Lotus Elan Central

I am rebuilding my elan and lots of trouble usually serious springs to mind, but I must persevere.
I final sorted problem with brakes which was a nightmare ,but got there and had good advice in brakes section.
I went to start it and it spun over , and on second try it sounds like the starter has jammed ? just clicks.
its all chocked up at present ,is there a nut on the end of then starter I can get to to try and free it like on the old lucas ones.
Or do you think if I put the wheel on and rock it back and forth ,would have desired effect.
Many Thanks in advance
Toby

Assuming you have not let the battery get flat, you could try giving the starter a tap with a hammer to free it off

Toby,

As Andy points out the battery needs checking first ... the clicking noise you describe certainly sounds like the battery is flat.

Ray

The starter is notorious for burning up the contactors in the starter solenoid. They are available from numerous sources as the starter has a unique fit but a standard solenoid. It is a DIY project and a lot less than a rebuilt starter.

Here is a starting point from eBay (I don't kinow the seller or recommend him), just the part he is listing gives some info for a decent search:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1277305497

That looks like a good item to order and have in reserve - or even to install at or before the mileage that they typically fail. Per Googling, that appears to be in the ~100,000 to ~125,000 mileage range, or ~160,000 to ~200,000 km.

Here is a link to the Wiki article showing how to do the repair: http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Starter_motor

In the USA you can search eBay for denso starter repair kit and find items like:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1278832097

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0753879198

They give a good listing of other cars that use the same parts, so you might be able to go to AutoZone or Advance Auto or

Rock Auto: 1994 Toyota Corolla: 1.8L L4 DOHC DORMAN Part # 02349 {#2822674070} $14.55

thanks all that was very helpful indeed
toby

tobyholland wrote:I am rebuilding my elan and lots of trouble usually serious springs to mind, but I must persevere.

I've heard that a lot from people who don't have a clue what an Elan really is. Not true at all. I've just had to replace a set of light motor bushes & that was my first genuine fault for just over 3 years of regular use. Pretty typical for an Elan & hardly 'Lots of Trouble'. My previous issue was a starter motor fault which leads me nicely back on to topic.

I got this checked by a Lotus specialist & expected a big bill. He noticed that when trying to crank the engine, the oil pressure gauge shot off the scale. This indicated a dirty earthing point. The point in question is on the firewall near your servo.
A quick clean up & dollop of grease for protection did the job nicely.

Hi all I'm going to attempt a service on my lotus m100 over this bank holiday,I'm going to change the oil but having a look under bonnet I can't see any oil filter any ideas please,also I'm going to change the plugs and points I found the plugs hidden under a cover,but for the life of me I can't find the points and can't seem to buy any online ,could you point me in the right direction please
Tony

Here viewtopic.php?f=37&t=23802&p=300778&hilit=Coils#p300778 for a start (by the way it took two seconds to research that)

The oil filter is at the back of the engine, it can be reached from the space created when you access the coils, though you may need to get in underneath.

Tony, you'll never get any points online, or offline for that matter. Not that it's obsolete...there aren't any, it has electronic ignition.

Take a look at the workshop manual and parts list: they are both very useful for locating ancillary items and advice on how to get at things.

Downloadable from here

Aw thanks that answers a lot ,most helpful
Thanks very much
Tony

I'm frankly amazed that a) anyone who has been on this forum for a year and so presumably has owned their car for just as long didn't know where the oil filter was, and b) that they couldn't just access this page to find out. It literally took me 2 clicks to get there.
But for the sake of the un-initiated, I'll change the title of this thread to "Where is the oil filter and the points" in the hope that someone finds it of benefit.

I've had the car many years, but suffering with Alzheimer's some things I do are not so quite straightforward, thanks for your help
Toby

Toby,

You have, quite rightly, shamed and embarrassed me. I am wiser today.

I wish you well with your ongoing condition.

Continue, please, to ask whatever questions you so wish.

Pete

Ps: as Alexander Pope said: A man should never be ashamed to own he has been wrong, which is but saying, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

Strikes me as a reasonable question. It's not at all unusual for people to own cars and never look under the bonnet - Well done for having a go!

No points, but you can have a go at setting the (base) timing and tickover - See the wiki for instructions.

epipete wrote:Toby,

You have, quite rightly, shamed and embarrassed me. I am wiser today.

I wish you well with your ongoing condition.

Continue, please, to ask whatever questions you so wish.

Pete

Ps: as Alexander Pope said: A man should never be ashamed to own he has been wrong, which is but saying, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

Very well said Pete, and Toby please accept my apologies - I have never had any experience with this condition either in person or online and so I didn't see it coming at all.
If it's any help I would be more than happy to re-title and turn this into a project thread so you have a dedicated place where you can simply ask away, and have the benefit of people with forum knowledge post links for you to quickly obtain answers.

Edit: I have now enacted the above idea and hope that it proves to be a workable solution for you.

Hi primary throttle body amongst three other has two small bore hoses, one black one black white trace,,,, on the body are two hook up points, one small bore one micro bore.
Which pipe goes to which point please
Toby

Toby, not sure of the colour coding as mine have been replaced but this diagram for the service manual LG, page 20, should help.



Well done for having a go, it can be daunting, especially when it all gets difficult and you ask yourself the question "why on earth did I start this?" Keep persevering and there will be light at the end of the tunnel. My car has certainly had me wondering at times, but now as the pile of bits in the corner is slowly decreasing, I can see a slight glimmer.

Brilliant thanks very much Cliff that done the trick
Toby