I was a little late in getting the Elise out of hibernation this summer but there was a Lotus meet at a dealer about an hour from me and a friend was going so it was time to get the Lotus out.

But first some new oil and filter…..

Got the undertray off and lifted the Elise and… Oh why is there a small puddle of water on the floor??? This can’t be good, maybe don’t bother with that oil change yet.

I went hunting for the source of the water. I found what looked like either a leak from the water outlet at the front of the head or worse, head gasket failure. Then I noticed it was also wet at the back of the head. Due to the Rover K being tilted forward the fornt of the head is lower than the rear and the water wasn’t likely to be running upwards.

Some more searching around with my handy mirror on a stick then drying everything and letting it get wet again…..

…..it was clear the water was coming from the inlet manifold gasket then running down the side of the head and dripping off the front of the head. Result, I’ve got an inlet gasket somehwere and it’s a pretty simple job to change!

Pull as much coolant out of the expansion tank as possible first.

Start by disconnecting all pipes and electrical connectors.

Then undo the nuts/bolts holding the manifold to the head.

They’re akward to get at.

Manifold coming off.

The new gasket.

Head inlets covered for a bit of a clean up around the head.

Quick check the threads are clear.

All back together and no more leak! 🙂

Back to the original plan.

The Elise made it to the Lotus meet with no issues.