Ok, sorry for the bait-and-switch.

I'm putting out a bounty for the solution to the raw gas smell and want to see if others will join. Anyone who would like can post here how much they'd donate to the cause to whomever finally solves this problem.

I'm thinking that the person that identifies (pictures/diagrams) specifically where the smell originates from (no guesses, tell specifically how you identified it) gets %35 of the pledged funds and the person that posts a fix (with pictures and step-by-step) gets %65. Both could be the same person.

So, I suggest pledging between $10-$20.
I am starting off the pledge drive with $20.

I was expecting a totally different picture ! But really......... I only smell gas when I'm fueling the car ......nothing other than that. I thought the raw fuel smell started with the Esprit and was just a normal part of Lotus ownership.
Problems like this aren't alway linked to a single fix. It depends what the source of your problem is. For example, one person had a raw fuel smell and fixed it:

Problems like this aren't alway linked to a single fix.

However, in this case there seem to be quite a few people that are experiencing the same symptoms. Negative cabin pressure results in raw gas smell. (I.E. the window is slightly down while at cruising speed).

I bet there is someone out there that:
a) has the problem
b) has a garage or other workspace
c) has the tools and knowledge to get into the Elise
d) has the curiosity to track this down
e) has the time to track this down.

I'm missing b&e, possibly c, thus I am trying to provide additional incentive for someone else to do this. Do I hear $20!


Wait a minute, I know where I've smelled this before....racing go-karts! Hmmmmm.... Other mid-engine cars have this problem too?
Not mine. I don't have fuel smell problems in my elise. This thread started with a good premise and I'm going to try and get it back on track. I'm in for $20 and I've got a paypal account that's just itching to send our savior money.

My symptoms are common with the others that have experienced this problem. Windows down, top on, fuel smell every time.

That currently makes the bounty $40. Crazy no one has tried my idea yet. Simple plug. I don't know how the fuel fumes get out of the gas tank, but I suspect the fumes are coming into the cabin through the hole that the shifter and parking brake cables go through.

Here is an idea: NOTE: I haven't tried it.

How about you just go down to the hardware store and get some of that spray foam that you use to fill gaps in walls (or seal windows, etc.)?

Here is an example.
http://www.touch-n-foam.com/diy.htm

They are fire retardent and adhesive. I recommend the minimally expanding foam. You can also get spray foams made for automotive applications. Make sure you get one that will keep its flexibility (shifter and parking brake cables will move a bit).

Remove the center console, and then use the spray foam to fill up the hole that the shifter and parking brake cables go through. Move the cables a bit by hand while spraying to make sure the foam gets underneath and between the cables. (Of course, don't over fill, or else the gas tank area will be full of foam.) I recommend first putting the rear of the car up on jack stands or ramps and taking off the undertray so that you can quickly wipe up any excess foam that comes through.

Let it cure before driving it. Only $40 so far? Lame.

It'd be worth a whole lot more to fix this, so I'm in for another $40 to double the purse. Ok, I'll step up to the plate also. My $20 just became $40, thus bringing the current total to

$100