Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

DJW wrote:Managed to buy a second hand filler neck but the one way valves are on back order with no outlook date

Ordered my mk2 valve at Christmas and got fobbed off for 3 months before i demanded a refund.
In the end i picked up a mk1 valve complete with filler neck for ?10 and it works a treat. I did have a little leak once, but that was only because i absolutely brimmed the tank.
A consideration with the mk1 valve is the orientation of it as it must go the right way up, but its pretty obvious if you have one.

So tested the existing one way valve in the mx5 pipe using water . Flaps closed but water still got through pretty quick. So definitely need the revised one.

I think it would still be a large improvement. More to stop the momemtum of so much fuel rushing up the filler neck.

I haven't look at the fuel filter cap but my guess is that the problem is the weight/pressure of fuel.

On right hander all the fuel (not held back by the baffles in the tank) will be trying to go straight on. So it will excerpt quite a bit of force to the left side of the tank. If the fuel gets up the neck to the filler, that force will push on the under side of the filler cap. Which could push the filler cap up and allow for a leak on a normally well sealed cap.

The filler flap works by closing and blocking the force from the fuel in the filler cap. The fuel pushes again the flap not the filler cap.

So gave up on back order for valve from Mx5parts so went ahead and fitted the second hand one I bought as part of filler neck. Filled tank to 3/4 today and took car on to some routes with some fast loaded up right handers. Not a drop of petrol on rear wing.....woooohoooo.

There you go, well done.
Now just get as many miles as possible with a big smile
Alan

I have had an MX5 one way valve now on order with MX5Parts since last September!
Time to find an alternative I guess...

Alan

Try to order the part in USA there's plenty of suppliers who will have them in stock.
Alan

MX5 parts have been happy to take the orders and money for over 15 months since I ordered mine and have never had any stock. Hopefully this thread will encourage people not to use them any more.
Still no leaks from my MK1 valve, I haven't had any reason to upgrade to the new type. I totally agree with mbell, it's not a proper leak proof check valve but definitely prevents the fuel from sloshing up the filler neck when driving. It only has to prevent the wave of fuel from passing for a split second, much like a breakwater.

I have a spare Mk1 valve (the pingpong ball type) if anyone would like it (P&P cost only, or collect from Hertfordshire - while standing at a distance of 2M).

You would need to make a suitable holder (or clamp it into the adapters that you need for this job) as I cut a chunk off the filler neck to fit the Mk2 (flap type) one that I did get from the aforementioned source (but some time back). I sourced the neck etc from a breakers. I can't confirm it works yet... still awaiting that first drive

Just having a tidy and found this...MX5






Maybe this should be in the sale section?

£ 5 plus P+P ?

Would prefer local delivery , at the most U.K. Sorry

John

John,
that's the one everyone is looking for. I fitted one to each of my TVRs which also loose Fuel on corners.
Imho this is a must for +2 Elans.
Alan

Hi John.
I would appreciate that.
Will send you a PM.

Thanks
Trevor

Sold
( subject to funds )

Thanks
John

John, thank you, payment sent.

Regards
Trevor