Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I would also not rule out fuel starvation, I had a similar problem with an old race car; partial blockage in the fuel line low rev range an the car ran well but after sustained higher revs it used to misfire and refuse to rev until the carbs refilled with fuel.

Regards
John

Ok, Kevin , John thanks I received new leads/rotor/dizzy cap/ ngk spark plug tops yesterday and hope to fit today
That should eliminate any concerns on the ignition side as I have already changed the coil. If this proves unsuccessful I will blow through the fuel lines/ take for a test , if not then investigate fuel pump then carbs. The filter In the carbs was pretty clean so I hope that the carbs are OK. One thing though ,is just blowing through the system risking the same thing happening again I presume that it would be wise to ditch the fuel and re-fill?

Paul

I'd say yes to that question, unless you can remove the debris,if that's the problem,then it will always be in the tank. Would it be possible to clean out the tank via the fuel sender unit hole? I don't know myself but a thought.

I got a new Andy Wiltshire EFI tank so that solved that problem,not sure that's the economical way forward but a fantastic looking tank,a cheaper way may be a magnetic pick up tool in the filler or sender to pick up any loose flakes.not much concrete advice but an idea,hope it helps to get her working.

Paul

Just finished fitting the new leads,dist cap and rotor, fired up OK but could not test for long as 11.30pm.. is a bit late and neighbours to consider so will take it for a run tomorrow. I have just re-read the advice given and I am pretty sure muck/ blockage in the fuel system is the culprit...... but lets see

Wooo Hoooo!
Just got back from a test drive Looks like we?ve cured the problem, did a 10 mile blast with not a hint of trouble, she revved cleanly right through to the red line , not so much as a hiccup, tick over is a little high 1200, but no probs. Its great to have her running properly again?.. Well better than ever .Thanks for all the help and suggestions. The annoying thing is I?m not 100% sure what was the culprit
If I had substituted one component at a time I would know , but that would have been a bit of a drag.It could have been rotor/leads or dist cap or even perhaps spark plug caps the NGK ones I got were a much tighter fit than the ones I had. I also think that the initial breakdown was due to gunge in the pump, something to keep an eye on. Main thing is we are now well and truly back on song

Happy for you, Paul. Still looking forward to those wedding pics

You could, of course, (some time), substitute back in the old parts, one at a time, to see what the culprit was.

Gee, that would assume we truly DON'T have a life, no?

Enjoy your summer motoring . . .

Randy

Cheers Randy will do,

August 4th is the big day , will be driving Lizzie to the Church in the Lotus so it gives me a great excuse to make sure all is AOK before then. You know I really do want to find out what was the cause but I think I should just be happy the problem is cured . I have made up for the few months I have not been driving and absolutely loved driving her again?? although whilst it was off the road a mate of mine has finished building a GBS Zero( Great British Sportscars, was Robin Hood) . It is a Lotus 7 wannabee, its got a brand new zetec 2 litre motor developing around 175 bhp Its taken him about 18 months to build it, round about 2000+ rivets. We took it for a test drive the other day?.
Wow it was absolutely unbelievable!!!!! He reccons under 5 secs to 60mph and boy it felt like it He has the same performance as a ?25,000 caterham for less than half the money . Made my car seem very, very pedestrian. Its made me think ?. because he can replace the entire engine for around ?700 ( brand new) as there is a glut of them atm. Take a look at the website at http://www.greatbritishsportscars.co.uk/About/ They have received good reports and I think that they would appeal to those who wish to feel as though they are really building a car rather than just bolting bits together. I think they quote 600 hrs to build one and a cater ham takes just over 100
I will attempt to post a pic of it?.. But I suppose it should be on Free Parking?
And hey in my book ?? Life?..gets in the way of all things Lotus!!

Paul