160 will not start

[Andyt25]

Any advice grateful.

My Sport 160 has been sat for 7 days over Christmas went to start it this morning and it wouldn't start. In cold weather it normally takes a couple of goes but it wouldn't spark at all this morning.

Battery OK and jump starting didn't work. Thought it could be damp as I washed it before I put it away so sprayed with WD40 but still no spark. It seems to be turning over OK but just not catching.

Is there something I'm missing...not mechanical minded so any help would be good.

[nsm3]

I assume it has fuel? Also, you say it takes a couple of goes to start anyway, a bit like my Rover 45 waste truck. I suspect the spark plugs need changing on mine, maybe the same for yours?

[Andyt25]

nsm3 said:

I assume it has fuel? Also, you say it takes a couple of goes to start anyway, a bit like my Rover 45 waste truck. I suspect the spark plugs need changing on mine, maybe the same for yours?

Cheers, yep B service due in Jan so maybe that's the problem.

[Hollywood Wheels]

I reckon it's water in the dizzy cap or spark plugs. If mine got even slightly wet it was bolloxed, so I put silicone sealant all around both. No major problems since. Try getting a towel in around the dizzy cap and leave it somewhere ventilated to 'air out'. Once dry it may take a while to get it going and it will cough and splutter but should be okay once the heat dries it all out properly.

[village idiot]

hmmm... not sure what to suggest... the car never had any problems starting (other than the typical s160 traits)... it lived outside and would happily fire up having not moved for a couple of weeks or so.

the only time it has ever refused to spark was when the ecu suddenly died (in a traffic queue on my wedding anniversary!!!)... it would turn over, but not spark... the ecu was sent back to GEMS who 'fixed' it and sent it back a couple of days later. the car ran fine after that.

if you do end up diagnosing the fault to the ecu (usually, by borrowing another GEMS from someone else, as the GEMS won't communicate with standard Lotus diagnostics, having only been fitted to 50 cars), the good news is that GEMS is a small company and charge peanuts to fix their ECU's...

let me know how you get on.

[Andyt25]

Cheers for advice will have another look today.

Will let you know how I get on.

[Andyt25]

Sorted. Took the dizzy cap off it didn't seem damp but a bit a WD just to be sure. Left it put went back still didn't start, then put some jump leads on just to be sure and away it went so happy again...thanks all.

[wetny]

Mine did that, drained petrol out and replaced with J D. All ok now.

[Hollywood Wheels]

Sorted. All part of the Sport 160 experience.....

[S Works]

Shouting at it and threatening to sell it often helps