wdb

I've never heard of an ECU that would cut power to an engine due to lean condition. It sounds extremely dangerous! But I am far from an expert on modern engine control systems. An OBD reader might be very illuminating. Do modern Caterhams have that capability?

(On vacation but checking in, glad to see some progress.) So, the car is driving along just fine then the engine dies with the tach going to zero. That's electrical. Pressing the clutch pedal causes electrical reconnection to occur and the engine refires. If there is no switch or sensor of any type related to the clutch pedal and/or mechanism, what is causing the clutch pedal to have an impact on the electrical system? Either there is a switch and it has not been located, or the act of disengaging the physical parts of the clutch assembly is making/breaking what I'll call an "unintended" electrical circuit. I have a really hard time getting the latter to make sense. I suppose a loose or pinched wire in the pedal vicinity could be involved but that should be fairly easy to see. An outside possibility could be engine/transmission grounding. That could be tested with some grounding straps bolted to appropriate stuff at each end. If they're already in place, check that they are making good electrical contact, i.e. bare metal to bare metal. I once helped a friend diagnose why the throttle cable housing on his MGB kept melting; turned out that the only thing grounding the engine to the chassis was the cable! Lots of amps going through that skinny little wire.

There may not be any gasket. A lot of modern cars have no gasket in places there used to be gaskets. Precisely machined parts + RTV type sealants = no leaks.

I don’t think the engine is shutting off. I think the fuel or throttle is being cut all the way back to idle level. This could be tested by NOT pushing in the clutch and just slowing the car down to idle RPMs (assuming it is safe to do so). See if the engine is still moving the car, or if the car stops dead. Another test would be to leave the clutch engaged and try very slight feathering of the throttle. If that results in continued motion it might help narrow down the culprit.

Okay, so iI think the clutch depress = engine "restart" issue may be cleared up. Tell me if this sequence is correct: car is being driven in gear engine loses all power, but car is still moving and in gear clutch pedal is depressed engine "restarts" Is that the sequence?

My WAG is that that is excess sealant that squeezed out during assembly. Should not be a concern.

Westie looks like a screaming bargain for somebody. The Caterham is disappointing. It sold for $28,750 in 2023 and $26,500 in 2024.

That’s happened to me twice on BaT! I tell people “they followed me home.”

Depressing the clutch and having the engine "start" may point to a fuel delivery or shutoff issue. Not enough fuel to keep the engine running with any load, but enough for it to run at idle.

Ah! That would explain why the starter is operating when the clutch is depressed. Clutch pedal interlock switch. Ignition switch stuck or failing?

Pushing the clutch pedal causes the starter to operate?!? That's bizarre. I'd be looking for pinched wires in the starter solenoid vicinity.

Once you go black...

We might need a new thread. East coast folks should know the name of this one.

I guess you put ketchup on hot dogs too.

Update on my order, placed on 7/16. 1 sticker 1 mug 1 t-shirt The mug shipped out 7/17. DHL got it to the USPS on 7/18. It's supposedly arriving tomorrow, 7/22. The other two items are in one package. That shipped today, 7/21. They're claiming it will be here by 7/24 but I'm not holding my breath. Generally speaking the ordering side of things was very doable. Shipping is about what I expect these days especially when USPS becomes involved. So, all good thus far.

I'm afraid to ask what shipping would cost to the east coast. Besides which they're probably a bit too much for a 135HP twincam.

Subbed for the same information. Plus are those CN36's? What size? How do you like them?

For sale on BaT 3 times in 3 years. Has a license plate “TWINCAM” but sadly just one. Harrumph.

I'd look at #13 "Flasher Unit".

They're coming out of the woodwork. Birkin. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-birkin-s3/

Yes it would. Forgiven.

Who in their right mind puts cream in their coffee!!! Despite that faux pas I'm off to place an order.

I’ve never seen one with the center tunnel sealed away like that. Must be interesting to get at the driveshaft, Speedo drive, etc.

The thlot pickens. He had a couple of 356 Porsches prior to the Elan. I've looked online and they used the same kind of hardware as the English cars of the period. I'm off to check with those wizards.

Miata. Hmmm. He has one of those too. I think I’ll take it with me the next time I visit.