It all started with a motor wash.....

[robertverhey]

Hooray, the nightmare is over!

On advice of local Lotus Club whiz, I poured some fuel down its gullet (first via plug holes, then via each of the four dellorto chokes) and it finally fired.

Now running like a dream.

The reason will have to remain a mystery. Also why it happened after the engine wash....

Anyway, all sorted for now

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Everything got a darn good going over! Hope this sorry saga saves someone else the grief in future

Robert

[Delsexcel]

Great news Robert! Fairly scary solution though - is there a moral to this saga?
Best wishes!

[robertverhey]

Nope I'm still scratching my head. Possibly I have a marginal fuel pump or ignition amplifier, it all puts a bit of stress on the system I guess. One useful thing I discovered is that the starter motor has enough "oomph" to move the car around if needed (I have an undulating driveway and excels are HEAVY!). Moral? Have a fire extinguisher nearby!