Petrol smell...

[courtster]

Been in the elise all day today (fantastic!) under a variety of conditions, roof on, roof off. but when the roof is off and not travelling in urban speed limits I can smell petrol that I think eminates from somewhere over my right shoulder between the end of the door and the firewall.

 

I know the petrol cap is by there, but have checked and I don't think is coming from there. Its fuel consumpion is fantastic, much better than my company Vectra, so dont think it has a leak.

 

Is this one of the elises many quirks, or me being a newbie? I don't really notice the smell, but it was an excuse for the the father-in-law to find something to moan about, as well as the usual "theres no space", "it rattles and shakes" and "wheres the suspension" after finding a few choice pot holes and cats eyes.

 

Any clues will be much appreciated

[steve]

I have exactly the same quirk with mine. never notice it apart from with roof on and window open. the cap is ok as i get a good thirsty hiis when i open it to fill up. unless you dont get a hiss, i wouldnt worry about it.

 

cheers

 

steve

[spike]

i had this the other day... got home, checked the fuel cap.. found i hadnt screwed it all the way home.... (oo er) screwed it in.. problem solved

[Omar]

Do you have a Cat Replacement Pipe, it may be this. The CAT absorbs petrol smells. I was following an Elise with a CRP on yesterdays run and started to get a headache cos of the fumes, following other Elises with CATS fitted - no fumes and no headache.

[MattyB]

Mine really does smell quite strong, but then it does have a CRP. I only really notice the problem while reversing and the engine is cold - for obvious reasons.

 

Hood up/down moving/standing still I don't get the smell?

 

It is very worrying, I must admit, because in alot of cars your sheilded from these smells/noises and all the time I'm thinking "What that noise? Is it normal? Should I be worried?" I'm starting to get into the "groove" now though

[courtster]

Thanx for the replys guys, it's like you say Matty, in most other cars nowadays you're in a cocoon and wouldn't notice such smells/noises.

 

Did have a bit of fun with the petrol cap tho, you'd think it'd be straightforward to screw it in and lock it. As everything, practice makes perfect.

 

Cheers!

[MattyB]

Lol....funny you should mention the petrol cap...took me about 10 minutes to work it out too I think the three other people waiting behind me were getting really p1ssed off

[KiwiPete]

Quote from:

 

http://www.elises.co.uk/problems/recalls.html

 

Fuel Filler (SCCGA1111YHC80101)

February 2001 - There is a problem with the breather hose on the fuel filler. Some Elises and Exiges have been identified as having been fitted with a filler breather hose of an incorrect material, with a reduced durability and an increased potential for leaking. A leaking filler breather hose will allow fuel spillage when refuelling or when cornering. This is not a problem that requires immediate attention and the part will be replaced by your dealer free of charge. It takes about an hour to replace the part.

 

 

So could be worth checking this out. I've never had any fuel smells from mine and would certainly get it looked at.

 

Peter

[Mark H]

I have a cat rep pipe and I dont get any fume problems, apart from when I take the back window out but thats just the exhaust.

[Scott_Mac]

Drop Lotus an email with yr chassis number and they can tell you if you missed any recalls...

[courtster]

Well, i left the smell for the last week or so and has got steadily worse. The cap doesn't hiss, Williams in bristol says its prob not a leak as no smell in engine bay, could be faulty valve in the cap - £90+ vat for a new cap!

 

Another thing I realised last night when reading the owners manual is that after picking the car up I absolutely brimmed the tank and the manual says that I shouldnt have. Could this have caused it?

 

Any help gratefully received (again!)

[malbon]

A question - If the elise is designed around weight saving........

 

why the fcuk does the petrol cap weigh half the weight of the car ?