The fuel line connectors on the fuel line to a valve? on the offside wheel arch are of a type unknown to me. They appear to be a plastic push-on construction. I cannot work out how they are removed. Any ideas ?
There are two different types, with a different removal method for each. Look at the end which connects to the pipe and you will see a locking insert, a ‘white ring’ at the end of the connector. Is the ring a complete circle or has it got a slot on each side. If you post back with the answer I can tell you how to remove them. If you can post a photograph that would help.
Regards Geoff Peace.
This is a picture of the connector.
The white rim round the base is not slotted.
It is a complete circle with small indentations on each side.
There are open panels in each side with white plastic visible.
I hope that helps.
I don’t know if the picture is visible. All I can see is a box with the name of the graphic in it.
Regards
Dave Richardson
Another attempt to show the picture.
No pictures I am afraid but I know which type of connector you have from your description. You need to make up a tool, a piece of tube 15mm. long, bore just over 8mm. outside diameter 11.5mm with a slot cut lengthways so that it will slip over the fuel pipe. This is then slotted over the pipe and pushed into the retainer, the aim is to push outward the two white tabs you can see through the open panels. When the tabs open outward it will allow them to pass over a retaining lip on the pipe. The white retainer stays in the connector. If you search on this forum under ‘fuel pipe retainer’ posted by Roadster Robbie in January 2011, you will find a thread on this which includes a picture of the tool needed. I am told it can be done using two thin screwdrivers I found it easier to fabricate the tool. If you break a retainer they are available from MX5 parts, part no. SI 3587. They are the slotted type but they are interchangable. Hope this makes things clear, any more information needed, just ask.
Regards Geoff Peace.
Hi Geoff
Thanks so much for your advice.
I had a look at other forums regarding this problem and eventually found some pictures of the retainers and a release tool.
Having understood the engineering of the retainer I made use of an IC Chip Removal Tweezers to release the white lugs in the connector and it came away very easily.
The tweezers are stainless steel with very short right-angled ends on the end, about 3mm wide and 2-3mm deep, which fit under an IC to pull it from it’s socket.
I got the tweezers from Maplins electronics store.
The ends were just the right thickness and length to fit inside the retainer and push the retaining lugs free.
Thanks again for your help.
Dave Richardson. (MX5 Newbie)
Glad you were successful Dave. Just out of interest, do you have a part number for the tweezers you bought from Maplins? Could be useful for the future.
Regards Geoff Peace.
The Maplin part number for the tweezers is FD54J (IC Extraction Tool) £2-99.
Available from www.maplin.co.uk
Regards
Dave Richardson
Thankyou for the information. I called in at Maplins today and bought a set, could be very useful.
Regards Geoff Peace.