Help! smell fuel 87 Targa

[993.986.]

Just took delivery of my new toy today. Went out for a drive (35degrees) turned on heaters and smelled fumes/oil. Not the usual faint oil smell (even my 993 when new had that) but a stronger oil/gas odor. It got to the point I went without heat for fear of carbon monoxide inhalation. They is no obvious leakage anywhere under the car. The smell seems to be coming from the left side of the engine. I touched the fuel filter connections and they are dry. Any other suggestions on what to check/where to to begin?

Funny, I never smelled it before, as in when I hadn't bought it yet

[Sonic dB]

possible leaking injector?

[993.986.]

How could I tell if the injector is leaking?

[vash]

how far did you drive it? did you get it really hot? when you stick your face into the motor compartment you smell raw fuel on the left side?

[993.986.]

I drove about 40 miles up to 85-90mph in spurts. The smell is not as strong as raw gasoline, but it's definitely there. I even notice the garage has that gas/oil smell when I enter from the house. Yes, just checked again the smell is on the left.

[autobonrun]

Not sure if the Carrera is like the SC, but on mine, the fuel smell was coming from a line that runs through the center console of the car from the front to the rear. There was a pin hole size leak that caused the fuel smell to enter the cabin. Maybe other Carrera owners can verify if the design is the same.

[vash]

well, welcome to the club. post some pictures of you new car! that is almost mandatory. your car is newer than mine so i am not totally familiar with the system. i promise some very saavy folks are going to chime in to help you. but if it was me, i would start tracing the fuel lines from the fuel filter back and look at every fitting that i could see. you sure it isnt burnt oil smell?

[on-ramp]

first day with the car? sorry to hear.
are you considering returning it...you may have 30 days

[krichard]

I had this issue on my '88 a couple months ago. It is a very common problem with carreras. The original fuel lines are prone to leaks. Porsche redesigned the fuel lines, but guess what they cost an arm and a leg for the new "improved" line.

[993.986.]

you know I can't say if it might be burnt oil smell, it could be. I don't any obvious leaks. I did notice that the oil level is about one half quart high (slightly above the higher mark) could that have anything to do with it?

I do recall reading about the fuel lines from the tank to the back that have a tendency to leak in older 911's. How would you check it? Could I replace it myself?

Still working on the pix

Thanks

[krichard]

sorry to be negative but welcome to porsche ownership

[993.986.]

No thoughts on taking it back. The "chronic Porsche syndrome" is beginning to show overt signs now. I bet this sounds familiar: "other than that the car is perfect".

Say, if it is the fuel line, should I not be driving it?!

[krichard]

You should not be driving it unless you wanna have a charred carrera. Flat bed it to your mechanic asap and get it fixed. If your gonna DIY be prepared to remove the intake manafold to do it properly.

[993.986.]

Kerry, approximately what did it cost to replace your fue line(s).

[BGCarrera32]

Hi-

Can you smell it in the shift tunnel, if you pull up the shift coupler cover under the carpet located between the front and back seats? If Yes, could be a main line in the tunnel. If No, and you smell it near the engine mainly, it could be the line that jumps between the fuel pressure regulator and the pressure damper at the front of the engine (closest to the cab). 2 ways to get at it: 1) remove the intakes, 2) drop the engine. Its a fun one...with the regulator, the line I mentioned, the formed return line at the bottom of the regulator...there are about 6 possible leak points for fittings, or 2 hoses.

Gotta get on that one...

[krichard]

about 1200.00 for the replacement. Yea sounds high but the parts where half the cost the rest labor. Like I said to do the job right you have to remove the intake manifold which is not a quick task. I thought about doing a DIY but decided since it involved flamable liquids I should leave it to the pros. I am typically the type to DIY. For instance I didn't hesitate to weld new swaybar brackets when one of the orignals broke last month. I also decided to gut my muffler and weld it back together after doing alot of reaserch on aftermarket free flow mufflers. Fuel lines are not something I wanna mess with.

[993.986.]

I'll have to check the shift tunnel thanks for the tip. If it is leaking in one of those other spots would I be able to see it? with a mirror?

[krichard]

It took me a little while to actually find the leak. It was an extremely fine mist of fuel coming from one of the fittings on the fuel line running across the engine. not obvious but definatley smelled of gas in the cab.

[993.986.]

Well, I guess that's probably it huh? I was wondering what it would be first. I actually had a mechanic check it over: compression, brakes, transmission, body/rust, etc. I was hoping to have a little longer problem free period, but I know this is part of keeping these quirky 17 yr old cars alive and well. On the plus side, I really enjoyed the drive. It felt like I was driving a big go-cart...love that connected-to-the-road feeling! The steering feel is waaaay different than my previous 96 993.

[krichard]

Yea I have to agree about feel of the car. My 996 felt like a cadilac compared to the 911. Very floaty in the front and not connected at all. The 911 is a go cart. I love it and will keep it as long as my wife will let me