I have a huge fuel leak. It seems to be coming from somewhere around the primary injectors. The car runs ok but is loosing alot of gas. Any ideas what I should be looking for as I start taking it apart to get to the primary injectors? This is an 88 convertible with a 89 engine.

 

lemme get this straight... you still run it with gas gushing out of it??? Prolly an injector seal, PD, or a hose

 

STOP DRIVING YOUR CAR UNTIL YOU FIX THE FUEL LEAK! Not a very smart thing to do.

 

lemme get this straight... you still run it with gas gushing out of it??? Prolly an injector seal, PD, or a hose

 

Uh, I did stop driving as soon as I discovered the leak. I was just amazed that the car WAS running with fuel pouring out of it as fast as it was. Believe me I shut her down quick and was standing with an extiguisher in my hand until I was sure that fire danger was past.

So anyway any ideas on most likely places to look for the leak. It continued to leak until the fuel system was depressurized which seemed like an eternity. Also, when I start looking for the leak if there is not an easily seen cause and I have to search it would seem easier to find if I could turn on the fuel pump obviously without starting the car. How do you do that? I know that normally the pump only runs when the engine is running and will not run with just the key turned on.

 

I guess the way I worded that first post after re reading it did sound like I was dumb enough to drive a car around that I knew was leaking gas. I may not be a literary genius when it come to writing but I am not stupid enough to drive a car with fuel pouring out onto a hot engine. Thanks for the concern!!

 

Phew! You worried me on the first post

Yes, take off the UIM and get a look at those injector seals, fuel rails and hoses. My bet is on one of those components. I dont think the PD would let loose as much fuel as you are talking about.

BTW, how did you discover this? Can you SEE the fuel puddling on top of your motor?

 

My way of dealing with this would be to take off the UIM & such with the car outside somewhere and a fire extinguisher handy, turn the ignition on, jump the "fuel pump test leads" to enable constant fuel pump, and see where fuel was coming out. It sounds like you should be able to see this without much problem.

-=Russ=-

 

I discovered the leak first by the smell of gas. I then popped the hood and saw gas running out the bottom of the engine. Looking closer I tracked the leak to the area around the primary injectors but could not see exactly where it was coming from.

 

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/FAQ/pd.html

If not, fuel hose for loose or damaged.

If not, o-ring on fuel injector(s) got loose or damaged.



-Ted

 

Well I tore into it and found the problem today. The fuel hose that attaches the the primary fuel rail was leaking around the hose clamp. A short piece of hose and I am back in business. Thanks for all the help and suggestions!

 

Congrats. You made sure to use fuel injector rated hose and not just "regular" fuel hose, right? The fuel injector hose is insanely expensive but can stand the pressures.

-=Russ=-

 

Actually I have not replaced the hose yet so thanks for the advice. Do the auto parts stores (Advance, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc) carry that type of hose or do you have to go to a Mazda dealer? It is such a short piece it surely can't be that expensive.

 

parts stores carry those hose, just make sure you tell them exactly what you need.