Elise MY10 fuel cap lock

Elise MY10 fuel cap lock

Author
Discussion

Serg2K

Original Poster:

508 posts

167 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
Just bought my first Elise today, the ride home was great but ended rather disappointingly with a fault.

I went to fill it up for the first time. I inserted the key into the cap turned and gained access easily. Filled up.
Now to put the cap back on... turned key and nothing, the cap can't lock no matter how hard I try to turn it, push it in, out, jiggle it, nothing... and I can't remove the key from the cap, so I'm stuck there rather embarrassed by the growing queue behind me.
So, I pull the key from the cap harder... key comes out, along with the barrel. The barrel is stuck to it, can't turn it or pull it free. My right hand is weak from being recently broken so I ask the attendant to try it for me and success. The barrel is handed over to me and all it constituents parts start to separate in my hand... I put some sellotape to hold the cap in the hole and go home. On the way there I go over some bumps and hear the cap fall off, so I do a u turn and go get it, as I come to a stop I ask a passer if he can hand it to me, in the mean time a car comes between us and clips the cap, making sure the scratches are deep...

So yeah this was my first day with it, I can only get better right? smile

PaulB81

883 posts

165 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
I love my Elise but the build quality is shocking. Mines not as new as yours (07) but there always seems to be something falling off or breaking and I only drive it once a week. You will get used to it frown

400SE Dave

1,299 posts

176 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
This is quite common, it is due to the inners of the actual cap that are pretty weak. It happened on my Exige.

You can get a new Lotus cap without a lock from the dealer and then you put your own lock barrel in with the key and it locates in position. It then works as normal.

Cost of the cap is about £50 +VAT.

HTH, David

junks

303 posts

245 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
Or go for a nice Pro Alloy one that won't break smile

Serg2K

Original Poster:

508 posts

167 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
The actual lock is also broken due to the key having to be forced out.
Its getting sorted expeditiously by the dealer. I'm still happy and excited about my new toy smile

Perhaps its a good idea to lube up the lock real good.

Where would you get that alloy one?

cheers
S

doggydave

329 posts

180 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
Get used to these little quirks. Its a Lotus. Get it fixed under warranty if you can.

Serg2K

Original Poster:

508 posts

167 months

Thursday 19th April 2012
quotequote all
I'm in with my eyes open. I don't expect it will be 100% trouble free motoring like my s2k was, but I'm expecting 100% more fun wink