Advice needed and a part or two. Elite S1 1975

[dixi4uk]

What I am hoping someone can help me with is:

 

What key is used for the petrol caps?

 

and has someone got a spare rear shock absorber for little money.

 

Firstly, the car has stood for years. I was given a bunch of keys with the car.

I have the ignition key, a door lock key, a key for two security extra Yale door locks and two keys that are marked LF as yet unidentified, (they look like small padlock keys probably the DPO s' garage door keys for all I know).

 

All the door locks were seized but have been rectified with WD40. I would expect that this key would have fitted the fuel caps.

 

Am I along the correct line of thought?

 

The door lock key will not even go into the slot on either cap. The slot is horizontal on both so I assume they are locked.

 

I have removed both caps from the car along with the first pipe. They are soaking in WD40 at present but so far none of the keys I have will go into the slot.

 

Secondly I am hoping someone has replaced a pair of rear shocks (which is the recommended way, not imperitive), and has a good one remaining that they will sell to me. One of mine is showing clear signs of a leak.

I am not being a cheapskate.

This car needs an MOT in the quickest and cheapest way possible. Once I have put a few miles on it and identified any other issues I intend to tear it down and sort out properly from galvanised chassis upwards.

 

I hope to hear from anyone that can help I am situated in N Wales near Chester but My Hermes is cheap for carriage on the shock absorber.

 

[Don.Hasi]

the fuel lock key is a separate one. I have got the wrong one snapped in the lock.  So be careful

[dixi4uk]

the fuel lock key is a separate one. I have got the wrong one snapped in the lock.  So be careful

Oh dear that is something I was not expecting.

 

It looks like I have not been supplied with a key for the caps.

 

What a downer! Unfortunately I have no way of contacting the last owner who last ran the car as I bought it from a guy who had stored it for seven years after he bought it and he does not want to know.

 

Therefore a little help please.

Is the key a double sided type and is it the same one for both caps?

 

Could you or anyone tell me what make is on the key if you have an original? For example Wilmot Breeden or whatever.

 

Lastly am I correct in assuming that they are in the locked position when the key slot is horizontal? The caps may just be seized on the hinge roll pin but I doubt it.

[Don.Hasi]

This is the Key of an Eclat and Excel as well. The Elite has a different cap. Dunno if this is similar ?

[dixi4uk]

This is the Key of an Eclat and Excel as well. The Elite has a different cap. Dunno if this is similar ?

I do not know if they are similar for the Eclat and Elite.

 

Assumptions are deadly with a Lotus.

 

The missing key slots certainly look as if it is a double sided key.

 

What I am missing is an original manufacturer.

Armed with this info I would have a chance of a replacement as I have found an old fashioned accessory shop who has the master keys for all the main manufacturers. It would just be a matter of trying each one until I found one that fits and have a replacement one cut.

 

That is of course if the locks I have are not seized.

[mikeeech]

I guess drilling it out is a pretty risky job too! Can you get behind it where the hose goes into the tank and remove this. I'm guessing there is a collar on the back of the filler cap neck that holds it in the body so if you can get the pipe off then this collar can be unscrewed and the whole pipe removed?

[dixi4uk]

I guess drilling it out is a pretty risky job too! Can you get behind it where the hose goes into the tank and remove this. I'm guessing there is a collar on the back of the filler cap neck that holds it in the body so if you can get the pipe off then this collar can be unscrewed and the whole pipe removed?

I have already removed the caps, including the first pipe to which it is connected in the locked position, from the car.

 

There is no collar as such attaching to the body just a rubber gasket that the pipe goes though. This turn is connected to the tank with a rubber pipe with wire clips.

 

Drilling out the locks is an option I am not wanting to attempt until I have tried everything else.

 

I note that in one of the other replies with photos of an open cap a phillips screw. I am thinking this may release the key barrel. I am unsure if I can access this screw with the pipe attached.

 

This will be the next form of attack.

 

Still wanting one rear shocker for the offside rear.

[Don.Hasi]

If you have it already out... SJ sells new, pretty caps

[eclat22]

You could always try phoning lotusbits

[dixi4uk]

If you have it already out... SJ sells new, pretty caps

I will have a look at their site as the original caps have poor chrome.

 

However, I still have the problem of removing the locked caps from the filler necks without damage to the necks.

[dixi4uk]

You could always try phoning lotusbits

If all else fails I will!

 

Never had much luck 'phoning or emailing them.

I have money to spend on items they advertise they have but they don't seem interested.

I have never had an email answered.

'Phoning with my long list produced a promise to 'phone me back but they never did. I would guess the total would have amounted to few hundred pounds.

I suppose if I called at their premises it may produce results.

For me, it is a long long way to drive there and back to find out they have not got what I want.

It would appear from my experience that the owner has not got his finger on the pulse.

The staff receiving enquiries need a kick up the a*** or a P45.

Sorry rant over

[mikeeech]

lotus bits had a very extensive stock of new and used parts - I took a trip there and it was a real gold mine. they didn't have every thing I needed and I left a long list of parts and my number but they never got back to me. the office seemed a little disorganised although the guys knew their stuff. SJ sportscars have a good web site but it's a bit hit and miss if the part you get fit in my experience.

[eclat22]

Not sure if it is the same but look at kelsport they have locking fuel filler caps in chrome listed under part number racelpc

[dixi4uk]

Not sure if it is the same but look at kelsport they have locking fuel filler caps in chrome listed under part number racelpc

Thanks for the link to Kelvern.

 

This is the very cap I have to replace, a perfect match.

It is pricey though and I need two.

£96 inc vat/delivery for both.

 

Still got the problem of removing the caps from the first pipe.

[pbharcourt]

To remove the cap you will need to drive out the cap pivot pin with a drift, it's a split spring pin.

The problem comes in trying to drift the pin back in without damaging the chrome cap!

[dixi4uk]

To remove the cap you will need to drive out the cap pivot pin with a drift, it's a split spring pin.

The problem comes in trying to drift the pin back in without damaging the chrome cap!

I have set of nice thin drifts I could give it a try.

Are you confident that this will help release the two metal locking plates which engage in the first pipe?

[pbharcourt]

You will need to drift the pin out to change the cap anyway, you might be able to turn the whole cap 90 deg to release the locking tabs but they will only turn in one direction.

No guarantee though!

[dixi4uk]

You will need to drift the pin out to change the cap anyway, you might be able to turn the whole cap 90 deg to release the locking tabs but they will only turn in one direction.

No guarantee though!

The theory sounds good, a little job for tomorrow.unless she who must be obeyed has other plans!