Fuel Issue

[PCC]

As many of you are aware I had a cold starting issue, which resulted in a new airflow meter.

Although the car starts well, runs well and performance is as good as ever, I have this niggling issue that has raised its head in the last few weeks

There is a definite fuel vapour smell in the boot when opened and I'm pretty sure my fuel consumption is not good.

In the boot I have the fuel lines including Ryco Z200 fuel filter, but can't detect any fuel leaks. I do have an intermittent whining noise (previously raised) from the fuel pump, but does come and go (not present at the moment).

My fuel consumption is probably in the order of 400 to 450 km per tank (6 to 7 km per litre of fuel) with an 302EFI motor.

I have no vapour smells from the engine - only in the boot.

When I had the airflow issue fixed, the computer did show that the oxygen sensors were pretty carboned up so that may be part of the issue.

Also the car is running slighty rich (purely based upon the exhaust)

Any suggestions re: the smell / fuel consumption

[NASSTY]

Peter,

Check out the thread below:

BEWARE of Russell Proflex fuel line from Summit

This thread was about braided fuel lines that leaked vapour b/c of newer fuels breaking down the rubber inside the braid.

The fuel never dripped off the line, just a strong smell was present.

Don't know if this may be applicable but..... I hope it helps.


Cheers

[PCC]

Thanks Al, interesting reading.

However, the only braided length of hose (300mm) is the breather hose. 95% of my fuel lines are aluminium.

What i don't understand any lingering fuel smell disappeared as soon as my air flow meter was changed. Now its back, but with none of the other issues I had.

May be I'm getting paranoid

[Alvin]

hey Pete
l have the same problem in my DRB!!!!
What filler neck are you using?
and how does you boot look like?
And if you find where the smell coming from please let me know

[cameron02]

Hey Alvin,

I'm about to fit the fuel pump to my car. The DRB manual says to make a new cover plate from aluminium but I noticed yours has the standard pump cover plate. The person who built it probably just added some pipe to the bottom of the pump so it would reach the bottom of the tank. I've been considering doing the same thing myself but cant work out how I could do it and still get a good seal.

Maybe the seal on yours is not so good? It might be worth going around the edge with a silicone sealer of some sort and see if that helps.

Any chance you can post a pic of your tank and pump?

[PCC]

Alvin,

Will post some pics later.

After retightening all my clips I did notice the top breather clip was loose so will monitor over the next few days.

Definitely no other leaks anywhere else.

I have the aluminium cover plate to the tank - does not look pretty, but at least is out of sight.

The other idea may be a bloked breather hose. I'm told that after a good run if the filler cap is under pressure when removing then the breather is blocked.

Its my fuel consumption that I am concerned with - 400km tops per tank - may be city driving, but definitely not as good as 2 months ago.

Will check out the oxygen sensors, but again I'm told they only kick in on a long run.

If the fuel consumption / petrol smell remains over the next few weeks its back to my engine tuner for a checkout and fix.

This perfection thing is a pain in the a#$e!!

[Alvin]

cool
l will post a pic of my boot as soon as l clean it up
l will be down at dougs this week end with my car!!!

[PCC]

Alvin,

Hopefully sorted the fuel problem out.

I think it was the filler pipe - just needed plenty of gunge and another jubilee clip to prevent further leaking.

Prior to fixing I did 220km on 50 litres of fuel - not exceptional.

Seems much better, but will monitor. No smells anymore.

Attached some pictures - not the prettiest part of the car Fuel Tank1 Fuel Tank2 Fuel Tank3

[PCC]

Drat - Pics too small.

First attempt at the http link.

Next time I'll leave my pictures at the original size.

Check them out in my gallery.