Oops, radiator exploded

Muncher · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:06

15 minutes into a trackday my radiator exploded in dramatic fashion.

Left on a low loader.

The ends are plastic, same as the Elise and apparently almost inevitable that they will blow at some point. I'll be having aluminium end boxes welded on by some bloke who works at Lotus, looking at £120.

Dup · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:16

Damn, that's a shame

What are VX220's like to own? I'll be 22 next year and I like the look of them. I fancy something with 2 seats while I have the chance, but it can't cost a fortune. I'd probably get an SW20 instead but they're quite common and sought after these days.

I hope you sort the problem out though.

NathanE · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:28

Front clam off jobbie :/

timbob · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:29

Boo, sorry to hear that! Hoping that you got back to the pitlane quickly enough to avoid engine damage?

Muncher · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:47

I stopped immediately and was pushed off the track, no danger of damage as the coolant was still above the min level.

I have already removed the rad, it took about 8 man hours (me and my Dad for 4 hours) as the whole front clam, and surrounding bits need to come off.

Hopefully will be back on the road asap as I need to move the car in 3 weeks time when we have building work.

I don't think there are many parts of the car that I haven't dismantled at some point or another now!

Would still thoroughly recommend ownership, is reasonably cheap if you are handy with a spanner.

Del Lardo · 15 Sep 2006 at 23:11

Bugger!!! Hope you can get it sorted soon. Dropping my Elise off at the garage tomorrow for a check up before my first track day on November 4th at Bedford (know it's a while off but she needs an MOT and I'm in the UK which is a bit of a rarity atm).

The_Dark_Side · 16 Sep 2006 at 10:49

Muncher said:
almost inevitable that they will blow at some point. I'll be having aluminium end boxes welded on by some bloke who works at Lotus, looking at £120.

a few owners i know have had their end caps banded on.
it's fairly common in racing although for £120 i think you've got a bargain on the welding work.

Muncher · 16 Sep 2006 at 21:35

I've got a £350 ProAlloy race spec rad, in the process of fitting it now. Actually got it for free but that's a long story...

To cap it all off, the exhaust on the Golf pretty much fell to bits today, sounds like a V8 now

New system required though