Access to fuel tank

[jecuk]

Well, my first bit of maintenance. Andrew says the smell of fuel from the car after being refilled is caused by poorly fitted/lubricated seal at the top of the fuel tank. I am trying to get to the tank but m not sure what trim to remove. All along the floor of the roof storage area is a plastic cover. There does not seem to be a hatch to get access to it.

Do I have to remove the whole floor to get to the fuel tank?

I have searched the site but can't see a step-by-step to getting access to it.

all help appreciated.

Jason.

[jecuk]

Found it in the wiki under fuel filter section. It all has to come out.

[WillB]

Yep, it's a bit of a pain to do.

Easiest option is just not to brim it when you fill up!

Whereabouts in Bucks are you?

[jecuk]

I am in Marlow. Looks like I need a special tool to take off the fuel lines. Unfortunately, I am the sort of person who wants to sort it rather than not brim the tanks.

I have the tank exposed now but need the tool to remove the fuel lines. Is this a normal tool from a motor parts place?

Lastly, Andrew says the inertia switch is behind the passenger seat - I must be blind as I can't see it. Any more precise location?

I know there are probably idiotic questions but you have to start somewhere.

[Foo]

Don't blow yourself up dude <3

[jecuk]

I am trying to avoid that.

[Jackonicko]

There seem to be quite a few Thames Valley/Chilterns Elans in LEC.

I'm about midway between Oxford and Henley, Surferphil's near Bourne End, and you're in Marlow....

[Candles]

You don't need the special tool, just use a small open-ended spanner and push. I think I used a very small screwdriver to pry off the locking ring initially.

NB the order you remove them in, as the replacement sequence is critical, i.e. you'll only be able to get the one nearest the centre of the car on first.

Candles.

[surfboardfiller]

Inertia switch is a black push/pull switch sticking up in the battery compartment, to the left of the battery. The tank drops down and is held in by a removable strap, you will need a tall jack and dis connect part of the rear LHS wish bones.

[WillB]

Yep, as Candles said, you don't need the special tool.

I've used a couple of small 'jewelers' screwdrivers to push off the hoses, they then just push back on.

I'm over in Chalfont St Peter, we should get together for a Bucks meet at some point.

[GeoffSmith]

Check the Wiki for the location in the S2.

[jecuk]

Thanks. Inertia switch located above the speaker on passenger side. With the fuel tank, I seem to remember Andrew saying to lubricate the inside of the seal with silicone lubricant. Assuming this is the problem, will that do it?

[jecuk]

I'm over in Chalfont St Peter, we should get together for a Bucks meet at some point.

Sounds good.

[surfboardfiller]

Thanks. Inertia switch located above the speaker on passenger side. With the fuel tank, I seem to remember Andrew saying to lubricate the inside of the seal with silicone lubricant. Assuming this is the problem, will that do it?

Sorry about that!

another one for the SE/S2 differences.

[jecuk]

:oops: Sorry about that!

another one for the SE/S2 differences.

You had me thinking I was going mad!!

[surfboardfiller]

When all along it was me!
Are you coming to the Ace Cafe on Wed night?

[jecuk]

So, given at in the S2 it is a rubber diaphram button, do I just press it when the engine is running? I can't pull a plunger. Pressing it seems to do no good.

[jecuk]

Job done!

Inertia didn't seem to do anything so I pulled the fuel pump fuse.

It looks like when the gasket was replaced in the top of the fuel tank, they pushed the edge down leaving one of the rubber bits pushed up. This could have allowed some fuel to escape. Reseated and we will see if it helps.

Thanks for all the help on this.

[tigerdog]

based on this experience, if you needed to replace both ful lines from thetank to the engine, would you do it yourself of leave the task to a specialist? (Guess what's on my to-do list...)

[jecuk]

I don't know how they run and how hard access is. If I had to get back into the fuel tank, it would be much quicker a second time. I find that can be the problem, you have to learn it - if you have the time I am sure it is OK to do yourself.

Doesn't seem like a huge amount of space there. Perhaps you have to drop the tank out to rerun the lines.