Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I'm sure there was a topic on here recently with a similar problem.

My first drive with Toad and it started a misfire after a couple of miles. Then stalled at a road junction with a steep hill. (I should have taken the hint!)

I coasted to the bottom and then it refused to climb.
Any application of load and it bogged right down to the point of stall.
In neutral it would rev OK. Not exactly cleanly but any suggestion of letting the clutch in - no power.

1 hour later it drove easily up the (greater) slope onto the pick up truck.

What was the solution before? Coil (new!)? Accuspark Ignition (also new!)?

It gave the impression of fuel starvation but why would it work an hour later when cooled off?

Have you checked the fuel filter?

I had a similar problem. My filter would clog under high flow (uphill) then partially clear after sitting for a short while.

I had a similar problem, not so much misfire, but would die when it warmed up and be ok after it cooled off. It was a brand new engine. After trying many things that did not work, I read on here about black vs red rotors. Seems there was a batch of black rotors that were faulty. Changed my new black rotor for a new red one and problem disappeared.

Bob

A similar problem with mine turned out to be a very slight suction leak (loose fitting) in the fuel line.

sounds like old/ bad fuel to me!?!

Good luck!

I had exactly the same symptoms recently which I thought was a failing coil or electronic ignition. It turned out to be a partial blockage of the fuel line at the banjo bolt where it exits the tank (on a Plus2).

Thanks for the replies chaps. It saves me beating it to bits with a handy scaffold pole.

Gardog wrote:Have you checked the fuel filter?
I had a similar problem. My filter would clog under high flow (uphill) then partially clear after sitting for a short while.

The filter in the pump?

bulfin wrote: Seems there was a batch of black rotors that were faulty. Changed my new black rotor for a new red one and problem disappeared. Bob

New accuspark distributor with a red arm.

webbslinger wrote:A similar problem with mine turned out to be a very slight suction leak (loose fitting) in the fuel line.

That's a possible but I did spend quite a while checking that possibility to cure the strong fuel smell.

mgfollett wrote:sounds like old/ bad fuel to me!?!
Good luck!

20 litres of new super unleaded into a virtually empty tank.

steve.thomas wrote:I had exactly the same symptoms recently which I thought was a failing coil or electronic ignition. It turned out to be a partial blockage of the fuel line at the banjo bolt where it exits the tank (on a Plus2).

New "alloy" tank and fittings so it should be pristine. (Although there is the Spyder element!)

Plan 1 is to chuck the existing, replacement fuel pump into a bin, which I had already wasted a week or so sealing, and fit an electric pump. Perhaps with an additional switch in the live feed to turn it off before entering the garage to drain the carbs and help prevent nasty niffs.

Are the tank breathers clear? I had a similar problem and it was the electric fuel pump.

TonyR

How steep was the hill? I have a quite steep drive and if the carb fuel level/ Float are set too high it runs fine on the flat but coughs and splutters when i try to get it up the drive. Strangely it doesn't do it every time.

My money's on the coil or some other ignition fault. FWIW lol

Vince

I feel that it is an electrical problem ie: coil or ignition. new equipment can fail !
Whatever it is tell the forum when you solve it

Given that I am going to change the fuel pump to electric, (there is a post somewhere about the dubious fuel pump), it is almost certain to be an ignition problem.

Anyone got a known good coil I could borrow - just in case?

As above fuel - change the fuel filter if you have one.

AHM wrote:As above fuel - change the fuel filter if you have one.

I hope you are right! I'm thinking of fitting hinges to the top carb. / manifold bolts. It would save a lot of effort.

What is the difference between these two? Both Facet Silver top.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Facet-Silver- ... 1197621952 It states 6.5 > 7.0 psi.

https://www.dellorto.co.uk/shop/car-acc ... -pump-kit/ It states 4.0 > 4.5 psi

I will need an adapter that goes from 6mm nylon (the existing fuel pipe ) to 8mm (internal) to connect between existing and the pump (or, perhaps , a filter before the pump.)

..and don't forget the regulator to reduce the pressure to approx 2.5 psi.

John