Blocked drain hole

[JonJon]

Hi All,
first issue with my new Elan, the drain hole from the fuel filler is blocked, I've had a little poke around with a piece of garden wire but don't want to pack the crap down in there. How do I access the pipe to remove and clear it, or is there an easier way?
Cheers Jon.

[muley]

Jon

Welcome!

I've successfully cleared mine in the past by blasting air down it with a bike pump and a tapered football adaptor..

..with a little soapy water first.

Jim

[JonJon]

Thanks Jim I'll give it a go.

[Rice crispy]

you may need an airline from a compressor !! mine did

[Jeemy]

Do try a poke from the bottom (from memory its just behind the fuel tank) as well. That sorted mine.

[Enright]

A WD40 straw down it can help. If the straw bungs up you can just blow it out. Or a pipe cleaner.
DONT let the water level get above the fuel cap though (particularly if you have a cracked fuel cap) or you could get water in your fuel and end up having to be rescued - don't ask how I know!

[JonJon]

I'll try with the bike pump and a pock up the bottom first (of the pipe that is) If that fails I'll have to dig out the compressor

[Peter_W]

Compressed air in a can comes in handy for these types of uses.

[ashm]

Wear a raincoat if you plan on jetting compressed air up from the bottom... and don't look up when it clears - you won't like what lands on your face! I didn't...
Adam

[RayD]

See Also

Ray

[JonJon]

See Also

Ray

Thanks for the link RayD, it will be a great help.
Jon.

[JonJon]

"Sorted"
I used a bike pump with a Lilo inflator attachment fitted and some warm soapy water. Whilst I've got the car apart I'm going to look at modifying the drain pipe, maybe send it out through the inner wheel arch. that way I can fit an almost straight drain pipe. Your thoughts on the idea or any other suggestions.
Cheers Jon.

[lotustonybassplayer]

thats what i did drilled up through the arch used a liquid soap dispencer tube ! short and sweet no more water filled fuel filler recess

[JonJon]

Hi All
Well so much for my claim of "Sorted". While fitting a new roll over valve and evap canister I thought I'd take a look at the route of the drain pipe to see how easy it would be to modify. When I checked the pipe, this is what I found!

Split fuel bowl drain pipe.JPG

Drain pipe.JPG

I think it's safe to say the bike pump method did nothing to help clear the blockage.

So out came the drill.
I removed the filler cap to make room for the drill, then drilled down from the top with a 5mm drill bit,

drilling drain hole from the top.JPG

Locate and enlarge the hole from under the wheel arch (wheel removed for better access)

enlarging drain hole.jpg

All I had to do then was fit the new drain pipe, refit the clip at the drain pipe spigot and seal the hole around the pipe ( I used Unibond power epoxy plastic )

Drain in place pre paint.jpg

It's now 3" long and drops straight down. All that left is to paint under the arch with something like POR15 and it's done.

[Jeemy]

(Like everything) I've not done it yet but I plan to paint my arches with TetraSchutz.

Cliff has had great results with it as far as I recall he has good pictures on here.

I have a can sitting here, got my van back yesterday (yippee, now I just need my back to heal so I can drive it) and then I can get my air compressor.

I'm going to spray the front arches off the car, and have a go at just tipping some into a pot and brushing it onto the rear arch liners.

[Simon_P]

If you overfill - Won't it put petrol on your tyre there?

[Rob P]

With the cost of fuel these days does anyone ever fill the tank to the top

[JonJon]

If you overfill - Won't it put petrol on your tyre there?

Hi Simon,
I do agree with what your saying, I can't remember the last time I over filled one of my cars, not that it couldn't happen. If there was a problem with the fuel pumps overfill shutoff, then you'd probable get more fuel on your tyres driving through spills on the the forecourt than you would from overfilling (not that that makes it ok), but if it did happen, isn't it better to discharge any spilt fuel to the outside of the car as quickly as possible where it will evaporate rather then having it run through a pipe on the inside of the car? or in my case the fuel would have leaked into the car!
Cheers Jon.

(Like everything) I've not done it yet but I plan to paint my arches with TetraSchutz.

Cliff has had great results with it as far as I recall he has good pictures on here.

I have a can sitting here, got my van back yesterday (yippee, now I just need my back to heal so I can drive it) and then I can get my air compressor.

I'm going to spray the front arches off the car, and have a go at just tipping some into a pot and brushing it onto the rear arch liners.

If you overfill - Won't it put petrol on your tyre there?

Hi Jeemy,
For the reason above, I'm looking for a product that's oil/fuel resistant that also has good impact resistance. I haven't spoken to Frosts yet, from there web site POR15 sounds good.
Cheers Jon.

[JonJon]

With the cost of fuel these days does anyone ever fill the tank to the top

too true!! And what about all that weight!!!

[Ade]

Hi,
please don,t treat the matter of getting fuel on the tyres so lightly. On a previous car I owned there was a recall because fuel was leaking from the filler cap onto the tyre and cars were spinning off at roundabouts, It actually happened to me but I was lucky nothing was around.

Ade