Rain + Elise = won't start

p4ilip · Post by **p4ilip** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:24 pm

I have left my s1 111s outside for 2 days since the rain started having last used it in the wet and now it wont start, turns over and after sixth attempt it sounded like it could just about have started but then just turned over a bit more so im guessing it's flooded it a bit. I noticed the engine gets quite wet when it rains as the grills leave it open to the elements so had put some plastic bags over the engine to try and stop the water but they may have diverted the rain elsewhere. Took plug lead cover off but its all dry under there where else do i check? Just covered it with a mini tarpaulin now and was going to leave it a few hours and try to start it again.

tut · Post by **tut** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:42 pm

Both the S1 and the S2 will let water in through their engine cover vents, but it should not affect the starting of the engine.

An S2 owner maybe able to throw more light on it.

tut

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:47 pm

That is exactly what is happening with me

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... =5&t=23571

p4ilip · Post by **p4ilip** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:10 pm

Im going to pull the plugs out tomorrow and check for a spark. I wanted to get the distributer cap off and have a look at that at the same time, Do you need to drop the floor pan to get at it? It is an S1 Elise with the vvc Head.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:48 pm

I have no idea when it comes to the VVC.

Just going outside to do it in the street, in the dark, in the wet

shortie2 · Post by **shortie2** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:55 pm

you will find the plugs covered in water, take them out , dry everything , if you think you havenbt got all the water out after you have removed the plugs crank the engine without the plugs in , that will get it all out , spray the plug leads/coils liberally with wd 40 and put it back together.
When you are putting the plastic lotus cover back on fill the gaps round the screw holes with silicon grease and that will help prevent a repeat

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:31 pm

well I went outside and changed the plugs things looked damp but the biggest problem was one of the plug bores was full of plastic chunks (that look strangly like the little plastic bit that holds a 3R pull stud on a holder) 20 mins of picking them out with chewing gum on a stick and plugs changed, I was going to replace the HT leads as they crack and crunch inside (possible source of the plastic) but they have given me the wrong ones, car started on what sounded like 3 cylinders and I managed to nurse it round to the car park.

What i did notice is that it runs ok when your foot is just on the throttle but gets progressably worse when the further you press the pedal.

I forgot to lift the silicon from work today -4rse

r055 · Post by **r055** » Sat Nov 21, 2009 6:48 pm

BiggestNizzy wrote: 20 mins of picking them out with chewing gum on a stick

noice

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:02 am

A big problem on the 7 due to it having an even holier bonnet then an elise

The answer is duct tape.

Seal the sparkplug cover with ducttape and you get alot less water down the sparkplug wells

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 10:43 am

Anyone know what the stuff they spray everything with on scrapheap challenge to help keep water out of car electrics ?

p4ilip · Post by **p4ilip** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:48 pm

Spent all morning trying everything, the plug wells were dry but changed plugs anyway and squirted every connection i could find with wd40 but it still wouldnt start then finally found the problem... When i last used it the dash had said to refill but i decided not to as i didnt want to leave it with a full tank in case it got stolen while it was parked up. Tried 5 litres of petrol and it fired up straight away! Gutted i spent £35 on spark plugs but very pleased that it now works again. Thanks for the help anyway and it gave me a chance to explore the electrical connectiuons of an Elise which are now very well wd40'd.

BiggestNizzy · Post by **BiggestNizzy** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:57 pm

Glad it's all sorted

/not laughing

oh and I have 32l in mine.

tut · Post by **tut** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:16 pm

Oh dear. If it had been me they would have crucified me, but they will probably be kind to you.

tut

ps however, you must be feeling a right dickhead........

<BG>

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:53 pm

You donkey

Anyway if car not starting easy start can help. Squirt it in the air intake and if the car fires then it is a fuel problem not spark problem

p4ilip · Post by **p4ilip** » Sun Nov 22, 2009 7:04 pm

Nizzy, I had a subaru once that started popping and banging everytime it started to look overcast, it turned out the problem was the plug leads had broken down although i could not see any tracking from them. i put a new set on and it was fine. Pressing the throttle had a similar effect to what you described earlier.

Scottish Elises

Rain + Elise = won't start

Rain + Elise = won't start

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