Water Wetter / Gas Smell

[amo il mio alfa]

So it's heating up here in LA, so I thought I would try Red Line's Water Wetter.
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp
It claims to reduce the engine temp by 15-30 degrees, and low and behold it works! the temp stays just a RCH above 175 in downtown LA traffic.

I know this is a totally rare thing in a 164 S but there's a nagging gas smell in the cabin. I had one bad gas smell fixed when I bought the car (mechanic replace a hose) then a year later a broken injector which perfumed the cabin when the climate control fan was on.
I tore apart the trunk, crawled underneath the best I could and everything was bone dry.
Any suggestions?

[Gubi]

Perfect timing, my boy. See my post on Water Wetter here:

Redline Water Wetter = Black Goo

[amo il mio alfa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gubi Perfect timing, my boy. See my post on Water Wetter here: Redline Water Wetter = Black Goo

[StuInOz]

Regarding the gasoline smell - check the condition of the fuel injection hosing and clamps under the bonnet. The high under-hood temps are not kind to the rubber - I ended up replacing mine twice within two years but I suspect the first lot I bought was of bad quality (it was specified as EFI grade though).

Recently replaced all mine with Wurth EFI hosing when I did the timing belt/water pump combo. Be sure to check the two short hoses at the bottom of the firewall near the power steering pump. Bit of a tough spot to get at but I managed by removing the plenum and reaching down the back. Apart from these two short hoses the rest is quite straight forward...

Good luck!

[Del]

It is really important to check the fuel lines atop the engine, as they can start leaking all of a sudden and spray fuel everywhere. Had that happen once when I had scheduled to check the lines of the S for cracks, and general wear and tear. I had wiggled one of the lines going to the injector manifold, and bingo, spray. Boy, was that scary seeing fuel spraying at ~45 psi with the engine running. Needless to say that car didn't move an inch until all the lines were replaced with new efi hose and proper clamps. Even with good hose, the heat in the compartment just cooks the plasticizers right out of the hose, making it brittle.

In fact, Alfa HAS been known for many years for using CRAP for fuel lines. I've seen a few Alfas with burned out engine compartments. Has anyone EVER had to check a Toyota for crummy fuel lines? I'll bet not. My first Alfa, a Sprint GT, had some sort of clear green plastic hose (factory supplied) between the fuel pump and the carbs. That cracked one day as I was driving, spraying fuel on the distributor. Car started to run crappy, I stopped and popped the hood with the engine running, and there was fuel everywhere. Have no idea why everything didn't just explode.

BTW, another source of fuel smell is seepage around the little bolts holding the fuel pump mount plate to the top of the tank. Not at all obvious, but doesn't take much seepage to get the smell. Use little o-rings under the bolt head to seal them.

[donatelli]

As stated by Del the fuel injection lines in the engine compartment and fuel pump access in trunk are suspect. I replaced the hoses and used double clamps for the fuel injection. I also replaced the o-rings and washers for the fuel pump access. Using a sniffer my mechanic also located a cracked pipe in the fuel vapor recovery piping in the trunk. This leak only surfaced with a full fuel tank and open windows. Good luck.

[amo il mio alfa]

All the rubber hoses under the hood have been changed, except one which I will do today... but I have a feeling its in the trunk/pump area . I think it' time for the sniffer.

Thanks guys!

[treborblack]

sorry to drag up an old thread, but my car stinks, but only does so after 30 minutes would that be normal in the circumstance?

have popped the bonnet after a run and cant smell much from the engine bay, will empty the boot out of the spare wheel and carpet and see what that reveals