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Fuel Smell In Car & Fuel Pump Bad?

starscream_r32

By starscream_r32,
in General Maintenance

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starscream_r32 Collaborator

starscream_r32

Posted
Posted

Hey guys,

got another few problems with my car and need some advice.

1. Today while driving i can smell fuel inside my car.

It's not strong but there's a feint smell. It seems to come and go at times.

Anyone able to direct me to where or what it could be from?

I've tried lifting the bonnet and smelling the engine bay but there's no smell. Also tried going to the back of the car and can't smell anything either.

2. How do you tell if the fuel pump is dead or on it's way out?

When i turn the key to ignition on i can hear like a squeaky sound coming from the back for a couple of seconds (should be fuel pump making the noise) is it meant to make this sound?

Also when i start the car... i have to almost always give the car a bit of gas for it to start. Hardly every starts without touching the pedal and when it does it takes a few cranks or a continuous crank for it to start and then it kinda struggles to keep the car alive.

After that car is fine.

I assume the fuel pump is dying? If it is is anyone able to tell me what an equivalent fuel pump to a R34 fuel pump would be? (eg. walbro?) a r34 gtr pump is gonna cost like $500 or more.

Or can someone tello me how much a r34 gtr fuel pump puts out so i can find something similar? Don't wanna get something different/less cos it'll need a tune?

Thanks guys!

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Rb Liner25 Collaborator

Rb Liner25

Posted
Posted

2. How do you tell if the fuel pump is dead or on it's way out?

When i turn the key to ignition on i can hear like a squeaky sound coming from the back for a couple of seconds (should be fuel pump making the noise) is it meant to make this sound?

Also when i start the car... i have to almost always give the car a bit of gas for it to start. Hardly every starts without touching the pedal and when it does it takes a few cranks or a continuous crank for it to start and then it kinda struggles to keep the car alive.

After that car is fine.

My r33 has this same problem, no one knows what it is

mad082 Grand Master

mad082

Posted
Posted

if the fuel pump was dying it should run poorly as well as not starting properly. the only way to tell for sure if the pump is failing or not is to put it on a dyno. this way you can see what the AFR's are like at high rpm. if they are fine then the pump is fine. if it starts leaning out at high rpm then the fuel pump isn't able to supply enough fuel and needs to be replace.

you should hear a noise when you first turn the key to ON, as that is the fuel pump priming. as for the noise it's making when you do that, it's hard to say whether it's something to be concerned out without hearing it.

the starting issue can be caused by lots of things. i'll list a few: weak coil packs, weak ignitor pack (on earlier models), wrong gap on spark plugs, dirty injectors, low compression, fouled cold start valve (that's a pain to clean, but might be worth checking out), faulty AFM, incorrectly adjusted TPS. that is all i can think of to right now.

starscream_r32 Collaborator

starscream_r32

Posted
  • Author
Posted

if the fuel pump was dying it should run poorly as well as not starting properly. the only way to tell for sure if the pump is failing or not is to put it on a dyno. this way you can see what the AFR's are like at high rpm. if they are fine then the pump is fine. if it starts leaning out at high rpm then the fuel pump isn't able to supply enough fuel and needs to be replace.

you should hear a noise when you first turn the key to ON, as that is the fuel pump priming. as for the noise it's making when you do that, it's hard to say whether it's something to be concerned out without hearing it.

the starting issue can be caused by lots of things. i'll list a few: weak coil packs, weak ignitor pack (on earlier models), wrong gap on spark plugs, dirty injectors, low compression, fouled cold start valve (that's a pain to clean, but might be worth checking out), faulty AFM, incorrectly adjusted TPS. that is all i can think of to right now.

thanks for the post.

yeah i know there's the prime sound but in addition to that there's this kinda squeaky sound like a mouse or something.. LOL.

guess i should take it for a dyno/tune then.

=)

mad082 Grand Master

mad082

Posted
Posted

sometimes the squeak can simply be the pump vibrating on the bracket as it primes, which is nothing to worry about, however if the squeak is coming from inside the pump then it is a little bit more of a concern. only way to tell which it is is to pull it out (which is a bit of a pain). i'd say taking it to get some power runs on a dyno would be the easiest option.

  • 3 weeks later...
Ninja gts25t Community Regular

Ninja gts25t

Posted
Posted

Check it fuel lines. Had same problem. Mine were one of mine was loose were the line leaves the fuel filter. The hose clamp was not fully tight and only sometimes it would leak fuel. Lol scary. And that's why I could only smell it occasionally.

  • 2 months later...
Matty Sherlock Experienced

Matty Sherlock

Posted
Posted

Also check the lines on your carbon canister. One of emits a small amount of fuel vapor which you do not want forming a cloud in your engine bay while engine is running. Mine used to pop off all the time pain in the ass.

180JDM Community Regular

180JDM

Posted
Posted

I have a bad fuel smell only when the window or sunroof is open!!

Checked the charcoal canister and its hooked up correctly, no fuel leaks found in engine bay either.

Im guessing it could come from the rear boot?? someone could of removed the O ring seal on the fuel pump?

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