Gas Cap Leaking

[DatsunRBZ]

I took the seven to the first auto-X event and wow what a car! The car was quiet playful in the corners on older all season tires and heaps of fun. However, on my first couple of runs my car had to be reinspected due to the smell of gas out on the course. Turns out gas was leaking out of the fuel filler cap in hard turns and running down the rear body panel. I ended up just cleaning the gas off the body panel after each run. The tank was at 3/4 according to the gauge so not overly pressed full. My car has the rover style gas cap, according to the key, and not sure if this is a common problem. I do see a flapper (check) value in the filler neck that does not shut all the way which may be the problem.

 

I am considering updating to the aero filler cap and filler neck from Caterham. Before ordering I need to make sure it will fit in the existing hole. Could someone that has one provide me with the overall diameter and radius from center to the bolt hole centers. The info would be appreciated.

 

[bball7754]

Believe the caps are supplied to Caterham by Mocal.  I lost my cap, and was able to get a replacement from British American Transfer.  They have the Mocal literature on their site, which includes all the dimensions.  I think Caterham uses the Aero 300.

 

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/e112be6e/files/uploaded/cap.pdf

 

Steve

[DatsunRBZ]

Thanks for the info Steve. If that's the case it looks like the aero fill will be slightly too small to fill the existing filler hole and rivet holes. Looks like I will have to get creative to fix the old one or fab up a panel to fit the aero fill.

[wemtd]

Double check the Newton catalog: they have different sizes

[DatsunRBZ]

I ended up buying the aero cap from Caterham. The cap is made by Newton Equipment and is their Aero 300 filler cap, 6 bolt flange, angled neck that can be found here https://www.newton-equipment.com/aero-300-range.html .  The price of buying from Caterham with shipping was comparable to buying from another supplier state side, plus this one is a genuine Caterham part with "Caterham" etched in the cap. I will be installing it this weekend in hopes it solves my problem.

[CarlB]

I have done it on my car. here are some pictures. When I got my car it came with a Newton Aero 300 cap and flange. I did not get the angled neck and had to make my own. To enlarge the opening to go from the Rover fuel neck I used a nibbler. I taped up the opening and determined the center. Then I drew a circle and cut it out. Once the flange fit I use the flange to locate the bolt holes. 

[DatsunRBZ]

On initial test fit, the aero fill fit in the existing hole so fingers crossed no cutting will be required. But if I have questions later I may use you as a resource.

[CarlB]

Hope it fits without cutting.

[DatsunRBZ]

Cap was a perfect fit, no cutting required, just had to drill new holes. Took it out for a spirited drive with some tight turns and zero fuel leaks, problem solved!

[Anker]

So a "stupid" question: How do I fill the tank completely without spilling gas? If I just insert the nozzle and run it at full clip I only get a 3/4 full tank before it shuts off. If I want to fill the tank completely I have to reduce the flow by a lot and hold the nozzle so the end is as high as it can go. And then I often spill a bit down the back.

 

It would be great if there was an adapter that fit into the inlet that would deal with this issue! 

[Pokey]

9 hours ago, Anker said:

So a "stupid" question: How do I fill the tank completely without spilling gas? If I just insert the nozzle and run it at full clip I only get a 3/4 full tank before it shuts off. If I want to fill the tank completely I have to reduce the flow by a lot and hold the nozzle so the end is as high as it can go. And then I often spill a bit down the back.

 

It would be great if there was an adapter that fit into the inlet that would deal with this issue! 

 

Well... besides rotating the pump handle to find the ideal angle, which seems to vary from pump to pump, what I'm doing is using a narrow funnel.  My particular funnel came with a Ford pickup as an adapter when using a can instead of a pump because of the flapper valve in the neck.

[KnifeySpoony]

I have found that i have to hold press it in firmly, hold it at just the right angle (elevating the handle somewhat), then pumping slowly, maybe at like 1/2 the maximum rate at the most. Then it will fill until full, and click of without overfilling. That's with our CA vapor recovery foreskin thingies.

[bball7754]

I also found that pumping slowly was the key, and agree 1/2 is about the max.  However, I still have the occasional overfill, usually right after I’ve polished the aluminum.