Colin S Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I have just finished building my R400 and went to put some fuel in it at my local BP garage. I was unable to get the fuel nozzle far enough into the neck of the tank to open the flap that is in there so could not get any fuel in until the small flap was held open with a spanner wedged down into it. Fuel could then be dribbled in. Has anyone else had this problem? This comes ready fitted so it's not something I have done. Is it just BP pumps? My local garage? or does this need further investigation? Car is now at Caterham Midlands for post build. I have asked them to look at the problem, but would be interested to hear if anyone else has had the same problem and if you did what did you do about it? Cheers Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Oh this problem is such joy. I could quite easily have torched our car 2 summers ago when trying to fill it up at any European pump - forget it. It would take 20 minutes, and that fuel pump pipe becomes very heavy after that long when you are kneeling whilst trying to push that s*dding internal flap open with a long screwdriver...... (I had just fitted an 'aero' style cap. Two things - firstly, many people (including us) remove that little flap that is inside the down pipe. You'll have to take the pipe out to do it, and we just smashed ours out. Secondly, make sure the internal rim of the aero cap is fitted the correct way up - there is a larger machined out 'lobe' in the internal shape that is supposed to allow the pump to fit in further. Biggest culprit as far as the pumps go is that some have a brass collar fitted (so they don't fit in diesel I assume?) - not all of them have it over here, but most do in France, Italy etc www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 102,000 miles car Edited by - angus&tessa on 1 Mar 2008 22:15:46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 One of my extremely-minor claims to fame was that I ended up on the bleeding-edge of this filler design. My car still has *the* prototype outer ring with the 12 o'clock cutout. There's some background on my site somewhere... Anyway, as Angus states, the only real solution is to nuke that goddamned-flap. But be careful - I killed a drill (cheapish ones don't like side-loads), knackered a swiss-army penknife and nearly b*ggered the upper filler tube fatiguing the flap-welds out... Never looked back since... 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester Racing 7s Ecosse™ 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Oh, here it is... here I can't believe it is getting close to four years since I fitted the thing 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester Racing 7s Ecosse™ 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 🙆🏻 Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Edited by - Myles on 1 Mar 2008 23:35:28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 I keep a funnel in the boot just in case I have to use a pump that doesn't fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combine Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Have an aero fuel cap , but luckily also have my own fuel station so have a different pump nozzle , still can be slightly tricky though as the nozzle can slip out if not wedged in carefully ! Edited by - combine on 2 Mar 2008 07:37:45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin S Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 It's interesting that it's an optional extra on the order form but no one bothers to tell you that it could also be a pain in the ar*e. I wouldn't have bothered to actually pay for a problem you normally pay to have problems resolved. Phone calls will be made on Monday morning. Thanks for your advice guys. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 😬 Myles, I had equal trouble getting our flap out - stubborn little b*gger! Brute force started it, 'tapping' it out with a block of wood and a big 'ammer - but those spot welds don't half hang on!! ISTR Caterham working on a re-designed filler neck, but I may be imagining that... www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 102,000 miles car Edited by - angus&tessa on 2 Mar 2008 12:21:43 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Village Idiot Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 The joys of a bag tank, unsrew cap, put hose in, fill up, pull hose out, screw cap back on 😬 Takes me no more than 2 minutes to fill up from start to finish 😶🌫️ Dickie Humiliated by Miss Marple but still giving it LARGE Wood Sir like to be on the cutting edge ? OR Can I drive you round the bend ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K200CSR Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Colin, I would appreciate an update after your call to CC, I am still awaiting a definative update from CC on the same issue on my Sept-07 CSR and as yet CCM have been unable to give me anyting definate, especially a fix date. Good luck. Charles K200CSR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumpy Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Also have this problem. Does anyone know the size of the pump nozzle? I've been cogitating on buying some petrol tubing to fit over the end of the pump nozzle to extend it into the car filler tube. Any idea if this would work? Always assuming that the H&S mafia don't arrest me for doing it! Out in the sunshine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous_bryan Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I have this problem and have had many a panic that I have the nozzle in only to think it is stuck and I can't get it out! First trip to Le Mans equated to many slight scratches on the top inside of the filler....but now I have the knack... Couldn't describe it only show but it is nozzle part in, turn 45 degrees, push in more turn a further 45 degress (now upside down) then slowly turn as you push it right in.....complicated I know but works for me!! Only risk I think it what shards of metal might be going in, but 7500 miles and no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SV Gary Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Colin I have recently purchased an aero filler cap assembly, fitted it with large 'scoop' at the 12 O'clock position and always fill up with BP Ultimate as it is my local station - never had a problem. Cap is fitted to a 2003 SV Roadsport. The lead dog always gets the best view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous_bryan Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'm going to have to check this 'large scoop' is on mine and move it around if it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Couldn't describe it only show but it is nozzle part in, turn 45 degrees, push in more turn a further 45 degress (now upside down) then slowly turn as you push it right in.....complicated I know but works for me!! Sounds like the L7C Kama Sutra of nozzle/aero filler interactions needs to be written ! 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkySon Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Colin Had this last year. Still remember my first attempts to fill up - reckoned I had more petrol over the back of the car and on the forecourt that actually in the tank. I brought this up when it went to CC for the 500 mile service and it was sorted under warranty without any quibbling - I think they just carried out the usual fix of hacking out the flap in the filler neck. No problem at all now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 You want to try using the new anti wrong fuelling fillers on Fords. They make the Caterham seem easy until you get used to them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeman Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I've resisted the temtation to remove the 'flap' in the filler tube as I didn't really think it would make any difference, despite a lot of you saying that it solves the problem. Well, MORE FOOL ME. Today I removed the fuel filler tube to have a look for myself. I had always imagined that the flap was attatched to the tube itself, rather than to tapered tube within a tube. Half an hour with the dremmel and the flap was on my workbench and the filler tube back on the car. While I was at it I fitted the extended flange in the 12o/c position. This mod really does the job, thank you to all who suggested it. Be lucky!! Martin Edited by - weeman on 26 Mar 2008 12:47:46 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Fitted aero cap last week so was interested in this thread having only put fuel in from jerry can . Just checked large recess and its at 6 oclock!! Will turn it round before attempting a petrol station Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Butcher Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 ok, so what about the annoying collar you get sometimes on nozles. Removing the flappy wappy ding dong thing wingy doesn't help with those?.... R300 TJB Great for getting to the curry house quickly. SV Helps getting home again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 No, but....the issue is that with the flap (which you can't push past if the nozzle has a collar on it) the fuel backs up and triggers the 'auto-off' mechanism on the fuel nozzle (because it thinks the tank is full and the fuel is backing up) - removing the flap allows the fuel to flow into the tank much quicker than when it is trying to force its way (by gravity alone) past that flap. Doing this means that you don't have to (try) to get the fuel knozzle into the filler so far, in a vain attempt to try and reach the flap and open it, meaning you are now also less likely to get the damn nozzle jammed in!! www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 102,000 miles car Edited by - angus&tessa on 27 Mar 2008 11:34:20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 We are the Knights that say Knozzle ?? 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjmmarsh Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Noooooooooo! My local Shell garage has switched to the new-style euro nozzles..... ☹️ I will need to look at the mod now. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caterhamnut Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 'k'nozzle' edited, but hey, at least the hopefully useful info is still there... www.mycaterham.com here Videos here 102,000 miles car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Cornford Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 but dont remove the flap before SVA Sigma SteVe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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