fuel leak question 87 3.2 carrera

[F16driver]

Hey all,
Ive been reading a lot of threads on how to track down a fuel leak. Like most of the others here I cant find any fuel leaking under the car or in the engine room. Mostly I smell it while driving and no heaters or blowers turned on. I suspect its coming from the front end but have not had a chance to dig into the fuel tank area. Some of the threads have suggested checking the fuel lines in the tunnel area. Since I haven't had time to look under the car, my question is, when threads reference the tunnel area, are we looking under the car or are we looking inside the car by pulling up the carpet and console etc??? when checking the fuel lines that obviously run from the tank to the engine??

Thanks
F16Driver
1987 Carrera 3.2
Original owner

[Talewinds]

I can't make any valid suggestions just some things to think about.
Just before I received my 88' in February they had done some fuel work, and from the moment I got the car there was a fuel smell in the cockpit, slight, but stronger when sitting at a stoplight. I inspected the engine compartment with the engine running so that fuel drips would be current and not have time to evaporate. Found the culprit, was the fitting on that flexy line that runs to the fuel rails from the fuel filter or regulator, it was 1/4 turn loose. Snugged it up and not a drop since, and no more smell in the cockpit.

[rick-l]

+1 on the $350 fuel line to the fuel rails. Can't see fuel because it evaporates away quickly.

Mine it was the crimp where it goes from rubber to metal. The new one has a double crimp.

edit: mine leaked right above the heater inlet

[88911coupe]

You also need to check the short line from the fuel pump to the hard line goiing into the tunnel up near the fuel tank. Remove the protective plate and run the car for a few minutes and you may be able to see the leak. That's what happened with my '88 when I could smell fuel while driving. I also, later, had a leak in the line between the pressure regulator and damper. Lots of threads on this in the past.

[Talewinds]

Gaaahh!!!That thing costs $350???

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

Gaaahh!!!That thing costs $350???

And is a major major PITA to install.

These were the ways suggested. I did #2

1. drop engine take it out the front
2. remove intake manifold
3. bend it so it fits then reform

[Talewinds]

Ya, I'd take door #2 also...

[vreference]

This is what one of my lines looked like on my '89; my finger is easily pressing into what's left of the line. All I could smell was a very faint bit of fuel when I turned it off. It's a very common issue and I suppose it's burned a few cars. This car doesn't have a bit of rust on it anywhere either -- I believe all cars are prone to this failure.

[88911coupe]

I also had a leak in the hose which is pictured in vreference's photo. That was pretty difficult to replace but I managed to do it after I removed a bunch of stuff. Obviously it's a lot easier to do with the engine out. The expensive hose has been replaced by several members using aftermarket solutions that can be installed without removing the engine or a bunch of stuff. Basically replace the hard lines with high end flex lines. If you do a search you'll find what people have done.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by Talewinds

Ya, I'd take door #2 also...

The trouble I had was the intake gasket bonded to the head in the cylinder nearest the firewall. You have to remove it down in the hole created by the fan shroud with your head stuck in the 8" below the lid.