T'was 2 degrees this morning at 6.45 am. Started car up, sat there for the usual minute or so and began my shitty journey to work. Two miles down the road, ended up behind a R reg Merc going very slowly, when I was hit with this really strong smell of petrol. Turned the blowers off and as the road straightened up, I gently went round him expecting that he was a smelly ******* and that the fumes would disappear.............................alas!

 

So, pulled over a mile or so down the road and popped the hood. Round the petrol filter area there was a very strong smell of petrol so get the ole' screw driver out of the boot and gave the 5 clips that I could see a half turn.

 

For the rest of the way to work, I couldn't tell whether the smell was still there or not because I had smelt so much of it before. Bit like when you go testing aftershaves and one ends up smelling like the other.

 

However, on the way home I couldn't smell any and I didn't see any puddles under the car. I regularly check the clips. Could that be the culprit or could it be that the pipes have finality broken down and need replacing, even though they look fine?

 

Apart from by the filter and over the plenum, are there any other hidden clips that I could tighten up?

 

 

Cos

Don't know about other clips, but I had a similar problem, only the small rubber hose into fuel filter had split.

 

I replaced it and, like you, no more petrol smell:)

There are plenty of clips to check around injectors and the fuel rail. This is quite common on zeds. Do a search its been on the forum many times before.:)

Hi Cos,

 

One real bugger of a hose/clip to get to is hidden underneath the throttle body linkage. Take the plastic cover over the plenum off, look down onto underneath the rod that links the two throttle body actuators and you'll see a hose which runs left-to-right with a clip either side. You'll need a very slip and very long screwdriver to get to it. Good luck mate!

 

BTW - are you going to the "Bubble Inn" meet this coming Sunday?

 

Regards,

Thanks Danny.

 

As for Sunday, No can do I'm afraid. Dad's B-day tomorrow so we will be spending the weekend with the folks.

I'm not going either ... Fiona's had enough of me going off on weekends to car do's ;)

 

Speak soon mate!

Specially the one right under the fuel pressure regulator. Its that pipe that goes down to the fuel injector rail. Its also in one of the hottest places and most likely to go brittle with age. You might have to take off the trim panel over the throttle cable to get acces to its screw clip. Better still get some 8mm high pressure fuel hose and spend and hour changing every one you can see. Fuel will spray in your face when you disconnect the ones on the filter! You are supposed to loose the pressure properly but a load of rags a cold engine and no smokers nearby and due care is do able.

 

Next time you smell fuel look under the car- you'll see it dripping from the bell housing. It runs into the Vee under the plenum and down the back of the engine.

Cheers.

Or better still use this, details here or in my section.

cheers

smithy

http://www.smithys-place.co.uk/300zx_products.htm

Legged it home last night after work to try and catch a bit of light so that I could see if there were any more loose jubilee clips. Nearly all the ones that I found needed a bit of a turn apart from one which needed about 4 turns. I think this was the culprit. However, there were 2 screws down by the side of the battery that were at the wrong angle and impossible to get to so I will do them next time I have the battery out.

 

Can't believe the stupid angles that some of these clips at in. Anyway, have driven in to work this morning and not even a hint of petrol. Looks like I have found the bugger but I shall still be sniffing over the next few days.

 

Thanks for all your help guys.

 

 

Cos