abecedarian

looks like a bracket to support maybe a fuel line?

sts2usnss

Well I got it all cleaned up under there and dried off. I let it run for a while and crawled every where I could looking for this leak. I can't see anything! It's starting to look like the ol' fuel pulsation dampner, since that's about the only thing I can't see. (figures..) Guess it's time to call my mechanic.

904_runner

Okay, that line is for the clutch. The only thing i can think of how it got there is the gas is running from the top onto that braket.

The fuel pulsation dampner is under the intake plenum where you can't see unless the intake is off (figures, i know, you might get lucky with a mirror). If you look at the first picture i posted then you can see it is at the end of the fuel rail. Unless you can visually see the gas leak, then you are probably going to have to pull the intake off to find where it is coming from. Now i can't say what it is from not being there, but that its where it sounds like it is coming from.

It might be the coldstart injector, which is the metal line that plugs into the top side of the plenum. Ive heard those leak.

Personally, i would take the plenum off, and then you can visually inspect and make sure there is no gas leaking from the fuel injectors or the fuel dampner. ( you will have to pull that cap off the dampner to make sure the screw is in there).

If you decide to pull the plenum off, ive heard people say they just leave all the vacuum lines connected and just bunge cord the intake to the side. Some tips, make sure you don't loose the copper washers for the coldstart injector line, and make sure you take pictures off the process for reference if you need it.

Good luck!

904_runner

Also, pick yourself up a fire extinguisher, if you don't have one. Letting the engine run with a fuel leak is really dangerous. and should be avoided if possible. Just be safe about it! (i now carry a fire extinguisher on the tranny hump on the passenger side, and i plan on putting an additional one in the back.)

DEEPRUNNER88

I recently had same problem. It was the gas cap. Yes, I was surprised. When the back window was down the smell was terrible. i had the gas cap replaced and problem solved.

sts2usnss

Yeah, i got a fire extinguisher on Friday. Luckily, my mechanic is literally across the street from my work. So it looks like I am going to take it in there tomorrow and let him take a look. I'm not comfortable enough to try to remove the plenum myself. Without a doubt, I would screw something up...

To bad I don't have any YT'ers that live near me.

abecedarian

Time to start recruiting. We have a pathetic 401k plan, no health benefits, no retirement benefits- other than advice; and humor to last for days.

sts2usnss

LOL! Yeah I hear ya! Considering my day job is Recruiter-in-Charge for the Navy in Lincoln, you would think it would be easy for me.

abecedarian

given that job description... how can you recruit anyone to yotatech when they get sent far away after signing the dotted line and going through meps.... and don't get a sign-on bonus here?

sts2usnss

valid point.

Matt16

Do you have a jerrycan in the back. I once drove around for a day smelling gas and worrying, did come scouting around the engine bay just to have my mother point out I have a jerrycan in the back

sts2usnss

ummm, no. jug of antifreeze, another of water, a few tools and my new fire extinguisher!

904_runner

taking the plenum off is not hard, i believe its mostly 8 or so bolts, you have to remove the cold start fuel line, and the air intake, throttle cable, and a coulple coolant hoses, its not that bad. That is assuming you keep all the vacuum lines connected. But if you think you might have difficultaly, then i would take it in.

Post your findings!

sts2usnss

Will do. I have a four day weekend coming up so I'm thinking I will actually have time to do it then.

cracker_1

You might as well buy the dampener. I just bought a 90 4runner with the EXACT same problem and same gassy spots. The dampener is the problem. Mine was leaking badly. Time for a trip to Toyota.... Wonder how much this is going to hurt....

sts2usnss

Well, it has been a few weeks and my truck had just been sitting in my driveway since I haven't had any time to work on it. So I finally decided to just take it in somewhere. I found this place called Le Auto in Lincoln that specializes in imports.

I had them tow it in and they replaced the fuel dampner (which was the source of the fuel smell). And I also had them replace my front rotors and pads.

Picked it up today. Grand total... $515. $224 for parts and the rest for labor. Not bad considering everywhere I have called around to has quoted me between 600 and 800 JUST to replace the rotors!

Finally! A place that doesn't rip you off!!!

scope103

oops - posted too late. Sorry.

If you're getting gasoline on the clutch line, then you have a leak nearby (and the pulsation damper is close enough to be "nearby.") At that location is also the flexible high-pressure fuel line that connects to the hard line that connects to the damper, and there is the flexible low-pressure fuel return line.

You really need to find this, and you're not going to be able to see squat without removing the plenum. Unfortunately, that also disconnects the cold start injector and the fuel return line (so you can't pressurize the line). You can remove just the metal piping from the bottom of the plenum, and lay that back on the top of the engine to reconnect the fuel return. You can stick a bolt with two washers into the cold start injector banjo just to block it off.

But wait, you say, the engine won't run without the plenum; how can I see the leak? You can run the fuel pump in "test" mode by connecting the FP to the E1 in the diagnostic connector. This will pressurize the fuel rail and everything else; just like it's running, but without all the ignition sources.

There are lots of other possible causes of fuel odor (like a malfunctioning evaporative cannister), but since you saw liquid fuel on the clutch line I'd say you have a problem that you need to fix right away!

abecedarian

is it running any better?

sts2usnss

So far so good. Doesn't wreak of gas the instant you start it and it stops a lot better! My old rotors were shot!

PISTOL1000

thats super comon and the part has been changed in design materials to try and fix this common design flaw. when the truck is warmed up its harder to see the leak because its evaporating ..chek it cold but u might not see anything ,and remember to replace injector cups in the manifold and the injector seals ...all of them! u will put it back together and 2 days later it will leak from the injectors.