Stuck Choke Cable Housing

[Harvey]

Having owned my Federal '71 Plus 2S for 12 years, I decided it was time to grease the choke cable. I released it from the front Stromberg and pulled it out of its flex housing. After greasing it I began threading it back though the housing but, since my Federal car is left hand drive, it refused to pass through the turns necessary to route it from the driver's side of the car across the back of the heater to the pasenger side of the car where it exits the firewall to the carbs.

I then decided to remove the cable housing, thread the cable through its length on the workbench, then re-route the housing from the instrument panel through the back of the heater across the car to the firewall exit to the carbs. At least that was the plan. However, when I began to pull the housing from the left side of the heater the housing jammed after the first few inches had been pulled through and now I cannot move it either forward or backward. I made a hook from a coat hanger in an attempt to lift the flex housing upward or pull it downward but no luck. I am literally stuck! This is truly the place for one of those high tech fibre-optic cameras because I cannot see behind the heater to find out what is keeping the housing from moving.

I don't want to remove the dashboard to free the cable housing but I'm really at an impasse with this problem. A couple Plus 0 guys suggested removing the radio for more access but after removing it I find no clearance behind the heater to reach the housing and free it. Can anyone send me a picture of the the back side of the heater so that I can see where I might be hung up? I would also be greatful for any other ideas members might have on how I can free my housing from its behind-the-heater prison.

Harvey Lee

[Robbie693]

Hi Harvey,

There are plenty of heater pics in this thread:

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-plus-f13/heater-rebuild-t16068-30.html

Hope this helps

Robbie

[Harvey]

Robbie,

Pictures were enlightening and provide possibilities of where cable housing may be fouled. I will persevere and post the outcome when the mystery is solved.

Thank you,

Harvey

[Harvey]

As a finale to this post I purchased a digital inspection camera from Harbor Freight for $120 to look behind the heater to see what was fouling my choke cable houseing. Alas, the space is so tight that the camera could be inserted only a few inches. Enough to show the housing disappearing into a narrow dark crevasse.

I gave up trying to free the housing, greased the cable, and by pushing and turning it managed to pass it through the housing back to the front Stromberg. Lesson: Do not attempt to remove your choke cable housing unless you have removed the dash (and maybe heater) or unless you drive on the right side of the car.

Harvey Lee

[Robbie693]

Hi Harvey,

It's probably just trapped between the heater casing and the bulkhead which would necessitate you pushing the housing (bowden?) up or down, depending in which way you pulled it, to release. Difficult to do from the sides of course. I'd leave it if the choke is working ok.

At least you got the cable re-connected

Robbie

[bob_rich]

Hi Harvey

My heater on my +2S 130 is out at the moment while rebuilding so if it helps I could take some pictures of it 4U.

best of luck

Bob

[Harvey]

Robbie,

I agree that the housing was probably wedged as you stated. I tried pushing it up and down from the side but was unsuccessful. In fact, I may have wedged it in tighter.

Problem solved now as I have a greased cable and the choke is working fine.

Bob,

Thanks for offer of pictures but I already had some from earlier post and both they and the camera and pushing and pulling were unsuccessful. All's well that ends well.

Harvey Lee

[stugilmour]

Glad you got it working Harvey. My '69 Federal presently has the choke cable running through the left fire wall and over top of the engine similar to the throttle cable. Perhaps this was modified by the previous owner when converted from the Stromberg's to SU's or by me when the car was re-assembled. I can't remember if it followed the routing you mention when I took it apart; another picture I should have taken I guess. If you haven't had the heater out to see behind, note there is a large stiff foam gasket around the round heater box inlet pipe that could cause the cable to get hung up. Alls well that ends well, and thanks for posting you solution/results.