Coolant Pump
From WikiLEC
| There are two pumps within the cooling system:
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The coolant pump is located next to the left hand headlight pod (when sat in the car). It is a little electric pump with two wires and two hoses attached.
The electric pump operates when the engine temp is very high, but the engine is turned off. The fans and pump use the same switch (next to the thermostat).
To test the pump:
- Run the engine until the fans come on
- Turn off the engine
- Listen to the pump (it's quiet, so go around to the front of the car).
The pump has its own fuse, so if the fans operate but the pump does not, check the fuse first! It's located under the dash-cover (remove the two screws and lift off). It is fuse #4 in Fuse Box C.
Replacements
During my research, Ashaman found a site which showed a very similar pump. It had been used in the past to replace a Mercedes coolant pump, which is very similar to the Lotus pump.
This pump is 12 volt and features a magnetic drive - this means that there is no way for water to ever get into the electrics. It also means that if a foreign body got into the impeller and jammed it, the motor should not burn out.
I purchased my pump in the UK from Southern Marine Supplies.
Direct Link: 59500-0012 Jabsco 59500 circulation pump
It cost me £95 inc VAT, compared to the Lotus part at £195 inc VAT.
When the pump arrived it turned out to be EXACTLY the same shape and size as the original. Even the wire colouring is the same. Only difference seems to be that they recommend a 2.5amp fuse rather than the 5amp recommended for the original pump.
Fitting
- Make sure that the coolant is COLD!
- No need to drain coolant, not much spills as the pump is at the top of the system.
- Loosen the water pipes attached to the pump.
- Remove the 8mm bolt holding the pump in place.
- Keep the piece of rubber that is wrapped around the pump for fitting the new one.
- Get the new pump ready, then quickly pull the water hoses off the old pump and place onto the new one.
- Fit new pump in the mount with the rubber etc.
- Cut the power lead for the old pump and use an electrical joining block to connect the wires to the old connector (or use a new connector).
