Strong fuel smell

The Oily Bits S1 Specific Topics
1

Been suffering from strong fuel smell in cockpit and engine bay…seems to be getting worse.
One day it seems to be in the cockpit next the engine bay filler side , then the fuel pump side.
Checked hoses and jubilee clips on filler side( Lower ones a PITA to access) . and pipe connections in engine bay.
Does not appear to be connected with engine running.or cornering.
How easy is it to acess the fuel pump and if all else fails whats involved in dropping the tank…guess I have to detatch filler hose from petrol cap end as access to the tank end is impossible.

Car/Tank is 17 years old and car has been an" outsider" for many years.

HELP please OH wise ones

2
  • fuel rollover valve … the breather pipe splits
  • Braided rubber hose breathing … this did my head in until I changed to Teflon hose and problem solved
3

We have the same problem Clive as we discussed at Anglesey last week :confused: Seems to get worse as fuel drops to around 13 litres.
Thanks Andy, we will try to investigate further.

Mark

4

I’m going to look at the top of the tank to see if the pump gasket is leaking. :eh: …dont thonk I will be using a flame for illumination :smiling_imp: .

5

After a few days sitting in the workshop the odour is significantly reduced :smiley: However its got less than 12 lts in the tank so this might imply the problem is in the upper part of the tank…or the filler tube …" :confused:
Trying hard to avoid dropping the tank but beginning to look I might have to… :lolno: …ugh. Then a bigger tank will be called for… :open_mouth: and so it goes on

6

Might as well fit a uprated fuel pump at the same time and coat everything in AF50 once you’ve cleaned it all up. Haven’t you got to drop the gear linkage cables to get the tank out??? May as well throw the old ones in the bin and upraight those while there off.

7

Hi guys, mine S1 as well has a very strong fuel smell, especially after refueling and when cornering hard to the left. The two times since I own it that I’ve made a full refueling it was like I’ve washed the interiors with the gasoline… :open_mouth: :cry: :blush:

I tried to check all the components when but got nothing. Like MrBean, it’s a 17 yo car and I’m trying hard to avoid dropping the tank too… so, any guess would be welcome.

Thanks!
Albert

8

http://www.exiges.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2641&p=21454&hilit=Fuel+smell#p21454

9

Are you certain your TPS is working correctly? As I understand it these cars rely a lot of the TPS given no MAF. Therefore fuelling input info sent to the ecu amongst other things relies on throttle position being accurately known. My TPS replaced just recently has made a significant difference to fuel smell. Worth a try for 20 pounds.

10

If you’re going to drop the fuel tank out to check for fuel leaks, have a really good look at the brake pipes that run through where the tank lives. They have a habit of corroding where they are in the pipe support. If in doubt, change them as it sucks taking it out again the following week!!

11

I am begining to feel rather too old for doing all this getting down and under…unlike in my youth! :wink:

12

for what is worth, I have found my fuel smell came from the fuel breather hose that was cracked. It’s the part number 4 here http://www.deroure.com/diagrams.asp?TBL=1310&MAK=1&MDL=13&SMA=0&SMO=0&ST=&SC=0

Mine was the D version while now should be the E version, it has also been a recall from Lotus in 2001.
I have found it pushing compressed air in the fuel tank with compressor and holding it with a hand. I’ve heard the psss from the lower part of this hose.

13

The filler and breather hoses on my car were rock solid too. It felt they were made of wood instead of rubber.
I fitted a set of new ones bought on ebay UK for about 70 GBP.
It is not necessary to drop the tank to change the hoses. Consider to buy new clamps (you need four per hose). The bigger ones for the filler hose are about 65mm in diameter.

14

… If a job is worth doing, it’s worth taking it to the Edwards Boyz!!