Cerbera 4.5 Fuel Leak
Discussion
I know I'll get stamped on for asying this but there are other cuases for fuel smells beyond fueld lines. Check the lines and change them if needed first then look at the injectors carefully. Its easy to cut an o-ring refitting the rail, thsi will cause a weep down the injectore. If you have an internal garage like mine this is easily enough to give a petrol smell. I also found that mine tends to leave a small quantity of fuel on top of the butterflies after shutdown which will also evaporate off and smell.
Mine has always smelled of petrol, i have changed every fuel line and i am positive there isnt the slightest leak between the tank and the inlet ports what is frustrating is that it isnt strong enough to say weven which end of the car the smell comes from. We talk a lot about the supply hoses but has anyone ever had problems with the return lines which I assume are the ones in the drivers side rear wheelarch ?
Mine has always smelled of petrol, i have changed every fuel line and i am positive there isnt the slightest leak between the tank and the inlet ports what is frustrating is that it isnt strong enough to say weven which end of the car the smell comes from. We talk a lot about the supply hoses but has anyone ever had problems with the return lines which I assume are the ones in the drivers side rear wheelarch ?
GT6k said:
I know I'll get stamped on for asying this but there are other cuases for fuel smells beyond fueld lines. Check the lines and change them if needed first then look at the injectors carefully. Its easy to cut an o-ring refitting the rail, thsi will cause a weep down the injectore. If you have an internal garage like mine this is easily enough to give a petrol smell. I also found that mine tends to leave a small quantity of fuel on top of the butterflies after shutdown which will also evaporate off and smell.
Mine has always smelled of petrol, i have changed every fuel line and i am positive there isnt the slightest leak between the tank and the inlet ports what is frustrating is that it isnt strong enough to say weven which end of the car the smell comes from. We talk a lot about the supply hoses but has anyone ever had problems with the return lines which I assume are the ones in the drivers side rear wheelarch ?
OP specifies leaking for a start..Mine has always smelled of petrol, i have changed every fuel line and i am positive there isnt the slightest leak between the tank and the inlet ports what is frustrating is that it isnt strong enough to say weven which end of the car the smell comes from. We talk a lot about the supply hoses but has anyone ever had problems with the return lines which I assume are the ones in the drivers side rear wheelarch ?
Check your manifolds aren't cracked.
The last mass produced carburettor engined car was a Subaru 23 years ago, so almost everything on the roads these days as high pressure fuel lines. Some cars leave the hard lines exposed to road salt, at least our cars don't do that, but TVRs do exacerbate the problem because the rubber hoses are subject to higher engine bay temps.
I confidently predict that petrol leak fires will become more and more prevalent in the newer classic car sector.
I confidently predict that petrol leak fires will become more and more prevalent in the newer classic car sector.
GT6k said:
Mine has always smelled of petrol, i have changed every fuel line and i am positive there isnt the slightest leak between the tank and the inlet ports what is frustrating is that it isnt strong enough to say weven which end of the car the smell comes from. We talk a lot about the supply hoses but has anyone ever had problems with the return lines which I assume are the ones in the drivers side rear wheelarch ?
As you have checked or changed everything else by the sound of it, I would be looking at your carbon canister/purge solenoid setup. The vac pipe to the canister fits onto a silly little plastic spigot that is prone to breakage and can cause fume release. The anti rollover valve behind the tank at the filler side is another favorite. If that gets disconnected the tank will vent into the boot and you will certainly smell it in the cabin on a warm day.ukkid35 said:
Tanguero said:
The anti rollover valve behind the tank at the filler side is another favourite.
Do you have any pics showing what to look for?Thanks , I did check the rollover and purge valves but couldnt find anything. One of my manifolds is starting to crack although i cant detect any real leakage is this a likely cause of a smel after shutdown?
I should say that there is no smell in the car, the agravation is that it smells in my internal garage and that leaks to the kitchen. Whilst I am quite happy with a whiff of Optimax my OH isnt.
One last thing is that the only failure I have actually seen on a Cerb was the rear pipe from the pump so I am not sure the heat thing is a big issue its just more likely to go bang if it leaks near the engine. I did change the rear lines on mine which are original 1998 ones and there is absolutely no sign of any external or internal crazing or deterioration. My scepticism on the pipe issue is simply that I don't think cerbs are any more suspeptible to failures than other 15+year old cars. I never let the pipes on my carb equiped cars stay for more than about 8 years.
I should say that there is no smell in the car, the agravation is that it smells in my internal garage and that leaks to the kitchen. Whilst I am quite happy with a whiff of Optimax my OH isnt.
One last thing is that the only failure I have actually seen on a Cerb was the rear pipe from the pump so I am not sure the heat thing is a big issue its just more likely to go bang if it leaks near the engine. I did change the rear lines on mine which are original 1998 ones and there is absolutely no sign of any external or internal crazing or deterioration. My scepticism on the pipe issue is simply that I don't think cerbs are any more suspeptible to failures than other 15+year old cars. I never let the pipes on my carb equiped cars stay for more than about 8 years.
GT6k said:
One last thing is that the only failure I have actually seen on a Cerb was the rear pipe from the pump...
My fuel feed line failed in the engine bay right under the expansion bottle while trolling down the M6 at night. It was spraying fuel at pump pressure directly across above the passenger side exhaust manifold. The first I knew of it was the fuel gauge dropping like a stone and seeing the fuel on the road in my rear view mirror. How it didn't catch fire I will never know! It most certainly should have, it still makes my blood run cold thinking about it. The failure was in the flexible hose at the crimp to the union where it joins the hard line from inside the car.
The recovery driver wanted me to start it up to drive it up the ramp of the truck - I declined.
Tanguero said:
Its rather inherently unphotographable as it is tucked right down behind the fuel tank. The easy way to find it is to move the control boxen from the passenger side of the top of the tank then follow the thin breather tube from the internal part of the filler neck down behind the tank with your hand. With luck there should be enough slack in the tube to lift the rollover valve into view. DO NOT PULL TOO HARD!!! The tube fittings are fragile and a new valve is stupidly pricey for what it is.
Hmmm. Think I need to research this roll over valve. Last weekend I brimmed my car for a drive out. Threw my jumper into the boot and drive away. Came to take my jumper out and there was a slight it definite odour to it. That will be my job for tonight then.
M
m60ddy said:
Hmmm. Think I need to research this roll over valve. Last weekend I brimmed my car for a drive out. Threw my jumper into the boot and drive away. Came to take my jumper out and there was a slight it definite odour to it.
That will be my job for tonight then.
M
Checked and all clear. Think something has been spilt by a previous owner and with the heat from the tail pipes it just releases an odour. Think a carpet wash and vac is required. That will be my job for tonight then.
M
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