7 replies to this topic

[Robski]

Hi folks! I've just got back from 3 months in Australia and am due to drive out to Spain in the vx next week after I get her through the mot, so time is short! I've just driven to Swindon for a wedding and have noticed a small leak on the passenger side radiator hose. It seems to be coming from the bleed valve / screw. The screw seems to be done up properly. Having done a bit of searching it seems to be fairly common. The question is, does this mean a new hose? If so I'm guessing the 'uprated' silicone hose is the one to go for? I noticed that one member had fixed this with a jubilee clip around the bit of hose around the bleed valve. Probably not a good idea for me with a big drive to Spain coming up... Also, I saw someone mention an 'o' ring on the bleed valve. Can this be replaced to cure the problem? Finally, if it's a hose replacement job, can anyone recommend a place near Dartford, Kent? Many thanks in advance and sorry if I don't respond to this thread soon as I I need to get my arse into gear for this wedding! Also sorry for any mistakes as I'm on the phone! Cheers folks! Rob

[fezzasus]

I've got a jubilee clip around mind and haven't had a problem - keep in mind that all other hose connections are held with jubilee clips out of the factory - it's a sound solution. I'd suggest try it for a few days and see if the leak persists. (clean the area around the bleed valve so you can see new leaks) Of course, this relies of the seal between the hose and the bleed screw vent to have failed, if the O ring has failed this won't fix anything.

[Goosenka]

Get the lotus part not OEM as its £130 . Personally I would play it safe and get a new one rather than fix the old one. Don't know Kent but Amd in Essex are a good outfit? It's not a huge job but I am guessing you will need to drain the coolant system. Same thing happened to me.

Edited by Goosenka, 31 March 2012 - 11:33 AM.

[Kev S]

Put a jubilee clip on mine and did 3 track days with it on, no problem if this fixes it. New hose is a clam off job and when you have that off there's loads to do - new hoses, radiator, heater fix, battery, replace headlight bulbs with upgraded ones and ant thing else you can see while there. Elise parts / shop do silicon hoses

[christhegasman]

Had a cable tie around mine for 18 months Works fine

[Robski]

Cheers fellas! Thinking about it I'd probably be happier with a new hose... Better safe than sorry! Has anyone had any issues with the silicone replacement part? I think eliseparts / eliseshop (?) sells them. I guess it's worthwhile getting both sides done as it's probably a clam off job! Got to rush... wedding to go to! R

[Goosenka]

Put a jubilee clip on mine and did 3 track days with it on, no problem if this fixes it.

New hose is a clam off job and when you have that off there's loads to do - new hoses, radiator, heater fix, battery, replace headlight bulbs with upgraded ones and ant thing else you can see while there.

Elise parts / shop do silicon hoses

The bleed valve side is not a clam off job. I only know because I hung about the garage when they did it. Fiddly but not that bad.

[fezzasus]

Has anyone had any issues with the silicone replacement part? I think eliseparts / eliseshop (?) sells them.
I guess it's worthwhile getting both sides done as it's probably a clam off job!

Make sure you get the VX220 specific one - the Toyota engine S2 circulates water in the reverse direction so the bleed valve ends up on the other side - it's almost impossible to bleed the system this way (trust me, i've tried)

The hose for the other side is cheaper but frankly much less likely to fail because it doesn't have the bleed valve.