Fuel blockage? - now solved

[scottswatches]

Typical. finally got some time to change the rear brake seals and the car won't start!

I have spark, i can hear/feel the fuel relay clicking and the fuel pump fuse is fine, but i still have no juice going the to motor. Is there a common place that i should check first for a fuel blockage? The car did start and ran for five seconds before cutting out, but before this i hadn't moved the car for three weeks. I've moved the car onto the level (my drive slopes) to make sure the fuel pump could pick up ok from the tank, which is 1/4 full.

Any ideas?

[bobbrown]

Can you here the pump running when you switch the ignition on?
It sounds like it may be an immobiliser problem as mine does that when I forget to stick the dongle in the bit on the dash before starting runs for 5 seconds then stops and I do not get the pump runing when the ignition is switched on.

Bob

[dapinky]

May I draw your attention to this

It may help.

[scottswatches]

tried the 'clicking' test and all is well there. I believe the fuel pump isn't running, as the car tried to start again today so i think some residual fuel was in the lines, and as soon as that ran out there was no sign of it attempting to start. Where is the pump, and is it difficult to get too? Then i can check the voltages at that end

[bobbrown]

You should here the pump run momentarily when you switch the ignition on it is not a clicking sound more a buzz.
The pump is inside the fuel tank but you should be able to check it by jumping it direct from the battery.

Bob

[scottswatches]

does anyone have any advice onto how to access the fuel pump? Is there a service panel to remove like the fuel filter, or do a need to borrow some ramps again? Searched the wiki and i can't find any mention of where the damn thing is!

[bobbrown]

other side to the battery

pump location.jpg

If you haven't already done so the manuals are available but you will need to get a username and password see http://www.lotuselancentral.com/manuals.htm

[scottswatches]

other side to the battery

pump location.jpg

If you haven't already done so the manuals are available but you will need to get a username and password see http://www.lotuselancentral.com/manuals.htm

Thanks Bob - i have registered for the manuals but haven't got my security clearance yet.

How unusual - a job that is easy to get to! Normally when something is wrong it is where my fat, dumpy hands can't get into!

[dapinky]

How unusual - a job that is easy to get to!

Don't let the picture fool you!!!!!!

To get to the job you need access to the cover panel - 2 of the setscrews holding it on are obscured by the bulkhead trim.......

.......you also need to remove all the roof storage area liner (admittedly, it's quite straightforward if you don't have roll hoops).....

....having got the cover panel off, you are met with the contents of the picture - but probably covered with the detritus of 17 winters

As you don't want dead flies and mud dropping into the tank, make sure you brush as much away as you can, then unplug the wiring block - this enable you to connect straight to the battery to test the pump, without disturbing any fuel lines.

If you need to open the top of the tank - MARK THE RELEVANT POSITIONS OF THE KNURLED COLLAR FIRST - it makes getting it back in exactly the same place so much easier (essential if you want the fuel guage to be anything like accurate).

When it comes to the petrol pipe connectors, the manual specifies a special tool to undo them from the tank spiggots - don't be tempted to just cut the plastic pipe and hope to fit it back on to the connector later it won't work - and you'll be left with no alternative than replacing a length of hose with a new bit of rubber (which is awkward to follow the routing correctly).

The connectors will pop off easily with the right technique......

and the rest of the page from Bobs picture above may help.....

fuel tank.jpg

You can (hopefully) see that to release the connectors we need to push the internal cone back a bit - the tool shown is what you NEED - but I managed happily with 2 lengths of an old coat hanger (pannel pins, wire, toothpicks/cocktail sticks - anything like that), inserted into the holes in the end face, and they just slipped off (with a bit of a pull).

Dead easy, and no damage caused.

Then it is a simple case of undoing the knurled ring, lifting off the cap and pulling the entire fuel pump/pickup/sender out vertically.

There is a large mesh 'strainer' filter on the end - I've never known them to become so clogged up that they block (plastic fuel tank!) - but worth a look.

The actual pump is ridiculously expensive from Lotus (as everything else), but there is a thread somewhere which tells you the spec needed - any immersible pump with the right delivery rate will do, but Lotus robbed the parts bin, and it is the same as any number of other cars - notably Scooby Imprezzas and other easy to get items. (hopefully it won't come to that.....)

[scottswatches]

Thanks guys.

Got the fuel pump out ok, and it is definately NFG. i'll order up the equivilent pump, which should hopefully arrive while i am away this weekend. I am tempted to give the old pump a knock, just to see if it will get it going, but i'd never trust it again so i'll have to splash some cash.

[scottswatches]

FIXED! Thanks for all your help.

I fitted a walbro 255 pump and voila! please be warned that the walbro 305 pump doesn't fit an elan, as i was tempted by the bigger capacity at the same price and have paid the price for my greed! The 255 is the one for the job

[dapinky]

..........i was tempted by the bigger capacity .............. The 255 is the one for the job

Don't worry Scott - that IS the uprated version for a 4 pot engine!

Standard pump flows around 175L/hr (IIRC), and will do for 300+bhp - - the 255 l/hr is the upgrade for the big horsepower scoobys etc

[scottswatches]

..........i was tempted by the bigger capacity .............. The 255 is the one for the job

Don't worry Scott - that IS the uprated version for a 4 pot engine!

Standard pump flows around 175L/hr (IIRC), and will do for 300+bhp - - the 255 l/hr is the upgrade for the big horsepower scoobys etc

Greed is a killer - my engine is stock, so the 255 will be over and above what is required, but the 305 was the same price.

The car equivalent of turning it up to 11!