Honeymoon in an Elan - next question

[Bahamayellow]

Obviously as per the previous post I am intending to travel down in the Elan from Bilbao to Biarritz on to the Camargue through the South of France and follow the Route du Napoleon back to Calais. We are taking 2.5 weeks to do it.

I have had added a TTR cooling system and a heavy duty starter and a new alternator.

Apart from the obvious parts needed Fan belt, plugs, oil, coolant, toolbox etc has anyone experienced any recurring problems on a long trip? Anyone experienced problems with the standard petrol pump in hot conditions?

Cheers

Mike

[bcmc33]

Mike,

For the feel-good factor make sure your insurance contains a good European recovery service.
If you have it, the chances are that you won't need it.

[Frank Howard]

Anyone experienced problems with the standard petrol pump in hot conditions?

Mike,

I'll probably get blasted for this, but I'm a firm believer in the standard mechanical pump. I've had my car for 22 years and I've rebuilt the pump once. I drive the car in hot weather conditions and the pump has never been affected. The main advantage of the electric pump seems to be the fact that if the car has sat for a long period of time causing the carbs to go dry, the electric pump will fill them up without cranking the engine. I use my car as a daily driver from April to November. Sure, when I start it up in April, I must crank it for 20 seconds or so before the carbs fill up and the engine starts. Because I use the car daily, after the initial start up, my car starts instantly as the carbs always have fuel in them. Avoiding that annual 20 second cranking each April just doesn't seem worth it to convert to an electric fuel pump which present their own problems.

First of all, it is my understanding that when electric fuel pump owners have starting and running problems, many times those problems can be traced to the electric fuel pump. Either it isn't working properly, or it isn't working at all. Second, there are several electric fuel pumps available and they all seem to pump at different fuel pressures. Couple this with the fact that the Webers appear to require a different fuel pressure than the Strombergs do. This leads to all sorts of fuel pressure issues which lead to the addition of a fuel pressure regulator which is another part that can fail. As a matter of fact, a couple of months ago I was helping a local member fix a nasty fuel leak. It turned out to be coming from the pressure regulator which was located near where the mechanical pump used to be which is one of the most crowded parts of the engine compartment. This fuel leak wouldn't have happened had he stuck with the mechanical fuel pump because the mechanical fuel pump doesn't require a regulator.

These are my experiences as I use my car daily. If you plan on using the car once every 90 days or less, then the electric pump makes a certain amount of sense. I just think it has the potential to create more problems than it solves. If you are going to worry about parts failing on your trip, there are plenty of other parts to worry about that have a much greater chance of failing. Best of luck Mike. Let us know how your trip went.

[tvacc]

What kind of ignition do you have? The only thing that has left me stranded is a Petronix.

I would carry a spare set of points, condenser, rotor and dist. cap.

Oh..one more that thing that stranded us in St Louis on a cross contenient trip from Seattle WA to Buffalo NY (I am in the USA) in my Elan was the water pump. But unless you have a removable cartridge pump...nothing you can do with that other than to flatbed it to a shop. You might want to bring a spare rebuilt kit, and gaskets with you.

There are pictures of our cross country trip on www.lotusowners.com. On the home page, about half way down.

[69S4]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the original mechanical fuel pump in good condition. When these things were current I either owned or had access to quite a number of cars with them and can only remember one occasion when we had a problem with one on my father's car. If it's working well I'd go with it and not worry.

However, I've had similar results with the electric pump on my Elan. Fitted back in the mid 80's it's been absolutely trouble free (and I struggle to think of another part of the car I could say that about!). The pressure regulator, likewise, has done what it's supposed to do without any problems. Unfortunately it has the disadvantage of having an adjustment screw and the temptation to "adjust" it has been irresistible to the point where I have no idea what pressure it's regulating to at the moment.

[simonknee]

Gaffa tape and cable ties.

The only thing that broke on the 2K miles around Germany and Italy last month was the cable tie that (I added) that stops the throttle return spring popping out.

Other than take the stuff that is unique. You'll find a coils and fan belts and electrical pumps, alternators and coolant if you need them as you go. So take the igintion stuff as in the earlier post. Also if you use 20W50 then take a litre since you'll not find that.

My main issue touring has always been fuel capacity. You only get a couple of hundred miles on a tank. My 5 litre plastic jerry can has saved my life more than once. Knowing how much further you can get when the needle is on empty is very useful (about 50 miles in my case if I am light on the throttle) Also watch out as Europe seems to be moving the 10% ethanol fuels. Get the Shell V-power were you can. In Germany it claims 100 RON octane rating!!

Back on your luggage question you'll be surprised at just how big a suitcase you can fit in the boot. Just do a test pack and see what goes. You can then pack your stuff around this and behind the seats in soft bags. However I do like to try and fit everything in the boot if I can. Plus I concur that you look out the rear window when driving on the right. You can actually see more than when on the correct side of the road!

Travelling Europe in an Elan is the absolute best fun ever!

[Bahamayellow]

Thanks for all the replies I have electronic ignition so no points to worry about. I will get a european breakdown policy as Brian says it gives peace of mind. Cable ties and gaffer tape always come in handy and a spare petrol can sound good.

Reason I ask about the petrol pump is that the car takes some turning over to get it started when it's hot.

Cheers, Mike

[Frank Howard]

My main issue touring has always been fuel capacity. You only get a couple of hundred miles on a tank.

Simon,

I can only assume you are running on Webers which are known for their slightly inferior fuel mileage, but 200 miles? That's half the 380 miles I cover with my Strombergs and I have the standard smaller tank that was put into the S4s and Sprints. Taking into consideration the fact that I believe my odometer is optimistic by 5%, I'm still covering 361 miles on a tank. Something must be wrong.

[Frank Howard]

Reason I ask about the petrol pump is that the car takes some turning over to get it started when it's hot.

Mike,

If your car is having trouble starting when hot, that's an issue that may have nothing to do with your mechanical fuel pump.

[msd1107]

RE: Luggage

Think twice about packing a suitcase. The form factor is generally not a good fit in the trunk.

What my wife and I would do is use soft bags meant to carry suits, which fit the width of the trunk perfectly. I would get one, my wife one or two. One bag could hold a few pairs of slacks, a few shirts etc. At the bottom, loosely packed, would be underwear and other small things etc. My wife had a small solid sided cosmetics case that went far forward in the trunk.

Then get a narrow picnic basket that fits between the front seats. Each morning pack bread, cheese, fruit, pate, wine, or what ever you might want for lunch. Then you can stop when convenient, eat leisurely, enjoy the view, take a nap, etc.

If you are wine shoppers, you can bring back cases by packing the bottles individually and flat behind the drivers and passenger seat, on the floor in front of the passenger seat, and flat neck-to-neck in one or two rows in the trunk.

We would go sometimes two weeks this way. We never thought to take spares (after all, the Lotus is reliable, better than the sedans we had!), except for enough oil since the oil consumption got to as much as 300 mi/qt eventually. We put 90K+ miles on the car this way. Climate conditions ranged from Las Vegas in the summer to frozen and snowy in the winter, rain and sun and snow. We had a FHC, which is a help.

Have fun!

David
1968 36/7988

[elansprint71]

RE: Luggage

Think twice about packing a suitcase. The form factor is generally not a good fit in the trunk.

What my wife and I would do is use soft bags meant to carry suits, which fit the width of the trunk perfectly. I would get one, my wife one or two. One bag could hold a few pairs of slacks, a few shirts, top hats and spats, etc. At the bottom, loosely packed, would be underwear and other small things etc. My wife had a small solid sided cosmetics case that went far forward in the trunk.

Then get a narrow picnic basket that fits between the front seats. Each morning pack bread, cheese, fruit, pate, wine, or what ever you might want for lunch. Then you can stop when convenient, eat leisurely, enjoy the view, take a nap, etc.

If you are wine shoppers, you can bring back cases by packing the bottles individually and flat behind the drivers and passenger seat, on the floor in front of the passenger seat, and flat neck-to-neck in one or two rows in the trunk.

We would go sometimes two weeks this way. We never thought to take spares (after all, the Lagonda is reliable, better than the sedans we had!), except for enough oil since the oil consumption got to as much as 300 mi/qt eventually. We put 90K+ miles on the car this way. Climate conditions ranged from Las Vegas in the summer to frozen and snowy in the winter, rain and sun and snow. We had a FHC, which is a help.

Have fun!

David
1968 36/7988

Surely you intended to post this on the Lagonda forum?

[msd1107]

Hi Pete,

Well, the Lagonda would not go places we took the Lotus, so no.

Would take the Lotus in preference to the Jaguar MK II sedan, even though the Jag is arguably a more comfortable long distance tourer what with OD, comfortable seats, etc.

We had progressed from touring on my highly modified Honda CB-77 with clip-ons, rear sets, lightened, 5-speed, no starter, etc. So touring in the Lotus was quite pleasant.

Maybe we were just Lotus people.

David
1968 36/7988

[1964 S1]

Hello Mike,
Congratulations and GOOD LUCK !
I'd take my honeymoon in a vehicle that doesn't come to mind once during the whole 2.5 weeks. Romantic as the Elan is, I'd focus my attention on your new partner for life and having nothing but a good time.
I absolutely love the area your headed to. My brother lives in Toulouse.
If you're concerned about the Elan completing the trip, I'd choose some other car.
I apologize, but I'm not sorry for the pooh pooh, fuel pumps and a car hard to start when warm is not something I'd wanna think about on my honeymoon.

21 happy years after "I do,"

Eric

ps; David I loved your story, the wine, pate, basket between the Front seats. I'm Lotus people too, Lagondas seem like dinosaurs compared to an Elan.

[Baggy2]

Code: Select all

"I have electronic ignition so no points to worry about. "

I think the point that was being made re points / condensor etc was that these items will get you home if your electronic ignition packs up. Its unlikely but possible and those items take up hardly any room and could save the day.

I've toured Europe many times on trips like yours in old cars and its just great. I agree with the comment re travel insurance. Iv'e needed it a few times and the service Iv'e had has been excellent - mostly with RAC.

Have fun

Baggy

[JJDraper]

Congratulations to both of you for different reasons! I have just come back from a long, very hot tour in my +2 with no issues, mechanical or domestic. Only a few serious recommendations; consider changing the oil to some 20/60, which gives a margin of assurance in long hot touring conditions (Millers); take a can of fuel - there is nothing romantic about being stranded at the side of a motorway when your partner said you should have stopped at the last petrol station; take a spare windscreen wiper & arm, takes up very little space and are difficult to find replacements quickly (if needed!).

I also endorse the gaffer tape, cable ties, recovery insurance & mobile phone suggestions which are probably now given items..

Jeremy