Petrol tank problems

[ripley]

After 4 years of restoration my S2 touches at the finishing line. Yesterday we wanted to try let running the engine for the first time but no fuel comes out of the petrol tank. Is it possible that I've connect the fuel line in a wrong way?? I thought it's the small (very thin indeed) outlet at the rear/bottom of the tank near the gauge mounting. Is this correct? In fact I have a non-original Monza-style fuel filler cap but even with the cap open, there is no sign the fuel to come out. Any idea??
Fred

[elanfan1]

Could be talking out of my **** here but if an early tank is the same as a later one then the fuel line connects at the top left side.

[summerinmaine]

Could be talking out of my **** here but if an early tank is the same as a later one then the fuel line connects at the top left side.

On an S2, most definitely.

Looking at the parts catalog, the location is the same for the Federalized tank.

I've never heard of any pipe near the bottom or rear of any Elan tank. Can you post a picture?

[elansprint71]

Drain plug?

[ripley]

I'm sorry for my english (Am a poor german...); of course I was talking about the drain plug. So, apparently there was never another fuel line connection than this smal, thin pipe at the bottom/left side. So, there's nothing I've put incorrectly but why does the fuel not come out via the electric fuel pump (which is new)??

[summerinmaine]

I'm sorry for my english (Am a poor german...); of course I was talking about the drain plug. So, apparently there was never another fuel line connection than this smal, thin pipe at the bottom/left side. So, there's nothing I've put incorrectly but why does the fuel not come out via the electric fuel pump (which is new)??

I'm still uncertain what you mean when you say "bottom" left side. When the tank is installed, the fuel line connects to the pipe on the "top" left side (facing toward the front of the car). Assuming we're now talking about the same pipe, have you tried blowing air through the pipe to see if you can hear bubbles in the fuel?

There's really only this one place to connect a fuel pump, and if you're not drawing fuel, then either the tank is empty or the pipe is clogged.

I'll post an image of the tank with the fuel line indicated, just to be certain we're on the same page.

[summerinmaine]

Here's the tank from my S2:

Other than the drain plug on the bottom, there is no other access to the interior of the tank than what you see here, and there can't be any doubt about where the fuel pump should connect.

[ripley]

Jim, yes we're on the same side, my (however aluminium) tank is exactly the same as yours pictured. In fact we've tried what you've mentioned: Blowing air into it, let us hear many bubbles, after this the fuel has come out. Although, after refitting the (new) fuel line and reconnecting the pump, no fuel. Will continue to search for a fault...

[Elanman99]

[quote="ripley"]Jim, yes we're on the same side, my (however aluminium) tank is exactly the same as yours pictured. In fact we've tried what you've mentioned: Blowing air into it, let us hear many bubbles, after this the fuel has come out. Although, after refitting the (new) fuel line and reconnecting the pump, no fuel. Will continue to search for a fault...[/quote]

There could be several reasons for no fuel.

Check the pump inlet and outlet ports are connected to the right pipes (anyone can make a mistake), also check there is no blockage in the outlet pipe running to the front of the car. Presumably you can actually hear that the pump is actually running?

The make and type of pump you have will affect how the pump is primed. Some pumps will not self prime if they are mounted higher than the fuel level.

Ian

[alexblack13]

It can take ages to get the fuel up to the carbs too.Even when everything is right. I was flattening my battery (admittedly not very big) trying to run the engine after a couple of weeks layup. Hard on the starter too. Got round it by fitting a hand primer from an outboard motor into the line. It lives below the boot floor just by the tank. Pumpety pumpety pump and the fuel is up to the carbs. Engine starts first touch then....

Have fun chaps..

Alex....

[ripley]

In fact, Elanman99 was just right! As the electric fuel pump was mounted higher than the fuel level into the tank, it didn't pump! Never heard this before!! Now it works perfectly; however the engine couldn't be started as the -brand new- oil cooler leaks! Awaiting the following problems...
Fred

[summerinmaine]

In fact, Elanman99 was just right! As the electric fuel pump was mounted higher than the fuel level into the tank, it didn't pump! Never heard this before!! Now it works perfectly; however the engine couldn't be started as the -brand new- oil cooler leaks! Awaiting the following problems...
Fred

Great!

I had the same issue with a fresh water pump in my BajaBeater; it wouldn't self-prime against a head of pressure and needed to be mounted down low next to the tank so that it would retain the prime upon shut-off..