fuel smell

No clues until we know what kind of car it is, 348 or 355?. It could be a million things................................

Are there any puddles under the car?
Either way, DON'T DRIVE IT until you know for sure. Flatbed the thing to a shop if nothing else.

 

Any particuar model car?

I don't own a Ferrari, so take this for what its worth.

The car may not be getting to operating temperature and until that time it is probably running rich. The assumption is that you don't have the fuel smell on longer runs. Is that right?

 

I'd echo the "don't drive it" warning. Check the gas cap -- obvious, but it happens -- then the fuel lines. Assuming it's an injected car (348 or 355), you shouldn't smell gasoline.

 

Here is a list of what you need to check:

Gas cap.

Fuel rail connections, especially if it is a 355. If they are over tightened they can crack.

Connections on the fuel filters.

Gas tank fill hose. Make sure that the rubber isn't cracked or leaking.

Gas tank overflow hose. Same deal, make sure the rubber isn't cracked

Vapor lines going to the charcoal canister.

Connetions on the fuel pressure regualtors.

 

To check the connections that Ernie lists above, use your finger. Rub your finger under and around each fuel line connection (e.g. at the front and back of your fuel rails, top and bottom of your fuel filters) and then smell your finger.

When your finger smells like fuel, then you've found at least one leak. Loosen that connection (remember to place a rag underneath to catch spilled fuel), wrap the threads with 1 layer of fuel-safe teflon plumbers' tape, then re-tighten.

Wipe the entire area concerned with yet another rag, and dispose the rag so as not to confuse yourself with fuel smells.

If you don't have a fire extinguisher rated ABC, then get one before you next start the car.

Likewise, turn the ignition key to the Run, not to the Start, position to see if you can find any (more) leaks after your teflon-tape repair.

Once all of your connections have no fuel smell with the ignition key in the Run position, then start your car and recheck all connections again with your finger while the engine is running.

DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR IF YOU STILL SMELL FUEL!

 

Again, I don't know Ferrari's, but the poster specifed "short runs". IF it doesn't smell after a long run, wouldn't that negate some of the possible problems that were listed?

 

What type of air filter are you using?

If you are using a K&N (or similar) filter they all vent gas fumes when the engine cools down (vs a paper filter).

I no longer use these filters however had them on 4 bikes and 6 cars and all released fumes in the garage after a run. Its the nature of the filter and not a design defect. Paper filters just seal in the fumes better.