mystery??

PostPost by: Elanconvert » Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:35 pm

hi guys.... help needed...
posting here 'coz I suspect fuel supply issue.....

car started on the button after sitting for a week or so.......
went for a drive ...25 mile blast along dual carriageway....didn't miss a beat.
at the other end, had to poodle around some side streets with those infernal sleeping policemen/speed humps, and started hesitating/misfiring.
at some traffic lights [why is it always traffic lights?] cut out completely and wouldn't .restart.
after five minutes, gave up and pushed it round the corner, and continued trying....no sign of life.......
removed plugs, no. 3 slightly black but others ok - not wet.
primed the fuel pump with the rubber bulb widget, opened fuel filler cap, but after another 15 mins of cranking without a single fire, admitted defeat and since I wanted to get home to watch f1 highlights, called breakdown services [autoaid - very good service - highly recommended - inexpensive]
tow-truck booked, decided to give it one more try --- and vroom! fired up immediately, ticked over nicely as if nothing had happened.... :shock: ..
cancelled tow truck and blasted home along dual carriageway - didn't miss a beat!

symptoms almost like something over-heating, but temp guage never above 75 [ewp fitted]
this has sometimes happened before e.g. when stopped after filling up with fuel, but not to this extent i.e. maybe 3-4 mins before re-starting......

any ideas? similar experiences?

:D fred :D
'Never give up!....unless it's hopeless.....'

1970 S4 dhc big valve
1973 Ginetta G15
1967 Ginetta G4 [sadly now sold]
1959 lotus elite type 14
Elanconvert
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 421
Joined: 26 Jul 2013

PostPost by: lotusfan » Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:26 pm

fred

I had a similar problem and spent a huge amount of time doing things to the fuel system all to no effect but changing the coil fixed it. Maybe worth a try. Good luck.
Mike
72 Sprint DHC
User avatar
lotusfan
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 376
Joined: 15 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Mazzini » Sun Mar 20, 2016 5:50 pm

What plugs are you using?
User avatar
Mazzini
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2282
Joined: 11 Dec 2010

PostPost by: martinbrowning » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:00 pm

Fred, My money is on an electrical issue - maybe coil or condenser?

Martin
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
72 Europa Special, 72 Sprint, 72 Plus 2
martinbrowning
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 320
Joined: 07 Jun 2007

PostPost by: pharriso » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:24 pm

Do you have electronic ignition? some modules warn up then fail
Phil Harrison
1972 Elan Sprint 0260K
User avatar
pharriso
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3596
Joined: 15 Sep 2010

PostPost by: terryp » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:47 pm

+1 on the coil beginning to break down.

Terry
terryp
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1571
Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPost by: Hawksfield » Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:51 pm

Hi

Electrics ! especially if you have electronic ignition.
John

+2s130 1971
User avatar
Hawksfield
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 600
Joined: 14 Jul 2004

PostPost by: Grizzly » Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:37 pm

Bit hard to diagnose a intermittent fault but you can inspect things like the coil (make sure it's not leaking and it's in the right ohm range)

You haven't said if you have an Electric Ignition? because many moons ago i had a Luminition set up on a Mini that did some thing similar when the control module when south (had a dry joint inside it so would start and stop if you tapped it)
Chris
User avatar
Grizzly
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2020
Joined: 13 Jun 2010

PostPost by: bulfin » Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:02 pm

I had the same problem after an engine rebuild. Tried almost everything and nothing helped. Finally read about the red rotors on this forum. Mine had a black rotor and changed to a red one and the problem disappeared.

Bob
Bob Bulfin
1969 Elan S4 DHC
Mobile, AL USA
bulfin
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 115
Joined: 23 May 2012

PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:35 pm

Rotor,Condenser,Coil..

John :wink:
User avatar
john.p.clegg
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 5744
Joined: 21 Sep 2003

PostPost by: mbell » Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:49 pm

I'd stick the timing light in the car go for a drive. If it happens again connect the timing light to see if the ignition system is working.

If it's fuel I'd consider temporarily fitting fuel pressure gauge so you can see if it's low fuel pressure/flow.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
mbell
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2691
Joined: 07 Jun 2013

PostPost by: Elanintheforest » Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:28 am

Most folks are pointing to ignition and I agree.

Talk to this guy and get a set of points, condenser, coil and distributor cap from him. They are the best, and have solved similar problems I've had.

Probably worth putting new HT leads and plugs / caps whilst you're at it!#

Also make sure that you coil is earthed properly, and the engine earths are good.

http://www.distributordoctor.com/

Mark
User avatar
Elanintheforest
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2938
Joined: 04 Oct 2005

PostPost by: 512BB » Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:42 am

Fred,

Carry out any swapping of parts, one at a time, then go for your test drive.

If you change loads of parts at the same time, you will not acertain what the duff part was.

Leslie
512BB
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1117
Joined: 24 Jan 2008

PostPost by: Elanconvert » Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:07 am

hi guys.....many thanks for all your replies.......

ignition was my first thought [ I always say '95% of fuel problems are electrical], but because it ran superbly afterr the incident, I thought fuel......also plugs expected to be wet if no spark........

anyway, PO fitted 'Aldon electronic ignition'......checking his notes, he replaced plugs and leads, but not the coil, so will try a new one......any recommendations?

thanks!!

:D fred :D
'Never give up!....unless it's hopeless.....'

1970 S4 dhc big valve
1973 Ginetta G15
1967 Ginetta G4 [sadly now sold]
1959 lotus elite type 14
Elanconvert
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 421
Joined: 26 Jul 2013

PostPost by: Elanconvert » Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:07 am

deleted duplicate post
'Never give up!....unless it's hopeless.....'

1970 S4 dhc big valve
1973 Ginetta G15
1967 Ginetta G4 [sadly now sold]
1959 lotus elite type 14
Elanconvert
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 421
Joined: 26 Jul 2013
Next

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests