Fuel spillage from filler

[alan.barker]

When the Valve is in place the Hose Clip is so important to stop it moving.
We don't want after you have done the mod to fill up and the whoose of Petrol to wash it into the Tank
Alan

[JonB]

Gosh Alan you do seem to have it in for me.

Good job I have a thick skin.

[alan.barker]

Hi Jon,
sorry it was not meant for you.
When i fitted the MX5 mod to my 2 TVRs i had a job to slide/force the Valve inside the Rubber Filler Tube but i still fitted a Hose Clip on the outside. Maybe it's because of my Dockyard Apprenticeship but i like to do Belt and Braces. I've no idea if you fitted a Hose Clip on the outside or not.
When i had a leak on the Sender Unit on my Sprint i assembled it using Silicon and later the excess Silicon got sucked into the supply to the Pump = result blocked supply Break down at the side of the road and transported home
Alan

[JonB]

Not to worry, Alan.

No, I had not put a clip round the elbow but I think that had I done so I would not have lost the valve in the tank. Now I'm considering putting one on just in case the valve and its reducers work free.

[DJW]

Jon , I found with the reducing rubbers fitted they were a little too long and by the time they butted up against pipe from fuel tank they were being forced into the elbow of the fuel pipe.

As mentioned above I reduced the mx5 Metal pipe and rubber reducers to exact length of the one way valve . It then all fitted perfectly within the straight section of fuel hose, and hose clamp fitted to keep it in place.

[JonB]

I cut my MX5 part down to the size of the valve as well, but didn't need to trim much off the reducers. In the pictures I've seen of other installations [edit: here https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31759&f=40&start=15#p239439], the reducers and valve fit neatly in the metal spigot coming from the tank. Only my spigot's a wee bit too small. But with the tank out I could knock the valve + reducers assembly into the spigot tightly, using a rubber mallet. Now there is a chance this lot will pop out into the rubber elbow, but if I use a jubilee clip it should hold it all in place (if necessary - it'd be the "belt & braces" approach).

[alan.barker]

Imho
The MX5 Valve should be inside the Rubber Elbow with Hose clip on outside of Rubber Elbow. To stop it moving inside the Rubber Elbow. Fitted inside the Rubber Elbow deeper enough to allow you to refit Elbow to Tank.
It should not be fitted inside the Spigot of the Tank.
If it's fitted inside the Tank Spigot how can you stop it moving inside the Tank Spigot.

With the Valve fitted inside the Rubber Elbow to a depth of about 20mm it should be OK. Hose Clip will stop movement inside Elbow.
Alan

[JonB]

If it's fitted inside the Tank Spigot how can you stop it moving inside the Tank Spigot.
Alan

If you knew how tight a fit it was (in the spigot) you wouldn't be asking that, Alan. There is really no way it will slide further inside the spigot. But, I was guided by the pictures and descriptions on this very thread, which show the valve in the end of the spigot.

[DJW]

Interesting, mine is clamped inside the fuel hose only

[alan.barker]

Hi Jon,
yes for sure very tight in Tank Spigot and we all have different ideas, why not.
For me i prefer in the Elbow held in place by Hose clip because you can remove it easily with rubber Elbow as an assembly if needed.
If it's fitted in Tank Spigot why not but if you ever need to remove it you will find that very difficult without damage.
Let's hope fit once and forget.
I hope it works well and no more Fuel all over the Wing on corners.

[mbell]

Does any one know what car the filler neck is from? Or more precisely if the top piece the cap mounts too is available any where?

You can buy a filler neck of the right size with a modern style one way valve integrated pretty cheaply. It would be simple to weld/solder on the bracket for the elan filler cap to that (and add a bung) to have a neat easy fit solution.

[alan.barker]

Remember the Breather mod, addition of Spigot in Filler Neck also
Alan

[mbell]

I hadn't, Spigot = bung.

I have a spare filler neck and welder, so for $20 of parts I should (skill permitting) be able to make my self one. But assume this wouldn't be the case for a lot of people so wondering about the availability of new filler pipes/parts.

[wotsisname]

occasionally see them on ebay.. the mod can be done by anyone who has done any plumbing with copper pipe.
I put my valve near to the filler end, My thinking was that it would be submerged with half a tank if it were further down the pipe, wondered if this would affect the way it works.

Adrian

[alan.barker]

The Spigot as i call it is a small Breather Tube that is added to the Filler just under the Filler cap. This connects to the 2 original Breathers at the top of the Tank.
Both Mods need to be done, the one for Fuel Spillage (to stop spillage) as the Title and also the Breather Mod(to stop Petrol smells).
Alan