Elan plus 2 fuel sender unit removal and replacement

[TonyA]

The fuel sender unit of the plus 2 is fixed in the tank by a locking ring. This is basically the same as MGBs and similar, but is different from the 'baby' Elans.

There is lots of discussion in the archive about the baby Elan, fuel sender fixing, including much agonising about how to make the screws petrol leak proof, but I found nothing on the plus 2. In the end I found what I needed from MGB sources. The attachment explains clearly how the ring locks and unlocks.


I made a tool for engaging the 3 tabs on the locking ring to unscrew (anti-clockwise) to remove, and then reverse to replace. Basically, a 55mm nominal hole saw of the kind used to make holes in plasterboard and timber. Teeth ground off and 3 cut outs made on the edge at 120 degrees, 5mm wide, 5mm deep to engage the tabs of the lock ring. Much better than using a screwdriver/ chisel etc with hammer to turn one of the tabs.

TonyA

[Gordon Sauer]

I also found better results with the floats lasting longer if you replaced the plastic one with a brass soldered one that’s for a 65 mustang, it’s an exact replacement and not much money and doesn’t get attacked by the ethanol and yes works in the MGB and the Lotus, Gordon

[TonyA]

Brass float debatable: if seams are soldered, not good for ethanol petrol,; if seams are pressed, how tight.for how long ?

TonyA

[alaric]

Hi. Thanks for posting that. I couldn't read all the pdf, and found the document on the mg site, so thought I'd be helpful and upload it . I've attached the pdf broken into three parts - in hindsight I could have just posted the link to the file: http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/sender.htm

Sean.

Fuel Gauge Sender part 1.pdf

(1.77 MiB) Downloaded 193 times

Fuel Gauge Sender part 2.pdf

(1.39 MiB) Downloaded 170 times

Fuel Gauge Sender part 3.pdf

(1.32 MiB) Downloaded 137 times

[Sea Ranch]

Very nice discussion. Thanks for all that material, Tony and Sean.

But . . . still haven't heard any brilliant ideas about petrol-and-ethanol-proof sealing rings. Any tips?

I am currently using a hand-made gasket made from left-over cam cover gasket material, which material is from SJ Sports Cars. Their cam cover gasket material is two layers of that cork-with-black-glue, and a foil layer in the middle. So far seems to be holding back the gasoline.

[TonyA]

Nitrile rubber and nitrile cork (made of cork particles with a nitrile rubber binder) are resistant to petrol and ethanol., I would caution against using a gasket designed for oil, like a cam cover gasket unless you can be sure.!
Cheers..TonyA

[Johnny America]

Just bumping this thread - I had a smell of petrol in my boot. It was really bad, so following research on this site. I have replaced the original over the roof vent lines with new tube and installed a one way vapour valve.

This has been a major improvement. Was just thinking that a 50year old fuel sender gasket may be past its best before date.

I can source a new MG gasket and locking ring. My question being does anyone recommend any jointing paste on the surfaces of the gasket???

Thanks in advance.

[Sea Ranch]

Hello!

You say there is an MG part that is the same as our Lotus sender unit and ring??

Could we have part numbers, et cetera?

[Gordon Sauer]

Sorry, no numbers but I’m pretty sure I’ve only bought one fuel sender unit for my B and my +2 and used them interchangeably but also on the MGB as on the +2 that fuel sender/float unit opening is submerged most of the time since it’s about halfway up the tank and I’ve never had a problem with seepage leaking just using the gasket alone that comes with it, Gordon

[TonyA]

The MGB part numbers for the fuel sender ring and seal are ARA 1501 and ARA 1502 respectively; they fit the Elan Plus 2. The MGB fuel sender itself will 'fit' but may not be compatible with the Elan Plus 2 fuel tank volume and shape in terms of the resistance range and float arm shape/length..or indeed the fuel gauge..you will need to research this by reference to the Lucas applications.Easist to buy from a classic Lotus supplier to be sure...Tony

[Sea Ranch]

Great stuff, gentlemen. Thanks.

I have had leakage problems with the sender ring. Seem to have it solved these last couple years, but always on the lookout for a good/better/best solution. I'll check out the factory style gasket from MGB. I suspect the flange/bung on the tank has something to do with sealing success: how flat/straight/true it is.

[Sea Ranch]

Sorry, back to the earlier question: I have used a gasket dressing, yes.

Bit of an odd one, I guess: EZ-Turn Lubricant. It is an aviation product with a mil-spec rating, designed to be fuel resistant and non-hardening. Gooey stuff. I wouldn't have called it a lubricant, but they do. More like a non-hardening gasket dressing that is fuel resistant.

https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/p ... FJEALw_wcB

I like the stuff. And it helps the locking ring turn against the gasket without damaging it.

[RichardHawkins]

My car is a series 4 Elan, so my comments may be irrelevant, but i made a gasket from viton. Not much use yet but dry so far.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

[Baggy2]

The MGB fuel sender itself will 'fit' but may not be compatible with the Elan Plus 2 fuel tank volume and shape in terms of the resistance range and float arm shape/length

Good point - The MGB tank is relatively wide and flat where the +2 tank is ( I'd estimate ) three times the height. The float arm must be different to accommodate very different changes in depth of fuel as the tank fills and empties.

Cheers

Baggy

[Sea Ranch]

My car is a series 4 Elan, so my comments may be irrelevant, but i made a gasket from viton. Not much use yet but dry so far.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

I've found "viton" rubber to be VERY pricey . . . any tips on where to buy??