2 cylinder Elan

[John_W]

Thanks, all, for the replies.
I had been intending to contact Bolsom socially, but haven’t because of the injector problems.

[lotusflasherman]

Thanks, all, for the replies.
I had been intending to contact Bolsom socially, but haven’t because of the injector problems.

Sent you a PM.

[lotusflasherman]

I miss the days of the "Italian tune up"

I truly understand that with today's drivetrains that simply standing on the throttle, under load, on the street - with perhaps a modicum of Redex having been stuffed into the carb(s) is no longer a sensible thing to do.

But it did cure many ills.

Back then...

No carbs these days but you can get Injector Cleaner you put in a low fuel tank - but injectors usually play up when you've just filled up - Sod's Law says so ..

[John_W]

Well, I’ve now got a 3-cylinder Elan.

Thanks to everybody for offers of help.

I tried starting the engine with number three then number one injector disconnected. There was no difference with 3 disconnected but it ran a bit better when 1 was disconnected instead. When I put the electrical connector back on number one injector it ran worse. It sounds like number one injector is bad.

We will leave here tomorrow heading for Nimes and see how it goes.

John

[GeoffSmith]

I've e-mailed madbilly to see if he's got a spare.

[HJ2]

Already a 33% improvement, for free!

[John_W]

Geoff,
I have a full spare set at home!
We will be traversing Provence. In Nimes tomorrow then the day after tomorrow heading east from Nimes to near Frejus.

HJ2,
I’m claiming a 50% improvement over two!

John

[GeoffSmith]

… for free!

You may say that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[madbilly]

Thanks for the ping Geoff
And I agree that it was a 50% improvement, and your remaining potential improvement is now only 33%! Strangely sounds like it's getting worse not better!

Unfortunately I don't have a spare injector, that's something I didn't have to try with the poor running of mine back in the day.

We're in Vinon Sur Verdon If you need a garage to work in with a random tool selection! Or if you prefer I can try and meet your somewhere with some tools if I've got what you need. Just send me a PM

Cheers

[GeoffSmith]

Vinon Sur Verdon - that looks to be halfway between Nîmes and Fréjus so if we could get one to Will by Saturday…

[madbilly]

Oh I forgot to mention I'm away until Monday unfortunately. That probably means the offer of a garage isn't much use. Sorry.

[John_W]

Geoff,
Thanks for rallying the troops!

Billy, Phil,
Thanks for the offer(s), however on Monday we’ll be in Italy (either in a 3-cylinder Elan or in a hire car). I’ve had a think and concluded that, as the injectors, pressure regulator and injector rail haven’t been out in 28 years and 90,000 miles, they might be a bit difficult to remove and it’s a job I’d rather do in my own garage taking my time.

Today we’ll see how (badly) it runs to Nimes on 3 cylinders.

John

[madbilly]

Okay will the offer is still there if you need a plan B. Good luck

[M100TURBOFR]

Hi John
Just saw the post on the 2 cylinder elan and realised you also had a problem. What a pity. Sorry to hear this. I'm in Paris area so a bit far away. However, one of our "cover" buyers (Serge Sivaslian) lives in Marguerittes near Nimes where you appear to be. From what I gather he has his Elan maintained in a garage. You never know he might come up with a solution. I've his number should you wish to contact him. Let me know. David.

[GeoffSmith]

Quick thought. Would it be better to remove the spark plug from #1?

[lotusflasherman]

Quick thought. Would it be better to remove the spark plug from #1?

suggested that in a PM last night " see if it runs better with that plug out and some rag stuffed in to silence it a bit." but I'd overlooked that John had disconnected the electrical feed to the injector..

I ran round the M25 to Slough on 3 cylinders on a Monday morning when it was hissing down with rain.. my thought process covered a worst case scenario of a blocked injector putting in some fuel and running very lean = hole burnt in piston or exhaust valve destroyed..

after much time and trouble removing injectors for cleaning it was traced to a burnt terminal on the coil pack... but that's

[M100TURBOFR]

John
Info forwarded to Geoff who is apparently in contact with you. You may see this first however. Our "cover" member has his M100 serviced by a garage (Lotus/Maserati - Part of the Capell Group) in LATTES near Montpellier. Tel. 04 99 52 60 21 or 04 99 52 63 61
Best I can do for the time being. Hope everything turns out ok and that you can continue your holiday.
David

[Michaelsmit]

Thank You for all replies, I was facing the same issue. After reading everyone post my issue has solved.

[GeoffSmith]

Good luck on your next login Micky boy… Oh sorry, did I forget to e-mail your password reset link to you?

[John_W]

Well, I have to report that a 3-cylinder Elan goes a lot better than a 2-cylinder Elan! Thanks to Geoff for the tip of identifying and disconnecting the bad injector.

Owing to thunderstorms we left Carcassonne later than planned, but made it to Nimes in time to go round the Roman amphitheatre and temples and Nemausus gardens before dinner. The car “limped” nicely at 100kph on the autoroute, so I’m happy that we’ll be able to continue in that mode and finish our holiday. (There is the small matter of the Alps to cross on the way home, though.)

Thanks for the info, David. We passed Lattes on the way, and tomorrow we’ll go through Marguerittes en route to the Pont du Gard. My preference is to continue and finish our holiday as is, and fix it when I get home. It is quite manageable, and with the injector disabled I shouldn’t be doing damage - it’s just embarrassing as it’s obviously on 3 cylinders and doesn’t go like an Elan should. I just think of the petrol I must be saving.

John