Fuel leak mystery

pjnats · Post by **pjnats** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:36 pm

I just got back from a week's vacation, and needed to run up the street for milk. As I was backing down the drive, I noticed a trail of liquid in front of me. I drove back up and lifted the hood expecting to see something radiator related. I was shocked to see fuel dripping from the fuel manifold area. I quickly shut off the car, but could not locate the exact source of the leak. Later in the day, my brother and I started the engine briefly to see if we could locate the leak. To my surprise, there was no leak. We started her again for a little longer period, and still no leak. Has anyone experienced anything like this before? I'm, of course, very concerned about driving. I have smelled gas before while driving, but have never experienced anything like this.

Pete Natalie
'82 FI Spider

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:52 pm

there are several places in the engine compartment that can develop fuel leaks. Each injector has a short hose from the rail, there is a hose to the cold start injector, there is a hose from the steel line to the fuel rail and there is a return hose from the rail to another steel line. Both steel lines are near the top of the left fenderwell. Also, the pressure regulator can leak, but usually the fuel will get sucked into the intake manifold thru the small vacuum hose and cause poor running and low mileage
If you smell raw fuel inside the car, check under the carpet on the left side. Sometimes the steel line can rust thru causing a fuel leak that the carpet soaks up

pjnats · Post by **pjnats** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:11 pm

First of all, why couldn't you be NW PA Mark?

My brother and I did look over that area pretty thoroughly, Mark, and could find no evidence of a leak. That's the mystery! First, significant amounts of gas are dripping all over my driveway, and then nothing! I don't know what to make of it, but I'll look again tomorrow.

Pete

p.s. Incidentially, Mark, thank you for ALWAYS answering these posts. You are a tremendous help to amateur, mechanic wannabees like me.

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:46 pm

You can't have SoCalMark...he is the property of SoCal!

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:40 pm

maybe I should start a traveling road show? Hve tools, will travel! I'm originally from PA by the way, just been in So Cal for a long time now

A trail of gas is pretty worrisome! The danger being that if the leak is that big, it may get into the starter. And since there are brushes and an armature in the starter that create sparks when cranking, be careful when starting. You'll be surprised how quickly the fire spreads from that area!

pjnats · Post by **pjnats** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:04 pm

Aha! A PA native! I should've known. SERIOUSLY, if you EVER return for a visit and are near Erie, please give me a call. I would be delighted to show you around (and my problem girlfriend as well

).

I didn't get a chance to look again, but will let you know as soon as I find something. Thanks again.

Pete

fiatS2000 · Post by **fiatS2000** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 5:48 pm

How sure are you that it came from the engine compartment? The reason I ask is because the one time that I had a fuel leak, it came from the small rubber piece between the fuel tank and the metal fuel line. The rubber hose was still connected and secured properly, but the hose had failed due to dry rot.

pjnats · Post by **pjnats** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:45 pm

I actually saw the gas dripping when I opened the hood. I was so freaked out that my main concern was shutting the car off, and really didn't see exactly from where it was leaking. I'm going to conduct a much more thorough search to see if I can locate the exact location of the leak. Thanks for the input.

Pete

pjnats · Post by **pjnats** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:47 am

I guess it wasn't as big a mystery as I thought.

The gas was simply leaking from a loose screw on the clamp connected to the fuel hose that's connected to the cold start valve. I tightened it, and the leak stopped. Perhaps a word to the wise to everyone, check that screw out. I can't believe how loose it became. Again, thanks to everyone who offered advice. I guess I'm back on the road again!

Pete Natalie
Erie, PA

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:02 pm

what type of clamp is on that hose? I highly suggest a real FI clamp, they're banded instead of having the thread indentations that cut into the hose. You'll pay about $1.50 for an FI clamp, but they're worth the money.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:18 pm

Fuel injected or not, a fire extingusher in easy reach of the driver is a handy item to preserve an antique auto under the stress of a fuel fire.

Not as uncommon as you might think.