Lotus Elan Central

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 24.02.2007, 13:10

I've had a slight leak around the PAS pump for some time, but it's turned into something more serious now. It's difficult to see, but it appears to be from around the upper banjo joint.

Is this a common problem? Recommended fix (tighten or dismantle)?

Thanks in advance.

Geoff

by **Monty** » Sat 24.02.2007, 14:54

Not sure on that one Geoff, try tightening

Have a look in the manual and see if it has copper crush washers, if so they made need replacing.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 24.02.2007, 14:58

Thanks Monty. Also need a bastard shaped spanner to get to it!

by **Monty** » Sat 24.02.2007, 15:07

geoffsmith wrote:Thanks Monty. Also need a bastard shaped spanner to get to it!

You need a tool called a Dico, always said he`s a spanner :-D

by **Enright** » Sat 24.02.2007, 15:47

Thinking about it, I've that one off before when trying to fit the Stiffy.

You do mean the one that has the pipe that goes past the timing belt cover don't you?

It's no big deal to undo this one. The system auto-bleeds afterwards just by turning it from lock to lock, so don't worry about getting air in the system.

I'd try taking it off, checking the washers underneath, giving it a clean and then doing it up again.

Measure the washers' ID, OD & thickness as you may find a cheap off the shelf replacement from Halfords.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 24.02.2007, 16:07

This one. The only thing I can get on it is a stubby and my hands are too soft and sensitive to get any leverage on it. :gray: Thanks for the feedback, I'm trying to clear the garage so I can get the Polo in as well as I think I've got a burned out valve :evil:

Geoff

by **paulwatkins** » Sat 24.02.2007, 17:22

Geoff,
IIRC if you loosen the tensioner bolt, you can swivel the pump in towards the engine (as if removing the pas belt), and then you can access the top joint.

Cheers, Paul

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 24.02.2007, 17:33

Thanks Paul

by **Monty** » Sat 24.02.2007, 19:14

Enright13 wrote:It's no big deal to undo this one. The system auto-bleeds afterwards just by turning it from lock to lock, so don't worry about getting air in the system.

Can`t agree with that advice, do that wrong and u`ll knacker u`r PAS system, have a good read of the manual 1st.

by **chris.t** » Sat 24.02.2007, 19:26

That connection actaully fractured on mine. Lakeside brazed it up and its been fine ever since. however i would like to know how it was stressed enough to fracture in the first place - some ham fisted mechanic i shouldn't wonder :roll:

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 24.02.2007, 20:04

Thanks for the feedback - what a wonderful place LEC is. I haven't got on to it yet, but at least I've confirmed the compression on the Polo is OK so no head removal. :lol:

I know it's off topic, but I'm NOT signing up to PoloCentral.com to find out - has anyone ever suffered from rust/corrosion around the top of the spark plug recess. It looks like number 3 (the one causing problems) has been carefully designed, not only to prevent the use of a standard plug spanner, but also to collect any spray that gets thrown up inside the engine bay! Does anyone know of suitable tools, otherwise I will have to make up a tool to plug the hole and clean up the area around it. :evil:

Geoff

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 25.02.2007, 23:12

Still got a mildly lumpy Polo at the back of the garage but it's better than it was.

After what Monty said, I topped up the PAS fluid to be safe. I thought I'd check it out before tea, so I eventually got the 19mm nut moving with a stubby and a lever against the turbo. No improvement after releasing and tightening the nut, so I whipped the banjo off and there are two O rings and not compression washers. Well that's not strictly true, because I've only got one now. The other has fallen somewhere and I still cannot find it even after an hour with PAS fluid dripping everywhere. :evil:

Oh joy. And you know where the Polo is! :banghead:

Geoff

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 26.02.2007, 19:53

chris.t wrote:That connection actaully fractured on mine. Lakeside brazed it up and its been fine ever since. however i would like to know how it was stressed enough to fracture in the first place - some ham fisted mechanic i shouldn't wonder

DITTO

I think it has been stressed because the pipe sits about 1cm higher than the first retaining clip.

For information, the O rings are 12mm x 2.5mm and 11mm x 1.5mm.

Geoff

by **Enright** » Wed 28.02.2007, 15:00

Monty wrote:
Enright13 wrote:It's no big deal to undo this one. The system auto-bleeds afterwards just by turning it from lock to lock, so don't worry about getting air in the system.

Can't agree with that advice, do that wrong and u'll knacker u'r PAS system, have a good read of the manual 1st.

Well I can't disagree with the "RTFM" advice! :-D

I'm just talking from personal experience with other systems.
What I meant was that although it's a fluid filled system, getting an air bubble in it is nowhere near as nasty as, say a brake line, and it's much easier to bleed.

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 02.03.2007, 00:17

Although I could have had the banjo brazed relatively cheaply, the bottom nut and pipe were (still are) locked solid. Junior hacksaw blade with masking tape to the rescue! Looks like a trip to Pirtek is needed. :evil:

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 02.03.2007, 15:45

Sorted!

by **paulwatkins** » Fri 02.03.2007, 15:49

Well done Geoff, That was a quick fix.
You can get on with the t-shirts now! :wink:

Glad you got it sorted.

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 02.03.2007, 22:57

Finally braved the weather to take a quick look. I got them to set the flexible pipe 1 cm lower and now with the banjo in place, the pipe lies gently on the clip rather than hovering half an inch above it. :-D

The bottom end seems to line up as well, so it looks like a job well done.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 03.03.2007, 15:27

Can anyone tell me how to activate the inertia switch please?

by **dapinky** » Sat 03.03.2007, 15:52

Drive into a brick wall at 20 mph? :banghead:

Lotus Elan Central

Incontinence - PAS pump leaking

Incontinence - PAS pump leaking

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