1971 911E MFI Targa strong fuel smell sitting

[71Targa]

I have a 1971 911E Targa, with the original MFI. The car makes my garage smell strongly of fuel, and I and my clothes smell of fuel after driving it. My mechanic conducted a smoke test. He has inspected the fuel lines and replaced some. The vapor box in the fender has been repaired for leaks. The smell is strong right around the left side intake after the car sits. Opening the intake there is a strong smell on both sides. From dye test, fuel is definitely sitting in the intake. The cold start mechanism works, including the check valve. We disconnected the cold start to try to isolate that as a cause, and still have the same smell. We have spent a lot of time trying to run this down. My wife is not happy with the smell of the garage. This is not run of the mill old car smell. The car runs great. It has 86k miles, I've read that MFI's should be rebuilt every 50k miles and I don't think that has ever been done. Can the MFI leak internally to cause this?

Jim
'71 911E Targa

[RSTarga]

Start at the front and replace all your fuel lines, including the breather lines off the charcoal canister. Also check the seal around the fuel tank sending unit.

[71Targa]

Start at the front and replace all your fuel lines, including the breather lines off the charcoal canister. Also check the seal around the fuel tank sending unit.

Thanks. The smell seems to be coming from the intake.

Do all MFI's smell? I can't imagine that is the case. I would think a bit of the smell of cars from the era, not this strong.

[edmayo]

Four possibilities come to mind,,,,the throttle bodies are worn and fuel smell is weeping past the throttle shafts, the injector (into the head) and or fuel line is loose, if you have braided fuel line I've seen those be wet like a sponge, not leaking, just damp with fuel, be sure the vent line from the charcoal cannister hasn't come off the back of the air filter or the nipple on the fan housing. NO,,,,it is not normal for these cars to fume a closed garage.

[taldora_2008]

MFIs are incredibly robust as long as they get good oil. I would not touch it if it's running well. Check all of the fuel lines around the fuel filter console and back to the pump. I recently found all of my 72E's original lines had gone rock hard and several ends were beginning to split just due to age. Also check the banjos and the outlet at the base of the filter as a lot of fuel sits in the filter and pump top after stopping.

Can you see any puddles under your car when it sits overnight?

I forgot to add, an internal fuel leak would most likely lead to your oil being diluted and smelling. You probably wouldn't smell it on the left side.

[patjolson]

I too had a very upset wife over my 72 T in the garage (she still views the car with suspicion ) although my car is no longer MFI (Weber now) It took me along time to rectify. Replacing all fuel lines replacing all gear clamps with correct ones finally solved the problem

[71Targa]

MFIs are incredibly robust as long as they get good oil. I would not touch it if it's running well. Check all of the fuel lines around the fuel filter console and back to the pump. I recently found all of my 72E's original lines had gone rock hard and several ends were beginning to split just due to age. Also check the banjos and the outlet at the base of the filter as a lot of fuel sits in the filter and pump top after stopping.

Can you see any puddles under your car when it sits overnight?

I forgot to add, an internal fuel leak would most likely lead to your oil being diluted and smelling. You probably wouldn't smell it on the left side.

Thanks. We will continue to check and replace. No puddles under car. About one drip of oil per night.

[71Targa]

Thanks. We will continue to check all and replace.

[nickd]

keep a fire extinguisher in the car ...

[71Targa]

keep a fire extinguisher in the car ...

I do! Thanks.