Gas smell

Closed to an extent. Maybe an evap line popped off. There is a vent on top of the charcoal canister and a series of valves to let the tank’s over pressure move into the canister. I believe too much pressure can then vent to atmosphere from the canister. Easy to test each with a vacuum pump. If you remove them, make sure they go back on the correct direction or the tank will over pressurize, crack, leak, explode.

The fact that you just purchased the car means you can’t assume everything worked prior to possession, so some testing/inspecting of all parts connected to the fuel tank is a good idea. The parts diagrams are quite clear for understanding the evap system.

 

I have the KE3 system as well, your must also be a CH88 Swiss market car. The KE3 has some improvements over the earlier systems, and are more like that in the Testarossa.

I have learned a great way to be able to set the fuel mixture using a homemade wire connector and using an volt meter, fuel mixture setting on the regular K cars really requires the exhaust gas analyzer which few have in shops anymore. I find this a great advantage of the KE3. Many of these cars probably have the fuel mixture set too rich, which can also create gas smells. Take out an easy to reach spark plug and see if it is black carbonized/fouling with fuel.

I have the manual (and that for the Teves ABS), if you ever need an extract I am happy to send a few pages over. The books are not a standrad page size, and therefore not easy to make copies of.

 

The gasoline sender wire connection is under the tank and accessible after you remove the metal panel. Clean the connections and use deoxit, and it might solve for things. Also, try some Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas, it may remove some varnish in the tank that is hanging up the sender float in the tank.

 

Yes, there is typically some pressure when the gas cap is removed, at least if the tank is full. Not sure what happens when the tank is at a lower level, or whether it is sensitive to outdoor temperature, I have never paid much attention to it under varied conditions, but I also recall it does not have the same exhale when removing the cap every time I do a fill up.

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I use Marvel mystery oil in the gas and have for the last 10 years since I bought the car, it helps lubricate the mechanical fuel injection parts. Also, our fuel gauges are known not to be reliable at or near less than half a tank.
Alden

 

In general, the pressure in the tank is higher when full vs empty and higher hot vs cold. No pressure immediately after shutting off the car seems to indicate the pressure is already released. Possibly related to the leak.

 

I got the car on the lift, removed the panel to access the bottom of the tanks and the furl pump. Everything is bone dry! So the leak must only happen when the car is running and then for a bit after it is shut off. I started the car on the lift briefly to find the leak, no leak??? Later I will take the car for a short ride up the street to reproduce what I smelled and saw this morning. Fuel pump look brand new, accumulator looks clean but not new.

I am trying to find a copy of the KE3 Jetronic manual specific for the Mondial. Mine is a USA version 1988 3.2. There is one for sale for almost 400 bucks.. too much at this point. I have found generic KE3 manuals I think were for the 4 cylinder VW's of the era.
Thanks and I will keep looking.

Jeff

 

How much mystery oil is added each fill up. Also here in Florida we do have lead free non-ethanol gas 90 octane that I use in my other old cars. when I got the car a half a tank ago I am sure it was not alcohol free gas. But will use from now on.

Thanks
Jeff
ownferraribefredie

 

I suggest you use about 6oz for a tank full of gas for the first clean, and about 3 oz for the next couple of fillups.

You are lucky to have the alcohol gas, in Canada there no alcohol free available anymore. The main issue is the alcohol attracts the water, and that can then corrode the aluminum tanks. Old hoses and rubber diafhragms in eg. the fuel distributor also degrade more quickly from the ethanol. Even with the non alcohol gas, you might want to use a bit of Red Line Water remover and antifreeze to help disperse any water that might be in tanks, which can still occur from condensation from humid environments. Best to keep the tanks full as much as possible to limit the watering of the gas.

 

This book is available at a reasonable price and gives you a lot of information about Bosch fuel injection systems.
I use about a half ounce per gallon of marvel mystery oil. Been running this for 10 years with no ill effects.
Also, my local Walmart gas station has 92 octane ethanol free, that's what I run.
Alden
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Are you sure you have the KE3 system? I am pretty sure those were only on the late year Swiss market 3.2's. If you have the little black box attachment to the fuel distributor (on the up side of the distributor in the attached picture), that is the Electro Hydraulic Actuator that is unique to KE3. Otherwise you have the K-Jetronic system, probably with Lambda (o2 sensor) for the US markets.

This is a decent manual not Ferrari specific for the K_Jetronic systems.

https://ferrari.cdyn.com/misc/Bosch_K-Jetronic_Fuel_Injection_Manual.pdf

Here is a Ferrari specific VIN decoder, you can check your VIN and that will identify which market your car was built for.

https://www.red-headed.com/vin.html

 

I am sure I think I have the KE3 system as I just took these photos. It seems I have all the smog goodies from the 80's. Thanks to all for the info thus far. Today car gets started and run to we can see if leak returns. I did check the connection to the fuel gauge an cleaned. we will see if that did anything.

Thanks
ownferraribeforedie
Jeff


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Also car is a USA version vin ZFFXC26A1J0075259. Has had numerous owners in the last few years. I hope I am the last for a while. Been on BAT twice recently. Wish I could locate all the prior owners with regard to service performed and not documented. Also must thank all prior owners as the car is exceptionally clean and visually stunning.

Jeff

 

Are these pressure FI test ports for each cylinder, the 4 capped ports in the center of the photo? There is a set for both the front and rear cylinder banks.

Thanks

Jeff
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Jeff, you have a K-jetronic injection system, NOT KE-jetronic injection system.
KE has an auditional Potentiometer on the side of the fuel distributor like on this Pdf
https://automotivetechinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/1992/05/KE-Jetronic-Fuel-Injection-Part-2.pdf #10

 

Found the fuel leak. Well good news and bad news. Good news we found it. Bad news it appears to be a crack in the right fuel tank. Ouch, double ouch.

Only leaks when the motor is running as I suppose from the mild pressurization of the tank.

Here are a couple of photos, once clearly showing a drop of gas in the area. My finger show where the area where the fuel was leaking.

I will search the forum to see what options are. Looks like the tanks are AL. Now sure even if they can be repaired, the cost may not be worth it. I do not know.

Oh well, at least I got to drive the car for 50 miles. Am considering doing the belt service while the leak is being addressed.

Any guidance as to the repair of the tank, how to remove, where to get replacement, etc.

By the way what is the purposed of the hole where it does look like some fuel is coming out.

Thanks

Jeff
ownferraribeforedie
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I speak from experience. Scrape off the undercoating from the area and the round hole so you get a clear view of the metal. Reverify exactly the hole for the leak. Remove the tank and have a welder weld the hole from the outside. Should be $100 or less. Reinstall and test. If good, reapply some undercoating/seam sealer product and some silver high temp paint. Really not that bad.

Hole is a support tube that runs top to bottom in the tank. I think it’s aluminum since it looks welded around it, not glued etc. You will see when you scrape down to the metal.