Cooling Fan

[MetBlue]

You'll be unlikely to get far with a coat hanger I'm afraid. After much struggle, I just about managed to get some welding wire into mine, but it's almost impossible. The pipe goes from the top of the front tank to the bottom of the rear tank with 2 off 90 degree bends!!!
When I had problems last year, I took the tank off and with some blanking plugs and compressor set to 10PSI, I was able to test the seal on the front (holding in a bucket of water) then by winding pressure up, see the rear overflow eventually open. This convinced me the pipe was not totally blocked.
Tony

[lambert.john]

My offside cooling fan appears to have seized. (Unfortunately, just as I have some longer trips planned).
Any ideas how this can come about? Does it mean a new unit?
(Am wondering if I can risk going ahead with only one fan working).

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I ran my 89SE with only one fan for 10+ years. But I have an EWP which can run full tilt at idle if required, unlike the std pump.

That said, your issue is ONLY at idle/slow running, so if at a standstill, you do have the option of turning off the engine. And/or as long as your std water pump is in good condition, AND your rad isn't blocked, you can definitely get away with just one fan.

Some Excels only had one fan as std IIRC, but I can't remember which MYs.

If you do decide to go ahead with the one fan I would remove the defective fan as it only contributes to baffling the exit air from the rad (you will get better air flow with one fan).

[lambert.john]

Thanks for the reassurance, Peter; much appreciated.

[rbgosling]

Yeah, I'd agree with Peter.

[AndrewWebber]

My offside cooling fan appears to have seized. (Unfortunately, just as I have some longer trips planned).
Any ideas how this can come about? Does it mean a new unit?
(Am wondering if I can risk going ahead with only one fan working).

Something on engine cooling fans (Elite S1), one of mine has been getting noisy and sometimes slowing down considerably. Probably bearing(s), rather than take it out to fix properly a 'bodge' seems to have worked, at least for a month or so now. Opening the bonnet gives some but not much access. I wanted to try an get a little light oil up into the motor at open fan end. I tried bending bits of small dia tube etc no joy, then went for it. Switched the fan on, luckily it was having a spin fast rather than slow moment, quirted the oil onto the fan towards the inner end of the blades, hey presto, atomised oil mist blown back into the motor... no issues with noise or speed for the last month, including deliberately running the fan by switching heater controls to air con / cold.... we shall see how long it works

Andy

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Good idea.

I've squirted wd40 in that area before but not with the fan running. Anyhow wd40 isn't optimum for that. I'd use a proper oil spray next time.