Trouble re-starting

PostPost by: collins_dan » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:40 pm

My '70 S4 starts up like a dream cold, but doesn't like to start again
after being driven for awhile. When trying to re-start after sitting
for a few minutes, it turns over fine, but almost doesn't seem like it
is getting enough fuel. After letting it turnover more than I would
like, it reluctantly starts. Any ideas? My Petronix ignition and coil,
and gear reduction starter are about a year old, the battery is new
and I have stromberg carbs. I should also note that after running
awhile the car idles very low and wants to stall if I don't give it a
little gas. The idling is particularly a problem after restarting.
Thanks. Dan
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PostPost by: daves56 » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:50 pm

Dan,



My 69' +2 is just the opposite. Runs fine after restarting but I usually
have to spraying starting fluid in her. I think I've read somewhere 90%
of all carb problems are really ignition problems but assuming your
problem is carburetion the big question is the mixture too rich or lean?
So after she runs a while and is shut off, if you pull the choke out
slightly does she start better? If she does the normal mixture is too
lean.



Do you have adjustable or non-adjustable needles in your Strombergs.
Either way they can both be adjusted. But find out if she's rich or lean
first.



Dave Sutcliffe

69' +2

77' Esprit V8



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From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Behalf Of collins_dan2000
Sent: Tuesday, August 01, 2006 11:34 AM
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Subject: [LotusElan.net] Trouble re-starting



My '70 S4 starts up like a dream cold, but doesn't like to start again
after being driven for awhile. When trying to re-start after sitting
for a few minutes, it turns over fine, but almost doesn't seem like it
is getting enough fuel. After letting it turnover more than I would
like, it reluctantly starts. Any ideas? My Petronix ignition and coil,
and gear reduction starter are about a year old, the battery is new
and I have stromberg carbs. I should also note that after running
awhile the car idles very low and wants to stall if I don't give it a
little gas. The idling is particularly a problem after restarting.
Thanks. Dan
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PostPost by: steveww » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:38 pm

When were the carbs last rebuilt? You can get a DIY kit from the usual
suspects and from www.burlen.co.uk You should also replace the needles
and jets as these wear out as well.

Sounds like it is running a bit lean. There is a temperature compensator
in these carbs that leans out the mixture when hot. Thus if they are
already lean then the extra lean from the compensator would give these
problems. Additionally if the compensator is at the end of its life this
can only add to your problems.

Do you have any way of measuring the mixture? CO meter or lambda sensor?


collins_dan2000 wrote:

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Regards,

Steve Waterworth
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Einstein: The faster you drive, the slower you age.
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PostPost by: collins_dan » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:49 pm


Not since I bought the car 2 years ago. Probably what needs to be
done. I bought the book, now I just need to get the courage, buy the
kit and do it.



This is what I think is causing the problem, but in the book, it says
that these can't be adjusted. Can I replace them?



No. A neighbor has a colortune, but neither of us has ever used it.
Would that work?
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PostPost by: steveww » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:46 pm

You can not adjust the compensator but www.burlen.co.uk stock replacements.

Do the rebuild it is not difficult. Just do one at a time and lay the
parts out in the order you take them off.

I have never had any luck with a colourtune, but I am colour blind so
that does not help ;-)

You can buy a CO meter from Halfords. It makes sense to buy one between
a few fellow enthusiasts and share it. Where are you based?

Do the carbs have fixed or adjustable needles?

collins_dan2000 wrote:

--

Regards,

Steve Waterworth
mailto:***@***.***

Einstein: The faster you drive, the slower you age.
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PostPost by: frearther » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:12 pm

There's a lot in the archives about this sort of problem - it seems to
recur regularly. As I recall, there's some very good advice there. You
may save yourself some time and trouble with a search. Your subject
line would probably be a good search phrase.

Art
26/4934
Art Frederick
S2 Roadster, built in 1965, registered in 1966, No. 26/4934
Nothing else of interest at present
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