Gas leak from fuel pump maybe banjo

[francesconyc]

this morning when I went to get my 82 911SC that I keep in a private valet parking space, the valet told me he smelled gas. i didn't see any leak and the ground was dry but the leak started as soon as I started the car. The skid plate that protects the pump became wet with small drops coming from there.

Then I stopped the car and I waited an hour and went back and the leak stopped.

it immediately made me think it must be coming after the fuel pump connection, maybe a bad fuel pump/check valve/banjo/cap/washers...

Now, I do have all the parts to replace. The only tricky part is whether to try to do it myself or go to a mechanic 4 blocks from my garage.

Is it dangerous to drive a few blocks? if understand it's definitely not safe, but I'm also thinking that the problem may have started the day before on a long drive, and now I remember smelling a bit too much gas so probably I drove many miles with the leak.

is there any good practice to do either way before attempting anything?


EDIT: I went back after few hours and it seem there are still few drops coming down right from the protection plate

like first of all is there a way to pump all the gas out of the tank from the top with a pump?

thanks

[pmax]

Originally Posted by francesconyc

this morning when I went to get my 82 911SC that I keep in a private valet parking space, the valet told me he smelled gas. i didn't see any leak and the ground was dry but the leak started as soon as I started the car. The skid plate that protects the pump became wet with small drops coming from there.

Then I stopped the car and I waited an hour and went back and the leak stopped.

it immediately made me think it must be coming after the fuel pump connection, maybe a bad fuel pump/check valve/banjo/cap/washers...

Now, I do have all the parts to replace. The only tricky part is whether to try to do it myself or go to a mechanic 4 blocks from my garage.

Is it dangerous to drive few blocks? iI understand t's definitely not safe, but I'm also thinking that the problem may have started the day before on a long drive, and now I remember smelling a bit too much gas so probably I drove many miles with the leak.

is there any good practice to do either way before attempting anything?

like first of all is there a way to pump all the gas out of the tank from the top with a pump?

thanks

"the leak started as soon as I started the car."

Should you drive a "few blocks" with fuel dripping from your car ? No.
Still can't decide ? Ask the owners of the other cars in that private garage what you should do.

Time to work those muscles, get it out of the garage and have it flatbedded.

[Ltanderso]

You can drain the tank from the bottom.

If I wasn’t comfortable with the repair, I’d probably drive it 4 blocks. Bring a fire extinguisher, but the engine/headers probably won’t even get hot in that distance.

It shouldn’t be too expensive to have it towed if you’re really nervous.

[francesconyc]

well, its sunday night so shops are not open now... I'm not sure what to do.

I went back to the garage and it still leaking like a drop every minute or so (in all fairness I have no idea if the valet moved it again or not)

I don't see leaks form the main drain plug/screener. it must be form the hoses


as I said as sunday night I don't have access to any store right now...

[francesconyc]

towing is fine, I also have insurance, I'm just worried about tonight it it keeps leaking. but I feel it's safer in the private garage rather than outside on the street with maybe people tossing cigarette butts everywhere...

[francesconyc]

Originally Posted by pmax

"the leak started as soon as I started the car."

Should you drive a "few blocks" with fuel dripping from your car ? No.
Still can't decide ? Ask the owners of the other cars in that private garage what you should do.

Time to work those muscles, get it out of the garage and have it flatbedded.

I'm not sure the other owners, but there is a 24/7 valet in the garage

[pmax]

Probably Ok to leave it there till tomorrow since it appears to leak only under pressure.

Have the valet ventilate well and definitely NO SMOKING allowed !

[francesconyc]

yep, i went again, placed a bunch of cardboard, and told him about it.
is a no-smoking area and very quite.

i just hope I can find a mechanic willing to help. most mechanics are not interested in fixing my car. and certainly don't wanna go to the porsche dealership and get raped ehm...

[nickelplated5s]

You can get a battery powered siphon to drain from the top.

[ChuckleBeast]

I use one of these to drain fuel from the top of the tank for changing fuel lines.

https://www.harborfreight.com/battery-operated-liquid-transfer-pump-63847.html

[EC900]

Would be wise to carefully disconnect the battery if not already done.
Dripping gas, as long as it doesn’t pool up or leak enough to have a steady flow (like on an epoxy or painted floor) beyond a foot or two will evaporate quickly if the floor is unfinished concrete, its very absorbent. Fumes should be dispersed rather easily too. Hazard is minimal but still exists.

I would at least but only for preventative measure, dam it up with some Oil-Dri, kitty litter, sand, cardboard to contain the spillage until siphoning the bulk or the tank if the car is going to sit longer that another day.

Getting a flatbed tow could be a challenge into a garage low overhead space, car will need to be pushed out to street level and winched up (needs ramps too).

Good luck.

[Mark Salvetti]

I'll be the guy that thinks a short drive to a shop is fine. The leak is up front and nowhere near a source of ignition. If there is no room for a flatbed in the garage (because of the height), I would rather drive it out than have it towed.

So what's leaking? Probably not the suction hose, but it could be the pump, the hose from pump to the engine, or the fuel return hose from the engine to the fuel tank. Problem with these hoses is they are not easy to change - they are crimped to the polyamide hoses in the tunnel. One reason Len Cummings' replacement hoses are so popular.

Hopefully it's the pump. Let us know what the shop says.

Mark

[PeteKz]

Agree with Mark. Drive it to a shop, but carry a fire extinguisher (which you should have anyway).

[pmax]

No news is good news ?

[BoxsterGT]

Subscribed.

Len

[77Targa0912]

Harbor Freight

[pmax]

Originally Posted by 77Targa0912

Harbor Freight

Gravity and a hose should work too !

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by pmax

Gravity and a hose should work too !

Yes, or just the version of that hose with a hand pump. You only need the pump to prime the hose, then it works like a regular siphon.

Or you can just use a hose as pmax suggests, and suck on it to get it started. I find a mouthful of gasoline does a good job clearing the sinuses.

Mark

[francesconyc]

UPDATE:

I ended up calling the truck (paid by my insurance) and found this amazing shop L&M Foreign Cars in Brooklyn, who found out the problem was simply the cap at the banjo connection loose (he literally told me on the phone even before seeing the car)!

I ended up having him run full diagnostics and fixing some more stuff while I was there. I already got my car back and running better than before. It was a blessing in disguise because from now on, I will be using him for more upgrades to come...

[pmax]

Congrats, sounds like you found a good ole old school shop.

Originally Posted by francesconyc

...
it immediately made me think it must be coming after the fuel pump connection, maybe a bad fuel pump/check valve/banjo/cap/washers...

What's the torque on that cap ?