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Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 9:09 am
by rbernstein
My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph

Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 12:01 pm
by simonknee
Finding the source of the fuel leak is an absolute priority.
There are many pictures of burnt out Loti over the years.

Check the state of the fuel lines, replacement with braided lines is advised
even if they look OK.
Check the fuel pump for leaks.
Is it electric, if so is there a regulator in the fuel line (too much
pressure otherwise)?
The carbs may be flooding.
Easy to see with an electric pump as it will pump even with the engine off
and you could see where it is getting out (peer into the carb barrels).
Not sure how to tell with an engine driven pump, maybe you have to dive in
and check the float levels setting.

Do check the evaporator hoses too but these shouldn't ever actually hold any
fuel, just let the tank "breath"
Any vapours they release should be to the outside - so since a normal +2 can
be kept in a garage I suspect a leak in a pipe that contains fuel.

All that said double-check your tank because you mention that it only
happens after filling up.
Is it fine if you only half fill? Check the level sender unit for leaks too.

In fact I remember that I had a scoring in the filler neck that meant fuel
would slosh out when the tank was full.
However you could always see the mess it made on the body.

As to grounding regularly check all the bobbins to the chassis.
In the nose, beside the radiator, at the engine mounts, behind the dash, in
the boot (and see manual in case the +2 has more than I remember).

Simon




-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Fri, Jan 03, 2003 05:07
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph

Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 12:50 pm
by Rob_LaMoreaux

This could very possibly do with the fuel hoses. Check every single one of them. Also look for discoloration due to fuel weeping out. My cousins Jaguar had a weep type leak from the tank which is about where the Plus 2 tank is, and the only sign was the smell and the foam underneath the tank was discolored.


If the headlights and starter work, then a bad ground is likely. I don't know the Plus 2 well, but there should be a ground to the backbone behind thedash. I ran extra grounds from the battery to eliminate this problem on mycar.

Rob LaMoreaux
Ann Arbor, MI USA
(734)-971-5583
***@***.***
Too many Hobbies.... Too Little Time
1969 Lotus Elan....It's not a restoration, it's a never-ending adventure.

Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:05 pm
by "ed smith"
Check the vent hoses where they go into the tank. Also the joint for the rubber fill tube goes to the tank and where it connects to the cap. Most likely is that the cap is leaking a bit, and the rubber seal to the body is bad so the fuel runs down into the trunk in small amounts and you don't see it.

keith

On Thu, 2 Jan 2003 21:06:51
Ralph Bernstein wrote:


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Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:17 pm
by DABARTH
We had a discussion on and off a few months ago about fumes on +2's
after fill up. I know mine smells strong and over-flows through the cap
if driven at all aggressively after filling up. It was suggested by
someone that a piece of plastic wrap film applied to the seal ring will
alleviate this. I have not tried it yet - I just don't fill up quite as
high.

As you've heard already - check your grounds... Two places in
particular: The one(s) behind the dash, and the main ground that goes
to the backbone behind and under the rear seats. I had an electrical
melt down due to the dash located ground knocking back and forth against
the heater box (it's tight under there). It was also discovered during
re-wiring that the main ground to the chassis (that actually has the
rear-end mounted to it) was pretty well corroded. It's also a good idea
to CHANGE that ground point as the electro-chemical reaction that takes
place will weaken the aluminum ears of the differential mounts... It
happened on my car.

Aaron
'68 +2
St. Paul, MN USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:07 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph




.
CopyrightC 1999, 2000, 2001 LotusElan.net and the
email author, all rights reserved.




Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:49 pm
by rbernstein
Aaron

Thanks very much for your advice on both the gas odor and electrical
system, I will pass this on to my son and let you know what the result is.

Ralph

'69 S4



-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron J. Courteau [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 8:16 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


We had a discussion on and off a few months ago about fumes on +2's
after fill up. I know mine smells strong and over-flows through the cap
if driven at all aggressively after filling up. It was suggested by
someone that a piece of plastic wrap film applied to the seal ring will
alleviate this. I have not tried it yet - I just don't fill up quite as
high.

As you've heard already - check your grounds... Two places in
particular: The one(s) behind the dash, and the main ground that goes
to the backbone behind and under the rear seats. I had an electrical
melt down due to the dash located ground knocking back and forth against
the heater box (it's tight under there). It was also discovered during
re-wiring that the main ground to the chassis (that actually has the
rear-end mounted to it) was pretty well corroded. It's also a good idea
to CHANGE that ground point as the electro-chemical reaction that takes
place will weaken the aluminum ears of the differential mounts... It
happened on my car.

Aaron
'68 +2
St. Paul, MN USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:07 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph




.
CopyrightC 1999, 2000, 2001 LotusElan.net and the
email author, all rights reserved.




Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 4:51 pm
by john.p.clegg
Aaron
re the leaking fuel filler cap,try a piece of "rubber" approx 24 mm o/d,19mm
i/d and length 7mm fitted in the filler cap "behind" the seal,this has cured
my problem of fuel sloshing out when driving "spiritedly"
john
68plus2


-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron J. Courteau [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 03 January 2003 16:16
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


We had a discussion on and off a few months ago about fumes on +2's
after fill up. I know mine smells strong and over-flows through the cap
if driven at all aggressively after filling up. It was suggested by
someone that a piece of plastic wrap film applied to the seal ring will
alleviate this. I have not tried it yet - I just don't fill up quite as
high.

As you've heard already - check your grounds... Two places in
particular: The one(s) behind the dash, and the main ground that goes
to the backbone behind and under the rear seats. I had an electrical
melt down due to the dash located ground knocking back and forth against
the heater box (it's tight under there). It was also discovered during
re-wiring that the main ground to the chassis (that actually has the
rear-end mounted to it) was pretty well corroded. It's also a good idea
to CHANGE that ground point as the electro-chemical reaction that takes
place will weaken the aluminum ears of the differential mounts... It
happened on my car.

Aaron
'68 +2
St. Paul, MN USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:07 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph




.
CopyrightC 1999, 2000, 2001 LotusElan.net and the
email author, all rights reserved.














Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Sat Jan 04, 2003 6:56 am
by elanplus2
Hi,

I agree with everything the others have said re the fuel smells, although do note that the breather pipes will result in a fuel smell around the car if the tank is full or near full.

I also agree with the others re earthing the car properly.

No-one else has mentioned that the {Plus 2 windows are slow. This is because the window is a double compound curve which means that the window binds as it travels up and down. I am currently experimenting with a replacementmotor in my Plus two in the hope of improved window speed. I will advise the list of the results in due course.

Ray Edwards
73 Plus 2 130/2




-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, 4 January 2003 05:47
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


Aaron

Thanks very much for your advice on both the gas odor and electrical
system, I will pass this on to my son and let you know what the result is.

Ralph

'69 S4



-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron J. Courteau [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 8:16 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


We had a discussion on and off a few months ago about fumes on +2's
after fill up. I know mine smells strong and over-flows through the cap
if driven at all aggressively after filling up. It was suggested by
someone that a piece of plastic wrap film applied to the seal ring will
alleviate this. I have not tried it yet - I just don't fill up quite as
high.

As you've heard already - check your grounds... Two places in
particular: The one(s) behind the dash, and the main ground that goes
to the backbone behind and under the rear seats. I had an electrical
melt down due to the dash located ground knocking back and forth against
the heater box (it's tight under there). It was also discovered during
re-wiring that the main ground to the chassis (that actually has the
rear-end mounted to it) was pretty well corroded. It's also a good idea
to CHANGE that ground point as the electro-chemical reaction that takes
place will weaken the aluminum ears of the differential mounts... It
happened on my car.

Aaron
'68 +2
St. Paul, MN USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:07 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph




.
CopyrightC 1999, 2000, 2001 LotusElan.net and the
email author, all rights reserved.




Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Sat Jan 04, 2003 7:42 am
by john.p.clegg
Ray
while you're experimenting,why not try jumping the battery straight onto the
wires to the window motor,you might be suprised at the speed at which the
windows operate,if so,maybe the answer lies elsewhere,like using higher
guage wire,cleaning-up connectors and the rest(usual lotus wiring problems)
john
68plus2


-----Original Message-----
From: Edwards, Ray [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 04 January 2003 06:57
To: '***@***.***'
Subject: [LotusElan.net] RE: Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


Hi,

I agree with everything the others have said re the fuel smells, although do
note that the breather pipes will result in a fuel smell around the car if
the tank is full or near full.

I also agree with the others re earthing the car properly.

No-one else has mentioned that the {Plus 2 windows are slow. This is
because the window is a double compound curve which means that the window
binds as it travels up and down. I am currently experimenting with a
replacement motor in my Plus two in the hope of improved window speed. I
will advise the list of the results in due course.

Ray Edwards
73 Plus 2 130/2




-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Saturday, 4 January 2003 05:47
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


Aaron

Thanks very much for your advice on both the gas odor and electrical
system, I will pass this on to my son and let you know what the result is.

Ralph

'69 S4



-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron J. Courteau [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 8:16 AM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


We had a discussion on and off a few months ago about fumes on +2's
after fill up. I know mine smells strong and over-flows through the cap
if driven at all aggressively after filling up. It was suggested by
someone that a piece of plastic wrap film applied to the seal ring will
alleviate this. I have not tried it yet - I just don't fill up quite as
high.

As you've heard already - check your grounds... Two places in
particular: The one(s) behind the dash, and the main ground that goes
to the backbone behind and under the rear seats. I had an electrical
melt down due to the dash located ground knocking back and forth against
the heater box (it's tight under there). It was also discovered during
re-wiring that the main ground to the chassis (that actually has the
rear-end mounted to it) was pretty well corroded. It's also a good idea
to CHANGE that ground point as the electro-chemical reaction that takes
place will weaken the aluminum ears of the differential mounts... It
happened on my car.

Aaron
'68 +2
St. Paul, MN USA

-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bernstein [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2003 11:07 PM
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

My son has a 1969 Lotus Plus 2 and needs some advice..

The first problem that he has is that there is a huge fuel odor after
filling
the tank and driving the car. This lasts for weeks, he cannot park the
car in the garage because of the odor of gas. There does not appear
to be a leak from the gas tank or filler.

Does this have anything to do with the evaporative fuel hoses, that is.
the hoses that sit between the headliner and the roof or the car?

The second problem is that the electric windows move slowly or not
at all, the windshield wipers move very slowly, and the interior lights
do not light. If this is a grounding problem, where would he look to
check out the grounding?

Anyone have thoughts or experience on these problems? Any
suggestions for Lotus mechanics in the south-western Connecticut
area?

thanks,

Ralph




.
CopyrightC 1999, 2000, 2001 LotusElan.net and the
email author, all rights reserved.




Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Sat Jan 04, 2003 6:06 pm
by gobw2
On Sat, 4 Jan 2003 19:56:31 +1300 "Edwards, Ray"
<***@***.***> writes:
Hi,Ray - some less expensive things to try - suggest you do all. The
speed increase will be substantial. George 67 S3
1. lubricate window tracks with good quality teflon spray - this should
result in slight improvement. I have used silicone spray, but you should
use the straw that comes with the can to get it just where it is needed,
in the track where the glass runs - both what you see, and the part in
the door, otherwise it can be messy. 2. clean motor and lubricate
bearings with very light motor oil, preferably synthetic. 3. clean old
grease out of gearbox and put in light synthetic. This should
substantially increase speed. 4. last - With engine running, window motor
operating, measure voltage drop from starter solenoid battery side to
window motor connector and from engine block to other window motor
connector. - (There was how much of a drop? ;-)) well - now you know how
to speed it up - better ground, heavier wires, clean up/replace
connectors. Want to know how much faster - unplug window motor and run
some heavy wires from motor leads to block and starter solenoid terminal
- try speed with engine running. Why did we do this last? because we want
to measure with a properly operating unit. If the window is binding,
motor bearings dry, gearbox grease caked... window motor will pull too
much current, and even good wires and connectors will show excessive
drop.

No-one else has mentioned that the {Plus 2 windows are slow. This is
because the window is a double compound curve which means that the window
binds as it travels up and down. I am currently experimenting with a
replacement motor in my Plus two in the hope of improved window speed. I
will advise the list of the results in due course.

Ray Edwards
73 Plus 2 130/2

Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2003 1:19 am
by "Michael Geiger
Another tip for getting a good earth ground to the chassis. I
bought a short battery cable, one with lugs on both ends. One end
is secured with one of the motor mount bolts on the block, the other
to one of the motor mount bolts on the chassis.

Mike Geiger

--- In ***@***.***, "Ralph Bernstein"
<ralphobernstein@e...> wrote:



























Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2003 11:57 pm
by TimMullen
"Michael Geiger " wrote:


There should already be a braided ground strap "jumping" the one of the motor mounts. Maybe a PO had removed it? One advantage of a braided ground strap over a battery cable it that the braided strap should be more
flexible.

Tim Mullen

Chantilly, VA
72 Elan Sprint

Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding

PostPosted: Mon Jan 06, 2003 11:05 am
by simonknee
Blimey!
If you _didn't_ have this then you will earth through the accelerator cable
(amongst other unusual things).
This is loads of fun because it gets hot and the nylon inner melts and the
throttle cable sticks!
All cars must, must have an engine earth strap, lotus or not.
Simon


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Geiger <***@***.***>
[mailto:***@***.***
Sent: Sun, Jan 05, 2003 01:19
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Lotus Plus 2 fuel smell and grounding


Another tip for getting a good earth ground to the chassis. I
bought a short battery cable, one with lugs on both ends. One end
is secured with one of the motor mount bolts on the block, the other
to one of the motor mount bolts on the chassis.

Mike Geiger