the gas smell has returned recently, so today I lifted the hood, started my 91, and was going to check if my PD was leaking. there was stuff spraying out everywhere. I quickly turned the car off before I could see where the stuff was coming from. It smelled like fuel, and it evaporated fairly quickly. My first thought was PD, but the gas was coming out the drivers side of the manifold area and everything on that side was greasy/wet looking. I kinda wish it was the PD, because then at least I would know what to fix, but I have no idea where it's coming from.
any thoughts?

I will, of course, not be driving it until this is fixed.

 

could be the PD dripping down the opposite side, but I would bet much more likely a leaking or loose fuel line.

 

ok, i guess that helps. I'll look at every hose looking thing i can see.

i wish I had my own personal rotary guru.

 

You have 2 main fuel hoses on the side of the motor. Ones probably leaking.

 

can I tell if they are leaking without starting the car and trying to inspect hoses while gasoline is spraying everywhere?

 

I would make sure theres nothing hot around, jumper the fuel pump from under the hood, and look for the leak. Its much easier than trying to find a leak on a hose that isn't under pressure.

 

ok I think it is the hose under the vdi manifold that connects to to the PD. tommorow, I need to take the manifolds/throttle body off and try to fix things.

 

ha ha ha! I finally fixed it! (with help, of course)
It was the hose. I bought a new hose, and we put two screw clamps on each end. Tomorrow I will drive it for the first time in 2 weeks! (after I put the interior back together)

I also got the driver's side lock and hatch lock fixed.

 

I had that some problem the other day but now I dont smell it, checked hoses and stuff. Guess I will have to take the VDI manifold to really get into it. I see nothing.

 

Just replace ALL the rubber fuel line with appropriate high pressure fuel injection hose.

Also, worm gear clamps are not correct in a fuel injection application. Most auto parts stores carry "fuel injection clamps" that look like mini T-bolt clamps. They provide an even clamping force around the entire circumfrence of the hose and don't tear it up like worm clamps do.

 

the clamps we used were brand new, but i'm not sure what a T-bolt clamp is...

 

here

 

That's it! Those are the clamps you use for fuel injection. Auto parts stores sell them as "fuel injection clamps". Make sure to buy the right size as they don't have the adjustment range that worm gear clamps do.

 

oh, "worm" gear! i kept thinking "worn" gear. that's why i mentioned the clamps were new.

so, should i expect this problem to come back soon?

 

Not if you replace the fuel lines. Frankly, everyone uses the wrong clamps all the time and they seem to work. I'd just never do it on my car. Actually there aren't any hose clamps on my car anyway.