Chillidoggy Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Prompted by Stimpy's earlier admissions, I wondered about the Esprit fuel tanks, and the filling thereof. I believe they are interconnected, and if so does that mean you only have to fill them from one side? Or is the transfer such a slow process that both need to be topped up? Or is it that you fill one up, and by the time you've removed the nozzle, the level has dropped due to the transfer, and you have to start again?! Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 The balance pipe is fairly substantial so when you fill one tank, the other will end up 3/4 full kinda idea. If you really want to top if off, you can go around the other side and add some more fuel but you'll not get much in. What isn't a bad idea is removing the caps from both filler necks, then the tank you aren't filling has a better chance of expelling the air and filling quicker. What's not a good idea I was told by a garage is to park in the middle of 2 rows of pumps and use 1 from either side in either tank, they don't like that so much! Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillidoggy Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Thanks. I guess the rate of transfer will slow the closer the levels get to each other. Thought the idea of using two pumps was pretty cool, but I can understand why they might get a bit narky about it! Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I find that you can't fill at the full pump speed (at most petrol stations) as the fuel blows back very easily. I always open both filler caps, and fill from the side closest to the pump. Very rarely do I go round and fill the other side. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneshot Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 The later cars only have one filler anyway. I always fill until it auto shuts off, count to 10 and start again. This gives the tanks time to equalise. Quote Dave - 2000 Sport 350 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Sparky Posted June 9, 2014 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I count to 10 too, but that's just to let my diastolic settle down after looking at the cost indicator. Quote British Fart to Florida, Nude to New York, Dunce to Denmark, Numpty to Newfoundland. And Shitfaced Silly Sod to Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcbria Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I went to a fuel service station a while back and young man filling it didn't listen to my very clear warning not to fill it at full speed as it would over flow. Sure enough gas dribbling down the side of the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillidoggy Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Shame they don't have a changeover switch like the old XJ6's used to. You could opt to run on one, or both tanks, switched from the dash, as I recall. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maydharm Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I undo both caps, pull up with the pump nearest the passenger side, undo drivers side cap as I walk round the back of the car to fill up from the passenger side. (I don't count to 10) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iconic Ride Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I've found that if you jack up the filler side (single cap Esprit) of the car just prior to filling up, the "downhill side" tank fills much more rapidly, as the balance pipe angles accordingly from horizontal. As a time saving technique, "best practices" is achieved by utilising the nifty quick lift device shown below. But you may need a tyre pressure air hose extension, depending upon the petrol station's geometry (i.e., distance from petrol pump to air supply). Quote Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 There was a weirdo on here years ago called Teigan who took wood to the petrol station and placed 2 blocks in front of the wheels on one side to raise it up before filling up. He got banned. Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 We had a strange bloke at work who put his chair on 4 blocks of wood. He also smoked a pipe, and would go outside into the public phone box to smoke it. He didn't last long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molemot Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I found Teigan amusing in a masochisitic sort of way..... As for filling Esprits, I'm in the take both caps off camp. I find that, if you get the nozzle angle spot on right, you can fill at max rate......mostly. Our old Airtourer used to be a swine to fill as most bowsers would pump so fast that avgas went running down the wing root from the filler...once at Norfolk they had to fill her so slowly the Veeder counter on the bowser wouldn't work so we had to negotiate hiow much we paid for......then off to Amsterdam....(!) Quote Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never been." - Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon350S Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Tiegans idea was daft. He was a dick, didn't be make handbags? That air jack however is inspired. I might get one myself. Quote Chunky Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdw Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Don't the later cars have bigger bore balance pipes. The balance pipe on my 88 car isn't much bigger than normal fuel line between 2 banjo fittings. I think later cars have a ridged ally pipe. I flip both caps and switch sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillidoggy Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 There was a weirdo on here years ago called Teigan who took wood to the petrol station and placed 2 blocks in front of the wheels on one side to raise it up before filling up. He got banned. Banned from a filling station? Bit harsh, really. Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon350S Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Banned from the forum. He was a complete [email protected] The balance pipe on my 85 turbo is a ridged alloy pipe. Probably got a photo somewhere. Quote Chunky Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon350S Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Here ya go... Tanks are laid on their backs obviously. Between the two tanks is a ridgid metal pipe and this attaches to both tanks via a double kinked rubber hose Quote Chunky Lover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizla603104 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 I knew a man who used to laugh and suck his trousers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slewthy Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 The ability to fill Her up is a bit of a nirvana for me. At best, filling from one side gets me just over half full. I like John's idea of the Jack but what about parking on a slope for a while before filling? Quote "Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Cross Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 As for the filling it up fast, I find if I have the nozzle at 9 O'clock i can fill it at full speed, I don't let anyone else fill it or they end up spraying the side of the car even if I explain how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizla603104 Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I agree completely with the notion of opening both caps and pointing the nozzle around at a jaunty angle. Filling up the other side takes about 5 litres (if you're quick) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obione Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 When pointing the nozzle at a jaunty angle, is it best left or right handed? Quote This book is guaranteed to NOT change your life…but it does mention a Lotus Esprit...To enjoy this masterpiece, download Martin now. Simples!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanR Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 I think John's having a lend of us. If he was in Switzerland yeah, but Texas is flat. Quote DanR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillidoggy Posted June 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 When I joined this forum, I was under the illusion that I would be able to find all kinds of expert help on all matters Esprit. But really, no-one has actually come up with a definite angle of dangle for inserting your nozzle. Seriously, what the hell kind of instruction is "9 o'clock"? I can just see my missus stood in the filling station looking at her watch waiting until it's time to fill the car up........... 1 Quote Margate Exotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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