Gas Smell, Car Dies, EX GAS SENSOR lights up

[BartusCompater]

I noticed yesterday that the Spider was smelling like gas, from the inside and outside. I didn't really know what to think of it, other than I probably shouldn't be driving it, but I drove it anyway. Well I took it along I-5 for about 20 miles to Seattle and then back again tonight, and just as I slowed down and depressed the clutch to get ready for the turn into my driveway, the engine died and the EX. GAS SENSOR lit up.

Now from what little I've been able to find of the sensor on this forum, what I've gathered is that this is something that just comes on at certain mileage intervals to get people to check the O2 sensor. On the other hand, it would seem incredibly coincidental if this were the only cause for it turning on, and that it just happened to turn on as my car started smelling like gas, and died.

I haven't tried starting it back up again, for fear of exploding (I've always thought that the EX stood for EXternal, though I'm not sure), and because I had enough momentum to make the turn into my driveway and park.

Additionally, I've read some other threads, recent ones even, that have described a similar problem, with the car dying as it came to a stop. I'm not sure if this is going to evolve into a completely unique problem, however, so I'm creating my own thread. I'll be sure to check up the on the others as well though.

So I'm wondering where I should start with this because I couldn't find anything on that sensor in my manual, and found very little here. Should I start with replacing the O2 sensor? Are we certain that the EX GAS Sensor is something that only comes on at specified intervals? Exactly how lucky am I that this comes JUST after finishing a drive to California?

[BartusCompater]

Installed a new o2 sensor an the car runs SO much more smoothly than it ever has since I got it. Doesn't stutter when cold and hasn't been giving me any more problems. Not sure about the gas smell yet though.

[BEEK]

CHECK THE FUEL LINES RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD

[BartusCompater]

Did as advised, found this:









Haven't given the fuel lines a good look over yet, though it looks like at least one is a metal tube that's been run through that rubber to protect it from the moisture that's rotted all of the insulation under my car. I spent about 15 minutes with a putty knife scraping it off the bottom there, and there's more to go. It just looked and smelled like moss.

This is no doubt the result of the top I had installed about a year and a half ago which leaks from where the window seals and drips down in the rain.

[BartusCompater]

The fuel lines are fine, though I'm glad that it was recommended that I check them because otherwise I don't think I would have noticed the moisture until my seat had rusted through and fallen onto the pavement.

I found the fuel leak-- I think it's coming from somewhere in the fuel manifold or from the fuel pressure regulator. And it's drip drip dripping pretty good.

[rlux4]

You probably know this already, but if not: you need to get this leak stopped ASAP, it could drip down on the starter and is a major fire hazard.
Ron

[BartusCompater]

It is, in fact, dripping on the starter!