How to survive a 2000 mile journey with a newly acquired Elite?

[Arregueti]

Just found this thread now! All my respect (and couriosity).

 

I did a much more humble version of your trip when I bought over ebay my unseen (and in poor shape) Mk1 Rx-7 in Germany some years ago. We drove 400 + kms. to pick the car. My (then pregnant) wife escorted me back to Luxembourg. Luckily everything held together and we still laugh at the story. I do not quite understand how she did not kill me at the time, though.

 

I enjoyed the experience so much that we bought the Evora in the Uk, just to bring it home. This time I did the trip with my son (the same that was in the belly when we bought the Rx-7, lol). Obviously, there was no concern on reliability this time round.

 

All this just to say that you can give me a heads up if you plan to visit Luxembourg on your way through the Ardennes and Eiffel. You could even fill your tank and take some (cheap) alcohol with you. :-)

 

Wish you the best of luck.

 

Jorge

[Iome]

My internet data is almost full today, so no photos today. Tomorrow maybe... But I picked up the car today. Nice smell, feels like being on a boat trip, fiberglas resin and gasolin. I've driven maybe 150-200 miles now, small roads and lost in towns too... I don't know exact length, because speedometer and tripmeter stopped working after 67 miles.

It's been fun to drive, although steering has a bit clumsy feeling. Maybe it's just old age? It has just passed the MOT. Also lots of rattle and road noise. But nothing that would stop driving so far.

[Emmerg]

Excellent news. Where are you now ?

[pbharcourt]

I have just waved goodbye to Mika after a cup of tea and a chat.

Windscreen trim was starting to lift so we taped it down other than that all seemed good, offered to stay tonight but he wanted to make Dover ( something about a party in Holland!

Fingers crossed!

[Iome]

Here are some photos from yesterday. Only outside photos of the car:

 

https://plus.google.com/photos/110320522171717586738/albums/6113007090116788753?authkey=CNymj9CyzYjidg

 

Everything went fine, but just after leaving Paul's house near Southampton, the car died on M3. It started again, but didn't run well. I managed to get out from the next junction, but then it died again. I managed to start it again and park it safely. Luckily I wasn't far away from Paul's place and he was very kind to come and see what's the problem. In the photos you can see him checking the fuel pump. There was a kink in the hose, but the main reason was probably that the distributor cap was loose, if I understood correctly. It was getting dark too, so I stayed night at Paul's place and will try again today. Thank you Paul for being super helpful with everything!

[Emmerg]

Well done Paul.  Good luck for the next stage...

[Don.Hasi]

The car looks well looked after

Don't worry about the litte side step...

She only wants your attention

Great story and great help, Paul

[Iome]

Today Paul took me to the car and the car seemed fine at first. But I got to M3, it stalled again. As earlier, it started again and I drove off the motorway. This time I was a bit worried because there was a loud bang as the engine lost it's power. This time I called ADAC road service, because roads here are so narrow and busy. I was expecting a ride to repair shop, but the AA guy was a former Lotus technician. He gave the engine quick throttle and the engine died. It doesn't always do that and when Paul did this same thing earlier, there wasn't problem. Anyway, the guy blamed the carbs and opened them and gave them a thorough cleaning. Very nice gentleman, had been working with Lotuses 20 years ago, so knew old cars. And it worked better after the treatment.

 

But it did it again few times. Maybe 3-4 times during my trip from Southampton to Dover, where I'm at now. Luckily there was always a safe shoulder on the road. I was quite afraid when there was construction work, narrow road and concrete blocks around, no escape from the lane. Or when I had to take right lane and there were big truck on my left side... But it went fine. Everytime I had to stop, there was a safe place for me. And it started again and ran nicely. If not right away, then after some "cooling". (I don't know if it needs cooling or just few restarts...) Sometime when driving, it gives just a little nod. But when she decides so, power goes down and there is nothing to do but take a stop...

 

But I managed to take a video after it lost power:

The video doesn't run well on my computer, but it should show how rpm jumps down when I give throttle. Sound go ups, but rpm down...

[Don.Hasi]

I was quite afraid when there was construction work, narrow road and concrete blocks around, no escape from the lane. 

I know these things

 

I dont remember exactly which components are all new exactly: This behavior could also be caused from bad leads or coil. Is the coil very hot?

 

 

Your story should be a base for a movie with the Lotus guy from the AA.... Excellent

[pbharcourt]

Well done reaching Dover....only another 1000km to go!

I still suspect the fuel pump or a partly blocked fuel line could be the problem, but maybe the coil?

Just keep going!

[Iome]

Yes, maybe I should check the ignition system. In Denmark I have father in law and his friend is a car technician, so only about 1000 km there... I think I take the coastal route so no Ardennes etc. If someone happens to live near my route and would like a visitor, send sms to +358 41 5357676. 

 

It's not really about being hot I think, because trouble started just after few miles driving after resting the night. But who knows. It seems to fix itself automatically. And most of the time she behaves very good.

 

The AA Lotus guy really was epic (often used out of context in Internet, but not here). Very mellow guy. Didn't speak much at first. I think he was really communicating with the car, not me. Which is a good decision.

 

[Bibs]

I bet he loved working on a 'proper' car for a change

[The Pits]

Lovely looking car, stunning colour for an Elite.

 

Best of luck with the adventure from here on.

[cbclotus]

hope it goes ok for you......Mike

[Don.Hasi]

It's not really about being hot I think, because trouble started just after few miles driving after resting the night.

It has not to be the complete engine warmed up. I mean the coil itself. If it is shot, it will get very hot.

The leads look like new... I guess, they should be fine... But you never know of course.

For the costal road: One Lotus parts dealer with greater knowledge of our cars called Bauke Tocus is in Belgium and the Netherlands today. So if you need help, contact him. He is on this forum and Facebook as well

[pbharcourt]

It could be the fuel pipe to tank connector.

I had this problem with mine, there is no filter and the rust and sediment fills the hollow bolt up with crap.

The fuel can get through but only slowly, so it keeps running out of fuel every few miles and when you stop for a while it refills the carb's and runs again.

I put a motorcycle tank fuel filter in the bolt and no problems since.

The only way to check it is to drain the tank and remove the bolt (5/8" ring spanner) and clean it out.

[cdfps]

I have the same color Lotus, yours is just in a lot better condition!

 

It could also be something to do with the ballast resistor which could be getting hot and cutting out, or if one is not fitted (or a resistor wire) it might cause the coil to overheat every so often.

 

That stumbeling on revving could be caused by bad accelerator pumps in the carbs. or plugged passages.  I think those carbs have pumps.

 

Here is what mine looks right now (covered in 2+ feet of snow) 

 

Thanks for the pics and video!

[Iome]

I love this car, no trouble yesterday. I was maybe little lazy, went walking and looking places. But when I finally got to motorways, it's just ran without problems. Well, rearview mirror fell off earlier, but I taped it back, because I really need it. The side mirrors are not very good, small, shaky, and keep turning by themselves. But the rearview mirror is actually much better now. It had very frantic vibrations earlier when glued. Very nervous feeling. But now it shakes slower, feels more relaxed. And as it went dark at evening, I noticed the dashboard lights are very dim. Water temperature is completely dark, you can't see anything. I thought it's okay, since it's been so far. But then there was road work and traffic stopped completely. I got a bit worried when temperature started to rise, but then there was a loud rattle noise when fans started and temp went down again.Not sure if you can hear it but I tried to take a video: 

 

Now I'm in Dortmund. I'll continue my trip after worst morning traffic has gone. And I think it's gone already... By the way, this night I stayed in a hostel, but in Dover I slept in the car. Surprisingly convenient.  

[vintaylor]

I hope you are taking loads of pics along the way for all of us sitting on our computer in an office and feeling envious of your journey! 

[Dunc]

The next time it misbehaves, immediately shut off the ignition, and remove the 4 screws holding on the top of the dellorto carb chamber.

 

If the carb bowl is dry - you have a fuel supply problem (pump/bowl/filter). If it is full of fuel, its ignition.

[Don.Hasi]

Now I'm in Dortmund. I'll continue my trip after worst morning traffic has gone. And I think it's gone already... By the way, this night I stayed in a hostel, but in Dover I slept in the car.

That are pretty good news 

Dortmund is my hometown… and I am bit worried when it did happen, that we are now the west coast of Germany or even Europe Here it comes to serve us because Dortmund has the greatest inland port of Europe. Who of our Grandfathers has had this brilliant vision??

Unfortunately you didn’t mentioned before that you will go over here instead of the coast line. I could have advise you some major sights there

So, your car feels, that It will come home and your R2D2-Unit is in great condition. Excellent.

Gute Reise

Don

[cdfps]

Nice!

[marcbria]

This is one incredible trip, I can't wait to hear more! 

 

You sir are one very brave man, I take my Esprit out around the block and I'm nervous it will stall or catch on fire!

 

Brian M.

[pbharcourt]

Where are you now Mika?

[Iome]

Yesterday we had lot of fun with Elite, driving from Dortmund to southern Denmark where my father in law lives. Motorways here were much fun, hopping lanes, taking over slow traffic and dodging very fast German cars. No problems. I think it might have been the kink in the fuel line all the time that caused problems. I forgot it after visiting Paul, but in Dover and after that I noticed it had gone worse maybe and I straightened it. And since it has now been working without any problems. Or maybe it's just that the car gets better the more you drive. The hose before and after treatment:

 

I'm heading soon to a ferry to Sweden. It'll be in Sweden tomorrow morning and I'll drive to Stockholm during tomorrow. At evening I take another ferry to Turku, Finland and I'll be there on Thursday morning. It seems there will be good weather, and main roads will be clear of ice. But since the engine is in the front, rear wheels can be quite slippery. Luckily they sell cheap weight near German border and I bought the trunk full of beer. Fits 2 layers nicely, 7 cases of beer and some liquor bottles.