Lotus Elan S2, starting the engine

Starting the engine for the first time in 2020

[@markwhitaker3673]

Love your videos Paul. I keep my battery 650CCA, on intermittent charge in winter. For cold starts I crank the starter for a few seconds to prime the carbs followed by half choke, 3 pumps of the throttle and she fires right up. Choke back in quickly when running. Most Weber Elans don't seem to need the choke but mine does-perhaps due to 45 DCOE with 1700 cc motor-I don't really know. Also, I added a gear reduction starter when I found my Lucas starter impeller teeth chewed up a bit-although it did last 20 years and 35k miles. Cheers-Mark

[@racecarrandy99]

Niice!

[@peterbattrick2835]

A familiar sound. I find a spare battery and jump leads is a good plan to save the car battery. In extremis, prime the carbs through the carb inspection cover can save the starter motor.

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

In hindsight I should have removed the spark plugs and turned it over until I could smell the fuel. That would also put less wear on the starter motor.

[@louislottner9427]

Hi, great video's thank you, But why do you not put fuel into the 2 carb's bowls through the top of the carb's inspection holes.. Starts much faster. I do it every year and quick start no wear on the starter..

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

You are absolutely correct. I've had that pointed out to me a while back, and I now use that technique if I haven't started it for more that two weeks. Works like a dream, and pretty much starts on the first turn. I'll make a video of that when I start it up next (probably early 2022). Glad you like the videos.

[@thetumanshow]

I kept waiting for the hood to fall... never happened luckily