L.1 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Section Menu
The fuel system has a fuel tank located in the engine compartment on the left hand side.
The filler cap is located to the rear of the rear screen on the inside return of the body adjacent to the engine compartment aperture.
The filler pipe is connected to the tank by a short length of hose retained with clips.
An electrically operated fuel tank gauge unit is mounted in the front face of the tank.
A fuel pipe connects the fuel tank to a diaphragm type mechanical fuel pump mounted on the right hand side of the engine and operated by the camshaft.
The fuel pump incorporates a gauze screen and sediment bowl which are easily detachable for cleaning purposes.
From the fuel pump a plastic pipe delivers fuel to the carburettor.
Either a Solex 35 DIDSA 2 (in the case of U.K and European vehicles) or a Solex 26 DIDSA 5 (Federal, North American vehicles) carburettor is fitted.
Information on these carburettors is contained in the respective carburettor sections, and their specification will be found in 'Technical Data'.
In both instances the instrument is a down draught twin choke unit incorporating an idling, a main and a full load enrichment system.
A diaphragm type accelerator pump is built into the unit and an internally vented float chamber is also incorporated.
The air cleaner is of the replaceable paper element type.
L.2 - FUEL TANK - Section Menu
To Remove:
- Disconnect the battery leads (earth lead first).
- Drain the fuel tank (The drain plug is situated underneath the tank and is accessible from beneath the vehicle).
- Undo the two hose clips on the flexible pipe connecting the filler cap to the neck on the tank.
- Remove the two leads to the tank unit (green/black and black) by detaching them at the Lucar connectors.
- Detach the fuel pipe and the vent pip from the tank at their flexible connectors.
- Undo the two hexagonal headed screws on the tank mounting brackets at the front left hand side of the tank.
- Undo the single hex-headed bolt securing the rear right-hand side tank mounting bracket to the wheelarch front by removing the Nyloc nut and penny washer from within the wheelarch.
- Lower the tank sufficiently to release the flexible pipe from the filler cap and tank neck.
- Remove the tank by maneuvering it forwards and downwards through the aperture beneath the vehicle.
To Replace:
Reverse the procedure outlined above.
L.3 - FUEL TANK SENDER UNIT - Section Menu
To Remove:
- Remove the tank as outlined in L.2.
- Unscrew the sender unit lock-ring from the mounting on the front of the tank, using Tool (Part No. A036 T 6015).
- Withdraw the sender unit from the tank.
- Remove the sealing ring.
To Replace:
- Ensure that the mating surfaces of the rear of the sender unit and recessed mounting flange on the tank are clear.
- Fit a new sealing ring in the recess in the tank and fit the sender unit tighten the lock-ring with the special tool.
- Replace tank as outlined in L.2.
L.4 - FUEL GAUGE - Section Menu
To Remove:
- Disconnect the battery.
- Pull out the illuminating lamp bulb holder from the rear of the instrument (red/yellow lead).
- Detach the two leads to the instrument (dark green/light green and dark green/black) by pulling their Lucar connectors from the terminals at the rear of the instrument.
- Undo the knurled nut on the mounting clamp and detach the two black earth leads.
To Replace:
Reverse the procedure outlined above.
L.5 - FUEL PUMP - Section Menu
To Remove:
- Raise the bonnet and place protective covering over right-hand side of body adjacent to the engine compartment.
- Disconnect the fuel lines at the pump (suitably plugged to prevent loss of fuel or the ingress of foreign matter}.
Disconnect the flexible feed pipe from the top of the pump by undoing the lower pipe clip, using key No 46 E6 433.
Pull the lower pipe to the pump from the small flexible jointing tube.
- Unscrew and remove the locknuts and the two plain nuts and spring washers securing the fuel pump to the studs on the cylinder block and detach the fuel pump, lifting the operating lever to clear the eccentric and the slotted hole in the block.
- Remove the gasket from the studs on the adaptor plate attached to the cylinder block.
To Replace:
- Clean the face of the adaptor plate on the cylinder block, removing any traces of gasket, which may be adhering to the face.
Fit a new gasket to the adaptor plate.
- Insert the rocker arm through the slot in the block wall so that the arm lies on the camshaft eccentric.
- Secure the fuel pump to the cylinder block with two spring washers and nuts, tightening them evenly to a torque of 12 to 14 lb. ft. (1.66 to 2.07 Kg.m.)
Fit the two stamped type, locking nuts.
- Ensure that the pipe joints are clean and refit the fuel pipes.
- Run the engine and check for leaks at the joints.
- Remove the protective covering and lower the bonnet.
FUEL PUMP FILTER
The filter may be removed from the pump, cleaned, and replaced whilst the pump is still fitted to the engine.
To Remove:
- Undo the clamp screw situated at the top of the pump.
- Remove the screw, clamping bar and cap.
- Carefully withdraw the filter and spring.
- Carefully remove the washer from the cap seating recess.
To Replace:
- Clean the filter gauze by washing it in petrol using a brush.
If the gauze is damaged, fit a new one.
Reverse the removal procedure outlined above.
FUEL PUMP OVERHAUL
- Remove the pump unit and filter as outlined above.
- Undo and remove the five cheese headed screws holding the top half of the body to the lower.
Remove the two remaining screws holding the lower half to the top.
- Separate the two halves of the pump body by imparting a twisting motion rather than levering them apart at the flange.
- Undo the screw that is recessed into the mounting face of the lower pump body and withdraw the operating arm from the body.
As the lever is removed its forked end will disengage itself from the diaphragm push rod, releasing the diaphragm in the process.
- Remove the spring from the operating lever and drive the pivot pin from the sliding pivot block.
- Slightly compress the spring towards the diaphragm and remove the seating seal, washer and spring.
- From beneath the top half of the pump body, undo and remove the two cheese head screws holding the valve plate assembly.
- Remove the valve plate and washer.
- Carefully check all items particularly the valve plate assembly, diaphragm and seating seal and replace where necessary.
Use new gaskets as required.
To Replace:
Reverse the procedure outlined above.
To assemble the operating arm, place the diaphragm assembly in position in the lower body with the seating seal in its recess. Squeeze the diaphragm and body together against the spring pressure and insert the forked end of the lever between the raise end of the diaphragm push rod.
When assembling the two halves of the body together, loosely fit the screws and tighten them all a little at a time to ensure that the diaphragm which is clamped between them is sandwiched in a 'flat' condition.
L.6- AIR FILTER - Section Menu
[1]
To replace air filter element (every 12,000 miles - 20,000 km):
- Undo and remove the locknut in the centre of the air filter unit lid using a 10 mm spanner.
- Remove the lid and withdraw the filter element.
- Fit a new filter element using only a genuine replacement.
To remove the body.
- Remove lid and element as above.
- Mask the two carburetter inlets to avoid accidental introduction of nuts or spacers.
- Undo the three locking nuts.
- Pull the filter body off the studs. Withdraw the metal clamping ring and the upper rubber gasket from the studs.
- Remove the two remaining gaskets from the top of the carburetter and the three spacers.
To replace the body.
Reverse the removal procedure outlined above.
Special Note.
Air Cleaner Mounting Plate.
Where difficulty is experienced in the air cleaner mounting plate continually becoming loosened in service, it is recommended that the securing nuts must be drilled and wire locked.
L.7 - CARBURETTOR - SOLEX F35 DIDSA - 2 - Section Menu
General description.
Lotus Europa models supplied for the U.K and European markets are fitted with a Solex carburettor of the above type.
The carburettor details vary slightly according to the vehicles series and specification but the principle of operation and basic details remain the same for all carburettors without emission control.
The Solex instrument is a twin choke and twin barrel unit, which overcomes certain disadvantages on single choke carburettors when engine outputs are increased beyond moderate ratings, particularly if it is required to provide a good part throttle performance.
On the Europa application one barrel is tuned to give good economy at intermediate throttle openings and the other to give maximum performance when operating in conjunction with the first.
The primary throttle is operated over its whole range by the movement of the accelerator pedal.
The action of the secondary throttle is automatic and depends on the position of the primary throttle and the amount of vacuum in the primary throttle choke tube.
The secondary throttle is prevented from opening by an overrider lever or ramp link Q. Fig. 5 until the primary throttle is at least two thirds open.
Then, if the required vacuum is created in the venturis, the diaphragm in the vacuum control unit will lift and open the secondary throttle.
These actions are shown in Fig.7.
In order to provide extra fuel required for immediate response to sudden openings of the throttle an accelerator pump is provided as shown in service assemblies (Fig 10). (The rod linking it to the primary throttle lever may also be seen in the lower body assembly of this illustration).
Maintenance and Slow-running Adjustment. - Section Menu
The only maintenance required apart from servicing the air filter (see chapter L.6) [2] is to ensure that the Jets are not obstructed.
On no account should any wire be used to clear a Jet.
A - Primary Venturi
B - Secondary Venturi
C - Primary Main-Jet
D - Secondary Main-Jet
E - Primary Compensating Jet
F - Secondary Compensating Jet
G - Accelerator Pump Jet
H - Primary Inner Venturi
I - Secondary Inner Venturi
J - Slow-running (idle) Speed
Adjustment Screw
K - Slow-running (idle) Speed
Volume Screw
L - Throttle Quadrant
M - Choke Lever
N - Solenoid Shut-off Valve
O - Secondary Throttle Operating Unit
(diaphragm Control Unit)
P - Roller-Lever
Q - Ramp-Link
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Key to Fig.7
A - Primary throttle (1) movement during which secondary throttle (2) is always closed.
B - Primary throttle operating range, when engine speed is too low to provide the necessary suction in the primary throttle choke tube, to actuate the secondary throttle operating unit.
C & D - Primary throttle (1) movement needed when sufficient suction exists in the primary choke tube to open the secondary throttle (2).
(C) half way, (D) fully open.
Slow-running Adjustment.
This the only adjustment which should be required in normal use and is carried out as follows:
Adjust the slow-running speed adjustment screw J in (Fig. 5) to give an engine idling speed of 850 rev/min.
Adjust the slow-running volume control screw K so that the engine is running evenly with the screw rotated as far anti-clockwise as possible.
Readjust the engine speed if necessary with the speed adjustment screw J.
When this procedure is finished the engine should be running evenly at 850 rev/min, just off the 'hunting' or rich idling condition.
This is obtained by having the volume control screw K rotated anticlockwise as far as possible consistent with even running at the idling speed.
Carburettor faults: - Section Menu
Removing and Refitting the Carburettor. - Section Menu
Dismantling the Carburettor. - Section Menu
To remove the upper body.
- Remove the solenoid valve initially to avoid possible damage in further dismantling.
- Remove the small hair-pin clip at the lower end of the secondary throttle operating rod, and pull the mechanism (complete with its nylon bush) away from the post on the throttle spindle roller arm.
- Slacken the 7 mm. hex. clamp screw on the upper end of the choke control rod.
- Remove the five cheese head screws and washers securing the upper body to the main body and carefully lift the assembly off.
Care must be taken
- not to damage the gasket or the locating dowels adjacent to the float chamber,
- not to loose or damage the small damper spring attached to the lower part of the float needle valve.
To remove the lower body from the main body.
- Lift the float and spindle from the main body.
- Lift the accelerator pump jet complete with spring from its recess in the primary venturi of the main body. From beneath the instrument:
- Remove the two cheese head screws securing the lower body (containing the throttle plate assembly) to the main body.
- Pull the assembly away from the main body taking particular came not to damage the gasket.
Having broken the instrument down into the three basic components, no difficulty should be experienced in further dismantling if reference is made to the very comprehensive exploded view shown in Fig.10.
The secondary throttle vacuum control housing and the accelerator pump may be further removed from top and main bodies respectively as follows:
To remove the vacuum control housing from the upper body:
- Remove the two 8 mm. hex. Nyloc nuts, spring and plain washers securing the housing to the upper body.
- Remove the control housing.
- Carefully separate the gasket from the control housing or upper body taking care not to damage the very small restrictor jet situated in the mating face of the vacuum control housing. Further dismantling of this component is not to be advised as this is serviced only as a factory sealed unit.
To dismantle the accelerator pump (situated in the main body).
- Remove the 8mm. hex. bolt and spring washer securing the choke control wire bracket to the main body.
- Remove the four semi-countersunk headed screws securing the accelerator pump cover to the main body.
- Remove the cover complete with lever and control link.
(care must be taken when separating the cover not to damage the diaphragm which is sandwiched between the cover and the main body).
- Remove the diaphragm and spring.
Assembling the carburettor. - Section Menu
L.8 - CARBURETTOR - SOLEX 26DIDSA - 5F (EXHAUST EMISSION CONTROL) - Section Menu
General description of the system.
The Renault double carburation system (D.C.S) is an exhaust emission control system which modifies the induction system of the" engine to achieve emission control by minimizing the initial formation of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide gases.
A Lotus Europa equipped with this system meets the applicable Federal Requirements.
The main features of the Ranault D.C.S system are:
- Special pistons with reduced clearance at the top - a design, which contributes to lowering the hydrocarbon emissions (see Technical Data).
- Intake manifold and cylinder head with separate ports, which give a better distribution of the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders.
- An ignition distributor with special centrifugal and vacuum advance curves.
- A positive crankcase ventilation system complying with the applicable requirements.
- The special dual throttle carburettor (dealt with in the ensuing section) is fitted with a vacuum controlled progressive linkage (see fig.12).
The primary throttle has a smaller cross section being designed to meet the engine requirements at moderate speeds and engine loads, which are the prevailing conditions in city driving.
The secondary throttle with the large cross section comes into use to meet engine requirements for heavier loads and higher speeds.
To ensure that the secondary throttle of the curburetter comes into action at the correct time in order to satisfy the engine requirements, an actuating device which is sensitive to the engine demands is necessary.
The progressive linkage selected for the Renault D.C.S. system makes use of a vacuum diaphragm unit.
The vacuum which actuates the diaphragm is taken from the venturis of the two throttles. In the venturis, the vacuum increases when the throttle plates are opened, and further increases as the engine speed rises.
As a result the action of the diaphragm is progressive and provides a smooth transition from the primary to secondary throttle.
Periodic Maintenance
To maintain the efficiency of the D.C.S. system, periodic maintenance is required.
The maintenance intervals are the same as those recommended for the U.K and European vehicle (i.e., without the D.C.S. system) and are covered under Section O 'Lubrication and Maintenance'.
Maintenance and slow-running adjustments - Section Menu
Normal idle:
The Solex 26-32 DIDSA carburetter which is used with the Renault D.C.S. system does not have an idle speed adjustment screw acting on the opening of the throttle plate to obtain the required flow of air.
The screw acting on the opening of the throttle has been replaced by a screw acting directly on the flow of air through the external idle air circuit.
The screw acting on the air flow is designated 'air screw', and the screw acting on the air/fuel mixture is designated 'petrol screw' (1 and 2 respectively of Fig. 13).
Procedure:
Ensure that the ignition system is in good operating condition and that its adjustments are within specifications.
Connect an electronic tachometer which is accurate to + 2.5%.
Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature (i .e. until the radiator fan starts running).
First step (Fig, 13):
The aim here is to adjust both the air adjustment screw (1) and the petrol adjustment screw (2) so that when normal idle speed has been adjusted at 1050 r.p.m, by the air adjustment screw, turning the petrol adjustment screw clockwise, or anti-clockwise, lowers the engine r.p.m.
To obtain this condition proceed as follows:
- Turn the air adjustment screw (1) until 1125 r.p.m, is obtained.
- Turn the petrol adjustment screw (2) until the idle speed reaches the maximum obtainable.
- Turn the air adjustment screw (1) until 1125 r.p.m, is obtained once again.
- Turn the petrol adjustment screw (2) until the idle speed reaches the maximum obtainable.
- Repeat operations '3' and '4' until the maximum idle speed which can be obtained by turning the petrol adjustment screw (2) is 1125 r.p.m.
Second Step:
The aim of the second step is to 'lean out' the mixture to the point where the idle speed is lowered to 1050 r.p.m. To perform this adjustment, proceed as follows:
Turn the petrol adjustment screw (2) CLOCKWISE until the idle speed is lowered to 1050 r.p.m.
Please note that particular care MUST BE TAKEN to ensure that this adjustment is performed with precision, because the level of carbon monoxide emissions depends for a large part UPON ITS ACCURACY.
Positive crankcase ventilation system (Fig. 14) - Section Menu
Crankcase fumes are drawn from the crankcase via the rocker cover.
These Fumes enter the engine intake system through tubing connected to the carburetter upper body.
Direction of flow of the fumes is controlled by an AC valve (4) located in the tubing connected to the intake manifold.
This meters the flow of fumes to the intake manifold during times of high intake manifold vacuum, so that the major portion of fumes are drawn into the carburetter.
When intake vacuum drops during more open throttle operation, spring tension in the valve overcomes the effect of the vacuum, opening the valve, and permitting full flow of fumes into the intake manifold.
A flame arrestor (3 of Fig. 13) is located in the tubing to the carburetter.
If due to some engine malfunctioning backfiring should cause flame to flash through the carburettor, the flame arrestor prevents the flame passing through the tubing to the crankcase, thereby avoiding possible additional damage to the engine.
Maintenance of the system is based upon inspection and cleaning at the recommended intervals. The valve and flame arrestor should be cleaned in paraffin and the tubing inspected for possible leaks.
Removing and Refitting the Carburettor. - Section Menu
Removing.
Disconnect the battery cables (earth first).
Remove the rear luggage compartment by undoing the two bolts set in the floor of the unit; take care to note the quantity and position of the spacer washers situated between the cross member and the under surface of the compartment.
Remove the air filter and body (see section L.6).
Undo the worm drive pipe clip at the right hand side of the emission control valve housing and remove the pipe.
Undo the pipe clip by means of key (part No 46E 6433) at the left hand side of the emission control valve housing and remove the pipe.
Undo the 12 mm. hex. union at the float chamber and pull the fuel line clear of the carburettor.
Pull the two remaining hoses away from the pipe entry above the choke plate complete with the 'Tee' piece.
At the carburettor disconnect the following controls:
- the emission control valve and choke rod. (Slacken the 8 mm. hex. clamp bolt and pull the rod clear).
- the lead from the solenoid valve.
- the vacuum pipe.
- the accelerator return spring.
- the accelerator cable at the 8 mm. hex. clamp bolt.
Remove the 'E' clip from the accelerator quadrant post and pull off the quadrant.
Undo the two worm-drive hose clips and pull the manifold heater pipes from their unions and the right hand base of the manifold.
Remove the carburettor securing nuts and washers and lift off the instrument. Blank off the flange on the inlet manifold to prevent the entry of any foreign matter.
Refitting.
Dismantling the Carburettor. - Section Menu
In order to ensure compliance with the Federal Regulations on air pollution control, the carburettor adjustments are factory set.
This consequently influences the degree of dismantling permitted.
The following operations are the only ones which may be performed and dismantling procedure is described only to achieve these ends.
- Removing and replacing the upper body (for eventual replacement) of gaskets, jets, float, needle valve, accelerator pump, check valve.
- Replacing the vacuum diaphragm control unit with a new one.
- Replacing the idle jet fuel shut-off solenoid valve with a new one. (When installing this solenoid valve, care should be taken to tighten it only to a torque of 2 lb/ft).
If the operations listed above are not sufficient for restoring the proper operation of the carburettor, replace the carburettor with a new one.
To remove the upper body.
- Remove the solenoid valve initially to avoid possible damage in further dismantling.
- Disconnect the robber tubing from the emission control valve housing adjacent to the choke.
- Remove the small hair-pin clip at the lower end of the secondary throttle operating rod, and pall the mechanism (complete with its nylon bush) away from the post on the throttle spindle roller lever.
- Remove the five cheese head screws and washers securing the upper body to the main body and carefully lift the assembly off.
Care must be taken
- not to damage the gasket or the cast locating dowels adjacent to the float chamber.
- not to lose or damage the small damper spring attached to the lower part of the float needle valve.
To assemble the upper body.
- Reverse the dismantling procedure outlined previously.
- Replace the float and spindle into the main body.
- When replacing the accelerator pump jet ensure that the jet tube is placed in the primary venturi slot.
- When refitting the gasket between main and upper bodies, care should be taken to ensure that the gasket is fitted in the correct position i.e.; the offset aperture and the two extra holes should be on the primary or choke side of the instrument.
To remove the vacuum diaphragm control unit.
- Remove the two 8 mm. hex. Nyloc nuts, spring and plain washers securing the housing of the control unit to the upper body.
- Remove the control housing.
- Carefully separate the gasket from the control housing or upper body, taking care not to damage the very small restrictor jet situated in the mating face of the control housing.
Further dismantling of this component is not to be advised, as this is serviced as a factory sealed unit only.
L.9 - CHOKE CONTROL - Section Menu
To Remove.
- Remove the arm rest and foam padding from the backbone tunnel top. The arm rest is clipped into position at the front and rear.
- Disconnect the inner cable at the carburettor and pull the cable forward through the outer casing from its location on the backbone tunnel top.
- The outer casing can be removed by releasing it at the carburettor clamp and unscrewing the locking ring securing it to the bracket bolted to the tunnel top.
To Replace.
- Replacing both the inner cable and the outer casing is a reversal of the removal procedure. Care should be taken to ensure that the cable is not fouled and that the control is not kinked or follows any excessively sharp bend.
- Check that the grommet is fitted correctly where the outer casing passer through the bulkhead.
- Adjust the control so that there is approximately 1/16" clearance between the inner cable and outer casing at the knob with the choke in the maximum open position.
L.10 - THROTTLE - Section Menu
To Remove.
- Disconnect the inner cable at the carburettor clamp screw at the throttle quadrant.
- Remove the arm-rest and foam padding from the backbone tunnel top. The arm-rest is clipped into position at the front and rear.
- Undo the split pin and remove the pin from the clevis at the throttle pedal.
- Pull the inner cable forward through the outer casing at the bracket on the backbone tunnel side.
- Undo the two Nyloc nuts and remove the bolts securing the heater and choke controls bracket to the backbone tunnel.
- Undo the throttle cable adjustment screw and locknut at the bracket on the engine rocker cover.
- Undo the two cross head screws securing the front end of the tunnel trim to the facia and carefully lift the trim away, detaching the leads to the window switches in the process.
- Pull the carpet trimming clear of the throttle outer casing along the tunnel if necessary. Peel back the sound proofing material local to the throttle cable entry in the bulkhead.
- Carefully pull the outer casing rearwards from the grommet in the bulkhead feeding it through from the interior of the vehicle.
To Replace.
- Replacing both the inner cable and the outer casing is a reversal of the removal procedure. Check that the outer casing is not fouling and that its 'run' is not kinked or excessively curved.
- Check that the grommet is fitted correctly where the outer cable passes through the bulkhead.
- Replace carpet etc. using suitable adhesive.
- Check for correct operation and adjust if necessary.
L.11 - EXHAUST EMISSION CARBURETTERS (Solex DIDSA 5 and DIDSA 9) - Section Menu
Further to the information published in Section 'L.8', the following information on difficulties which could arise in Service, also applies.
The carburetters can be regarded as having three separate functions, these being:
- Provision for cold starting (Fig. 15)
- Provision for idling with strict control of emissions (Fig. 16)
- Normal running of the engine (Fig. 17)
L.12 - 1971 EVAPORATIVE LOSS CONTROL (EXHAUST EMISSION) - Section Menu
To eliminate fuel vaporization into the atmosphere and thus comply with the 1971 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, an 'evaporative circuit' has been incorporated into the fuel system.
The evaporative loss control system consists basically of the fuel tank vented into a catch tank, which will collect overflow fuel during conditions of extreme heat, or violent vehicle maneuvers. When the engine is off, vapor from both the fuel tank and the carburetter float bowl, are collected by an activated charcoal canister. When the engine is running, the float bowl is vented directly into the carburetter by the action of a throttle operated valve. 'Purge' air is drawn into the bottom of the charcoal canister and carries the vapor into the engine, either through the carburetter on wide throttle openings, or directly into the inlet manifold on small throttle openings. This distribution is achieved by the use of an AC valve in the manifold, which is closed at low manifold depression and opens at a higher manifold depression.
The system is effectively maintained by renewing the charcoal canister at intervals of every 48,000 miles (60,000 km.).
Editors Notes:
[1] Original Figure was mislabeled Fig. 3. Changed to Fig.4.[JJ]
[2] Original stated 'see chapter L.5.' Changed to 'see chapter L.6' [JJ]
[3] N.B.: An abbreviation for the Latin phrase 'nota bene', meaning 'note well.' It is used to emphasize an important point. [BB]
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