DAVES_GT3 Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 im getting quite a strong smell of fuel with the sunroof open. heard that the pipe that runs along the roof under the hatch is prone for giving problems. pealed the carpet on the roof back but cant see a problem with it. can anyone give me a better idea of where to look? or if im in the right area? cheers dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teigan Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 i suspect that's just exhaust fumes working their way forward on turbulence eddies. is it more noticable after making a turn? when your fuel mixture is set rich, the exhaust fumes can smell like petrol. either drive faster or hang a smelly-tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES_GT3 Posted August 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 i suspect that's just exhaust fumes working their way forward on turbulence eddies. is it more noticable after making a turn? when your fuel mixture is set rich, the exhaust fumes can smell like petrol. either drive faster or hang a smelly-tree. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i get what you mean. no its proper fuel smell. going to have the charcoal canister off soon to have a look at the pipes off there. just incase thanks dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitstoppete Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 i get what you mean. no its proper fuel smell. going to have the charcoal canister off soon to have a look at the pipes off there. just incase thanks dave <{POST_SNAPBACK}> the bit of pipe that runs under the carpet in the hatch bit may well look ok, its the bits at each end where they meet the filler necks that were bolloxed on my car. where they glue it up to the trim, it looks like the glue attacks the surgical hose stuff and cracks it. bit across the middle was ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teigan Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 might be less time consuming to just replace the tubing, than smelling for leaks. when checking the charcoal cannister, it will smell like fuel. unless it is dripping wet, i'm not sure you'll be able to call that the cause without further investigation. i only recently removed mine following jussi's example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 (edited) Dave, I recently had to replace my fuel "vent" hose as described on www.espritfactfile.com due to similar symptoms. Once replaced, raw fuel smell disappeared. Horay! - Cliff Edited August 21, 2005 by Cliff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 (edited) Dave, I recently had to replace my fuel "vent" hose as described on www.espritfactfile.com due to similar symptoms. Once replaced, raw fuel smell disappeared. Horay! - Cliff <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi Cliff, I have a similar problem with my S4s so went over to espritfactfile - I can find a reference to the vent hose - but no details on what to check / do. Any pointers either to the correct bit of the web site or some guidance on checking/changing it. Thx Alan Whoops - ignore the above. Just found it http://www.espritfactfile.com/Probs.html#FuelSmell Edited August 22, 2005 by alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES_GT3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Hi Cliff, I have a similar problem with my S4s so went over to espritfactfile - I can find a reference to the vent hose - but no details on what to check / do. Any pointers either to the correct bit of the web site or some guidance on checking/changing it. Thx Alan Whoops - ignore the above. Just found it http://www.espritfactfile.com/Probs.html#FuelSmell <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Cheers for all the input guys. just been looking at that link cliff. looks good info but mine is a black plastic pipe not a pale yellow colour. wondering if lotus changed the pipe after a certain date? mines a 1997 gt3. would be interested to see what others have cheers dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s4simon Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Dave, Have you checked your Gear Lever Gaitor Thingy. Lots of raw petrol nasties come thru here. Quote Simon (94 S4) My Esprit will be for sale in late 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES_GT3 Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Dave, Have you checked your Gear Lever Gaitor Thingy. Lots of raw petrol nasties come thru here. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> good idea havent in the past month or so but i did replace the outer gaitor about 2 month ago and the rubber one looked fine then. will double check it though cheers simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest teigan Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 it looks like a dalek's diaphram. can fuel smell get through there on the g-cars too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 (edited) Dave, I found it easier to look in the sidewalls by removing the panels on each side through the engine compartment on my '93. I don't know if it the same for your year. I found that the hose under the carpet was fine, but the exposed tubing under the sidewalls, was considerably stiffer, and the plastic nipples seemed brittle. Also, the hose did look black until removes if recall. I replaced with Gates fuel line and the plastic fittings with brass ones. It was a pretty simple repair and did solve my fuel smell problem that was indeed more noticable with windows open vs when closed. If you are not the original owner, it may have already been replace or, you may have a different cause. - Cliff Edited August 22, 2005 by Cliff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozontour Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 im getting quite a strong smell of fuel with the sunroof open. heard that the pipe that runs along the roof under the hatch is prone for giving problems. pealed the carpet on the roof back but cant see a problem with it. can anyone give me a better idea of where to look? or if im in the right area? cheers dave <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I had the same issue with smells of fuel in my baby and so following suggestions from a few people on LEW, I replaced the vent hose that runs under the carpet in the hatch/ engine compartment. Although the hose seemed to have no visible sign of failure, apart from a little stiffness, this was definately the issue as now the smell is gone. For 2 bux its worth the ten m inutes to do the job you will need to do in time anyway. Justin Quote "Laugh" and the world laughs with you - "Cry" and you just wet your face... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x6gas Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 (edited) Dave, Just done mine today - piece of cake. Replaced the breather hose running between the fuel fillers. As has been said before, the hose under the carpet actually looked OK, but the stuff behind the engine quarter panel trim was knackered. A two inch split one side, three inches on the other and the hose was generally in very poor condition. I doubt the bits that looked alright were gas tight! Anyway, replaced the whole lot with new 3/8" fuel hose - it's a slightly narrower bore, but shouldn't matter. I know that lots of people have replaced the plastic elbows with brass ones, but I just removed them altogether. The fuel line is thicker and stiffer than the OEM fish-tank stuff and I didn't think needed the elbows. Couple of jubilee clips and Robert's your mother's brother! I'll be posting a few pictures on my website in the next few days, but it is a very simple job. BTW didn't touch the hose running to the charlcoal canister as on my car at least this is in better nick... Good luck, Ian Edited August 23, 2005 by x6gas Quote Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Holmes Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 I had the same with my SE turbo. The sun roof being open seems to create a bit of a vacuum in the cabin and the small was actually being sucked in through the seat belt opening in the fire wall. The hose on my car turned out to be split near where it joins to the fuel tank and the T piece that connects to the charcoal canister, located behind the cover pannel on the inside of the RH butress near the filler . Worth taking a look at the pipe in this area too. I fixed the pipe and since then have had no nasty smells at all. im getting quite a strong smell of fuel with the sunroof open. heard that the pipe that runs along the roof under the hatch is prone for giving problems. pealed the carpet on the roof back but cant see a problem with it. can anyone give me a better idea of where to look? or if im in the right area? cheers dave <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 Congrats! Job well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES_GT3 Posted August 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 (edited) Dave, Just done mine today - piece of cake. Replaced the breather hose running between the fuel fillers. Edited August 23, 2005 by DAVES_GT3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x6gas Posted August 23, 2005 Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 (edited) Dave, I've added some photos and commentary. Really is a easy job. see http://www.cytherean.co.uk and click on the fuel breather hose link. Do let me know what you think and please report any broken links or photos than don't point where there should. Cheers, Ian Edited August 23, 2005 by x6gas Quote Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES_GT3 Posted August 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2005 Dave, I've added some photos and commentary. Really is a easy job. see http://www.cytherean.co.uk and click on the fuel breather hose link. Do let me know what you think and please report any broken links or photos than don't point where there should. Cheers, Ian <{POST_SNAPBACK}> great link ian on quick inspection last night my hose was black like the one u fitted so im thinking it has been done but im going to check it all over asap incase i have a dodgy t-piece or elbow. typical lotus stylie! dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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