Fuel smell and buzzing noise? | FerrariChat

Fuel smell and buzzing noise?

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by Triton, Apr 24, 2010.

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  1. Triton

    Triton Karting

    May 17, 2009
    182
    Boston - Metro West
    Full Name:
    Paul M
    #1 Triton, Apr 24, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2010
    HELP!
    Took my 91 Testarossa out for a ride this afternoon - car was running perfectly.
    At the end of our 45 minute ride, about a mile from home, stopped at a light, my 13 year old daughter, who loves the TR, says "dad do you smell gas?" I did, then I noticed a buzzing that seemed to be coming from right behind me.

    I shut the car off, got the precious cargo out of the car, and proceeded look for fuel on the ground or on the motor - found nothing.

    Got back in the car started it up, and limped home, not because of power loss, just fear with with my princess in the car...
    still buzzing and smelling of fuel, I got home, shut the car off and open the engine cover.
    No puddles of fuel, just a smell of gas.

    Started the car back up, buzzing came back louder with the strong smell of fuel.

    I searched the threads before writing this and SHAMILE and others have similar stories and some have driven through it...where should I start.

    May car has just under 3,000 miles on it ...for what its worth.

    thanks
     
  2. Prova85

    Prova85 Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,996
    So. Shore MA.
    Full Name:
    Kenny K
    Paul

    Check out this thread from a few years ago to get you going. If it is a pump going bad, it is a Bosch. See part # in this thread.
     
  3. Triton

    Triton Karting

    May 17, 2009
    182
    Boston - Metro West
    Full Name:
    Paul M
    Kenny,

    I am going to let it rest for tonight, and if the weather is ok in the morning, I will take the car out and try to figure out whats going on.

    Thanks for the help

    Paul
     
  4. 90TR

    90TR Formula Junior

    Nov 23, 2005
    274
    Celebration, FL
    Full Name:
    Bill
    I just replaced both my pumps with new bosch units through Advance Autoparts last month. Part # is 69532. I replaced the old pumps because they would buzz loudly after an hour or so of driving. For the Celebration exotic car show I drove the car down to Sebring for the track day. No buzzing after an hour and a half drive. I thought great!. On the way back, after driving the car on track all day, they were buzzing louder than the old pumps. I am at a loss as to what is causing this. The Tank was over 1/2 full. I would appreciate any guidance on this as well.


    FYI - Cost at Advance was $264.88 each with a 1 year replacement.
     
  5. Triton

    Triton Karting

    May 17, 2009
    182
    Boston - Metro West
    Full Name:
    Paul M
    Please keep this thread going for all of us having this problem...
    are any of you guys having getting the fuel smell at the same time?

    More concerned with the tought of watching my TR burn to the ground, than the cost of finding the problem and fixing it.
     
  6. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Hmm....I wonder if the fuel smell and the buzzing pumps are coincidental but not related.

    For the fuel smell, since you have checked the obvious, check the small fuel return lines from the injection back to the fuel tanks. Second, check the fuel breather lines on the back of the fuel tanks. A good way to see if they're leaking, jack up the car, use a portable light and shine on the back of the fuel tanks. If you have enough fuel leaking, it will discolor the silver paint on the back of the tanks.

    When I was tracing the fuel lines, I jacked up the car, and ran my nose over all the lines from the base of the tank all the way to the accumulators. With those braided steel lines, you really can't see anything....you have to smell your way.

    On the buzzing....exactly the same thing. I replaced my pumps....thought all was good....buzzing returned a couple of months later. Again, this was after driving for an hour + in one stint. Both pumps were buzzing (verified by pulling pump relays one at a time ) ....still searching for the problem. In my case, it's extremely intermitant...but both pumps buzz....it can't be the pump or single relay....something upstream probably.


    Shamile

    Freeze....Miami Vice !
     
  7. Mr.Chairman

    Mr.Chairman F1 Rookie

    Mar 21, 2008
    2,987
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    Greetings.. I think it has to be something other than the pumps.. I would check to see if both pumps are buzzing.. If so I doubt that both pumps would crap out at the same time.. While she is running and buzzing why not loosen the fuel cap and release some of the vapor pressure and see of the buzzing stops.. I dont actually know what would be the issue of she does stop buzzing but we can kind of narrow it down to a fuel vapor issue.. After speaking with Shamile I too thought my pumps were buzzing but he advised of a low frequency type of buzz not the high frequency I got... Mine never did return but I had a problem the other night.. I am guessing that the main wire harness that plugs into the black box at the right quarter panel area came loose because the lock ring is broken so she is just sitting in there.. The parts are cheap enough to replace so I will change and see if issue returns.. I hope I found the problem. Then again that high frequency buzz never returned even when I was running poorly the other night.. Lets try and work together and figure this bugger out.. I think we are replacing fuel pumps when we may not need to?

    Robbie
     
  8. mjh366

    mjh366 Karting

    Jul 26, 2007
    172
    Kerrville Texas
    Full Name:
    Mike hoskins
    12
     
  9. GregTe

    GregTe Formula Junior

    May 3, 2004
    544
    Maine
    #9 GregTe, Apr 27, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2010
    The buzzing makes you think fuel pump. My car had a fuel smell two weeks ago, I couldn't see anything obvious, upon closer inspection I saw the RH fuel accumulator had a small leak. The fuel accumulators are easy to see, they are on both sides of the engine mounted on top of the upper frame rails. Put your hand under it just after you shut off the engine and see if it's wet. Mine were both leaking and both needed replacment. They are available at your local Foriegn Auto parts store for about $110.00 each.
     
  10. mjh366

    mjh366 Karting

    Jul 26, 2007
    172
    Kerrville Texas
    Full Name:
    Mike hoskins
    I took another 150 mile drive today and still no buzzing, and the car is running strong. When I got back, I cut open the two fuel filters that I had pulled out, both were black, but one was noticeably darker than the other, hence the one pump buzzing more often. I'm not certain that the buzzing in the pump in question, is caveating, but, if you have this problem look at your fuel filters.
     
  11. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    #11 Shamile, Apr 28, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2010
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Hmm....I change my fuel filters with the OEM ones once a year, regardless of mileage. I still have this DUEL pump buzzing issue.

    ...still, a good suggestion. Let's just keep plugging away at it. I'm sure one of us will stumble upon the cause.


    Shamile

    Freeze....Miami Vice !
     

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