Petrol smell

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Crowman30
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Posts: 37
Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2021 15:38
Model: Excel SE
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Year: 1987

Petrol smell

Post by Crowman30 »

Hi,
I have a strong smell of petrol in the boot on occasions. I have taken off the panel to reveal the fuel tank and everything looks fine, I cannot see any sign of a petrol leak at all.
Could a faulty fuel cap be to blame?
Does any one know where a new fuel cap can be purchased?
I have looked at some vintage fuel caps on ebay, but I am not sure they would work as I believe the are vented fuel caps.
Would I be better of buying a modern fuel cap if I cannot find a Lotus Excel fuel cap?
Thanks Don

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Hawaiis0
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Re: Petrol smell

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Breather pipe from filler neck perished. Usual snag. Remove boot liner back panel (oops you have). The dirty yellow pipe from filler neck should run to exit out side the boot. It will be broken somewhere on its run.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
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Posts: 4130
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Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
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Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Petrol smell

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Failing that the tank may be pin holed. Go for hose first.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Hawaiis0
Senior Poster
Posts: 4130
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
Colour: BRG; Dirty White
Year: 1986
Location: West Oxfordshire

Re: Petrol smell

Post by Hawaiis0 »

Search for braided cotton and you will find photo of the neck connection point in my newcomer thread
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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Tanz
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Re: Petrol smell

Post by Tanz »

Regarding the breather pipe problem - this might help

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5020&p=33787&hilit= ... ipe#p33787
Cheers, Phil
Never take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway!

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Crowman30
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Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2021 15:38
Model: Excel SE
Colour: Calypso Red
Year: 1987

Re: Petrol smell

Post by Crowman30 »

Thank you for the advice, I will start investigating this weekend.
Don

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MetBlue
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Re: Petrol smell

Post by MetBlue »

My breather pipe was totally destroyed were it fits behind the carpet near the battery. I think the adhesive they use is what breaks the pipe down eventually.
Access at the filler cap initially looks awkward, but if you remove the large black pipe that connects to the tank top, you can pull the breather pipe off the filler cap and change quite easily.
To save removing the bumper, many vent the new pipe into the drain hole in the wheel well.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

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