can't hold idle

[davidwinegar]

Does anyone have any advice where to look if I can't get the idle to
hold? I have delorto carbs and a Pazon electronic ignition fitted.
The idle just won't hold. It tends to die after a few seconds if I
don't give it some extra gas, but is fine while the choke is out and
runs perfect at speed.

Does anyone have any ideas where to look? I have thought that perhaps
the battery is weak and the electronic ignition is just not providing
enough spark--or perhaps the mixture is too weak--or perhaps the fuel
filter is clogged?

In regards to the fuel filter, does anyone have any advice how to get
it out without removing the carbs?

Appreciate the help.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S

[Bill Barry]

Check for any air leaks. Carb to manifold, throttle shaft clearance/seals,
etc. If you are sucking in extra air it will upset your mixture. If it
leans out too much the engine will die. If it runs with the choke out, you
are enrichening the mixture and, perhaps compensating for an air leak. Good
luck!



-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Behalf Of david_c_w
Sent: 15 May 2006 14:52
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] can't hold idle


Does anyone have any advice where to look if I can't get the idle to
hold? I have delorto carbs and a Pazon electronic ignition fitted.
The idle just won't hold. It tends to die after a few seconds if I
don't give it some extra gas, but is fine while the choke is out and
runs perfect at speed.

Does anyone have any ideas where to look? I have thought that perhaps
the battery is weak and the electronic ignition is just not providing
enough spark--or perhaps the mixture is too weak--or perhaps the fuel
filter is clogged?

In regards to the fuel filter, does anyone have any advice how to get
it out without removing the carbs?

Appreciate the help.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S

[marcfuller]

There are a couple of very good Weber/Dellorto sidedraft
tuners/troubleshooters including Keith Franck posting now at -
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidedraft_central/

You might join/ask that group.

[Esprit2]

On the forward side of the rear carb you will find the Idle Speed Screw.
It passes through a boss on the side of the barrel and then presses against
the end of one of the throttle linkage arms. Turning the screw clockwise
will press down on the linkage arm and increase the idle speed.

Good luck,
Tim Engel



----- Original Message -----
From: "david_c_w" <***@***.***>

[Gordon Sauer]

My Webers with that trouble usually have a gunked up idle circuit and pulling
the idle jet and cleaning jet and passages with carb cleaner shots helps
until real need for rebuild is undertaken. My +2 book shows similarly designed
Dellortos might have same problem in cars that don't get used much--if that
doesn't fit your car, then probably due to something others have mentioned.
Gordon Sauer

[davidwinegar]

Thanks everyone for the words of advice. I think the place I will
start is the air leaks. I know that it is not as simple as the idle
speed screw as essentially it is at the right speed, it just does not
hold that speed for long. I might try also doing some cleaning.

What about the fuel filter--is it worth trying to pull it out and
clean it? Does anyone know can you get at the damn thing without
taking the carbs off?

Thanks again for the help.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S



--- In ***@***.***, "david_c_w" <david_c_w@...> wrote:

[triumphelan]

Tou can test for leaks arround the manifold/carb using WD 40,spray whilst enginge is running if the revs increase you have a leak
Regards John 1969 S4 dhc
----- Original Message -----
From: david_c_w
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 7:59 AM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Thanks--what about the fuel filter? Re: can't hold idle


Thanks everyone for the words of advice. I think the place I will
start is the air leaks. I know that it is not as simple as the idle
speed screw as essentially it is at the right speed, it just does not
hold that speed for long. I might try also doing some cleaning.

What about the fuel filter--is it worth trying to pull it out and
clean it? Does anyone know can you get at the damn thing without
taking the carbs off?

Thanks again for the help.

David
Helsinki, Finland
1970 +2S



--- In ***@***.***, "david_c_w" <david_c_w@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any advice where to look if I can't get the idle to
> hold? I have delorto carbs and a Pazon electronic ignition fitted.
> The idle just won't hold. It tends to die after a few seconds if I
> don't give it some extra gas, but is fine while the choke is out and
> runs perfect at speed.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas where to look? I have thought that perhaps
> the battery is weak and the electronic ignition is just not providing
> enough spark--or perhaps the mixture is too weak--or perhaps the fuel
> filter is clogged?
>
> In regards to the fuel filter, does anyone have any advice how to get
> it out without removing the carbs?
>
> Appreciate the help.
>
> David
> Helsinki, Finland
> 1970 +2S
>












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["pigmaster78"]

David,

I doubt it's the fuel filter and you only have probelms at idle. If
the filter is clogged you would have more restriction at full fule flow.

Guy Arnos
'67 S3 Elan
45/7143
'70 S2 Europa
65/2400

--- In ***@***.***, "david_c_w" <david_c_w@...> wrote:

[davidwinegar]

Thanks everyone--I got it. It was one of the air inlet screws (not
sure what it is really called) that was open and after tightening them
down it is running good again.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

David
+2S Helsinki


--- In ***@***.***, "david_c_w" <david_c_w@...> wrote: