Water water everywhere

[Phil_B]

Showing my ignorance of the workings of the thing, but here goes.

Every now and again I get liquid (presumed water) ejected from the front nearside headlight. If I look inside the lid there is evidence of water having been sprayed about a bit, but no leak. (Near to a cold cylinder thing, that at first I thought was to do with the air con, but it is connected with rubber hose (not pressured pipe) and so presumably is something to do with water)

Now I know the V8 cooling system is complex, and have located the expansion tank (behind wheel ), and obviously the header resevoir. I also know that under certain driving conditions the water can be ejected if there is a pressure build up due to rapid heating. However the question is have I put two and two together and got four, or a more irrational number. For all I know this could be the ejection point as I haven't been able to locate it.

Can anyone enlighten me as to the possible origin of said water , and if not can anyone tell me where the water ejection point is from the cooling system.

Many thanks

Phil B

[Bibs]

Sorry, I'm no v8 cooling guru, in fact I know nothing about it apart from that I guess it has a cooling system. What it is tho', is what do you mean by ejecting water?

Does it do it when stationary? Only at speed? Is it splashes or a concentrated squirt?

[Phil_B]

Only when the car is moving, never when stationary, and it looks like a burst of liquid, on the inside of the nearside headlamp cluster. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will know straight away but I'm B******d if I can work it out.

Might try and take a picture at some point.

Phil B

[Bibs]

Call me simple but could the drain hole in the bottom of the pod recess be blocked and you're accumulating water which is splashing out at times? There's nothing else in there afaik that could result in water in the pod?

I had this problem, and as it's pretty well enclosed, water from a wash can sit in there for weeks even when it's hot, only to leave when I'm driving along.

If it's this, I'd recommend undoing the 10mm bolt on the arm from the motor to the pod, at the motor end and lifting the pod up and having a good clean. A bit of rust floating down there can block the small hole and then your lights are sitting in a puddle which isn't good.

[Phil_B]

Ahh. You know that is worth investigating, and it has a ring of possibility. The reason it looks splashed around I guess is that I look at it AFTER I have driven, rather than before, and so therefore could be churned around. I'll check that out this weekend. Cheers Bibs.

Phil B

[Bibs]

While you're there Phil, give the inside of the recess and all the pod a good polish

Also, take the plastic covers off from the front of the light surround and check the metal fitting plates found behind are in good condition and not rusting or this problem will re-occur. They are cheap to replace and easy to fit

[Guest Troy Halliday]

I agree with Dibs your rad sits under the nose cone could be the top hose aswell but I would check the drain plug first.

[pitstoppete]

this is well trod territory. when the drain hole blocks up, any water (especially when u wash the car with a hose pipe) collects in the huge headlight pod well, and youll find it sprays out at spped as others have mentioned, and if u flash the lights when the pods are full it covers the whole car nicely. flip the lights up and poke out the junk from the hole.

[toyroom]

The ejection point for coolant is the small pipe fastened to the small expansion tank in the rear right side wheelarch. Collant loss is, however rare and any consistent drop in coolant is a major cause for concern. If the car is pre 98 and has not had a rebuild, failure of the seals of the cylinder liners is common (and expensive) with a rebuild coming in at the equivalent of ten thousand dollars plus. Hence: pray this doesn't happen to you. All this stuff is in the workshop manual which, at fifty pounds or thereabouts is a bargain for any lover of the Esprit and the source of many hours of recreational learning.

[CNH]

I'll go with a leaf or debris has blocked drain hole.

I use a wire coat hanger, insert it a drinking straw to avoid paint damange and slide it into the pod opening and clear the drain.

It is really annoying after wash and drying the car onlt to have it spit drops of water all over the front on a drive.

[lotusracing]

Check to see if the water is accumulating in the headlight pod.

Should have a small drain hole in it but they get pluged easliy.

Water should not be ejected anywere ...

-Larry

[Paul C]

Guys!

The resource is there, take a wee peek from time to time

http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EMainten...lockedPods.html

[Phil_B]

Yep. Pod drain blocked. (actually did this a long time ago after the first such suggestion, and then failed to post an update).

Phil B