Fuel pump leaks after being in cold garage?

Had more trouble with cooling hoses leaking at low temperature in the winter than the fuel system. Lot of rubber hose connections in the TR fuel pump area (and we've had prior reports of the copper washer at the check valve leaking). Not unheard of for the swaged joint holding the fuel pump head onto the motor to leak, but I'd bet the higher probability is a plumbing connection leaking (but please do post what you find so we can add it to the database of experience ).

One other thing that comes to mind is that one reason there are a whole bunch of quasi-similar Bosch CIS fuel pumps is that little things like the diameter of the inlet hose fitting can be 15mm diameter (which I think is stock F) or 14mm diameter -- i.e., squeezing a 15mm diameter hose down onto a 14mm hose fitting works OK when the hose rubber is warm and pliable, but can be more iffy when the rubber is cold and rock hard -- just a thought. Better cold sealability is some justification for using a more expensive Silicone type hose IMO.

 

I agree with Steve. Those pumps were used on so many makes and models of cars all over the world I would think if there was a trait to leak in the cold we would have known about it long ago.

Get a look and let us know.

 

take a close look at the fuel accumulator, that part between fuel pump and fuel filter.
It has a hole on the back where fuel comes out when its diafragma is broken inside.

Guido

 

Yes, if it was a problem with the pumps someone would have experienced it by now. I have had small coolent leaks on my 308 during very cold periods, and corrected by a small turn of a screw on a clamp. I would think it is a connection as opposed to a failure.

 

Can you put a baseboard heater in the garage and plug up any leaking cold Air?

Keeping the car warmer during the winter helps.

 

i would not recommend a water pump r&r without dropping the engine.

you also want to replace the oil seal behind the wp seal.

some may say it is possible, but not for me.

looks like shops are starting to avoid a 'problematic' wp seal replacement!
these guys need to learn the term 'hydrotest'.

rgds,
vincenzo

ps: the wp is not next to the fuel pumps - the fp's are under the fuel tanks.

 

It can be done but not for someone who has not done it many times before.

It is inconceivable to me to have the motor out and not only reseal the pump but not to update the seal too.

 

Never done it, not once since Ferrari started building them and never seen a good mechanic that did.

If you can't reseal the pump, put away the tools.

 

I can reseal the pump - but not with a bad seal! The two piece seal was sent to me as a supposed 'update'. Not knowing better, I believed the parts dept.

Point being - a cracked ceramic in the seal, or the wrong seal, or 'other' manufacturing defect could have been discovered with a simple hydrotest rather than another 'engine out'.

I could see how a guy that has done MANY of these before can confidently bypass a hydrotest, but for me, I consider it an essential step and urge other diy types to do it as well.

rgds,
Vincenzo

PS: In my industry (oil & gas), if a contractor bypassed a hydrotest they would be run-off so fast their ears would be ringing!

 

an equal sympton I had on an BMW
the car was standing about 8 month and when I started then first time near the fuel pump it was leaking. after shutting off the engine I inspected and have seen it was leaking directly out of the hose. so I was driving the car on the lift and have been surprised very much: no leaking anymore. but before I have seen where it was leaking. so I replaced the hose and never had any problems.

what happened?
the hose has been empty during long standing and the rubber got porous. when first time fuel was going by the hose it was leaking. the rubber has then soaked with gasoline and so was the hose tight again. question would have been only how long.

so replace the hoses and all would be fine again

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/510285-winter-running-car.html

 

Wow, you have a fuel leak and you fix it by letting the car warm up? I had to edit my original reply on this one to this. Does anyone else see a problem here?

 

Do yourself a favour and call Scuderia Rampante order their fuel hose replacement kit for the testarossa and change your fuel hoses, if you have access to the hoses as shown in your picture it's a 30 min job and will put your mind to rest. I had a leak last year and the 29 year old hose was the problem.

 

that o ring has seen better days