Please help me find fuel leak.

mthomas58 · 12-19-2008, 09:14 PM

To start, I have owned my 87 for 2 1/2 years now and have always thought I noticed a faint fuel smell in the cabin but have never found a leak.

Today, walking up to the car after work I noticed a very strong fuel smell as I approached the drivers door. Opened engine lid and smelled engine compartment - no fuel smell. Opened front trunk - no fuel smell. Back to drivers door - very strong fuel odor. Pulled car out of parking space and inspected pavement where car had been sitting since lunch - no fuel puddle anywhere.

Got home tonight, parked car in garage and went out to dinner with friends. Upon return, wife & I entered garage and she said "your car stinks - what is that smell?" The entire garage had VERY strong fuel odor.

Also, last night on the way home from work, the car seemed to idle a little rough at stop lights. Thought it was my imagination but now wondering if it may be fuel leak related.

I plan on putting the car up on jack stands tomorrow and inspecting the fuel lines. Any ideas suggestions on what to look for? Usual suspects?

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Gas Cap Gasket?

The oder may be emitting through channel of the release cable for the gas cap/fill compartment door.

My 2 cents

jtratza · 12-19-2008, 09:46 PM

Found my latest fuel tank leak on top of the fuel tank. The spare had rubbed through the tank and created a very small hole. Pull the spare. Earlier leaks were fixed by replacing the fuel hoses in the trunk.

al lkosmal · 12-19-2008, 09:51 PM

It doesn't take a lot of gas to make a big stink, but if you can smell it walking up to the car and in the garage, it's leaking pretty good. Since you gave the engine compartment the sniff test, I'd check out the front end, starting with the fuel pump, pump fittings and the hose from the tank to the fuel pump.

regards,
al

01sport · 12-19-2008, 10:06 PM

I've owned my 87 for 20 years now. No leaks yet. I want to do my first engine drop soon to replace the fuel lines and a few other things. Just can't seem to find the time. If it would start leaking I could make it a priority.

mthomas58 · 03:34 PM

I've just had the engine fuel lines rebuilt on my replacement engine in preperation for a swap and have been wondering about the condition of the rest of the 21 year old fuel lines. No need to wonder anymore. Getting ready to put the car up on jack stands in a few minutes and start looking for the problem.

ossiblue · 12-20-2008, 08:39 AM

You might also look under the left front wheel well at the small hose connections from the gas filler tube to the vapor emissions hoses--could be leaks there that are only fumes--as well as the larger hoses near the front of the wheel well that go to the "collector" box. I assume your car has it at that location, but maybe not. If these hoses are cracked, you may smell fumes, buy you won't necessarily see moisture.
Also, the fuel pump connections under the steering rack may have connection problems, and it is in the general area of the odor.

mthomas58 · 12-20-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossiblue

You might also look under the left front wheel well at the small hose connections from the gas filler tube to the vapor emissions hoses--could be leaks there that are only fumes--as well as the larger hoses near the front of the wheel well that go to the "collector" box. I assume your car has it at that location, but maybe not. If these hoses are cracked, you may smell fumes, buy you won't necessarily see moisture.
Also, the fuel pump connections under the steering rack may have connection problems, and it is in the general area of the odor.

I replaced both lines to the vapor recovery tank this spring.

Found dried puddle of gas on the garage floor (floor paint had bubbled and had strong fuel odor) under the fuel pump. Removed cover plate. Saw no evidence of any leak. Then started car and crawled back under - still no leak. Will no go take the car for a drive and observe upon return. Kinda baffleing.

I also removed the tunnel cover behind the seats and no fuel odor there (thank god - plastic tunnel line replacement sounds like a PITA)

ossiblue · 12-20-2008, 08:52 AM

Sounds like you're narrowing down the search. Don't know what your pump/line set up looks like but sometimes the rubber lines to the pump and tank return make sharp and short bends in the cramped area under the tank and steering rack which is a prime area for cracking. Good luck on the hunt, and report back your findings, please.

mthomas58 · 12-20-2008, 09:25 AM

Took car out for a spin and put it back up on jack stands. Fuel pump and associated connections are good. Problem is that I have a leak in the fuel tank. This section of rustproofing has been missing since I bought the car 2 1/2 years ago but I have never noticed this. The rusty patch was bone dry until I took the car for a spin and pressurized the tank. I guess I'll be ordering a new gas tank for Christmas! How exciting

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Was the area without protective coat always that big? I ta appears the rust did not help matters either?

Going to check under my car and patch spray and exposed metal at the tank.

mthomas58 · 12-20-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Was the area without protective coat always that big? I ta appears the rust did not help matters either?

Going to check under my car and patch spray and exposed metal at the tank.

Yep, been like that for a couple of years. Has always bugged me. Now it's gonna bug my wallet!