Fuel Issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: loudoun county VA
Fuel Issue
Hopefully the image below isnt too big for the forum. I havent driven the car for two weeks, so I took it out for a quick spin yesterday. I filled it up with fuel, stopped at the shop and drove home. I didnt do anything unusual, no getting car sideways, no launching with the foot to the floor or anything.
When I got home, and unloaded the car, there was the smell of fuel in the garage. I had a look under the tail of the car and there is a puddle of fuel, about 7 inches in diameter. It was dripping from the two extensions in the phot below. I have smelt fuel from the car in the garage before, so I must assume this isnt the first time.
Is this normal? Or some other issue that needs to be dealt with? Cant say I am filled with confidence if there is a puddle of petrol in the garage.
cam (87 'vette)
[Modified by cam--, 1:17 PM 4/16/2004]
When I got home, and unloaded the car, there was the smell of fuel in the garage. I had a look under the tail of the car and there is a puddle of fuel, about 7 inches in diameter. It was dripping from the two extensions in the phot below. I have smelt fuel from the car in the garage before, so I must assume this isnt the first time.
Is this normal? Or some other issue that needs to be dealt with? Cant say I am filled with confidence if there is a puddle of petrol in the garage.
cam (87 'vette)
[Modified by cam--, 1:17 PM 4/16/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
Re: Fuel Issue (cam--)
I would say that it is definitely not normal, no, but I can't say what might be leaking. What year is your car? Hopefully someone will chime in soon with a solid lead, as I'm very curious as to what's causing your problem myself. It's nerve-racking in the least!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: loudoun county VA
Re: Fuel Issue (Perfusion)
I would say that it is definitely not normal, no, but I can't say what might be leaking. What year is your car? Hopefully someone will chime in soon with a solid lead, as I'm very curious as to what's causing your problem myself. It's nerve-racking in the least!
The fuel is spilling awful close to the exhaust pipes as well. After reading posts here of folks having their 'vettes burn to the ground ...
cam
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Fuel Issue (cam--)
Did you have a full tank? Could be a bad pump gasket up top allowing it to slosh out, or the fuel line hoses cracked. Pull the rear fuel door off and take the rubber boot out and inspect. :smash:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Fuel Issue (cam--)
It is not normal and it IS dangerous. Recommend you do not drive the car until you have the leak repaired. It will be either a perforation in the fuel tank itself or one of the lines (supply or return) is leaking at the nipple where it connects to the tank up top and the fuel is running down the tank exterior. The other side of your spare tire cover (side facing up) probably has raw fuel running down it.
Hopefully the image below isnt too big for the forum. I havent driven the car for two weeks, so I took it out for a quick spin yesterday. I filled it up with fuel, stopped at the shop and drove home. I didnt do anything unusual, no getting car sideways, no launching with the foot to the floor or anything.
When I got home, and unloaded the car, there was the smell of fuel in the garage. I had a look under the tail of the car and there is a puddle of fuel, about 7 inches in diameter. It was dripping from the two extensions in the phot below. I have smelt fuel from the car in the garage before, so I must assume this isnt the first time.
Is this normal? Or some other issue that needs to be dealt with? Cant say I am filled with confidence if there is a puddle of petrol in the garage.
cam (87 'vette)
[Modified by cam--, 1:17 PM 4/16/2004]
When I got home, and unloaded the car, there was the smell of fuel in the garage. I had a look under the tail of the car and there is a puddle of fuel, about 7 inches in diameter. It was dripping from the two extensions in the phot below. I have smelt fuel from the car in the garage before, so I must assume this isnt the first time.
Is this normal? Or some other issue that needs to be dealt with? Cant say I am filled with confidence if there is a puddle of petrol in the garage.
cam (87 'vette)
[Modified by cam--, 1:17 PM 4/16/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Fuel Issue (CentralCoaster)
Did you have a full tank? Could be a bad pump gasket up top allowing it to slosh out, or the fuel line hoses cracked. Pull the rear fuel door off and take the rubber boot out and inspect. :smash:
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 12:56 PM 4/16/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Fuel Issue (Lone Ranger)
First check inside the boot below the fuel cap to see if the cap is leaking.
If ok, pull the fuel door & boot to inspect the fuel lines for signs of a leak.
If ok, follow the fuel lines & vent line from the tank to see if there are any signs of a leak in a line.
If ok, pull the carrier to see if fuel is leaking down the tank; if so you will need to pull the tank for repair.
If you only notice the odor of gas shortly after after a fill up, I suspect it's a problem in the cap or seal. Also, did th person who filled the tank slosh any fuel into the filler well?
[Modified by 65Z01, 2:10 PM 4/16/2004]
If ok, pull the fuel door & boot to inspect the fuel lines for signs of a leak.
If ok, follow the fuel lines & vent line from the tank to see if there are any signs of a leak in a line.
If ok, pull the carrier to see if fuel is leaking down the tank; if so you will need to pull the tank for repair.
If you only notice the odor of gas shortly after after a fill up, I suspect it's a problem in the cap or seal. Also, did th person who filled the tank slosh any fuel into the filler well?
[Modified by 65Z01, 2:10 PM 4/16/2004]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: loudoun county VA
Re: Fuel Issue (65Z01)
Thanks for all the replies folks, I ran downstairs (I work from home) to have a look, I didnt have the 6-pointed star like tools (T-bits?) to dismantle anything. I will go and get them this afternoon. The rubber fuel filler neck housing is about 50% of what it should be, it is pretty rotted away.
I filled it up, I am pretty careful not to get any fuel on the duco, or let it into the rubber housing as the rubber housing is pretty degraded. I filled the tank completely up, but after I filled it up, the car sat in the local shopping center parking lot for twenty minutes, or so, before I drove home. Once I got home it leaked for another good ten minutes, before the dripping stopped. There was a constant drip for that ten minutes.
cam
If you only notice the odor of gas shortly after after a fill up, I suspect it's a problem in the cap or seal. Also, did th person who filled the tank slosh any fuel into the filler well?
cam
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Re: Fuel Issue (cam--)
Interesting. The fuel lines run along the right-side of the car, I can't picture in my head any fuel lines in that area. I first though "front differential yoke seal", but that fluid looks way too clear to be gear oil.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Fuel Issue (cam--)
For now, when you're in the garage, open the gas cap. Otherwise when it heats up in there it will pressurize the fuel system, and can cause a siphoning effect to start, and drain several gallons of fuel onto the floor and evaporate. Combine the right mixture with a water heater pilot flame, and kaBOOM!
I had all of this happen, with the exception of the Kaboom part.
You'll need a "Torx" T-15 bit to remove the gas door.
I had all of this happen, with the exception of the Kaboom part.
You'll need a "Torx" T-15 bit to remove the gas door.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: loudoun county VA
Re: Fuel Issue (CentralCoaster)
For now, when you're in the garage, open the gas cap.
A photo from directly above;
A photo looking to the drivers side:
and to the passngers side. This side looks clean:
http://www.australianflyingcorps.org...mp/fuel003.jpg
I think I will but those two seals and put the car in to have the seals replaced. This is way above my skill set.
cam
