Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

hi all - after going over a rough piece of road yesterday, as well as losing my exhaust(!) my pop-ups now refuse to pop up. I believe they are the failsafe version, but pulling the dashboard switch result in nothing (the side lights work though). Does anyone have any ideas where to start looking - or whether there are any online guides to how these things work?

many thanks

Was it a local road?! If so, where was it so I can avoid going there...
If they are failsafe, they should, er, fail safe and not go down!
Engine vacuum holds them down - the pipe runs from a non-return valve on the front of the inlet manifold to a tee-junction on the front of the hollow chassis front cross member, then (probably) to a solenoid-operated valve to the left (nearside) of the radiator, then to one (probably) round-ish vacuum unit in front of the radiator. A spring pushes them up, attached to the top of the vacuum unit, and there's a bar that links the two pods to the vacuum unit.
Do you have a workshop manual? If not, you should get one ASAP - it has helpful diagrams to explain all this...
Have fun

Matthew

yes - Stalham! (I thought these things were designed for Norfolk roads!)

Thanks for the explanation. Weird that it doesn't safety pop-up. I'm suspicious that the lights themselves are fine, but perhaps the switch is duff at the dash...

No workshop manual as yet, so talk-throughs most appreciated. I don't suppose anyone knows of one online (surely they are out of copyright now??)

Which one of these is the vacuum pipe that runs from the engine?

Hi,

The top most marked in your pic is the vacuum pipe, with a brass 1 way valve slightly down stream of it.

Your problem sounds electrical and I would guess at the solenoid next to the radiator. If its the original one, then you can manually push the 'plunger' in which will release the vacuum in the nose mounted tank.

Alex

They should pop up if there is no vacuum left.

Maybe yours is a rare one that is sealed very well still, and the lamps stay stuck down if the solenoid has gone and wont release.

If you want to come over and look in the manual and try to sort it out give me a call.

Cheers,
Simon

Thanks Alex - i'll try locating the plunger - if not i'll be paying Simon a visit!

Also, I picked up my exhaust from the side of the road this morning (in an estate) and it does not look healthy! Any recommendations of where to get a replacement?

james

I wouldn't suggest pulling off the bottom pipe shown on your picture as you're likly to end up very wet, or worse. That's the petrol feed pipe.

Also it looks like you carbs are incorrectly mounted. There should be what looks like a double coil spring washer under the nuts which, incidentally, shouldn't be tightened hard up. As far as I can see, you may have one of these washers on no.1 cylinder but not the others. Get the mounting of the carbs wrong and you'll have all sorts problems with poor running

Regards
Andy

this is quite educational for me (a much needed education at that...)

Your problem sounds electrical and I would guess at the solenoid next to the radiator.

this thing?

where do i press?

That is the solenoid! Unfortunately its a non original modern one - better quality, but not manually releaseable.

Pulling the pipe off that goes down into the nose should bring the lights up. Alternatively get someone to pull the light switch while you hold the solenoid to see if it clicks. I'd be surprised if a modern solenoid clicked but then didn't open correctly.

Good luck!

Alex

james,

Give Susan Miller a call.
You might well be able to pick one up from her tomorrow morning.

Regards,
Stuart.

OK - but who IS Susan Miller, and how do I contact her?

ah! As in Mick Miller in Saxmundham (01728 603307), no? james

Also, is that an earth cable attatched to the cam cover bolt. I don't think that is standard. should be a cable across both engine mounts
Tim

leedsj wrote:ah! As in Mick Miller in Saxmundham (01728 603307), no?

Yes, correct, only it's the late Mick Miller and is now run by Susan...
See www.mickmillerlotus.com

Matthew

Susan's contact details below

http://www.mickmillerlotus.com/contact.html