Lotus Elan Central

by **Kuching** » Tue 17.01.2006, 20:01

I cannot deny it, this is my latest creation.

Watch out for it in the Monte Carlo Rally this weekend! :rally:

by **Nige** » Tue 17.01.2006, 21:34

I think you'll find that the 'nifty bit of kit' on the Renault Spyder owes more than a bit to the airflow screen on the Lotus 49 of 1967.

OK I'll get my Anorak!

Looks good Simon, here hoping for Monte!

by **Sy V** » Wed 18.01.2006, 09:23

Ultimate Kudos Simon.

I've never been particularly interested in rallying but, I guess Eurosports the obvious place to watch it?

Are you at liberty to divulge what parts/areas you worked on - that'll give me added jeer opportunities when it breaks down!

:wink:

by **Sy V** » Wed 18.01.2006, 16:36

OK.

Here's the first bit of analysis in to which I'd appreciate some input.

The car was sold to me as a Cat D, having been involved in a flood at sometime and with a possible head gasket problem.

I'm getting a Code 42 (Electronic Spark Timing circuit). The engine warning light (CEL) is illuminated permanently (no, not with the ignition off!), and there is white smoke (as if the choke on an old manually choked car was out) all the time (regardless of engine temperature), which increases with engine revs.

I've run Elanscan on tick over (remember it's not road legal so I can't take it for a blast) up until the fans (well singular fan I think) cut in. I then let the engine cool down before revving her up to ~3000, 4000 and 5000 revs before the fan kicked in again.

The Elanscan dump (.ecu) file is here:

http://www.vickers.eclipse.co.uk/flying ... jan_06.ecu

Please make of it what you will. All input welcome...I'll go away and read all about code 42 now.

by **Gazza** » Wed 18.01.2006, 16:55

Sy

I had white smoke from the exhaust on my 1st Elan and it increased when accelerating, turned out to have a hole in the head gasket!

Gazza

by **Sy V** » Wed 18.01.2006, 17:29

Yeah.

I'm pretty certain of that diagnosis too. But the cure for that is spanners and mechanicals, which (except for a bad back) I can normally manage OK. Thanks Gazza.

Having read the dichotomous diagram for code 42 though (Engine Manual EMK 4.52 & 53 or pages 128 & 129 of 178), I see that's all electronics and testing...not my bag, at all!

by **ESM** » Thu 19.01.2006, 00:20

First off take a look at the plugs that go into the coil - look for the yellow and the yellow/green wires as they are the ones that carry out the function that's MIA. Since the car was water damaged it might just be a corroded connection. Also check the injector harness connection block nearby - it should be pins A1 & A4. Failing that check the ECU plug as described in the manual - its the bigger plug of the two in the back of the ECU, get the pin positions from the diagram attached and make sure the colours match (yellow/green-> D5 & yellow -> D4) as a double check.

by **Sy V** » Thu 19.01.2006, 07:01

Thanks Alan - I'll have a lok on Saturday.

by **Monty** » Thu 19.01.2006, 16:49

Check out the CAS make sure there`s no seaweed in there :roll:

IIRC u can get code 42 when the HALL goes. But since it`s been for a swim u`ll have to check all electrical componets

by **Doug** » Thu 19.01.2006, 21:04

after seeing the pikes peak video link from Stevo, it reminds me that multi-angle camera system should be high on your list for the project car!

And maybe a whale tail rear wing too

by **Enright** » Fri 20.01.2006, 23:16

Sy, what are the main beam refelectors like?
One of mine has got a fair bit of rust on it. I'm not sure if it would be an MOT failure, or if I could get it re-chromed.
And seeing as you're going to be de-lighting it, want to sell one?

by **Sy V** » Sat 21.01.2006, 08:39

The opera headlights (bar the flaps) are already reserved for Phil Sloper, I'm afraid Neil, sorry.

by **Enright** » Sat 21.01.2006, 10:06

OK never mind Sy, thanks for letting me know anyway.

And in that case, can anyone answer if they have had a similar problem and how they fixed it?

IS a rusty reflector an MOT failure, and is it possible to take the unit apart to have it re-chromed?

by **Nige** » Sat 21.01.2006, 11:03

The main beam reflectors on my S2 are badly corroded (Lucas shells), but its gone through 2 or 3 MOTs without any trouble or comment. I have a pair of replacement Cibie shells to fit (standard 5 3/4" round without sidelights). Haven't done it yet as the mounting hardware also needs replacing as its all corroded too. A mounting kit for the Esprit in plastic rather than metal is available through Club Lotus (due to be featured in the next club magazine) this may be adaptable for the Elan, I'm waiting to see.

by **Sy V** » Mon 23.01.2006, 09:30

Well, I had a pretty productive w/e with the Cat. Stripped about 150lbs of crap out of her and she's now a running shell (headlights are out Phil).
The dimensions of the seat mounting holes in the floor are totally out of synch with any aftermarket replacement seats - this leaves two options:

Side mounting which mean that once you have the seat where you want it you bolt it in using fixed brackets and thats that. Or,
you go for a low profile bottom mount sliding system (with suitable bespoke adaptors to reach our floor pan holes) which doesn't quite get the seat as low as the first option but does allow others of a different size/height drive the car. This leaves a gap of about 1" between seat and floor pan. I've gone for this option.
Here's a link to the type of seat I'm getting (in red):

http://www.rimstyle.com/catalog/custome ... 359283c2c8

With a four point Willens FIA harness.

Next job is to do the head gasket and if that doesn't clear the code 42, investigate the cause of that.

by **stevo** » Mon 23.01.2006, 11:24

sy, with the head off for the gsk job its worth doing a bit of light porting work and decoke.

by **Sy V** » Mon 23.01.2006, 13:07

Covered, thanks mate.

by **Dave M** » Mon 23.01.2006, 13:33

Sy V wrote:This leaves a gap of about 1" between seat and floor pan. I've gone for this option.
Here's a link to the type of seat I'm getting (in red):

http://www.rimstyle.com/catalog/custome ... 359283c2c8

With a four point Willens FIA harness.

Good looking seat...I imagine you'll like the added support over the stock one. I love mine - can't move once I'm belted in! (Quite the point, isn't it? :wink:

)
You may consider going with either a 5-point or to add a adjustable loop that your lap belt on the 4-point can pass through that attaches through the bottom of the seat. Sometimes called an "anti-submarine belt", it will also help keep the lap belt down around your waist rather than wanting to ride up toward your stomach when you tighten the shoulder straps. It's a slight issue with my 4-point setup which I am planning to change. However I don't have the center seat hole as it appears your seat will.

by **Sy V** » Mon 23.01.2006, 13:57

I considered a 5/6 point harness, but PM talked me out of it, saying that only single seat cars (not road cars with only one seat, like mine) really suffer from submarining and therefore require the 5th strap. And, i don't need it to comply with MSA regs either.
Furthermore he intimated that I'd probably not be too comfortable in the nether regions...if you get my drift!

by **Dave M** » Mon 23.01.2006, 15:35

Sy V wrote:I considered a 5/6 point harness, but PM talked me out of it, saying that only single seat cars (not road cars with only one seat, like mine) really suffer from submarining and therefore require the 5th strap. And, i don't need it to comply with MSA regs either.
Furthermore he intimated that I'd probably not be too comfortable in the nether regions...if you get my drift!

Yes..."packaging issues" are definitely a comfort consideration. :wink:

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