Lotus Elan Central

by **ratman** » Mon 28.08.2006, 08:00

new elan, first problem!
I bought my elan 300km from home and I made a test drive before the purchase in order to control the itegrity of the car.
It was ok (powerfull!) and so i decided to buy it.
After 200km I heard misfire during acceleration in top gear.
every km passed, the problem war worst!
I changed the spark plugs and the problem is the same. after all I tried to move the cables and it seems better.
what do you think about this?
and where can I buy new cables??
original or not?
Thanks!

by **Candles** » Mon 28.08.2006, 08:13

Did you get the orange 'check engine' light on the dashboard?

I'm immediately thinking CAS (cam angle sensor) but it could be worth trying the plug leads. You can test the old ones by spraying a mist of water over them in the dark. If there are blue flashes, then they are broken.

Other than these two, it could be the coil pack, these are known to fail as well.

Candles.

by **ratman** » Mon 28.08.2006, 08:25

no, the warning light is still off!
no warnings, only misfire in acceleration! I noticed that if I press gently on the throttle pedal, the problem is less and I can accelerate quite normally. If I press hardly, the engine rattle and I have to change a gear down....
I was quite sure that are the cables because after I moved them the car was great! only very little misfire, sometimes! It was really different!

by **johnbenk** » Mon 28.08.2006, 09:55

Hi

Causes of Engine Misfire. Electical, fuel. spark. Logical order to find fault

Go to page 8 section "CUTS OUT MISSES" of SERVICE NOTES Section EMK

for possible causes.

by **ratman** » Mon 28.08.2006, 10:16

Ok, so, first of all, I have to check the wires! Thanks! :roll:

by **Specky** » Mon 28.08.2006, 11:42

The previous owner hasn't removed the bulb from the dash has he :shock:

Do you get the check light when you turn just the ignition on?

Something to hide an all that!!!

TTFN

by **ratman** » Mon 28.08.2006, 12:23

yes, the light is blinking when the ignition is on!

by **johnbenk** » Mon 28.08.2006, 17:01

Hi

Please be more clear does the engine light "BLINK" OR STAY ON TILL YOU "START" THEN GO OUT. OR DOES IT JUST STAY ON AND GLOW WHEN YOU TURN ON THE IGNITION.

IT SHOULD NOT BE BLINKING. Are you looking at the right light with the small picture of an "engine" on the dash.

by **ratman** » Tue 29.08.2006, 07:09

the second one: "STAY ON TILL YOU "START" THEN GO OUT"

by **ailwyn** » Tue 29.08.2006, 13:09

I had a problem similar to this, although I don't think the symptoms you describe are exaclty as mine, and it turned out to be one of the coils.

The car had a lumpy idle (misfire) and although it would move, had no power, also the CEL did not come one (except for the normal on until you start)

Ailwyn

by **chrisP** » Tue 29.08.2006, 13:39

Yep had the same on mine and it was one of the coil packs breaking down. Under hard acceleration the weak spark cannot bridge the gap between the sparkplug because of the increased intake charge pressure, under gentle acceleration there is not the same pressure

Chris

by **ratman** » Tue 29.08.2006, 15:12

so you think is the coil pack, not the wires!
Because I had a great improvement moving the wires, creating a gap between them.
I have to make the test with water powder!

by **chrisP** » Wed 30.08.2006, 11:50

it was you initial description that made me think that it was the coil as you are not having the problem all the time. The wires are going to be easier to test and get hold of so try them first. It will be a case of elimination

by **ratman** » Wed 13.09.2006, 08:41

ok, I tried to find the wires with my mechanic, but it was impossible.
the original ones are quoted 250 euro.... where can I find them (online)?
I've founded these ones
http://www.hangar111.com/ckshop.php?ite ... gory%3D144

but I don't know if there is a better proposal.
Thanks!

by **Monty** » Wed 13.09.2006, 10:27

Try here Clicky send him an email 1st to see if he will ship to italy, u want the 8mm wires.

by **DaKa** » Wed 13.09.2006, 17:05

I had a mis-fire albeit not as severe as you described.
Strongly suggest ordering a set of cables from Magnecor (circa £60 incl p+p) (went for the 8.5mm option)
I fitting mine in conjunction with a Bailey Dump Valve (optional Essex Boy thing) and it goes like the proverbial off a shovel.

by **DaKa** » Wed 13.09.2006, 17:09

The Magnecor website has all you need - they were very effcient and delivered the leads within 2 days

http://www.magnecor.co.uk/

by **stevieshag** » Wed 13.09.2006, 18:02

i Agree with going the magnecor route, if ya change ya cables its also a good upgrade.

by **ratman** » Mon 09.10.2006, 10:35

I changed the wires and, now, the car is perfect at 80%.
I bought them from robietherobot, 8mm, red as the original ones.
I said 80% because I have something like misfire in 2nd or 3rd gear when I press hardly on the gas pedal.
I think that it is an electronic cut-off now, not a misfire.
I noticed that I've not overboost because the pressure gauge shows 0.5 bar maximum.
I thought that I could have 0.65 in overboost... isn't it?

by **hector** » Tue 17.10.2006, 06:33

I have exactly the same problem with my elan M100 year 1991. In accélaration from second to 4 gear I have many cut of (very quick) I want to be out of that but I have no idia wath to do.
Hector

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