NEW MEMBER- CHESHIRE with an engine question

[Taggart]

Greetings, I am a new member having recently acquired a S2 with original Renault engine.
I have owned a Lancia for 20 years and recently sold it to move onto something more interesting!
The website is excellent and I have learned a lot about my new baby.

My car is in good nick just needing a bit of cosmetic improvement which I am working on in between working as a full time "Key Worker" at present.

I took the car for a good run last weekend to get it well warmed up and check everything was working. I noticed there was a considerable discharge from the swirl pot overflow when fully heated up. I had previously topped it up to the brim.

I know from my Lancia experience they did not like to be filled to the top and settled a bit below the top of the radiator.

With the wealth of experience on here does anybody think I should be concerned? I am thinking head joint or liner seal problems are a potential problem.

Any suggestions?   

[Kendo]

Hi Taggart, welcome to Bedlam.

I have a later model, so don't know all of the S2 details. But when you add coolant, there is a bleed screw on the top of the radiator to let air out of the system. It might be that you just have to spend a little more time in that topping up exercise.

[JR73]

 
Pretty sure the swirl pot shouldn’t be brimmed to the top, as has been said it’s worth making sure that the rad is bled and there are no air locks.

You aren’t very far from me, roughly where are you in Warrington?

Only fair that you post some pictures of your car too!

Jon

[BDA]

  Taggert!!!

I concur with others here. I generally fill my swirl pot up to about half full or a little more. I think you got the expected result by topping it off.

I agree with Jon. We want to see pictures!!!

There is a size limit to pictures. Here is one method of resizing your pictures: http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=1379.0

Here is another: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_55eg00H-w&feature=youtu.be

[jbcollier]

Renault engines have a true swirl pot.  As above, about half full cold.  If you fill it all the way up, it will push out coolant when the engine warms up so you have experienced nothing worrisome yet.

TC engines have an overflow tank which has some flow through it to remove air from the top rad hose.  47s had a lovely swirl pot a part of the thermostat housing.  I'd fit one if I had a TC engine.

[literarymadness]

 

[EuropaTC]

Hi Taggart, and another 

You've already had the answer on swirl pot filling although I suppose it's worth checking that the pressure cap seal is working properly as well.

The missus & I both come from Runcorn, just along the river from you,  although it's a long time since we were there. I used to be in Warrington Road Club (cycling) as well and as the nearest "big" town to Runcorn it used to be a popular trip back then.

Brian

[dakazman]

 

 Taggart   
  Glad to hear about another S2 Renault powered 😃 Europa on the road. I’m not there yet, thanks for  helping me.
  Please post some pictures and keep it up. It’s your journey now and maybe after 20 years you can point to when all your fun started. 😂
Dakazman  0453R

[lotusfanatic]

Hello Taggert!

 

Mark

[Bainford]

Welcome to the forum, Taggart. As mentioned, it is powered by Europa photos We're always eager to see what is in everyone else's garage. Cheers 

[SilverBeast]

   I was raised in Sale (Brooklands actually) and first saw and sat in a Europa that was traded in at the Garage I worked at on Saturdays. My parents didn't feel that it would be a good idea lending me the money to buy it - probably because I wrote off my mum's Vauxhall Viva within 12 months of passing my test. And that was my second accident in it!

[Taggart]

Many thanks for the kind welcomes and useful advice.

It looks like good weather this weekend so I will take the car for a run to check everything is ok.

I have attached a photo (I think) and will take some more at the weekend

The car was originally registered in Jersey then spent a good few years in France. It returned to UK in 2019.

The last owner appears to have spent a small fortune on it backed up by receipts. I think his money must have run out on the interior as it is all new parts but badly fitted with a lot of gaps etc. The heater cable and pedal rubbers are totally missing but nothing that cannot be sorted.

The car went through Bonhams Auction last summer, (on my birthday which must be an omen). It was bought by a dealer who was not able to shift it with all the Lockdown business going on so he was open to a negotiation and glad to move it on.

Thanks again.   

[Broadside]

 
I think I saw that for sale recently, looks lovely!! We could be heading for a Shropshire/Staffordshire/Cheshire borders meet soon!!!
Graham

[jbcollier]

As the engine is of unknown provenance, I would re-torque the cylinder head and adjust the valves over and above the usual oil and filter change.

(looks very nice!)

[S2Zetec54]

Welcome to the Forum, cracking looking Europa