popping and missfiring after being stood 6 months!!!

[fisher4772]

Hi ive had the elan parked up for over 6 months and it was runing fine before i parked it.
It started fine and ticks over perfect but when you increase the revs or bury the peddle it permently misfires and lacks power.if you gradually increase the power it will pick up and run smooth nearly to flat out?
Any ideas?
thanx John

[Coupeboy]

Just some thoughts: Did you store it with the fuel tank empty? If so there may be some water/condensation in the fuel - better to fill the tank before storage - fuel does go off, eventually, but not over 6 months. Possibly fuel pump delivery/fuel filter blockage issue - odd if OK when stored? How long have you run it for since recommissioning - have you driven it and got it nice and warm? This could eradicate any damp/moisture issues. Is there anything growing/living in the air intake - remove air filter and check for blockages. Did you disconnect the battery too quickly after shutdown prior to leaving it (this wouldn't allow the ICV to park and could confuse the ECM). Try waggling the fuel injector electrical connectors to find any not connected properly when it's running - this was the source of misfiriing on mine. Is it due a service anyway - could check plugs for fouling/overlarge gaps? Presumably there are no fault codes? Try shorting the diagnostic plug with the engine running - with correct idle and timing there should be no revs difference. After that perhaps try the AA/RAC (usually pretty good at finding the obvious) or somebody would need to run an Elanscan for you or take it to Lotus (ouch) for a diagnostic check.

[tigerdog]

Fuel degrades over time, absorbs moisture from condensation in the tank esp. if tank was nearly empty when stored. I'd start by draining the tank and refilling with fresh fuel, maybe even adding a bottle of fuel system cleaner/dryer. Take the car out and let it run a bit before moving on to other diagnostics. Easy things first

[fisher4772]

Hi Guys,yes there wasnt much fuel in it when it was parked but I have filled it to the brim and added some injector cleaner,the car isnt showing any fault lights only after its misfired for a minute or so if I keep my foot on the floor...
I have a elanscan lead and the program somewhere on my old laptop....just unsure how to understand the info it gives me!!!....

[Blue_Bullet]

Try some Red X. and some 99 high octane fuel! Mine pops some times on the cheap stuff!