more Elise related woes - help needed

[NDT]

just had the headgasket done - and now the thing doesn't run right....
if anyone can identify the following symptoms I'd be very grateful ;-)
- lumpy tickover, sometimes stalls as you come to a halt
- absolutely gutless above 3250rpm

I am sure there's something simple going on (failed lambda caused by HGF?) but don't know what - answers on a postcard please....

[NDT]

oh, and the steering rack's got too much play in it....

[cuzza]

NDT said:

oh, and the steering rack's got too much play in it....

Sorry to hear about all your problems Nick, this could be that the bushes have gone or are on the way out??

[Stevef]

Maybe they screwed up the cam timing. Did a dealer do it?

[DanH]

Take it straight back to whoever did the head imho.

Steering play may well be the universal joint under the dash needs tightening. Easy fix Worse case could be joint/rack, but try the joint first as its pretty common.

[NDT]

Stevef said:

Maybe they screwed up the cam timing. Did a dealer do it?

no - a technician who works for me did it.
It's possible that he got the timing wrong, but it's unlikely as he's done a number of K-series rebuilds, including at least one other in an Elise.
Still, anyone can make a mistake...

[gfun]

Sounds very like the timing is out and its getting its 'sparks' at the wrong time.

Do you have a strobe?