Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Parked the Elan in the garage two weeks ago after being out in the rain. Started it yesterday but the discs had rusted and pads stuck to them. A quick jerk failed to free them (always works with the Elise). I took the wheels off and freed each disc and car now easily pushed along in the garage. Starting the engine without even putting in gear and the brakes lock on again. Stopped the engine, car wont move. Return twenty minutes later and car can be pushed along in the garage. Start the engine, get out and try to push the Elan and solid again. Wait twenty minutes and all free again until engine is started. Any ideas ?
Ben

that sounds exceptionally strange....
why should the brakes move either by engine or temp......
do you press the brake pedal when starting the car?
(probably not but thought Id ask)
do you know what binds when you start the car?...
fronts or handbrake or???????

cheers
G

theelanman wrote:that sounds exceptionally strange....
why should the brakes move either by engine or temp......
do you press the brake pedal when starting the car?
(probably not but thought Id ask)
do you know what binds when you start the car?...
fronts or handbrake or???????

cheers
G

It's the front brakes that lock on when the engine is running.
Ben

Sounds like a servo problem..

John

Hi,

It could be the brake master cylinder not releasing if the other suggestions fail to identify the problem.

Next time it happens I would loosen off the pipe from the brake master cylinder and see if there is/was pressure held there, if so itis probably the little valve at the end of the piston.

Tonyw

I'm with John on this - Servo 1st, then m/c. If Servo is a Lockheed replacement, then lots of threads on here about the piston getting hung in the bore & not allowing the brakes to release.

Also check one-way valve on the inlet manifold hasn't stuck.

My twopennath

Regards
Richard

theelanman wrote:that sounds exceptionally strange....
why should the brakes move either by engine or temp......
do you press the brake pedal when starting the car?
(probably not but thought Id ask)
do you know what binds when you start the car?...
fronts or handbrake or???????

cheers
G

All four of mine stuck on when I started my engine after a number of months out of commission. It was definitely the servo and the only way to release it was to break into the hydraulic system (loosened the fitting at the servo). I bypassed the servo and later removed it altogether and replaced the m/c with a tandem unit of the same bore so that I have non-servo front and rear separate brake systems. I'm very happy with the result.