Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Only just replaced fuel lines to E10 standard, filled fuel tank to find fuel leaking from underneath the fuel pump. Ordered replacement pump and rebuild kit.
Some tips that helped:
Removing vac hose and the fitting from inlet manifold
Removing lower stud from No4 inlet manifold
Raising fuel supply pipe
Refitting:
Ensure cam is at its lowest point
Attach breather hose and throttle spring when refitting backplate
Set new rubber thackery gaps with a 2mm drill and a mirror to see lower ones.
Hope it helps Les

How did you get that much space between the pump and the sidewall of the engine bay? My pump is almost touching.

Or is it a +2 (I assume there's more space in a +2)?

Nick

It is a +2 Nick. Read somewhere the elan has an hole in the body for access.

Elseezed wrote:It is a +2 Nick. Read somewhere the elan has an hole in the body for access.

Yes, it does....


I initially thought it was a previous owner's hack...

Phil,

That's interesting - I think it is a previous owner's hack! There's nothing about an access hole in the manual or in Brian Buckland's book (that I can see).

Nevertheless, if the time comes an access hole seems to be the best way to get to the pump.

Nick

I think Phil is right- I just checked my 69 S4 Elan LHD and it has a grommet filled access hole that looks the same-never knew it was there!

Cheers, Mark

69 Elan S4 DHC
45/8396

Same hole on my '72 Sprint.

No grommet in my 1972 Sprint .... but I do have a hole
I’ve learned something already today.

I can`t find a hole in my 1967 S3, and I have changed the fuel pump some time ago.
Does it go through to the footwell.
Maybe it is a later modification.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

ericbushby wrote:I can`t find a hole in my 1967 S3, and I have changed the fuel pump some time ago.

How did you get it out? (This must be discussed elsewhere in the forum, but while we're on the topic.....)

ericbushby wrote:Maybe it is a later modification.

Yup, I think you must be right. No hole on my current or previous Elans (two S4s & one S3).

Can somebody reply with the needed hole size? I think I have a pump change in my near future....

Nick

No hole on my 1968 early S4 so sounds like it was introduced in 1969 ?

cheers
Rohan

Hi Elanner
It is a few years ago now so I do not remember the details.
I suspect it involved removing the engine mounts and supporting the sump on a jack. The engine will not move far to the left but a bit more up and down.
It was an all metal pump which was replaced with another metal one. The carburettors had to come off I know.
I also have a bad habit of cutting spanners to fit the space available. I am gathering quite a collection of short, bent and ground down tools. I buy tools at car fairs and boot fairs if they are good quality and very cheap.
Best of luck.
Eric in Burnley

Was the access hole just on LHD cars? I don't recall ever seeing one on a RHD Elan.

Nick, it’s really not that tight... I changed my pump a couple of times without using that access hole... Having said this I assume that you are going to remove the airbox & carburettors to get to it?

pharriso wrote:Nick, it’s really not that tight... I changed my pump a couple of times without using that access hole... Having said this I assume that you are going to remove the airbox & carburettors to get to it?

Phil,

Thanks, that's encouraging. I would indeed remove the airbox and carbs first. Right now I'm still hoping that I don't have to remove it - but clouds are gathering. Troubleshooting in progress.....

Nick