Sound of electric sparks after starting

[cschriks]

After three months in the garage I took my Esprit this morning for a ride. After starting the car and driving it backwards out of the garage I got out of the car to close the doors and I heared electric spark sounds (spark plugs?) coming from underneath the engine. I have never heared these sounds before. Can someone tell me what is going on? I stopped the car, started again and they were gone. Took the car for a 50 mile drive without a problem.

[hotrod3]

I know that sometimes you hear the exhaust expanding and contracting ,which sounds like sparking. It sounds like a normal sound that the car makes when its warming up. You need to drive it more often,thats what happens when you park it for so long.You recognize every little noise they make.The car is just begging for attention. I say no more garage queen,what do you say?

After three months in the garage I took my Esprit this morning for a ride. After starting the car and driving it backwards out of the garage I got out of the car to close the doors and I heared electric spark sounds (spark plugs?) coming from underneath the engine. I have never heared these sounds before. Can someone tell me what is going on? I stopped the car, started again and they were gone. Took the car for a 50 mile drive without a problem.

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[CNH]

Sometimes when the car is not driven for a while it can make sounds like ignition noise like the tensioner or the belts. As to the belts if the are comming apart they can make a noise like that too if a loose cord is failing against sometihng,

[cschriks]

Thanks for your reply Hotrod3, but I am sure we are not talking about the sounds produced by the engine warming up/cooling down! I might not know a lot about cars but I am not a ret....! Sorry!

Also, I drive around 12K a year, just not during the winter months and stick to the 6 month maintenance schedule carried out only by a Lotus specialist. Don't jump to conclusions to quickly!

[WayneB]

My guess is one of the leads has either pulled slightly out of one of the coil packs or the rubber islolator sleve around it has torn or disloged.

When the engine was stone cold, there might have been enough moisture on it to cause an ignition track from the coil/lead area to ground, or even a spot on the HT lead itself might be chafed.

As the engine warmed and dried the spark would then resort to the path of least resistance (the plug)

The sound of a track in the HT system is quite distinctive (loud CRACK noise)

Edited January 22, 2006 by WayneB

[hotrod3]

Good come back! Nice ,Direct and to the point.I like that. I keep forgetting,that not everyone lives where you have summer 10-11 months out of the year.Good to hear that you take care of your car and hope you find out what that sparking noise is.

Thanks for your reply Hotrod3, but I am sure we are not talking about the sounds produced by the engine warming up/cooling down! I might not know a lot about cars but I am not a ret....! Sorry!

Also, I drive around 12K a year, just not during the winter months and stick to the 6 month maintenance schedule carried out only by a Lotus specialist. Don't jump to conclusions to quickly!

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