Hi guys, Another nice day in NJ, so decided to take the car for a spin around town before I drive it for a service next week. I went to get a few gallons of gas. While pumping I see some gas underneath the car. And, its a pretty decent amount. I look at the guy's hose end and see its short and I'm thinking that the hose had some back splash into the vent hole that's toward the top of the gas fill pipe and some gas is pouring down underneath the car, I suppose through a hose, etc. (sorry not so technical here) ... I drive off the gas station ... no drips behind the car, nothing. I stop on the street, everything is clean no leaks. So, I go again to fill up at another station and same thing happens. When I drive the car, everything is fine, no gas trails or drips. I'm not loosing gas. For the record, I have filled up the car myself a few times with a gallon red container (about 4 times - 2 weeks ago) (I was able to jam the little hose in pretty deep) ... no leaks on that garage door. So, I am pretty surprised and must be honest nevrvous about that happened today. 2nd time I filled up the hose seemed longer than at the station #1, but am I going nuts here? Ors houdl I thank God for not torching myself .... PLEASE advice if you can, I'd really appreciate it.
OK, first of all stop driving the car. Stop filling the car. Do not even put the key in the ignition. You have a fuel leak. I am betting that either the filler hose is cracked or one of the vapor recovery lines is cracked. Replace the filler hose, which should be done anyway, not just when it leaks, because they are old and the #1 source of 308 fires. Next inspect the old one to see if that was the source of the leak. If not, keep digging. A 1976 308 needs all the hoses done at this point, but especially the fuel lines. Birdman
+100 These lines look okay on the outside but remember they're pushing 30+ years. It's time to change them all. It is amazing when you pull the old ones off and look inside, all cracked and disintigrating. Don't push your luck, get them changed ASAP.
STOP NOW and thank goodness that you are not extra crispy!!! Here is a link to my same situation. The hose looked old and did not appear to be leaky, but when I got it apart, you can see how it looked. This happened after I changed out the fuel filler hose. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=149546&highlight=fuel+filler+hose If you do not have record of the fuel filler hose being changed recently, spend the $4 and change it. It is a 1.5 beer job! Very easy, even if you do not DIY, plus you will get cozy and intimate with your car. JIM
I just did mine last month. Pretty simple job so just make sure that you find the cause. Do a search and you'll find some pictures of the area.
If you do not replace the hoses posthaste, your Ferrari will eventually catch fire. Every single 3X8/Mondial that has been into my friend's shop for service has had some type of leaking fuel hose. My 328 was seeping from one of the hoses. You don't want to know what a 308 looks like after an engine fire. It is scary!
Hi everyone. Thank you! Well, the good news is that luck was on my side and I got home safe and the car is in the garage. I knew fuel hoses, etc., needed to be replaced probably, but did not know that fuel would actually go on the ground if the hose is in terrible shape. Ignorance is bliss on this one. I guess at this point, the car will just get towed to the qualified shop that is doing the major on it. Luckily it is not far away at all. While there all the hoses, belts and you name it (read a lot about major service here on F-chat) will be looked after and replaced. I was hoping to 'drive' my car to the major instead of it being 'towed', but I think I'm doing the smart thing here with the advice of you guys and get it there without starting - soon enough I'll be enjoying it with much more confidence. Any other ideas anyone has, please chime in. More news soon ... Mike.
You ARE doing the right thing. DO NOT start it up until the hoses are replaced and make sure your garage is properly aired out. Don't want those fumes building up! Since you are planning on going this deep, check the coolant hoses as well. Also, no need to replace with FERRARI hoses unless you plan on concouring the car. Go for silicone where you can, and get the rest from NAPA. You'll save some $$ there. Also, look at the brake lines. These tend to get replaced sooner than the fuel hoses, but if they have not this is the time to do those as well. Oh yeah, the fuel hoses include the small connector hose between the gas tanks down low... JIM
Local NAPA has #1055, 2-1/4"ID..that's the filler neck coupling....pull the LH wheel liner and you are LOOKING it straight in the face! You'll also see at that point all the interconnect lines from the LH tank thru fuel pump and filter. As well as the supply line leavig the pump/filter/tip your car upside down cut off switch and going up to the first carb...this line is hidden in some clamps behind the metal cross connect vent line on the firewall, remove the metal line to access the clamps or in a hurry just install your line alongsde the metal one but anchor it via tie wraps as you don't want it drooping on to the head or header below.... It takes only a few hours to replace them all, just take it one at a time. The tank vent lines are not quite as important but if you don't take care of the lines pressurized by the fuel pump, BAD things are gonna happen. As you do the fuel filler coupling the clear tygon tubing line from the filler neck overflow willl be obvious, I just cut a fresh end to mine, shortening it somewhat, and jammed it back on with a fresh "bite' onto the nipple. This line does drain into the LH quarter panel if it's not long enough to clear the car frame by a short distance. Based upon what you have stated I'd second the statement your filler coupling is cracked, overflow line would only be used if you filled the tanks to the brim! HTH...good luck! If your lines are all that old pull your airbox (gazillion nuts and washers) and do the carb interconnect lines. There's also a discharge line to the RH tank under the airbox, at this point replace all braid covered lines you can see, mine just pulled to pieces as I slipped them off the metal nipples!!!!!!! A wise Ferrari owner will never fill to the top, or even need this overflow line.
Mike, The problem with a bad filler hose is not that the fuel drips on the ground, it is that it splashes on to hot bits and electrified bits on the way down. Please note, if the 308 catches fire it will be a write-off, you will not be able to stop the fire before major damage has occured. This is a great DIY project - have fun. Regards, Art S.
Hi Art (and everyone), Thanks for your comments and help. My 308 is at a quality shop getting its major service done. I had it picked up in a trailer not to risk anything by driving the car there. While serviced, I'll have the fuel lines redone. You guys might also remember me posting about engine hood that I could not open. Tried several times and not much luck. I noticed that the red round stop light had several cracks around it, so I looked around to perhaps finding a replacement one. While replacing the light, I figured that I would just open the engine hood. I got very lucky and found a new, never mounted in the box OEM Ferrari light for $125 from private party (whole unit), so it looks like we'll be going this route. More info and up-dates soon. can;t wait to get my car back after the major!!
