The Joys Of 7 Ownership "Learning Experience's"

[masonp]

I think I have dropped a bit of a goolie - one of those "learning experiences" I suppose of 7 ownership!

My wonderful other half bought me a fantastic looking alloy aero petrol cap and neck, emblazoned with "Caterham" for Chrimbo . I fitted it on Friday (it was a bit of a faff mind) but it looks the absolute dogs, much, much better than the plastic one that was on!

Today, dearest wanted to go for a walk (), so I thought as I have no choice and it was dry and it's a nice run up the Coldstream road to her chosen destination, it would only be right to take the 7, and then everyone is happy. Great run, lovely & bright and clear, fast roads (the walk wasn't too bad either).

On the way back, thought I should chuck a bit of juice in, so stopped at the service station to discover I cannot get a pump filler nozzle into the tank, because of the size of the petrol cap surround and the bend in the neck to the tank !!!! Fortunately, I had just enough to crawl back home.

So I thought I would let those who are considering such a thing to tread carefully! I think I have two choices now, flexible funnel or back to the original cap.....actually scrap the second one, need to get myself flexi-funnel.

PS the cap a Newton A36LCK

[casbar]

Answer is to bosh out the flap in the filler kneck. Its only held by a couple of welds, so a screwdriver will get rid of it. Then you can just stick fuel knozzle in and fill as normal, and it won't get stuck.

[masonp]

Aha! Hadn't even thought of that, many thanks What's the flap for anyway?

Love solutions which involve hammers and brute force!

Many thanks Casbar

[billflin]

I have exactly the same problem - how do you stop the 'flap' falling into the tank if you bash it out, and are there any insurance implications re fires etc?

[ewenm]

I think the flap is to prevent petrol surging up the pipe under acceleration!

[masonp]

I've had a look round on the net and the flap appears to be to stop fuel surge back up the filler neck as ewenm said

Have had an alternative thought - thinking about bending a BBQ skewer to put into the neck and open the flap and then put the nozzle in. Would look a right gonk when filling up, but think it might work

Think I'll give it a go before "boshing" flap out, which still sounds like good fun, but am a little concerned that the flap might do some mischief in the tank (gauge sender unit, fuel pick up point etc)

[billflin]

masonp said:

I've had a look round on the net and the flap appears to be to stop fuel surge back up the filler neck as ewenm said

Have had an alternative thought - thinking about bending a BBQ skewer to put into the neck and open the flap and then put the nozzle in. Would look a right gonk when filling up, but think it might work

Think I'll give it a go before "boshing" flap out, which still sounds like good fun, but am a little concerned that the flap might do some mischief in the tank (gauge sender unit, fuel pick up point etc)

Tried this - hard to hold the nozzle and the spike, plus it slips, plus the nozzle and the spike won't fit in the hole together. I've got a funnel, it takes forever to fill up.

[masonp]

Bugger!! Back to the drawing board

[Bafty_Crastard]

Two quick ways I have dealt with this in the past to fill the tank………………

1. Using a small long screwdriver push the flap down, shove the pump filler and way you go

2. Use a small long flexi neck funnel & push it right down in the filler neck to open the flap, the easiest method and you can stick it in the boot!

Bafty

Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Sunday 4th February 22:30

[sfaulds]

Have you fitted the cap surround the right way up? Fitting it upside down is the normal cause of not being able to get the nozzle in at all.

[LRdriver II]

watch out for the damn pump nozzle and the barbs on the underside. They hook the thing to your car and you cant remove the nozzle. been there done that (aero filler)

[masonp]

Dunno about fitting the surround on the right way, I thought it could go on any way round, will check it out, see if it make a difference.

Seems like I am not the only one to have suffered with this, so feel a bit less of a ejit!

Thanks to all for your suggestions, appreciate the advice and help

[casbar]

The flap as far as I understand it, is for SVA.

I've had no flap for over 2 years now, with no ill effects. Older sevens don't even have a flap. To remove the flap, take the cover off the fuel pipe connection, in the boot and remove the ali tube, then bosh out the flap and replace. Easy job. Even Caterham suggested this solution, when I spoke to them about this issue.

If you ask on Blatchat, most of the owners are flap less.

[billflin]

casbar said:

The flap as far as I understand it, is for SVA.

I've had no flap for over 2 years now, with no ill effects. Older sevens don't even have a flap. To remove the flap, take the cover off the fuel pipe connection, in the boot and remove the ali tube, then bosh out the flap and replace. Easy job. Even Caterham suggested this solution, when I spoke to them about this issue.

If you ask on Blatchat, most of the owners are flap less.

Thanks for this, a great tip and a job for the weekend!