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1990 reatta issues


Guest lsfinn

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Our 1990 Reatta (purchased in April 2011) vibrates and smells of gas. The car was not driven ~ 6 months due to leaking brake fluid, just had the rear brakes done a couple of weeks ago, and then had the ignition module replaced after it failed to start (had to call AAA). Now there is this vibration, worse during acceleration -- and the gas smell. So we're still not driving it and need help. Any suggestions?

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Have you checked for fuel leaks under the hood? Look especially in the vicinity of the fuel rail/injectors/fuel pressure regulator. Are you finding evidence of gas drips on the ground under the car when it is parked for a while? I presume you mean you are getting gas odor inside the car when running, and if so a fuel leak somewhere under the hood is a possibility as the odor can then enter through the outside air inlet for the heat and a/c. Could also be a rusted fuel filler neck or bad piece of rubber coupling hose on the filler neck to the tank allowing gas vapor to vent out of the tank. You'll need to jack the rear of the car up to inspect for this. Also check the connections at the fuel filter, on a 1990 I think these were quick connect, not threaded types, so be sure there are no leaks there or on the filter canister itself which could be punctured or have a rusted through spot on it. These are all just speculative suggestions on what to look for of course.

Not sure about the vibration without some more specific information. Could be the engine running rough (if so could be related to the fuel odor issue), a tire/suspension problem, or any number of other things. Not enough information for me to venture an educated guess.

KDirk

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Good suggestions already mentioned but there is another. A common place for the fuel odor to eminate from is a disconnected/loose vacuum line at the charcoal canister under the air cleaner. The hose can sometimes be a little tight or short. Is it worse with a full tank?

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Thanks KDirk and 2seater,

We park on sand so leaks aren't easily observed. the gas odor is really noticed outside the car, not so much inside. The car does run really rough, after the recent work -- It was running pretty darn well before the last repair, the only reason we didn't drive it was the chronic & significant loss of brake fluid. So it sat parked for nearly six months, before we took it in for repair. Drove fine when we picked up (still has ABS light though), until 3 days later when it failed to start and needed the new icm (?). We know it needs a cam magnet and belt tensioner, the spark plugs were last changed in 2004 but that was less than 10,000 miles ago - needed a new icm then also (that's three that I know of).

We filled the tank while it was on the AAA tow truck (thought it might be out of gas, maybe faulty gauge or bad gas after sitting so long - but it didn't help) put 10 gallons in and haven't driven it much since the last repair --- so the tank is pretty close to full. I'll check on the items you mentioned tomorrow -- thanks for your help.

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