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      02-16-2012, 08:51 AM   #1
cadman50
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Grill patterns on each side below the foglights (35i, non-Msport)

Below the foglights on either side is a mesh-like grill. On the left side the grill is open but on the right side, it's solid plastic behind the grill and attached to the grill. And on the right side, there is just one opening in the upper left corner of the grill. Visually it looks unbalanced with the left side being open. I just picked mine up yesterday and happened to see this. The dealer tells me that all 35i's (non-Msport) are like this and I forgot to look if there were others I could compare to. I can't believe it's wrong but I'm just checking. They tell me the left side is open because of airflow to the turbo intercooler (if I'm getting that terminology right). I wonder why the right side wouldn't be open also.
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      02-16-2012, 08:59 AM   #2
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All the 35's are like that, including msport. Oil cooler on one side and outside air-temp sensor on the other.
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      02-16-2012, 09:02 AM   #3
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maybe the grill restricts airflow so its left open so free air without restrictions flow right into intercooler/turbos
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      02-16-2012, 09:06 AM   #4
Beyu
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Your dealer is right, the left side is indeed open because of the intercooler behind the mesh, since there's only one intercooler and nothing behind the right mesh there's no need to have airflow going in. If you're bored and decide to look around the car you can also find some air ducts that don't seem to lead anywhere.

Either way it would have been nice if they made both mesh grills open so the car stays symmetrical .
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      02-16-2012, 09:13 AM   #5
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Since Lotus isn't around anymore , and just to avoid confusion later - or surprise when you smash into something on that side, it's an oil cooler, not an intercooler.





No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number
01 Engine oil cooler 1 17217601536
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      02-16-2012, 01:08 PM   #6
cadman50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beyu View Post
Your dealer is right, the left side is indeed open because of the intercooler behind the mesh, since there's only one intercooler and nothing behind the right mesh there's no need to have airflow going in. If you're bored and decide to look around the car you can also find some air ducts that don't seem to lead anywhere.

Either way it would have been nice if they made both mesh grills open so the car stays symmetrical .
Exactly!! Never noticed it before but when i was looking around the car closely when I picked it up I saw that. It did look strange, especially when the covered one only has a small 'cell' of mesh open and the rest covered. I was ready to say I'm not taking the car because of that defect
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      02-16-2012, 01:41 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bren View Post
Since Lotus isn't around anymore , and just to avoid confusion later - or surprise when you smash into something on that side, it's an oil cooler, not an intercooler.





No. Description Supplement Qty From Up To Part Number
01 Engine oil cooler 1 17217601536
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      02-16-2012, 04:05 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Beyu View Post
Your dealer is right, the left side is indeed open because of the intercooler behind the mesh, since there's only one intercooler and nothing behind the right mesh there's no need to have airflow going in. If you're bored and decide to look around the car you can also find some air ducts that don't seem to lead anywhere.

Either way it would have been nice if they made both mesh grills open so the car stays symmetrical .
Opening cost fuel mileage. They have it closed to improve the efficiency.
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      02-17-2012, 06:51 PM   #9
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I don't like the way the closed grill looks on our msport either, I was thinking of using a dremel to open up the holes, but the fuel efficiency comment might have some truth to it.
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      02-17-2012, 08:19 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by jsplayin View Post
I don't like the way the closed grill looks on our msport either, I was thinking of using a dremel to open up the holes, but the fuel efficiency comment might have some truth to it.
In fact, the 5 series and the 7 series have electrically controlled flap in the kidney grill that closes when the engine doesn't need the cooling to improve fuel efficiency. Openings in the front of the car lead to stagnation points and massive pressure gradients. I'm no aero guy but you can look at pictures of racecars or hybrids and see how the openings in the front is minimal!
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      02-17-2012, 10:23 PM   #11
cadman50
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Seems odd that the little area on one side only would affect anything since there are alot of openings in the front end anyway. That one is the smallest. Even stranger is that there is one small opening in the covered piece. Maybe they discovered that closing it completely makes a noise or something unusual and just putting a hole in it alleviates the issue.
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      02-17-2012, 10:33 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman50 View Post
Seems odd that the little area on one side only would affect anything since there are alot of openings in the front end anyway. That one is the smallest. Even stranger is that there is one small opening in the covered piece. Maybe they discovered that closing it completely makes a noise or something unusual and just putting a hole in it alleviates the issue.
That one small opening is for the sensor for measuring external temperature.
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      02-18-2012, 10:14 AM   #13
cadman50
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Originally Posted by Earlofessex View Post
That one small opening is for the sensor for measuring external temperature.
I measure it by sticking my hand out the window
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      02-18-2012, 11:01 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadman50 View Post
I measure it by sticking my hand out the window
Can't open the windows! That's bad for your fuel economy!
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