Hi, I have a 1990 300zx and recently have been experiencing an intermittent issue with very strong petrol smell. I can't tie it to anything in particular, it happens at any time of day, on any kind of road/weather condition, not tied to acceleration or braking or full/empty petrol tank.

 

I have paid mechanics twice in the last year to investigate and they have not managed to find the cause. Anyone have any ideas/similar problem?

 

Thanks,

Yours disparingly

Jo

Hi, I have a 1990 300zx and recently have been experiencing an intermittent issue with very strong petrol smell. I can't tie it to anything in particular, it happens at any time of day, on any kind of road/weather condition, not tied to acceleration or braking or full/empty petrol tank.

 

I have paid mechanics twice in the last year to investigate and they have not managed to find the cause. Anyone have any ideas/similar problem?

 

Thanks,

Yours disparingly

Jo

 

I found my leak by tucking my head in the engine bay and sniffing around like a dog. Well it worked!

I have got the same problem with mine, I have just ordered some new braided fuel lines to see if that will sort it out.

I would put money on it that it's coming from the small piece of fuel line that sits the front of the plenum, under the throttle body linkage.

I have been having the same problem found a small leak on the inlet to the fuel filter and by sniffing like a dog i think i have found a leak around the number 2 piston which i think maybe the fuel rail.

First thing you need to do is tighen up all the clamps on the fuel lines.

 

If you can still smell petrol after that. You need to disconnect the fuel pump relay, start the car until it stalls to release pressure in the fuel lines. And disconnect the rubber hose fuel lines one by one checking for leaks and rips.

Make sure you are tightening the filler cap properly first of all, cos believe it or not i was'nt doing and thats all mine was, lol. Secondly have a smell around the engine bay alot of the time its the lines, i have replaced mine with braided ones from smithys-place. Alot of people have said that has fixed their problem. HTH :)

hi guys

 

i had the same problem and it was traced to the pipes just behind the throttle linkages they are a bit arkward to get to but as mentioned before i will put my money on it, that thats where its leaking from, very common fault apparently.

 

regards big mo

^ditto tighten all those clamps and re-sniff

yes remove the throttle cover and you will see where the two fuel rails join there are two clips check those if not and the rest are all tight check the piping to the carbon canister

I had this and was various leaks on the smaller pipes. One way i found was to put some talcum powder on the suspect pipe when the engine is cold and not run. Then run the engine and see if the powder dampens. Plus you get a nice smelling engine LOL:D

same issue with me, on cold im getting a strong petrol smell but 5 mins into the jurney it goes.

This might expalin 50km to £10 of fuel!!!!!

same issue with me, on cold im getting a strong petrol smell but 5 mins into the jurney it goes.

This might expalin 50km to £10 of fuel!!!!!

 

fuel pressure dampner i reckon mate...they leak / drip when cold then warm up and go tight so no smell...its the one on top of the plenum that is the usual culprit

see no28 on this pic http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26120

Great stuff, thanks Uno

fuel pressure dampner i reckon mate...they leak / drip when cold then warm up and go tight so no smell...its the one on top of the plenum that is the usual culprit

see no28 on this pic http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=26120

 

Aha!! mine does the the same!

 

Probably a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway, what do you do with the dampner? Hit it? :smash: Replace it?

 

I love London Pride too and have invested heavily in it over the years!!:duffer:

Aha!! mine does the the same!

 

Probably a stupid question, but I will ask it anyway, what do you do with the dampner? Hit it? :smash: Replace it?

 

I love London Pride too and have invested heavily in it over the years!!:duffer:

 

ai...whatever you do take pride!

 

as to the dampner...its the pipes either side that leak not thing itself..tighten the pipe clamps up as first fix...if no good replace pipes...if the dampner goes wrong i think you get erractic idle or the engine hunts around etc...not 100% on that

i see you're in oxted....are you coming to goodwood sunday for the breakfast meet?

 

check the south central thread for details

Thanks for the advice and the invite, Uno! I cant make it on Sunday but will meet up with you guys soon.

 

Cheers