Fuel leak

D

dealhunter0

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Went down to take the coupe out for its first drive of the new year and was greeted by an enormous fuel leak! Given the volume that ended up on my garage floor after 15 seconds I'm guessing a line split or popped off. The leak is on the intake side, near the back of the engine, above or around what I think is the starter motor. The car, which is new to me, is a 2800cs running triple weber 40 dcoe carbs. Any suggestions where to look first?
 
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put a towel between the hoses and the engine, have an assistant turn the key so the fuel pump kicks on, the leak will be easy to see. Pay close attention to where the clamps fit.
 
If he's running triple webers, there should be an electric pump under the car, not the mech one on the head but yes, all connections where clamps are are the first check.

deQuincey said:
check the hoses, yes, but check the fuel pump too...(asssuming you keep the mech one)
Click to expand...
 
If your line are the cloth braided ones, I would assume all would agree that they need to be changed as they dry and crack. I just did this on my E3 and there is a 3 foot or so length that runs from the fuel filter, behind the insulation along the firewall horizontally to the driver side then dives down and joins the metal fuel line along the vertical portion of the engine support. I think the course for the E9 is the same and sounds like this is where you are leaking.
 
dh0 - Start looking up high and follow the fuel hose downwards until you find the gas. The last/lowest connection to the steel line will be the hardest to get to, as it right at the lower opening in the wheel well. You may need to try cranking the engine for a few seconds to get some fresh fuel coming out (as it will have evaporated in the meantime). Have an assistant crank while you look into the engine bay (where glasses in case it is spraying all over).

good luck
 
i dont know your setup with those webers, but it is important to know if you made any change or maintenance operation, otherwise, as it has been said,

the hoses may crack, no matter which finishing, and more if they are not NBR (appropriate for fuel)

the clamps, cause breaks in the hoses when those ones aged, you are keeping pressure, and when the rubber lost its elasticity...you are done

the connection points, a loosen clamp, or movement due to vibrations

you might have a fuel filter, it might break too

the carbs themselves are nice points for leakages, a bolt, or a nut, an old gasket, or a tapping cap,...

as to the cheking operation be careful, and place a fire extinguisher nearby
 
Thanks for the advice guys. The car has a second electric fuel pump mounted in the engine bay near the driver's side wheel well. I need to get the car up on jacks to be sure, but I think the leak is somewhere in this vicinity. My tank was close to empty, and now appears to be completely drained from the leak, so I need to pickup a tank of gas and jack the car to solve the mystery. Maybe this weekend if plans for skiing fall through.
 
Hellllllooooo...

SOMEONE...

Ought to have thought to suggest to do leak testing outside, rather than in the garage.

Ought to suggest to have a good large fire extinguisher close at hand. Car fires can be vigorous and nasty. DAMHIK.
 
I went to start my CS yesterday, and have a massive fuel leak as well. I'm running the stock dual Zenith carbs. One is covered in fuel and leaking badly (seems to be coming from the carb itself), and the other seems bone dry. Is there a crossover/distribution tube that might have gotten gummed up in the two months it sat? Any rec's on where to look? This is my first experience with a carbureted vehicle. Unfortunately, it's parked in a public garage, so I'm trying to minimize the amount of fuel spilled on their floor!
 
The float of one is probably stuck open allowing fuel to pour in. You can unscrew the top and check it, or tap it with a rubber hammer and see if it comes free. Also try looking into the vent chimney, maybe inserting something down that will get it free.

tightbox said:
I went to start my CS yesterday, and have a massive fuel leak as well. I'm running the stock dual Zenith carbs. One is covered in fuel and leaking badly (seems to be coming from the carb itself), and the other seems bone dry. Is there a crossover/distribution tube that might have gotten gummed up in the two months it sat? Any rec's on where to look? This is my first experience with a carbureted vehicle. Unfortunately, it's parked in a public garage, so I'm trying to minimize the amount of fuel spilled on their floor!
Click to expand...
 
No guarranty , expressed or implied....

remove the fuel line to the flooding carb and plug. Pour gas into the dry carb through the vent hole Steve is talking about. Start. In other words, let the fuel burn off and down on the flooded carb; the added fuel should raise the float in the stuck closed carb.

The engine vibration MAY be enough to shake the floats loose. They're stuck. Don't let it run dry again . Just till it smoothes up.


The design was less than optimal to begin with on the float clearance to body/ gasket. I think all the manuals refer to this as "sensitive". I prefer to think of one of the shaving commercials with the babe talking about being chapped.:-D

Otherwise, pop the tops off those babies drain a bit of fuel out or put a bit in and button it back up.
 
Excellent, thanks for the quick advice. I'll give it a go in the morning and let you know how it goes!
 
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