Time to wake her up.

PostPost by: richardf » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:19 pm

Hi,

I put my Elan into storage at the beginning of October. It's now time to wake her up again. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should be doing, and in what order? As you can probably guess I an fairly new to this.

When I put her in storage I filled up the petrol tank, disconnected the battery, overinflated the tyres and did not put the handbrake on.

Thanks

Richard
----------------------
1971 Elan +2S 130
richardf
New-tral
 
Posts: 12
Joined: 28 Oct 2005

PostPost by: sparkey » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:36 pm

I wouldn't worry too much if it's been stored somewhere dry. I'd disconnect the coil and crank it over until you get oil pressure before starting it, although it would probably take a bit of cranking anyway to refill the carbs after sitting for 5 months.

The bakes may be a bit sticky to start with but should be OK after a few miles, and if you're unlucky the clutch could have stuck to the flywheel, but that's also pretty unlikely after that length of time.

I'd also let it warm up and check for any leaks before heading out on a run.

Steve.
User avatar
sparkey
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 68
Joined: 07 Jan 2006

PostPost by: 1964 S1 » Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:46 am

I ditto Steve's suggestions completely and wonder where Peak is.
1964 S1
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1472
Joined: 15 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Otto » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:16 am

I just "woke" mine up yesterday. Lovely! I will recommend you to take a slow start, to be shure everything is working....not in citytraffic!... I had my share of oups, because my clutch slavecylinder had leaked fluid. With some interesting gearshiftings i got it back and fixed. Now its perfect... allmost....still have to fix the exhaustfumes in the cabine..allways somethings to fix, but hey!, spring is here!! :P :P :P :P
Lotus Elan +2 130S 1971, VW 181 (Thing) 1975, Honda VFR 400R 1991, Vespa GT 1957, VW 231 1975,
User avatar
Otto
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 87
Joined: 29 Nov 2005

PostPost by: Russ Moore » Tue Mar 06, 2007 8:33 pm

Never any problems after winter storage exept trying to get the carbs full of petrol, cranking if ypou have a mechanical fuel pump takes an age . easier way is to remove the covers on the carbs (undo little wing nuts on top ) . and pore h1/4 pint in each . car will start then engine turning will pull petrol through . works for me
Russ Moore
New-tral
 
Posts: 10
Joined: 07 Nov 2003

PostPost by: richardcox_lotus » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:58 am

Only other thing you might notice once it's actually running is any pinking/ smoothness of running. If you've had a full tank for 5 months, the octane rating may be down to about 2 or 3 star by now...........
richardcox_lotus
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1357
Joined: 11 Jul 2004

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 27 guests