Cold Start - LotusTalk

Purist · 05-08-2007, 07:20 PM

The past few cold mornings we've had (30-35 F) my 05 elise has not wanted to start. She would crank strong for at least 5 seconds, sometimes more, before sputtering to life. After that she ran fine. Is this typical? If not, any common culprits?

Thanks,
Tom

Cardinal · 05-08-2007, 07:21 PM

Purist · 05-09-2007, 04:32 AM

Really? Wow...I assume that only the Lotus does that and not the Toyotas. I wonder how they screwed that up??

Thanks!
Tom

Raindem · 05-09-2007, 06:10 AM

Are you giving it a couple seconds, after turning the ignition switch on, to prime the fuel pump?

Purist · 05-10-2007, 06:02 AM

Good question...not sure. Shouldn't the check valve make this uneccessary? Why would that only matter in the cold? I'll try it the next cold morning, although (fortunately) there may not be too many of those left.

Thanks,
Tom

jallingt · 05-10-2007, 06:22 AM

Sometimes it seems like it starts by just my butt in the seat.... other times it seems like it needs to crank 2Xs the norm. Wait until you hear "the nasty sound" for a second or two after it has fired up!
Every time I drive the car seems to perform better, I have about 9K on the clock now.
Damn, what a great car this is, I love it.

Raindem · 05-10-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

Good question...not sure. Shouldn't the check valve make this uneccessary? Why would that only matter in the cold? I'll try it the next cold morning, although (fortunately) there may not be too many of those left.

Thanks,
Tom

I have no idea. I was just throwing a possibility out there.

Purist · 05-10-2007, 10:10 PM

What's "the nasty sound?"

jallingt · 05-11-2007, 06:07 AM

The sound may described as "oil starvation" it is expected to be the timing belt tensioner. There is a thread on it. It lasts 1-2 seconds then is gone. My occurred for the first time a few weeks ago, I have not heard anything since.

Purist · 05-11-2007, 11:38 AM

Can't say I've heard that yet...but at least now I won't mess myself when I do.

Thanks...

ducatiexigeowner · 05-11-2007, 11:53 AM

[quote=jallingt]The sound may described as "oil starvation" it is expected to be the timing belt tensioner.

.......

Timing belt.....

When you start on cold mornings.....switch the ignition on,wait a couple of seconds...turn the engine over a couple of times.....turn the engine off/stop cranking the engine over.
Then try again ....it will then start.

Purist · 05-12-2007, 06:23 PM

I will absolutely try that...sounds like a great techinique.

Thanks,
Tom

05-08-2007, 07:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	Cold Start The past few cold mornings we've had (30-35 F) my 05 elise has not wanted to start. She would crank strong for at least 5 seconds, sometimes more, before sputtering to life. After that she ran fine. Is this typical? If not, any common culprits? Thanks, Tom __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

05-09-2007, 04:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	Really? Wow...I assume that only the Lotus does that and not the Toyotas. I wonder how they screwed that up?? Thanks! Tom __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

05-10-2007, 06:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	Good question...not sure. Shouldn't the check valve make this uneccessary? Why would that only matter in the cold? I'll try it the next cold morning, although (fortunately) there may not be too many of those left. Thanks, Tom __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

05-10-2007, 06:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
jallingt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 521	Sometimes it seems like it starts by just my butt in the seat.... other times it seems like it needs to crank 2Xs the norm. Wait until you hear "the nasty sound" for a second or two after it has fired up! Every time I drive the car seems to perform better, I have about 9K on the clock now. Damn, what a great car this is, I love it. __________________ 2005 Bordeaux Met #21 (HT, Touring, Quicksilver ext, TRM F1 wheels, Stan Stud, HID lights, BWR S/C,Filled motor mounts, catch can, no camber shims, Tillett saddles) 2004 Audi S4 Sedan (Tip, GAIC Chip, AWE Cat-back, Team Dyanmics Pro 1.2 wheels, H-sport sway bars) 2002 F-350 (Powerstroke, 4x4, Banks power pack, 6th alternator) Couple nice bicycles, way too many snow skis.

05-10-2007, 10:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	What's "the nasty sound?" __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

05-08-2007, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cardinal Ex and future Lotus owner Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metro North Boston Posts: 4,032 Images: 8

05-09-2007, 06:10 AM	#4 (permalink)
Raindem Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 494	Are you giving it a couple seconds, after turning the ignition switch on, to prime the fuel pump?

05-11-2007, 06:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
jallingt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 521	The sound may described as "oil starvation" it is expected to be the timing belt tensioner. There is a thread on it. It lasts 1-2 seconds then is gone. My occurred for the first time a few weeks ago, I have not heard anything since. __________________ 2005 Bordeaux Met #21 (HT, Touring, Quicksilver ext, TRM F1 wheels, Stan Stud, HID lights, BWR S/C,Filled motor mounts, catch can, no camber shims, Tillett saddles) 2004 Audi S4 Sedan (Tip, GAIC Chip, AWE Cat-back, Team Dyanmics Pro 1.2 wheels, H-sport sway bars) 2002 F-350 (Powerstroke, 4x4, Banks power pack, 6th alternator) Couple nice bicycles, way too many snow skis.

05-11-2007, 11:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	Can't say I've heard that yet...but at least now I won't mess myself when I do. Thanks... __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

05-11-2007, 11:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
ducatiexigeowner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: 49o30.21'N...2o30.37'W Posts: 1,437	[quote=jallingt]The sound may described as "oil starvation" it is expected to be the timing belt tensioner. ....... Timing belt..... When you start on cold mornings.....switch the ignition on,wait a couple of seconds...turn the engine over a couple of times.....turn the engine off/stop cranking the engine over. Then try again ....it will then start. __________________ i'll give you the information if you stop hitting me... Last edited by ducatiexigeowner : 05-11-2007 at 12:10 PM.

05-12-2007, 06:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
Purist Stick and Rudder Guy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Hampster Posts: 281	I will absolutely try that...sounds like a great techinique. Thanks, Tom __________________ Happiness is not about having what you want, but rather not having what weighs too much.

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