engine. It contains 95% Mono Ethylene Glycol and 5% Corrosion Inhibitor. I’m a bit worried about using something like CRL, most of those cleaners have acid in them that can attack the aluminium. I was considering having the chargecooler ultrasonically cleaned, maybe I’ll put another post up to get people’s views on this. The first time the coolant came out of the expansion tank, I checked the chargecooler and it was an OUCH moment! However, the other night when it did it again it was only luke warm to the touch. I removed the fill plug (yes it was tight) and the coolant started to pour out of the top. I did wonder at this stage whether a pipe could be blocked. Yes the car has separate CC and engine coolant tanks.

Thanks Atwell, I did give it a blast at XXXmph down the motorway last night hoping it might clear any air, maybe I need to give it really dammed good thrashing 😁 When the car stops, the coolant does expand and pushes quite a lot of coolant out through the elbow and hose at the top of the expansion tank in the boot/trunk. This morning I cold filled the expansion tank to the fill line and the level has remained at that level all day. The new expansion tank cap I got from SJ Sportscars has a rubber seal, the old one was a metal ring, I assume the rubber seal is better. I think for peace of mind I need to flush the whole system out. Would you recommend using something like a radiator flushing fluid or just water? My only concern is, if there’s a load of crud in the pipes and the CC, will a water flush just move the crud around and block somewhere else? I was thinking of flushing it from the front where the pipes connect to the rad and from the rear where the pipes enter the CC. Ideally, I’d like to remove the CC and clean that out but I’m not sure if you can use any strong chemicals to remove the crap from inside? The car did sit from 2006 to 2012 and only did 50 to 100 miles a year after 2012. I don’t know if the PO drained the system when it was not being used. The header tanks have quite a lot of rust inside. You are right, the way to go is electric CC pump, but as the PO replaced the impeller less than 100 miles ago, I thought I’d run this until winter then I’ll change it for an electric pump.

Hi all, I have an issue with coolant pressurising in the expansion tank located in the left hand side of the boot. The PO replaced the chargecooler pump impeller, chargecooler/AC condenser, A/C condenser, A/C compressor and A/C belt just before I bought the car in November last year. When I drive the car 10 to 15 miles the water starts to pour out of the expansion tank overflow pipe under pressure. The temperature gauge reads normal so car is not overheating. Fans kick in when they’re supposed to. I have changed the CC tank cap as well as the expansion tank cap but problem still occurs. When the car cools down, the coolant drops in the CC header tank and the expansion tank is almost dry. There are no visible signs of any leaks in the pipework. When driving it last night, I turned the heater control to hot and no hot air was coming out, not sure if this helps anyone in diagnosing problem. A/C is working fine. The CC was really hot the first time it happened but last night the CC was warm when I switched engine off. Could I have an airlock in the system? The car had been standing for some time before I bought it and I was wondering if some of the cooling pipes could be full of crap. I would welcome any suggestions from all you experts )

Hi Bibs, I know this is an old thread, fantastic job. I am currently stripping out the interior of my 1990 Esprit SE to re colour the same panels that you did. I've got almost all the leather panels out but I'm baffled on how to get the centre console section out, the pod that holds the radio and A/C controls. Rather than risk causing any damage, can you tell me where the screws are that hold this in? I'm sure it's something simple.

Hi Ramjet, I did look at the possibility of fitting a later model power steering but it seems like too much hassle. The electric PS unit looks like an easier solution, no hydraulics to worry about. Bibs, I've already taken the spare out, it did make a little difference but steering is still heavy. Maybe I've been spoilt with all these modern cars with PAS 🙄

Hi to everyone, As you will see I'm new here, having purchased a 1990 Esprit Turbo SE, I will be looking for some good technical/practical advice from all Esprit owners. One of the first jobs on the list is to have the seats recovered in black leather along with the rest of the magnolia trim. Car was originally Calypso Red but had a colour change by the previous owner in 1997, new colour is Burt Orange. Second job on list is to fit EPAS because the steering is causing real problems with my tennis elbow. Any tips or useful information on fitting EPAS on the Esprit will be greatly appreciated. Cheers in advance, Kevin