F0RSAKEN

Ok, I posted a question about a fuel smell that Im getting with my new 7 about a week ago, and searched through some old threads. I would just like some clarification, really lol.

Ok the symptoms that my car is exhibiting are:

Fuel smell at idle, after sitting for a bit
Once in a while at WOT
After car is shut off, and hot
Smell is coming from engine bay
I DID by a fire extinguisher...
Smell is strongest from cockpit and engine bay, can barely smell it anywhere else
Strongest point in engine bay is under the UIM, but its hard to tell really

Now, if its the FPD, would I only be able to smell it once in a while? Or when the FPD goes bad, is it a constant leak? Because when Im cruising down the freeway there is no smell at all. I called Mazda to check recalls, and my car had the brake vacuum hose and fuel line recalls done too, which is nice. I dont think its a fuel line because I see no leaking or puddles under my car when I go out and look after its sat for a while...but its hard to tell cause the car that sat in the spot I park my 7 now leaked oil...and its rained a bit lately. Anyway, from everything I can find, I believe its the FPD, any naysayers? If you all think I am correct, where is a good place to order from that has FAST service, cause I want this fixed NOW. Thanks everyone.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Are you planning on taking it to a mechanic or fix it yourself?

If you are going to fix it yourself, it doesn't make any sense order any parts until you see what the problem is... Basically, you'll have to remove the UIM (and anything else in your way). Then you can jump the fuel system using the diagnostic box and check for visual leaks.

F0RSAKEN

I wont let anyone touch my car but me. Ive heard FAR too many horror stories, and I really cant afford to have the car fixed by a mechanic...several times for one thing. That and I dont believe there is a mechanic near where I live that knows rotaries really well, so yeah, Ill be doing it myself.

What should I be looking for when I get the UIM off, and get to the FPD? Thats most likely the first thing I will check, unless something else really obvious is down there... My car had the recall for the fuel lines done, so they shouldnt be the culprit. Is there anything else under the UIM that could be leaking that I should check?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Grab the Factory Service Manual and check the fuel section. It will have the locations for all the components.

Quick inspection, you can look for "pinkish" areas on the aluminum near the fuel components. Fuel tends to turn the aluminum a pinkish color sometimes when it dries on it. You do need to check the fuel lines regardless of whether or not the recall has been done. You never know what condition they are in (or if they were damaged on install).

Tom93R1

iTrader: (2)

There are alot of things it can be. I just worked on a car last week that was leaking fuel and it turned out to be the line that goes between the 2 fuel rails, it was completely shredded on the inside radius of the curve.

Pull the UIM off and start snooping around for damp with fuel areas, no other way to figure our for certain what is leaking.

F0RSAKEN

Should I pull the Circuit Opening Relay while the car is running and depressurize the system first before I pull the UIM off and whatnot?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You don't need to depressurize the fuel just to pull the UIM.

Tom93R1

iTrader: (2)

In fact leaving it pressurized may help to find the source of the fuel smell.

F0RSAKEN

Ok, got the UIM off, and accidentally broke one vacuum line off of a solenoid..or it was already broken, its in an out of the way spot, so Im not too sure if it was me or not...anyway...

Got the UIM, and poked around the aptly named Rats Nest some, I can smell fuel in there, but I see nothing...am I going to have to take it off too, to be able to really tell?

jd to rescue

iTrader: (3)

Not to find the leak. What you need to do now is activate the fuel pump to pressurize the fuel system. This will reveal the leak. Look in your shop manual to learn how to activate the fuel pump. It is described in pictures at several different places in the manual. This is the best way to see what is leaking. You need to jump the circuit in the diagnosis box at the driver's side fender to do this just like Majik said.

F0RSAKEN

Ok, I jumpered it, and ran the pump for about 15 seconds...got a huge whiff of fuel. I dont see any leak, but I can really really smell it underneath where the throttle body sits.

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

Take the upper intake manifold off. Look for the FPD. Turn ignition on. Look at the top hat of the FPD. There is a plastic plug in the middle. If fuel comes out, you need to replace it.

FPD typically lasts about 60K. $80 at Malloy.

jd to rescue

iTrader: (3)

Pomanferrari is probably right about the FPD. Also, you can run the pump longer than 15 seconds to see where the leak is. If it is a very small leak it may take a minute or two to build up a visible wet spot of fuel. Leaks around the injector caps can also be hard to spot without letting the system run a few minutes.

alberto_mg

the fpd is under the rats nest of solenoids, i believe it has to come out too. check on posts from jonski as he had some real good pics of that part.

get some vacuum lines from hosetechniques.com, order the fpd, order the fuel lines (don't want to have to go back down there), order the solenoid you broke and get to work.

good luck!

F0RSAKEN

Ok, primed the pump, smell fuel, and I see a building wet spot under the Rats Nest, I tried to take some decent pics...but we'll see how well you guys can decipher them :P

Ok, this, if you can find it, is the FPD right?



Heres another shot:



Now, again, I THINK thats it, its in the right spot, it looks right. And when I powered the fuel pump, and left it for a minute, it started to get a little moist around that piece of hardware. Its the FPD right? And Ill have to remove the Rats Nest to replace it too, wont I?

Ok, now, about that Solenoid that I broke, I was browsing through the shop manual, and I found it on accident, and found which one it was, or which one I believe it was, but now when it comes down to getting a new one, I cant remember lol, anyone know off the top of your head? If not I guess Ill dig back into the manual, but itd help if someone did, heres some pics:




Now, please bear in mind, I am by no means a certified mechanic, I do what I can with what I have. If you guys see something Im doing wrong, at any point, or if theres a better way, tell me. Im not afraid of constructive criticism. Im here because Im ignorant, and trying to remedy that

jd to rescue

iTrader: (3)

The second picture from the top shows the FPD peeking through. It is the little green hat shaped deal once you see more of it. If it is getting wet on the top, then it needs to be replaced.

My approach to removing it does not require removing the rats nest. I remove the air control valve which is attached to the side of the lower intake manifold (LIM) (the assembly further towards the firewall from [above?] the circled solenoid in your third picture). There are three nuts that need to be removed. One is underneath and is difficult to access. Once you have the three nuts removed you can swing the control valve body out of the way (watch you do not lose the circular diaphram seated in the side of the LIM) and you should be able to see down into the "abyss". What I do then is remove the fuel line attached to the FPD, disconnect the electrical connectors to the primary fuel injectors, unbolt the primary fuel rail from the block (two bolts immediately above injectors), and then swing that assembly up to where you have decent access to the bolts holding on the FPD. Don't get too rough with it because you still have a fuel line attached at the other end. This all takes a great deal of patience and your going to bust a knuckle or two doing it. So if you do not have the patience or the tolerance for pain. . . . .

As for the solenoid, I believe it is called the turbo control solenoid. If you want a ghetto solution, simply reem out the elbow end, file it round like a nipple and stick the hose on far enough to cover the entire opening. Use a wire tie to secure it in place. A real solution is to obviously buy a new one. It is the one and only solenoid shaped like that so you should not make a mistake in getting one from the dealer.

Have fun!!

Addendum: Plug your lower intake manifold openings or tape them off before you drop a nut or bolt in there. The apex seals in your engine do not digest those very well.

F0RSAKEN

Haha, why cant someone create a car that is awsome in every single way performance wise...yet still easy to work on?

Thanks for the confirmation. I think I am going to take the Rats Nest off anyway, because I have the new silcone hoses in the mail. Theyll be here the day after tomorrow

But then....a whole slew of NEW questions will be posted!! Yay for n00bs!!



EDIT: Ohhh one last thing. What else should I replace while I have that Rats Nest out? Someone at one point mentioned 2mm pipe/hose.... Fuel line? Id just as soon as not have to take the UIM off all that often...get the most done while I have the opportunity.

jd to rescue

iTrader: (3)

I was going to suggest that. You need to get rid of that old factory vacuum line.

pomanferrari

iTrader: (1)

You'd better take plenty of pictures of the rat's nest from all angle as when you're doing the vaccum lines, you're going to lose track. Also go get these adhesive wire labels and label everything.

Maker sure you use high quality silicone hoses like hosetechniques, baker precision. Zip tie with metal locking tab also highly recommended.

As to fuel line, order the fuel line recall kit from Malloy, it's about $70 and worth every dollar of it.

F0RSAKEN

w3rd. Ill get the fuel line recall kit at the same time I order the FPD. And I did order the Hosetechniques kit.

I was thinking of using some sort of adhesive for the vacuum line change. Put a piece of tape or something stickier on the vacuum hose, and where it attaches, and mark them with numbers, so I know which line went where.

Is there a place where I can easily get part numbers for things? Like a master list or something? The Malloy site doesnt have a list in and of itself, but just a form you fill out saying what you need, and for that I need the part numbers