Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Problems >> Very strong petrol smell!
        
(Message started by: DJWerkz on Nov 25^th, 2005, 3:20pm)

Title: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 25^th, 2005, 3:20pm

Well, today was D-Day as we finally got everything connected up on the Scorp to fire her up after all this time.
We top up the fluids and cold cranked the engine first to get the oil moving round. Then we re-onnected the HT lead and she started first time,...woo-hooo!
Initially problems we found are:
1. ABS light on the dash will not go out - probably a dodgy contact after all this time standing
2. Water leak - we only foudn one and it appears to be a dodgy water pump on the replacement engine. We will use my old pump from the old engine for now to see if that resolves the problem
3. Very strong smell of petrol inside car, especially when driving. This is what we need help with, we have checked all the fuel lines and can find no evidence of any leaks. The car is running on it's reserve and I did have the heater blower up quite high but the smell was very strong, especially under acceleration. At idle it does seem a little lumpy.
Can anyone give us some pointers on things to check that may cause such a strong petrol smell?
Considering all the hassle we've been trhough with this car and how long it's been off the road, I am quite pleasantly surprised by how few problems we found.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 26^th, 2005, 1:37am

...if someone can point me in the right direction to a OBD/tuning specialist for the Scorpio in the Luton or Milton Keynes area that would also be appreciated.
;)

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by martin_rowe on Nov 26^th, 2005, 8:28am

no petrol inside car at all, smell must be drawn in from outside, check fuel rails, pipes under bonnet, you could have damaged pipes under car if not too carefull with jack.
nice to hear you are up and running.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 26^th, 2005, 9:09am

No, there is no petrol nside of car only the strong odour!

I was reading up on the Scorpio 'How To' pages and there is a section on the 'fuel pressure regulator', would this cause a problem such as this if it were faulty?

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by Snoopy on Nov 26^th, 2005, 10:27am

As the fuel system is basically a closed loop with a flow (under pressure) and return, then there has to be a leak somewhere as fuel cannot escape there is a small canister inside the engine bay which I think is connected to the fuel system, takes out the vapours, have you connected this back up.its all shown here http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/evapmonitor.htm .

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by mr._floppy on Nov 26^th, 2005, 10:53am

Disappointingly Ford opted for a metal rather than a plastic fuel tank for the Scorpio, it may be leaking on the top or in the rear weld seams where access is difficult.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 26^th, 2005, 2:33pm

We will be very surprised if it has anything to do with the fuel tank, we have not touched this and it's been fien up to now. PLus I'v had it checked visually and was told that it looks sound.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 26^th, 2005, 11:05pm

hehe,...my brother-in-law just did one of those,..."Oh, by the way,"...pieces!
He said that when the s/h replacement fuel rails arrived he noticed after he fitted them that the fuel pressure regulator was missing :-/
He removed an old one from the spare set of rails I had and said that he had a real difficult time fitting it as it was a real b****r to get in.
I am wondering if this fuel odour could be related to an installation issue or just a bad regulator?
Anyone know how much a new regulator costs?

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by Eric_R on Nov 26^th, 2005, 11:16pm

DJ,
It could well be that. Petrol leaking onto the top of the engine can produce fumes that would be drawn into the interior by the evaporator, especially if the drain tubes don't have the one-way valves in them. If it is the fuel regulator leaking this is very dangerous - sort it without delay because the risk of a fire is very great.

A new one is about £46 IIRC.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 26^th, 2005, 11:36pm

on 11/26/05 at 23:16:29, Eric_R wrote:

If it is the fuel regulator leaking this is very dangerous - sort it without delay because the risk of a fire is very great.

A new one is about £46 IIRC.

...car is not in use, still on a SORN and it needs a MOT to boot. I would never drive any car with fuel leaks/fumes but thanks for your concern ;)

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by jackcg on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:07pm

I'm no tuning specialist, but I have got the pro OBD scanning kit (Both the new Ford PDS system and an Auto Diagnos. I'm in Luton and I can at least give you a scan.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 28^th, 2005, 12:39pm

Brilliant, will PM you.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by Pegasus on Nov 30^th, 2005, 1:28pm

Hi DJ

on 11/26/05 at 23:05:53, DJWerkz wrote:

... the fuel pressure regulator was missing :-/
He removed an old one from the spare set of rails I had and said that he had a real difficult time fitting it as it was a real b****r to get in.
I am wondering if this fuel odour could be related to an installation issue or just a bad regulator?
Anyone know how much a new regulator costs?

He didn't damage it (esp the little tube) when inserting it - easily done as its not strong. Had no problem installing mine.

Paul

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Nov 30^th, 2005, 10:27pm

...I will know that once we remove it tomorrow and see what's going on ;)

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by Pegasus on Nov 30^th, 2005, 10:53pm

DJ

Can't remember if the regulator is in same place for all models (i.e. same as a cossie). If so, be ready for some residual fuel in the fuel rail to come out when you remove the thing.

If you think its hard getting it in - wait till you try to get it out :o this is when the damage to the tube can occur :(

Good luck,

Paul

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Dec 1^st, 2005, 3:06pm

Hi there,

Removed old fuel regulator valve and the smaller of the two 'O' rings was shredded, there was also some alloy shavings from the cast in there too. Maybe this was actually why it was easy to get out ;)

Put in a spare regulator and took my time doing it so hopefully it will solve the problem. Car started first click and ran very smooth without any smell of petrol but will have to run more conclusive tests once I can drive the car properly.

Watch this space.

Title: Re: Very strong petrol smell!
Post by DJWerkz on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 7:36pm

Fingers crossed this week if all is OK, water pump should be done tomorrow which means we can run it for final checks and for jack' to come and do the OBD test ;)