Gas Smell

I Have noticed a gas smell on the Drivers side of my 1990 TR lately that is driving me nuts. I have had it up on the lift, removed the panels for the tanks and no problems. Smell seems to be higher up. I checked the top of the engine and there does not seem to be any problems. The smell seems to be coming from the side. I checked the filler, cap and hoses. No problems. Any other thoughts on what I might check?

Thanks.
Bill

 

Is it a gassy smell through the exhausts, or just the stench of gasoline while the car is parked and turned off?

 

I had the same problem with my '87. Smelled gas for about 1-2 months before I could find a source. I checked my lawnmower, every other car in the garage, even put my extra gas cans outside - no resolution.

Finally, the testarossa started to leak a VISIBLE puddle, only seen while running. I recommend you run it, and look under the car to find the source.

In my case, it was on of the fuel lines. Which, by the way, are incredibly painful to get to. Buying a lift, 2-3 weekends and multiple pliers/tool purchases later, the 3$ line was replaced...

I have posted this in the past, but I was rather surprised that ALL of the fuel lines weren't replaced by my cars recent major. The fuel lines all looked pretty original, even though the car had been through multiple majors during its life. Go figure...

 

Bo is talking about the two fuel return lines that run from the pressure regulators back to the fuel tanks. These lines are a steel line spliced to a short rubber line for the last couple of feet (and since the rubber line has the braided reinforcement on the outside it can be difficult to see a leak if it is only weeping).

It would be safer to just run the fuel pumps when looking for the leak (by removing the fuel pump relays and adding the 30-to-87 jumper wire) rather than running the whole engine.

Good hunting...
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Thanks guys. The smell is very strong and without question from the Drivers side. You can smell it when you open the door through the radiator strake. I have had it up and while running and without the belly pans on. Nothing seemed to be leaking. It did this when I first bought it, but then went away for nearly a year. It is soo very strong I am nervous.

Also, I have a rug under the car and it has no smell of gas, but the garage stinks of fuel when you pull in. Next morning it is gone.

Tommorrow night I will check the returns while she is running and the stink is obvious. I will let you know if I find it.

Thanks.

 

If you come to find that it is indeed a fuel return line, remember to slice it at the nipple instead of attempting to pull it off with your hand. Trust me on this.

 

I will vouch for this... I pulled on one end (wrong tubing, it was to the evaporator something or the other) and an aluminum nipple came off (ripped off) .

Friend with a machine shop fixed it for free... . Lesson learned.

PS. If it is a return line, go to Sears and buy their 14" bent needle nose pliers...you will need every inch of it. Practice your patience too... Its somewhat equivilant to trying to push a thread through a needle 14" away. If there is an easier way...I am all ears.

Next major, I am replacing every piece of rubber I can get to...

 

REFERRING TO FUEL SYSTEM DIAGRAM SUPPLIED BY 91TR, CHECK ITEMS #2, THE FUEL ACCUMULATORS HAVE A DIAPHRAM INTERNALLY THAT CAN LEAK DUE CRACKS

 

Had the same issue on my 1990 TR it ended up after much searching to be the two fuel hoses from the filler neck to the tank they had eroded so much that the gas fumes wept through the hose but no gas so their was no evidence of a liquid leak.

 

Sorry for not getting back sooner to those lending their experience. I have had a couple of non-Ferrari issues pop but will have her up on the lift first thing in the AM to start checking. I put paper towels under her last night and they are dry this AM so certainly no significant leak, but the smell is really strong. The weird thing is that yesterday morning I drove to work and when I got there she did not smell. Nothing. On the way home is a different story. It is without question comming from the drivers side and if is very near the radiator.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks again,
Bill

 

Do these cars have a carbon cannister for fuel return? This is the first place I would check before scouting for drips. You may need a new one.

 

Same problem with my car before I sold it.......the rubber hoses as shown by 91TR.

 

Small update. Still no leak under the car, but today the rear of the drivers side Fuel Acculmulator is wet.(looks like a screw in the end??) Even if this is the problem I am going to check all the suggestions given in the thread in case I have more than 1 issue. Beyond my personal ones that is. I have sprayed it down with cleaner and got it dry. In the AM I will have to take a short hop anyway to get it to smell, so if it is wet I will know for sure. Is this a replacement only type part or is it rebuildable? Any suggestions on where to get it?

Thanks again,
Bill

 

Any external fuel dampness is a bad sign for that accumulator -- not rebuildable, just replace.

For a US version TR:
Accumulator F PN 125135
Bosch 0 438 170 042

Search using the Bosch PN for possible sources (please let us know if you can beat the price at www.importeccatalog.com)
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How full is the fuel tank? I had both return lines degrade on me although they looked fine from the outside. They would leak only if the car was running OR if the tank was more than 1/4 full or so. Most of the time, you couldn't see the leak - just smell it.

Pull the belly pan and see if you can tell where the leak is coming from.

 

It is without question the Accumulator. I started it and gas started leaking out the screw on the end. It seems to be getting worse. I just pulled it and see the part number is : Bosch 0438170042. I will let everyone know where I find it and the price. I will start with the dealer to see what there price is for reference.

Bill

 

I got it through the importectparts.com folks. Prices I found were:


Importecparts: $77.20 (verified is Bosch Part)
Ricambi: $150
Ferrari of CF $372.
Local Import stores: $142-$165
VW dealer: $228

Same part is used on various Audi and VW's.

with $23.85 for next day shipping, not too bad.

Bill

 

I'd go ahead and change both of them at the same time.

 

Well I am back up and running. I have got some clean-up to do; but not a bad experience.


As an aside.....

I smelled like gas, so I had my wife take it around the block to check for leaks. I told her not to baby it......so off she went tear-ass'n up the street. The neighbor accross the street was hanging christmas lights and just looked over at me and smiled. As I stood there watching my car heading away, and no doubt up to redline, I thought- that is one of the finest Ass'es I have ever seen.

My kinda lady(s),
Bill

 

Great thread and easy fix . Did you ever pull out the screw to see why it was leaking from that spot? Maybe you can fix it???
Steves Da man! Always great pictures and diagrams!!

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Bawhahahha....

You might want to check the dates.

That screw was leaking 4 years ago!!!

BTW, that price of 77.00 is now $101.89


....still good info though.


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

My local Foreign Car Parts shop has them for $110.00