Fuel smell, but looks like hydraulic fluid | FerrariChat
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Fuel smell, but looks like hydraulic fluid

Discussion in '360/430' started by Boaf 32, Oct 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM.

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  1. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2016
    399
    US
    #1 Boaf 32, Oct 25, 2025 at 10:48 AM
    Fellow F430er's

    Took the 2007 F430 Spider out for a ride and thought I smelled fuel. Top was down.

    Got back and put the top up and saw oil on the passenger side of the top (Picture below).

    Going through the Chat to see where to start looking for hydraulic leaks. Really odd there are no puddles

    Observations:
    • I see no engine oil anywhere visible by the front of the engine.
    • When I opened up the roof, there was no hydraulic or engine oil in the compartment where the top is stored.

    Looking for a diagram to see where the lines route to the cylinders.

    Will keep you posted and if anyone has any thoughts, open for suggestions. (Replacing the top soon but want to have everything in order, if possible).

    Thanks Folks,

    Boaf
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  2. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2016
    399
    US
    #2 Boaf 32, Oct 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
    OK, so I see that the front latch is leaking when ever I open the top. By latch, I mean the piston is squirting. Same thing happened to my Mercedes SL 500. Easy peasy, change the cylinder, no "Pinch Points in the aluminum.

    I will pull it as soon as I can. But I hear that Ferrari does not sell just the cylinder but must run the entire line down to the hydraulic pump. Is there an alternative for a re-build? I saw this link and will see if I can inquire how to send the old part to.

    Any other options?

    Thanks.

    Boaf

     
  3. Johnv10

    Johnv10 Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 16, 2018
    66
    Boerne Texas
    Full Name:
    John Hackett
    #3 Johnv10, Oct 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
    Send it out to Top Hydraulics.
    They will do you right.
     
    Mel Spillman likes this.
  4. andrejwolk1975

    andrejwolk1975 Karting

    Feb 28, 2020
    149
    Italy
    Full Name:
    Andrea M
    #4 andrejwolk1975, Oct 26, 2025 at 7:46 AM
    Inspect the two openings in the top compartment. Unscrew them and search for puddles of gasoline in top of the fuel pumps or nearby. This is a much more important job to do right now. If you smelled fuel....it IS fuel!
     
    Boaf 32 likes this.
  5. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,700
    San Carlos, CA
    Full Name:
    Mitchell Le
    #5 yelcab, Oct 26, 2025 at 8:34 AM
    The front latch hydraulic leak will show up inside the car. Where your leak is, it's the side cylinders at the side of the roof, sort of over the window. They leak and show up as a puddle when you have the top down. Easy removal though.
     
    EastMemphis likes this.
  6. KC360 FL

    KC360 FL Formula 3

    Jun 20, 2017
    1,988
    Melbourne Florida
    Full Name:
    KGC
    #6 KC360 FL, Oct 26, 2025 at 1:27 PM
    Don't rule out that you may have two problems. A leaking fuel pump as well as a hydraulic leak.
    I'd track down the fuel smell first.
     
  7. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2016
    399
    US
    #7 Boaf 32, Oct 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
    Ordered them today. I used them once before for my 355 and totally forgot about them. Thanks @Johnv10
     
  8. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2016
    399
    US
    #8 Boaf 32, Oct 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
    Will open the compartments while I'm in there. Thanks.
     
  9. Boaf 32

    Boaf 32 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2016
    399
    US
    #9 Boaf 32, Oct 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
    Definitely Hydraulic, but also checking the fuel while in there. Thank you, appreciate the quick response.

    Boaf
     

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