Big time fuel leak | FerrariChat

Big time fuel leak

Discussion in '308/328' started by JV's89, Mar 6, 2011.

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  1. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
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    Jul 18, 2006
    6,607
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    John
    The weather was just right for a nice drive a couple of a days ago so I dusted off the car and backed out of the garage for warm-up. I walked into the house for a couple of minutes and when I returned there was a pretty good size puddle under the driver side tank. It appears to be coming from the top of the tank. My guess is it's coming from a line above the tank. I replaced all of the hoses a couple of years ago so my money's on a loose clamp.

    I'm probably very lucky not to have just hopped in and warmed up the car on the road. Could have resulted in much more than a minor repair. ;)
     
  2. roalda

    roalda Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
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    Wiltshire England
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    Roy
    Was the tanks full?
     
  3. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
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    No. Less than half full.
    It only leaks while the cars running.
     
  4. roalda

    roalda Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
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    Roy
    Are you sure it's the top? As the fuel pump/accumulator are at the bottom and are likely candidates.
     
  5. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
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    Can't be sure until I have time to get on with the repair but the top of the tank does have fuel on it
     
  6. roalda

    roalda Formula Junior

    Oct 2, 2007
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    Wiltshire England
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    Roy
    Let us know how you get on, good luck.

    Regards Roy
     
  7. sammyb

    sammyb Formula 3

    Jun 23, 2006
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    Where wife tells me
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    Sam
    If there is fuel on the top of the tank, you might just have a loose hose/pipe clamp. I'd guess it's either the one from the top to the accumulator or the breather pipe that runs between the two tanks on top. (Check out the diagram on Ricambiamerica.com) Luckily, there just aren't that many options to get fuel on the top of the tank, and most are pretty easy to get at.
     
  8. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    There is the fuel return line. Our systems flow fuel through and what isn't used goes back to the tank. I thought it was on the passenger side but I could be wrong.
     
  9. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
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    Thanks for the help guys. I hope to have time this week to make the repair. I'll post what I find.
     
  10. bwassam

    bwassam Formula Junior

    Jan 3, 2005
    635
    North Bend, Oregon
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    Robert Wassam
    I've been replacing fuel lines for a long time now. I bought some 5/16 line and they leaked like a sieve so I'm replacing fuel lines yet again. I'm really getting tired of this. Stinking ethanol is what is causing it. I think the next step is silicon lines from aircraft spruce.
     
  11. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    Go to Ricambi and order the fuel line kit from Scuderia Rampante Innovations. You'll have everything in a nice little kit with new hose clamps as well. It will be the right sizes and it is designed for the newer fuels. Do some research on these. Fantastic stuff.
     
  12. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Y E S .
     
  13. Sean F.

    Sean F. F1 Rookie

    Feb 4, 2003
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    #13 Sean F., Mar 7, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2011
    AutohausAZ.com search 1980 Mercedes 240CE

    7.5mm fuel line in bulk. The 5/16" hose is to large. 7.5mm ID is just right. They also have the Gemi Style clamps.

    http://www.autohausaz.com/search/product.aspx?sid=rsfpgbqa1gkxnbflwvw3hgba&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193217@280CE&year=1980&cid=22@Fuel%20%26%20Air%20System&gid=6352@Fuel%20Hose/Line

    EDIT: Where is the scuderia Rampart fuel hose kit? I swear they had a pricing for both the coolant and fuel hose kids but I don't see it on their web site or the Scuderia Rampart Inovations web site.
     
  14. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
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    Savannah
    wow, great link ! you should post this in the cross ref thread!
     
  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    They have made Ricambi America the reseller.....

    So they will have time to actually fix some cars I am guessing.
     
  16. mwr4440

    mwr4440 Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 mwr4440, Mar 8, 2011
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2011

    Yes. Dave is backed-up almost 2 YEARS on just engines alone as I understand it.



    That is why he just hired a bright, young, highly-motivated understudy.
     
  17. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
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    Jul 18, 2006
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    Fixed.

    I removed the coils and found the culprit. It was the line that crosses the firewall and goes into the top of the tank. Just a loose clamp.

    Thanks for the help.
     

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