If the petrol tank can't be repaired...

[madbilly]

Hiya,
I've got a leak from the petrol tank (or something connected to it) when the tank's full or when I go round a right hand bend! I'm assuming the tanks cracked where the filler neck joins and I'm assuming that it can be repaired. If it can't be repaired, then I'll need to replace the tank, BUT the service manual says that my car has an earlier tank design and I think only later tank designs are available. Later tanks can be made to fit earlier cars with mods to the breather system with additional parts, however a quick look at online parts emporiums (Paul Matty, SJ Sports Cars) shows none of the additional parts needed for the adaptation are for sale (I haven't rung up Lotus yet).

Has anyone replaced an older tank with a newer one? Any problems experienced? Can the "official" parts be done without, or substituted with standard auto-factors off-the-shelf stuff? Any pointers before I get the work started will be much appreciated as they'll save me some hair!

Cheers,
Will

[muley]

Will

I spoke to markv last night and he has had his repaired - I suggest you PM him because I think he has the details of the firm that can repair them properly.

HTH


Jim

mark!

[hatters]

Hi
There is one on Ebay at the moment at £75.00 with post at £25.00 it looks OK and the guy who is selling says its sound with no cracks or leaks perhaps that will be cheaper than repairing yours
Roan

[JonT]

Hi
There is one on Ebay at the moment at £75.00 with post at £25.00 it looks OK and the guy who is selling says its sound with no cracks or leaks perhaps that will be cheaper than repairing yours
Roan

Have you got a link? I've just had a look but haven't managed to find it.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-M1 ... 0648839047

[Dave Eds]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-M100-Petrol-Tank-/200648839047

Andy is one of us!

[markv]

Mine has been repaired successfully. Steve Williams took the tank out, drove to somewhere near Hemel Hempstead and got it repaired the same day at a specialist place where another Elan owner had already been. He's given me the contact details, so if there's any interest I'll see what I've done with the info and post it here.

[lotusgirlmarie]

Not sure about the UK but there was a recall here in the 'States for the fuel tanks. Because of this lotus paid for a new tank and install at the dealer. All parts and labour inclusive. Might be worth a look.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Unfortunately, the recall was US only and now, you have to fight to get consideration.

Lotus UK is not required to replace tanks for frree. New tanks are still available, but very dear:

The part number for the bare tank is D100L0028H This is the tank without pump or sender. Should be priced at £320.82.

US price is $827.83 at DBE

[lotusgirlmarie]

At those prices I'd build a fuel cell from alloy. At least I would know it wouldn't crack.

[madbilly]

After a few fill-ups and inspections I actually think the tank's fine and it might be the breather - or maybe they all stink when brimmed?!

[madbilly]

Filled up before my journey North on Friday and it stank, so had a look for any sign of where the leak might be from but found nothing definitive. The one thing worth noting was that the filler neck grommet which seals the tank area under the car from the cabin was perished. In the absence of a new grommet we siliconed it up and when I filled up for the journey back on Monday there was no petrol stench, whoop! Fingers crossed for the next fillup!

I should also say that I'd also changed the fuel filter, and removed and put back on the filler hose, breather hose and breather hose grommet, but I don't think they were a cause of the stench (unless the jubilee clip for the filler hose on the tank end wasn't done up right).

[markv]

Mine has been repaired successfully. Steve Williams took the tank out, drove to somewhere near Hemel Hempstead and got it repaired the same day at a specialist place where another Elan owner had already been. He's given me the contact details, so if there's any interest I'll see what I've done with the info and post it here.

Just found the details: Plastics Facilities Ltd.,Fen End, Astwick Road, Stotfold, Hitchin,Herts, SG5 4BA. Tel 01462 832832

One year on I've not had any problems at all

[madbilly]

So far no recurrence of the stench, and I've also been careful not to overfill, so I think it could have been the perished grommet letting fumes into the cabin.