Fuel Pump

[BigErch]

Two weeks ago the fuse for the fuel pump blew, I replaced it and everything was fine until last night when the Pump finally failed.
It's getting 12v and was intermittently working but now completely dead.
Does anyone have a spare pump for sale?

[Rambo]

Archie - send Jeemy a PM. He probably has 2 spare ones from his breakers. He is based at Fenton barns/Gullane, East lothian

Or you could try Andy up in Inverness. Maybe the pump is still on Ailwyn's scrapper ??

[BigErch]

Andy has sold his. I'll try Jeemy now

[Rambo]

Jeemy should have at least 2 spare as he is scrapping a couple of Elans

[BigErch]

I've got a replacement pump.
Has anyone got any tips on removing the fuel lines with the special connectors. They look like 10mm JG Speedfit-like plumbing connectors. Can I use one of their removal tools?
Does the collet ring need pushing out to release or pulled in?
cheers, Arch

[Brit-Car-Nut]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22356

[BigErch]

http://forum.lotuselancentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22356

unfortunately I need the car for Sunday so i won't get these in time.
I'm told ford and vauxhall have the same or similar fittings. Anyone used one of their tools?

[dapinky]

Archie,

There is a proper tool for removal of the fittings, but for the amount of times you'll use it, maybe not worth buying.

I made my own for nowt!

Basically, i cut a strip of aluminium about 4" x 2", and put a 12mm (IIRC) hole towards the end, then trimmed it down to make it a U shaped cut-out which fits over the plastic fuel pipe....

then drilled a couple of 4mm holes to the sides of the cut-out to line up with the holes in the end of the fuel pipe fitting....

....insert a couple of pop rivets, with the long pins pointing the same way, and nip them up so they were tight enough to hold, but not snap the pins off...

....trim the pins down to about 10mm long - job done.

Failing that, just pushing 2 pins into the 2 holes in the face of the fitting will depress the flange inside and slide the fitting off, without bothering with a tool at all - it isn't hard to work out, and will save time/money - it only needs a gentle pressure to release the internal grip, then slide the fitting off - replacement is just a case of push it on until the internal collar clicks into place.

[epipete]

Failing that, just pushing 2 pins into the 2 holes in the face of the fitting will depress the flange inside and slide the fitting off, without bothering with a tool at all - it isn't hard to work out, and will save time/money - it only needs a gentle pressure to release the internal grip, then slide the fitting off - replacement is just a case of push it on until the internal collar clicks into place.

Much easier. I used two small jewellery screwdrivers, you need flexible fingers and preferably 3 hands but it is simple enough.


If it is your pump then, although it's a long way away, Lotus are at Castle Combe tomorrow and I know that Merlin sell Fuel Pumps (I have one installed) for the Elan, maybe, if this is your problem, someone could pick one up for you; failing that, give them a call.

[BigErch]

thanks for the tips guys, I'm going to tackle the pump swap tomorrow. I let you know how I get on.

[BigErch]

Failing that, just pushing 2 pins into the 2 holes in the face of the fitting will depress the flange inside and slide the fitting off, without bothering with a tool at all - it isn't hard to work out, and will save time/money - it only needs a gentle pressure to release the internal grip, then slide the fitting off - replacement is just a case of push it on until the internal collar clicks into place.

it looks like these connectors have been released a few times and have been thru the wars! I can't see any holes.

[BigErch]

The red and white collars on my connectors were already removed and pushed down to the end of the pipe as it enters the tank! All i had to do was push the grey collet ring and off they came, great!

[Rambo]

unfortunately I need the car for Sunday so i won't get these in time

Can't you use one of your Esprits Archie

PS Good luck with the fuel pump removal and re-fitting. Who did you get the pump from ?

[BigErch]

Fuel pump fitted and working great!
There' something wrong about having electrics inside a fuel tank! The +12v had shorted out to the level sender - not sure if this actually broke the pump but it explained why I always had a full tank reading.
The pump was knackered tho, the new SJS punp was the exact size but required spade connectors instead of the locking lotus connector - would have preferred the original connector. Would not want the +12v spade coming loose and floating about the tank!
I'm driving the GT3 tomorrow and Stevos taking the Elan - is this wise?
Again. many thanks for the help. cheers Arch

[Rambo]

I'm driving the GT3 tomorrow and Stevos taking the Elan - is this wise?

About as wise as wearing flip flops up Everest