Possible Fuel Leak

[kwinkler]

I finally got my car out for the spring, after sitting a little over 4 months. It took 2 turns of the key to get it started, not usual for my car even after previous winter breaks. Not a battery issue, as the battery was on a tender. Almost seemed like the engine had difficulty turning over. First trip was a quick trip around the block. After parking in the garage, I noticed fluid under the engine that smelled like fuel. It was in the center, left to right, and somewhat towards the rear of the engine. After doing some work on the car, I had to move the car again so that it was not in the middle of the 2 car slot and put her back in the single car slot. No issue starting this time and no fluid collection under the car.

Is this something "normal" after long periods of sitting or is this something I need to worry about? If I need to worry about it, do I need to flatbed it to my mechanic about 150 miles away.

Thanks,
Kenny

 

[NSX-Files]

Under the REAR of the engine would be an unusual place for a fuel leak unless you have a rear mounted fuel pressure regulator from a comptech supercharger kit. Besides I think fuel leaks aren't usually spontaneous like that. Usually they happen when you do mechanical work on a line or something. But a fuel leak is serious so monitor for future problems. Leaks under the rear of the engine are more likely oil from the rear valve cover or V-TEC spool valve. When the car sits without use those gaskets can dry up and shrink causing leaks.

 

[kwinkler]

The car is an '05 with 26,000 miles. Maintenance is up to date. Except for some typical bolt ons, the car is stock. The car is driven 3-4 days a week about 8-9 months out of the year. The fluid clearly smelled like fuel and evaporated like fuel. However, I do see a trail of fluid in my driveway, which has not evaporated.

When I say midway, left to right, I am talking about the entire engine bay, so towards the driver's side of the motor.

 

[Stephen@NCAutoUSA]

Any clear pictures underneath with light and from the top or anything may help us as well.

 

[kwinkler]

The fluid has evaporated so no good chance to take a picture. There was no leak under the car all winter. Only after this first extremely short drive of the year. Nothing since moving it to the other side of the garage, including at idle, with throttle, and after a long period of sitting.

I don't see any obvious sources. What would be the best thing to take a picture of?

Any chance this could be secondary to a full tank of gas sitting that long with built up pressure? There were only 5 miles off that tank?

She already has a planned trip to my mechanic for some routine spring maintenance this week. So, they will be able to look at it. I'm just curious if she is safe to drive.

 

[Stephen@NCAutoUSA]

The fluid has evaporated so no good chance to take a picture. There was no leak under the car all winter. Only after this first extremely short drive of the year. Nothing since moving it to the other side of the garage, including at idle, with throttle, and after a long period of sitting.

I don't see any obvious sources. What would be the best thing to take a picture of?

Any chance this could be secondary to a full tank of gas sitting that long with built up pressure? There were only 5 miles off that tank?

She already has a planned trip to my mechanic for some routine spring maintenance this week. So, they will be able to look at it. I'm just curious if she is safe to drive.

It's really hard to say. If your car is all stock then I'm not sure what could have happened.

If I were you I'd let it sit a bit, then maybe jack her up and start her up and peek underneath to see if anything is leaking. Other than that I can't give any advice but try to replicate the problem, take some pictures, and let the masters on here chime in.

 

[kwinkler]

Update: Started the car to day with no issues. I let it idle for 10-15 minutes and no repeat of yesterday's leak. The only thing that was somewhat unusual was the amount of condensation coming from the exhaust. It was nothing I hadn't seen from some of my other cars but more than I have seen from the NSX.

My guess now is that it was a somewhat dried out gasket from the long sit. Since this is no longer leaking, should I still contemplating having some of the gaskets replaced. If so, any particular ones.

 

[NSX-Files]

My guess now is that it was a somewhat dried out gasket from the long sit. Since this is no longer leaking, should I still contemplating having some of the gaskets replaced. If so, any particular ones.

There are not really any "gaskets" within the fuel piping that could dry up and leak. With the exception of the single rubber o-ring between the rear fuel rail and fuel pressure regulator, there are really only metal crush washers which would not be affected by sitting. I would not worry about it unless you notice another puddle in the future. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."