Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I have used Shell V Power for years without a problem. I haven’t had the head modified for unleaded.
This month I did my usual start up after a few months of hibernation- put in a gallon of fresh V power and engine started first time. But getting frequent popping from the exhaust, which I never usually get, and engine running a little roughly. Did a few miles and improved somewhat.
Checked the idle mix with a colortune, and running almost normally apart from the odd popping.
Then happened to be passing an Esso garage and put in a couple of gallons of their super unleaded and everything back to normal for 50 miles.
Today went on a 50 mile round trip and added a couple of gallons of V power. Running very nicely initially but after about 15 miles engine started popping again, although fairly infrequently and felt a little rough and down on powerfor the rest of the journey. I noticed the idle had noticeably dropped from 1000 to 700, although idling smoothly.
So wondering if this a petrol issue. On their website Shell are saying that V power is newly improved, and suitable for all engines.
The obvious answer is to fill up with Esso next time and see if things improve but wondered if anyone else had noticed anything similar?
Richard

Well you are better off anyway using Esso due to the lack of Ethanol.

types26/36 wrote:Well you are better off anyway using Esso due to the lack of Ethanol.

Only until September!.....Your link is out of a bit out of date.
Latest from the Esso Petroleum website is that countrywide in the UK Esso Supreme will have Ethanol E5 in it from September 2023!

Alan.

alanr wrote:Only until September!.....Your link is out of a bit out of date.
Latest from the Esso Petroleum website is that countrywide in the UK Esso Supreme will have Ethanol E5 in it from September 2023!Alan.

Oh well ........we had better fill up now!

[quote][/quote] Contrary to the word going around, I have had less not more problems with the E10 we have here (New Jersey). The gas will be good having sat all winter. Lawnmower and motorcycle start right up in spring and run fine. That was not true with the old gas (petrol). The Lotus has not run since the new gas was invented.

Interesting.
I too usually use Shell V power from a filling station in South Manchester, UK.

And have the same popping noise from the current half tank full.

Seems there is an Esso station in Stockport, which I will try next.

Well……I investigated further and established only running on 3 cylinders and narrowed it down to a faulty distributor cap! No spark to No 2 cylinder, lead and plug ok so deduce can only be rotor arm not making a good contact with the No 2 brass post.
But interesting about the Stockport Shell.
But now thinking I can’t blame the V power for my issues!
Richard

Firing on all four here, and exhaust still popping.

I can only think V Power is a factor.

It only started after the fill up.

On reflection I agree, as the popping started many miles before the misfire.
As is not infrequent several problems can occur concurrently!
Richard

Went to start the car today.......wouldn't start. Tried it several times.

It fired up first time yesterday.

I checked I had a spark from leads to plug with a test light.

Plugs I had in were NGK BP7ES. Probably 2-3 years old but low miles.

I had a set of BP6ES on the shelf.

Fitted them, started first time!

And the popping from the exhaust has gone!

fwiw on my street Fed S4se on only use NGK BP7ES for the track (they tend to foul quite rapidly during road use) and even then I try to warm the car up with BP6ES if I can.

Hi.
Yes I've had a serious problem with that fuel about that time.
I filled up with optimax at a station I don't normally use. I checked the receipt it definitely was super unleaded.
Within 30 min it had cut out like it was out of fuel. It took a lot of cranking to start. It would idle but it wouldn't rev cleanly.
I've done all I can over several months now but it will only idle or accelerate foot to the floor.
So its backfiring and poor drivability idle to 3500rpm especially.
I'm guessing it's sticking or burnt valves at the moment.
Weirdly Compressions are OK and even.
I would urge others to leave a date and location where they filled up to help everyone else.
Remember its predecessor "formula shell ' did damage many newish cars especially vauxhalls. When govt vehicles were affected they had no choice but pay off people and reformulate it.
I've had no trouble with Tesco/esso 99.
The car has hardened seats and was in regular use reliably for 10+years.

Any one else had problems with Shell v-power?
When and where?

I abandoned the Shell product a couple of years ago as it seemed to “go off” very quickly. I’ve been using the BP alternative since without any popping and banging.

No problems for me. My car runs on Shell V power just fine. i have been using it for at least the last couple of years.

Alan.