Q: Originally Posted by elisenc Hi,
This is my first Post.
You know have a correct locking gas cap for your Elise!
(CYA Mode on):
The above instructions are provided as is, and without any warranty. If you break your gas cap, don't expect a replacement from me. (CYA mode off) Hi Rod -
Pretty fine effort for a first post!
Thanks for the effort and the crystal-clear photos. This is the solution we've been seeking. Just one question: The locking cap looks awfully deep. Does it clear the fuel door easily? No need to trim? I see that your car is new -- 2006, I presume. John's (Lotus182's) car is also an '06. Is there any danger that there's a difference between '05 and '06 that would affect fit?
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Thanks for the great words.
My Elise is a late 05 build, dealer left over. I think the gas caps are the same for the 06 model. If the threaded portion is different, It still should swap into the Stant locking cap.
The fuel door closes and does not hit on the cap at all.
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I am currently using the 11507 as is. I found that the door doesn't hit the cap as long as the cap handly is rougly horizontal. If it is vertical, the door does rest on the bottom of the handle, but it is barely noticeable.
If I start to get MILs due to inadequate pressure in the emissions system, I will probably due the modification that Elisenc did.
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and works just fine!" Rookie first year Post Award" however has to go to "ELISENC" for wonderful post of pics and explanation of "moding" one. Put the second key on the bonnet support rod as was suggested- simple but brilliantly so. Thanks, Pip
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After reading this thread, I went to Schucks auto and they did have the Stant 11507 in stock. I tried the Stant gas cap as is on my Elise and I noticed that it didn't screw all the way in (I can feel part of the white plastic thread from the cap and a bit of a gap in between). I know that some of you guys have been using this cap as is and have had no issues. Anyway, I ended up doing elisenc's mod, it worked perfectly, no parts got broken, it's reversible and it took me only about 5 minutes. Thanks elisenc. This is a very worthwhile mod for those looking for a locking gas cap for their Elise.
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This mod is so easy and quick... excellent post elisenc.
I went up to my local Advance Auto Parts tonight and looked at both 11507 and 11509. They let me try both on my car. The 11507 (unmodified) would not screw on completely so the rubber gasket did not seal against the filler neck. The 11509 (unmodified) actually seemed to fit well and screwed down tight, I think it would work well as is.
In the end though, I just bought the 11507 and did the modification.
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I think you all have convinced me to do the modification as well, and stop using the 11507 on its own. I haven't done a real pressure check of the emissions system, and I might as well do it right if it seems to be working out so well for others.
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Originally Posted by ChrisH I think you all have convinced me to do the modification as well, and stop using the 11507 on its own. I haven't done a real pressure check of the emissions system, and I might as well do it right if it seems to be working out so well for others.
Yeah, once you do it, you will be surprised just how easy it is and how well it all works.
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OK my check engine/MIL light came on today. Basically I tested a non-stock-locking gas cap on the Lotus and after driving approximately 7 miles the light came on. However, I did put the cap on the night before while the car was in my garage. I tried filling up on gas to see if the light would go away (saw this in another thread) and it didn't after driving another 6 miles or so. However, I did notice that after "filling up" I only had filled 5 out of 6 bars on the fuel indicator. Any ideas?
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Originally Posted by an0nym0u5 OK my check engine/MIL light came on today. Basically I tested a non-stock-locking gas cap on the Lotus and after driving approximately 7 miles the light came on. However, I did put the cap on the night before while the car was in my garage. I tried filling up on gas to see if the light would go away (saw this in another thread) and it didn't after driving another 6 miles or so. However, I did notice that after "filling up" I only had filled 5 out of 6 bars on the fuel indicator. Any ideas?
You could run by Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone or similiar and borrow their OBD reader and check the code (most of these places will either read it for you or let you borrow their scan tool for free). It is possible that it is something else, but not likely. You can also clear the code with the reader.
If you put the stock cap back on and the code was a result of the aftermarket cap, it should clear itself after a little bit of driving. I don't know how many miles it will take though.
What aftermarket cap did you try? A Stant 11507 or 11509? The 11507 definitely doesn't screw in far enough to seal agains the gasket. The 11509 does screw down completely, but I am not sure the venting/valve is proper as it looks different than the stock cap.
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I finally got a MIL with the 11507. I checked it, and got the following:
P0455 Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Deteted (gross leak)
Time to do Elisenc's mod.
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Originally Posted by Baysailor You could run by Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone or similiar and borrow their OBD reader and check the code (most of these places will either read it for you or let you borrow their scan tool for free). It is possible that it is something else, but not likely. You can also clear the code with the reader.
If you put the stock cap back on and the code was a result of the aftermarket cap, it should clear itself after a little bit of driving. I don't know how many miles it will take though.
What aftermarket cap did you try? A Stant 11507 or 11509? The 11507 definitely doesn't screw in far enough to seal agains the gasket. The 11509 does screw down completely, but I am not sure the venting/valve is proper as it looks different than the stock cap.
Autozone didn't have the Stant 11507, instead they had a different brand that "crossed" with the Stant. It turns out that due to the design of this brand, I couldn't do the gas cap mod and so I tried leaving it on as-is. I'll go with your advice and head back to Autozone, thanks!
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Originally Posted by an0nym0u5 OK my check engine/MIL light came on today. Basically I tested a non-stock-locking gas cap on the Lotus and after driving approximately 7 miles the light came on. However, I did put the cap on the night before while the car was in my garage. I tried filling up on gas to see if the light would go away (saw this in another thread) and it didn't after driving another 6 miles or so. However, I did notice that after "filling up" I only had filled 5 out of 6 bars on the fuel indicator. Any ideas? It will clear itself after you put on a cap that seals/vents properly. When I lost mine, I immediately borrowed the cap from my daughter's Saturn (seldom driven, she's in Washington, D.C. now). It took several days and multiple drives before the car threw the code for the MIL.
After replacing with the proper fuel filler cap, it took several days and at least 15-20 start/drive-while-fully-warmed-up/cool-down cycles before it cleared itself. The code's probably permanently etched in my ECU's pea brain, but the light's out and I'm doing Rod's 11507 conversion tonight. It's neat that I'll be able to preserve the use of the lanyard with the locking cap, thanks to the way the filler mechanism is exchanged. Taking off the black retaining ring will also free the lanyard for the exchange.
BTW, I found the 11507 at Checker (Schuck's/Kragen) Auto Parts for $12.99 -- about half the price for the OE replacement from the Jag dealer.
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After putting my stock gas cap back on. I filled up and drove about 20 miles on the car to let the engine cycle a couple times. When I got back to my garage the light was still on. I went to sleep and when I woke up about 8 hours later my MIL light was off!
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Originally Posted by an0nym0u5 After putting my stock gas cap back on. I filled up and drove about 20 miles on the car to let the engine cycle a couple times. The testing cycles are seldom as simple as driving for 20 miles. Usually they involve starting the car from cold, driving at some speed range for some period of time, shutting it down, and repeating the cycles several times. There are also different "cycles" for different tests that the ODB-II system has to test for. Sometimes it can take weeks to clear all the stored error codes and/or turn off the MIL. Other times, it can happen quickly.
Everyone really does need a scanner to check what the codes are and to turn off the MIL (clear the code) as necessary. Trips to the dealer are a pain...
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Originally Posted by lotusport It's neat that I'll be able to preserve the use of the lanyard with the locking cap, thanks to the way the filler mechanism is exchanged. Taking off the black retaining ring will also free the lanyard for the exchange.
BTW, I found the 11507 at Checker (Schuck's/Kragen) Auto Parts for $12.99 -- about half the price for the OE replacement from the Jag dealer. Some pics taken during the conversion (first two are comparisons of the stock cap's filler seal/vent piece -- 11507 on left in both, ours on right; next is the finished cap, lanyard attached; third, secure!):
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Nice idea to mix the parts elisenc! It took more time to read your great post than to do it, and it works great
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My first mod complete! Thanks to elisenc.
I made a promise to myself to not do any mods to my Elise for at least one year (FYI my other car is a heavily modded 350Z w/ aftermarket wheels and suspension, bodykit, interior, audio, etc.). Well, its been only one week and I changed the gas cap!
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just did this mod. unbelievably easy thanks to the great write up. just wanted to say thanks and do a bump.
Originally Posted by elisenc Hi,
This is my first Post. I've had my Elise for about 1 week.
I have a working solution for the Elise locking Gas cap.
The Jaguar Cap listed above does not fully screw into the fuel spout. And could pose a fire hazard.
However I noticed that the Cap from the Stant 11507, or 10507 is the same size as the Elise's. Here are a set of instructions to modify the Stant cap to correctly fit the Elise. It took me about 10 minutes to make this change.
Below is the Stant Cap before any changes:
There is a plastic ring on the bottom of the black part of the cap. Using a small screwdriver, pry this off, as shown below:
Once the ring is removed, you can begin removing the center threaded portion of the cap:
Here is the Jaguar gas cap, compared to the Lotus, you can see that they are not even close:
Now perform the same steps to your Elise's gas cap.
Now that the ring is removed from the Elise's gas cap, take out the center white portion. place it in the Stant black cap as shown below:
Re install the Stant ring, locking the Elise's fuel spout fitting onto the Stant locking gas cap.
You now have a correct locking gas cap for your Elise!
(CYA Mode on):
The above instructions are provided as is, and without any warranty. If you break your gas cap, don't expect a replacement from me. (CYA mode off)
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Just did this mod. 5 minutes max. I also added this to the uberpost.
Thanks!