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Gas Smell: Can’t locate

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by TheEricWilkins, Dec 13, 2023.

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  1. TheEricWilkins

    TheEricWilkins Rookie

    Dec 12, 2023
    1
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Eric Wilkins
    #1 TheEricWilkins, Dec 13, 2023
    Hey folks, I recently bought a super clean 88 Mondial 3.2. Everything looks and runs beautifully but there is a gas smell that is undeniable. My garage reeks of gas. I have taken it to an import mechanic. He replaced a few lines that seemed a little crunchy and it seemed better but when I drove home I was smelling it all the way home and then it just got stronger as the night has gone on while sitting in the garage.
    There is NO visible sign anywhere of gas at all. We had it on a lift and everything and there is nothing. It certainly smells the strongest (by a long shot) by the air box on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Gas cap is on tight. Does anyone have ANY ideas?
     
  2. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,667
    Argent/Brasil
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    Guido
    #2 theunissenguido, Dec 14, 2023
    Fuel tank(s) can have a hole on the upper side. Can only be seen when removing them. Do you have the smell always ? Try to empty tanks to a lower level and see if smell stops. Do this in steps, so you know more or less where a hole can be at what level.
     
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  3. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,989
    socal
    #3 fatbillybob, Dec 14, 2023
    What about failed EVAP system? 550's tanks known to leak gas smell from failed valve components screwed into the top of the tank. I never had issues with any other ferrari including my mondial cab or similar series/aged 308 but all 550's have the problem. So you may want to look at the EVAP routing.
     
  4. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    Ron Frohock
    #4 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
    Eric,
    Welcome and great to see you here. Some hoses? Maybe thur tech didn’t find the leaking hose.
    Guido,
    Great advice.



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  5. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    Ron Frohock
    #5 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
  6. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #6 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
  7. Subito Grigio

    Subito Grigio Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2009
    404
    #7 Subito Grigio, Dec 14, 2023
    Please don’t drive it and put it outside. My gut says there are more than sixty connections containing fuel…?


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  8. aleib

    aleib Karting

    Oct 12, 2022
    141
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    Alejandro Leib
    #8 aleib, Dec 14, 2023
  9. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    Ron Frohock
    #9 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
    First question. Did you fill it up?
    I can tell you that it’s best not to fill it completely and or top it off.
    Second, it’s an older car with hoses that fail from the inside out. Not visible. Replacing the fuel hoses is really a must.
    Not a big deal. Almost anyone can do it. No need to use Ferrari replacements in most cases. Cheep insurance…….



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  10. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #10 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
    I should add that these cars are fairly robust. They just require some basic maintenance due to age, that any car would need. Don’t panic.


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  11. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,785
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #11 Steve Magnusson, Dec 14, 2023
    Why is the OP banned? I was going to add that one cause of this symptom that has been reported more than once here is someone mounting something in the interior of the car behind the seats and not realizing that the screws that they installed it with have pierced the gas tank in the engine bay ;).
     
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  12. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #12 ronfrohock, Dec 14, 2023
    He is banned? Strange ?


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  13. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    13,554
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    #13 yelcab, Dec 18, 2023
    The last smelly 3.2 Mondial that came through my garage, these were leaking: number 4 and number 63. Ignore the red circles, I just borrowed the picture above.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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