Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi All,

My 72 Federal Sprint had been sitting for 19 years before I bought it. Other than rebuild the carbs and put on a new fuel pump, I have done nothing else to the engine. I know that Elan water pumps do not like to sit and I will probably need to replace the water pump sooner than later. I have put about 500 miles on the car and so far so good.

My question is, what signs should I expect to see/hear that will let me know the water pump is going?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jay S.

Dripping from the bleed hole and/or play in the bearing are the common symptoms.

From what I've read in the past if the initial start up didn't do the seal in you should be ok.
But yes it'll leak out.

Thank you for your responses.

Jay S.

Last time my pump went I was in France with the car. From noticing the drip / leak I got about another 2-300 miles before I could feel play in the bearing and after that another 3-400 miles before water was coming out everywhere. Interestingly, even with the bearing completely shot, the pump didn't leak that much while I was actually driving. It was only when I stopped / in town at low revs that it poured out. Topping it up go me back to Dover and the AA got me home from there.

Have a look at this video of my failed water pump...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUsm7FD ... e=youtu.be

As 69S4 says, mine only packed up after a fast run, as I was parking up. There had been a little play for the last 20-30k miles. Was good for over 100k miles in total though..

Jeremy

That video was very helpful.

Thank you Jeremy!

JAS