Paint thinner smells 1983 911sc

[Skoalturkey]

I have a 1983 911sc and noticed some clear fluid that smells like paint thinner under the driver side. What kind of fluid is this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[na2ub]

Gas. Your fuel pump is behind the belly pan

[LEAKYSEALS951]

yeah... uh... if that puddle of fluid on the floor is from the leak, you might want to open the garage door, avoid any sparks and try to get some plastic tupperware or something under there to catch it. Unless that's brake fluid (looks like gas to me), you are one spark away from catastrophe.
Good luck! Updates please!
Ron

[DRACO A5OG]

Probably leaking from rubber 3/8" x 4" hose at the fuel pump, notorious fro hardening and finally failing.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

does the air have vapors that smell like thinner? or just the fluid when you smell it on your finger?
how full was your gas tank? (don't turn the ignition on to find out)

[Skoalturkey]

Well I drove it today and it didn't not explode which is good. I don't see any vapors, it's just the smell of paint thinner in the air and on my finger. The tank is about 3/4 full. The a/c in the car is not hooked up so it wouldn't be the coolant. It just doesn't smell like gas to me, I will get a second opinion on the smell and hopefully dig into some more night or tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

[ganun]

How about Brake fluid!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Okay- well sheeesh.... since you drove it, go ahead and pop the hood and check to see if the brake fluid is low. With a puddle that big, the brake fluid reservoir should be low/empty.

The point I was trying to make with gas (or paint thinner) is that it has a strong vapor smell that you would smell anywhere near the spill. Gas would also evaporate, so the puddle should be gone. Brake fluid is something you are more likely going to smell only on your fingertip, and will not evaporate as quickly into thin air like gas.

Since you drove it.... push the car to a slightly different place in the garage. If it keeps leaking as much as the previous puddle looked like, it is probably gas. I'm bettin' gas.

Also, has anyone done any work on it lately? cleaning? mechanical? -something that could have been shot into the skid plate that is draining out.

I'm still gonna bet gas, perhaps stale gas. Best way to tell is to remove that skid plate (4 bolts) and visually check. Wasn't going to recommend it, but, since you are driving it anyways....


Good luck.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Skoalturkey

Well I drove it today and it didn't not explode which is good. I don't see any vapors, it's just the smell of paint thinner in the air and on my finger. The tank is about 3/4 full. The a/c in the car is not hooked up so it wouldn't be the coolant. It just doesn't smell like gas to me, I will get a second opinion on the smell and hopefully dig into some more night or tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

How about pulling the protective pan and see what you see.

[uwanna]

One other thing, do you have to "crank over" the engine longer than usual before it starts. Had a gas leak that looked just like your pic and engine cranked longer than usual.
The reason being, when the car is turned off the leak bleds off the built up pressure in the gas lines, and the pump needs to pump them up to pressure before the car will start.
Cause, leaky rubber output hose from fuel pump!

[Skoalturkey]

Just went back into the garage and it reeks of gas, so yea it's gas. Not sure why it smelled funny to me. The puddle has dried up and the brake fluid is full. Today was the first time I have had it out since I live in western PA so it just caught me off guard. When it's a cold start I have to try and start the car 3-4 times before it gets going and then wait about 10 minutes to drive it. If I get time tomorrow I will take off the protective plate and keep you guys updated. Thanks for all the help.

[DRACO A5OG]

Disconnect the battery Negative side, raise the front end safely with jack stands.

Remove pan, 2 nuts and 2 allen bolts, caution pan is heavier than you might think.

Verify leaking hose, measure and replace.

I used a vise grip with pieces of spare rubber hose to pinch of the old hose and another vise grip for the new and swapped quickly. Yes, you will lose some fuel so protect your eyes and place a catch pan under neath. BEFORE that make sure those fittings are loose before removal. You do not want to be fixing a rusted out screw or bolt while doing this.

The safer way is to remove the gas, either by removing the tank plug or siphon it out. Removing the plug requires a new gasket and might as well replace it too while you are in there. You may discover some debris there.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

...and get an ethanol proof hose. Don't buy the regular hoses at your local auto parts store.
Ask me how I know.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

...and get an ethanol proof hose. Don't buy the regular hoses at your local auto parts store.
Ask me how I know.

Ethanol Proof? where do you get that?

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by Skoalturkey

Just went back into the garage and it reeks of gas, so yea it's gas. Not sure why it smelled funny to me. The puddle has dried up and the brake fluid is full. Today was the first time I have had it out since I live in western PA so it just caught me off guard. When it's a cold start I have to try and start the car 3-4 times before it gets going and then wait about 10 minutes to drive it. If I get time tomorrow I will take off the protective plate and keep you guys updated. Thanks for all the help.

OK, real simple fix! Just go to this link and read. $10 or so in parts, including E85 fuel injection hose and "fuel injection" hose clamps.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/815538-stranded-what-fuel-line-leak-repair-options-go.html

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Ethanol Proof? where do you get that?

Something E85 approved like Len's Cohline stuff, just not the flaps el-cheapo line.

[uwanna]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Something E85 approved like Len's Cohline stuff, just not the flaps el-cheapo line.

If you specify "FUEL INJECTION" hose at your local FLAPS it will be E85 approved hose, as opposed to just asking for "GAS HOSE". SAE J30R9 specifications for modern fuel injection hose require it meet E85 and high burst pressure requirements. It should be printed on the hose. Also need to ask for fuel injection approved hose clamps, not the common "worm drive" type.

[Skoalturkey]

Sorry it took forever to respond but I finally fixed the problem. The supply line to the fuel pump had a crack in it. The car is back and running again, thank you for all the help!