Fuel Tank Recall

[John Syracuse]

Aight, so I had a disappointing last couple days by way of Lotus Elanning, I've come to find that my recently purchased Elan has not had the fuel tank recall performed on it, leaks no less than a s**t ton of gas when I top it off, and Lotus has decided as of a few months ago that they were honoring the recall long enough.

So what I'm hoping to get from people is some detail and ideally pictures with respect to what was the problem with the fuel tanks so I can get an idea of what would be involved in a possible repair. From what I've read, it sounded as if the tanks would split somewhere at the top which would cause a gasoline smell. There's definitely not just a gasoline smell with mine, it's literally a small puddle of gasoline on my garage floor when I top it off, so it may be something completely unrelated to the recall fix, but either which way while I'm taking things out from under the car to inspect and get an idea why this is happening, I want to have some idea of what I should look for to fix or replace.

Curious as well if anyone else has had a problem like this with their Elans.

Chris

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Chris: Did you verify that info with Lotus USA? Dealers will say anything to get away from working on the M100.

Used tanks pop up on eBay every now and then but DVB charges a fortune compared to normal people. I believe I have seen them for GBP100.00 several time this year.

[juneaubehr]

I just had the tank replaced on my newly purchased Elan last week by the Dealer in Portland, Oregon, the recall was honoured by Lotus USA after a couple of calls and a few emails. The Service Manager informed me that they have to honour the recall because it is "safety" related. They replaced the tank, float and fuel pump as a complete unit, as they received it from Lotus USA. The story was that there were 3 in stock, so they no longer pressure test the tanks, they simply replace them. The dealer did charge me $100 to replace the filter, which I supplied, due to seized fittings. I know they scammed me for the $100, but I was happy to have the new tank, sender and pump.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I just had the tank replaced on my newly purchased Elan last week by the Dealer in Portland, Oregon, the recall was honoured by Lotus USA after a couple of calls and a few emails. The Service Manager informed me that they have to honour the recall because it is "safety" related. They replaced the tank, float and fuel pump as a complete unit, as they received it from Lotus USA. The story was that there were 3 in stock, so they no longer pressure test the tanks, they simply replace them. The dealer did charge me $100 to replace the filter, which I supplied, due to seized fittings. I know they scammed me for the $100, but I was happy to have the new tank, sender and pump.

Good for you.

The recall does NOT include a sender or pump, just the tank. Lotus USA made it clear that they checked with Lotus UK, their attorneys and the NHTSA and that the recall was over and they would not authorize any more replacements. It was NEVER a mandated NHTSA recall, rather a voluntary effort and after that many years, they had met their responsibility. It would be interesting to find out who made the decision to honor the recall and then use more than the parts included in the recall. I checked with the directors of Service at both Lotus US and Lotus UK and they both confirmed they would not honor any more requests. Maybe someone got a lawyer involved. There are still more tanks in the UK, so that should not be a problem.

Do you know who the dealer got to approve the replacement?

[pearman00]

i have a fuel tank if you still need one GBP 75+ P&P whatever way you want it sent if that helps

[juneaubehr]

Good for you.

The recall does NOT include a sender or pump, just the tank. Lotus USA made it clear that they checked with Lotus UK, their attorneys and the NHTSA and that the recall was over and they would not authorize any more replacements. It was NEVER a mandated NHTSA recall, rather a voluntary effort and after that many years, they had met their responsibility. It would be interesting to find out who made the decision to honor the recall and then use more than the parts included in the recall. I checked with the directors of Service at both Lotus US and Lotus UK and they both confirmed they would not honor any more requests. Maybe someone got a lawyer involved. There are still more tanks in the UK, so that should not be a problem.

Do you know who the dealer got to approve the replacement?[/quote]

"Good for you",??? from the sounds of it, you should have said "Lucky you"

The service manager informed me that "the tank arrived as a complete assembly, with all new parts inside, from Lotus USA HQ". If you are head hunting to find out who used more than the parts included in the recall, start with Lotus USA, Georgia. I should call them and offer to pay for the parts that are not included in the recall.

Chris in Co. ---- Portland Lotus informed me by email that Lotus USA HQ in Georgia has a few tanks on the shelf, maybe you can get one from there, if you are not as "lucky" as I was to get the recall honored. If you would like to email me offline I can give you more information about how I was a proverbial "squeeky wheel" and dealt with all the Lotus

Steve

[MacII]

Consider yourself lucky, I got my tank recall approved months ago, and due to work couldn't get my car in to the dealer until I went to LOG this year. When I picked up my car, I got presented with a bill for the tank R&R AND cost of tank.
- can you spell "New Evora".....I used to be able to

[MacII]

All, just got an email from LCU - my tank recall that was previously approved, was Honored.
Faith Restored. Thnak you Lotus Cars.