After 3 weeks parked, my '92Q is grouchy & smelly

[JedCoop]

My '92Q with 192K on it doesn't get used much these days. It sits outside - sometimes in rain, but never below freezing.I try and run it every two weeks, but occasionally I am late :-{

After letting it sit for three weeks the battery's charge is always waning. To start the car the battery needs to be recharged - it charges fine once it is started.

When I have this starting problem the engine only turns a little and then stops. Then, when I come back after the battery is charged I notice the smell of fuel in the engine compartment. The smell wasn't there just after the attempted start, and the smell doesn't occur when the car starts normally (hot or cold). This smell only happens when I go through this cycle of having the battery almost (but not completely) dead and the engine not able to turn over enough to start. I can't seem to find the source of the fuel smell, though it seems to come from below the plenum. Since my other Q does not ever have a dying battery, this condition never happens to it.

All under plenum hoses were changed on this car at 142K miles (3+ years ago)When warm the car runs decent, but is rougher than it should be due to old fuel injectors that should be replaced (I hate Calif. 91 octane).

My questions: - Any ideas where the fuel smell is coming from? - What are the usual suspects for causing the battery drain in the first place?

Thanks

[Q45tech]

The memory functions in ecu, radio, clock, alarm, ABS, air bag and other systems plus alternator leakage draw about 1/5 ampere [200 milliamperes]so in 7 days x 24 hours= 168 hours x 1/5.........= 34 amperehours ...............most BRAND NEW QUALITY batteries can last for ~~ 80 ampere hours.

About 2.5 weeks is it. ASSUMING A 100% charged battery.

Some Q draw more some less depending on supplemential options [TCS/Active/t cars]. Batteries vary by age brand and internal leakage plus temperature.

I would think 2-3 weeks is an acceptable discharge rate.

Remove the battery connector from terminal during storage might triple the time reset radio/clock accept that ecu/tcu/ things will require some time to reset...................or install a tricle charger to offset the self discharge rate say 500 milliamperes at 12.5 volts.

[Q451990]

As far as your fuel smell, I would suspect either a leaky fuel hose - or flooding.

Check the threads about cold-start flooding. The injectors go into "batch" mode and fire a heavy hit of fuel in the cylinders on a cold start - sort of like a reverse choke - instead of limiting air, it richens the fuel mixture.

Even if the battery is too drained to turn the starter, it's probably got enough to power the ECU and fuel pump. Electronics all do weird things in low voltage conditions though... I think it's time to set up some sort of reminder system to start her up every week.

Heath

[JedCoop]

.............most BRAND NEW QUALITY batteries can last for ~~ 80 ampere hours.

About 2.5 weeks is it. ASSUMING A 100% charged battery....I would think 2-3 weeks is an acceptable discharge rate.

Thank you for the info. I am glad to see the battery discharge is in the "normal" range.. nothing to fix :-)

As far as the fuel smell, I suspect a lot of fuel is pumped and then, because the engine stays cool, no consumption or quick evaporation. I did look for leaking hoses, but visual exam under the plenum is limited, and no smell is noticed when the car starts normally... and I never shut the engine off before it is warm.

[Q45tech]

NOTHING TO FIX?

THe alternator is sevely stressed when you ask it to recharge a dead battery after a jump..........especially in winter when you might be running more accessories........rear defroster, lights, heater on high.

[RobertsnewQ]

NOTHING TO FIX?

THe alternator is sevely stressed when you ask it to recharge a dead battery after a jump..........especially in winter when you might be running more accessories........rear defroster, lights, heater on high.

Not in San Jose

But I agree that you should start that sucker up and let it run for a good long while before shutting down again. Maybe take a trip up the freeway? You could go visit my grandma in Sunnyvale for me

[JedCoop]

NOTHING TO FIX?

THe alternator is sevely stressed when you ask it to recharge a dead battery after a jump..........especially in winter when you might be running more accessories........rear defroster, lights, heater on high.

Yeah, it never freezes where I live I get to run summer tires year round

And besides, I don't jump start the car. I recharge my battery first (at least 2 hours) and restart it normally. Its an extra car, I am in no rush. And if I didn't wait for the battery to recharge, I wouldn't be smelling gas under the hood when I unhook the charger.

[Q45tech]

Even at 60 mph the alternator has little excess current to charge a dead battery after supplying the engine system needs...........maybe 20 amperes so it would take 3-4 hours frpm zero to 100%.

I have seen dead Q jumped at Airport, driven [slowly in snow] 30 miles with lights, heat, rear defroster, radio on full then dead again the next day..........with good battery and alternator. Never got charged enough.