My CHEAP Maserati Is UNFIXABLE... And It's Why You SHOULD Buy One

I bought a Maserati for less than you can buy any new car in America... what could go wrong, right? Well it smells like gas, the wheel wells were full of grass and mud, and I can't open my own door. We're going to get it sorted out and try not to spend thousands of dollars in the process.
Tech Throwback: ‪@TechThrowback‬
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Common Questions:
What motorcycle do I ride? A few. Ducati 1198, Honda Goldwing, Honda Grom, Honda Ruckus
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#CheapMaserati #GranTurismo #Ferrari

[@itzmejuan168]

You know why it didnt work? You tested it in your SHOP! COOLER TEMPERATURE. Try it outside on a hot day when it smells the most. The vapor gasses are more

[@adasterdezaster2865]

JR check the purge valve. You have to cycle the key or else it stays closed. If the leak is on the other side of the check valve you'll never find it.

[@K0Kaz]

The leak's probably on the other side of a check valve that's closed when pressurizing from the filler.

[@nostric4237]

You wont see the leak with the engine off. Try using the smoke machine while the engine is running. My buddy had the same exact problem.

[@kneedeepinit]

I work in the oil and gas industry. We have cameras that detect leaks. I think theeynuse thermal imaging and then colorize any clouds of gases being emitted. You may be able to rent one

[@user-cp7mc1ns1e]

I don't understand why other guys have one million subs and you don't. I find your channel to be much better than others and you invest so much time amd money to give us great content.

[@canucklehead8053]

Because he's pretends to know everything

[@FlynnsGarage]

​@@canucklehead8053unnecessary negativity. Please go touch grass 😂

[@terrylessmann2274]

I always gain knowledge and feel smarter after seeing a JRGO vid, but I guess the masses want to be treated to idiotic burnouts and destruction.

[@FlynnsGarage]

@terrylessmann2274 yup, the algorithm completely changed and covid was a big part of that. JR is entertaining, but the youtube space is flooded with scripts now. Days of our lives type drama and studio sets.

[@user-cp7mc1ns1e]

@@canucklehead8053 maybe he does know it all.

[@jb678901]

2 minutes into the video and I got a SAMCRAC flashback to the plastic fuel pump hat failure on his old Ferrari's. The plastic hat quickly gets brittle and develops a small leak. The fuel begins to seep and pool in that top hat area. I wonder if they use the same part/supplier of this particular part? From what I recall, that failure can lead to an engine compartment fire on the mid engine Ferrari. See SAMCRAC "I Bought a Fire Destroyed Ferrari and Fully Restored it in 12 Days", timestamp 08:00. As I recall, there are older pumps that have a white top hat color and newer pumps with an off-white yellowish top hat that are much less likely to have fuel seepage issue. In any event, the pump has to be powered and pressurizing to observe the seepage. On the Maserati the odor, alone, might be sufficient indication of slight (invisible) seepage. SAMCRAC revealed a cheaper BOSCH after-market (Ferrari unbranded) replacement part...at a fraction of the price!

[@ckm-mkc]

Maybe check it when it's running? Could be leaking further down the supply pipe.

[@danpenner79]

I didn't see you activate the purge valve while doing the smoke.

[@tony_25or6to4]

I think I remember Samcrac using VW or Audi fuel pumps for his 355. They're the same, but a lot cheaper.

[@pices73]

John, ask your dad if he has a gas detector. I'm pretty sure he does, used for testing boiler gas leaks. Leave everything off in the truck and recreate the scenario and then check with the gas detector.

[@TronApostle]

Best content to always watch at night when I’m chillin before bed. Thank you for your service John Ross.

[@WatchJRGo]

I’m going straight to bed, late here too

[@SW-os3mk]

@@WatchJRGo very gay

[@Google_Is_Evil]

What I have not see you do, but you might have done off camera, is operate all the valves with the system filled up with pressurized smoke. You may have a leak that only gets exposed when one of those valves is not in the resting position.

[@Yachtwhisperer]

If the charcoal canister is full of gasoline from overfilling, it could release gasoline smell. The fuel system will hold pressure, but the smell will still come out.

[@RealRickCox]

John should get the smoke machine that has an inflatable insert for larger hoses to get a tight seal. I have one that detects vacuum leaks and it's been worth it's weight in gold.

[@phyrexiancoffee6324]

God I'm so glad I talked my dad out of buying a Maserati back in 19. I'd be chasing gremlins for him until the day I die. He's happy with his Scat Pack, and I am happy for very easy fixes to very infrequent issues.

[@kurtjammer9568]

Actually I'm very happy with my levante..very reliable and well built.the newer ones are pretty good..

[@phyrexiancoffee6324]

@@kurtjammer9568 I will say I have heard nothing but good things about the Levante. But he was looking at a 13 Quattroporte, and I would just rather not deal with that rolling electrical monster.

[@kurtjammer9568]

Ya the early ghiblis as well had some issues.

[@seanstevens9619]

Can you hook up the computer and activate the solenoids for the EAP?

[@davewhite1652]

Start the car and do the visual check again. I would imagine that the fuel pump is much higher pressure than the smoke machine and may show you what you can't find otherwise

[@dcar]

Maybe replace the wet hose in case it’s porous and the fuel is seeping through it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JW-lo2bh]

As a former (thank goodness) owner of a Maserati Granturismo, I can vouch for the fact that Maserati is Italian for "always broken, never fixable". It's a beautiful car, but it's very poorly built.

[@michaelchevreaux7780]

FIAT (Fix It Again Tony)

[@BlooMule]

Miserati

[@jspaulding4106]

Did it do 185?

[@kallekas8551]

Like the 3 Alfas I had…I did learn in the end!😂

[@rafibalouzian9951]

Total none sense, I own 2 Maseratis and they are more reliable than most German brands. The cliche Italian reliability song

[@Fony_turgeson]

been watching you for years...surprised you havent hit 500k yet you deserve it

[@usererror8208]

if I had a choice... Both the Maserati and Camaro are iconic in their own right, but there's just something about the raw power and classic American muscle of the Camaro. I'd love to hit the open road in that sleek machine, feeling the roar of the engine and the wind in my hair.

[@coolissimo69]

John Ross , I think you should run the car with the smoke , as most likely there must be a valve or something that does not leak when it is parked.

[@Vote4DemocracyALWAYS]

that's a great idea to use when looking for a leak, thanks JR!

[@wurlyone4685]

You'd need to operate the purge and vent valves in order to make sure you've smoke checked the whole system - else there will be parts of the system sealed off that the smoke wont even reach. And it's worth just running bi-directional diag tests on the system using the Autel or similar, without even dismantling anything (does it pull a vacuum and hold it or leak off; can it seal the system properly and build pressure as the fuel warms etc.)

[@user-ci4cj5eq4x]

Yes! More updates!

[@erikgonzalez2278]

When we going to get a pops video!??

[@philipsgarage]

I got one of those smoke machines recently for trying to find a leak on the car. I quickly found out its best to use that machine outside, those fumes some the smoke stink and the smell in the garage stays around for hours.

[@JBsC6]

Where you put the gas in there is a rubber collar inside the fender. That hose in the fender when you overfill or the previous owner overfilled the gas there is a split on the hose at the top of the neck. The solution on my corvette was to access the top of the neck of the hose that delivers gas from the gas station fuel to the car. My tech got access to that rubber hose inside the side fender and cut the hose a little bit and then reattach. Problem solved. Have the gas smell in my 2008 c6 and that’s how the technician resolved the issue in under an hour and with no new parts.

[@carportchronicles1943]

I have a '78 VW Beetle and I get a fuel smell because the tank is in the front. My issue is the vent hoses are old and allow the gas smell to pass but they don't leak. I have replaced most of them and now just have to do the difficult ones.

[@ryanperry9472]

My g/fs Lexus SC430 was getting a check engine light randomly and a fuel smell in the car. We finally changed the purge valve from the charcoal canister and that seems to have fixed it.

[@georgespicer8631]

Sorry to hear what's going on between you and yours. Just wondering, can I still reserve a spot in your RV? Camp ground?

[@vicadams4816]

Jr I just got a thought about fuel smell.does it have a high pressure fuel pump?if so smoke machine would not show smoke but gas would be a fine vapor spray that you could not see but definitely smell anywhere in fuel system.thanks Vic

[@sirphilo]

I've had to replace filler hoses that had hairline cracks that were not visible till you poured gas into the tank.

[@philseaman9103]

Hi Jr, Love your channel. This may have been said already but should you remove the fuel as the leak may be below the current fuel level? Just a thought.

[@hurbye]

Have u tried looking at it while it’s running? One of the solenoids probably opens up while power is applied and closed while De-energized not allowing the smoke to flow through the faulty component.

[@rogerfenton5210]

Maybe there's a porous metal weld or joint some were along the line

[@harvo351]

The check engine light could be a red herring . . . It could be that someone put a jerry can in the car, it spilt, soaked through to the sound deadening and the remnants wafts out in the heat . . . just a guess given everything you have done to find the issue . . . Hope you sort it soon !!

[@stealthirl]

Was going to say the same thing, it’s what happened me. Only discovered it when i swapped out the grey carpet for black.

[@KeithZim]

I picked up a stranded driver on a 100 degree day off the side of the highway. By the time we got to town in my old Dodge K car his smell had penetrated my seat cushions and completely ruined it. The car smelled like his death sweat and no amount of cleaning kept the car from smelling like a gym locker room when you open the door on a hot day.... Kinda related LOL>..

[@MichaelCurley-il6sm]

@@KeithZim there was a episode of Seinfeld where the valet had horrible BO, he ends up trading the car in lol

[@FlynnsGarage]

​@KeithZim stranded driver - I've never heard of someone using that one before. What a great cover story though but hopefully, the fish smell will disappear 😂

[@DanMosqueda]

Every time I watch one of your videos on this car I immediately go and look for one. But then I remember when I considered buying a Quattroporte and saw how poorly the build quality was after several years of use and I get disappointed. If I had a crazy successful YT channel, I’d definitely get one!!

[@KeithJenkinsvideos]

On your older cars that sit use Evans waterless coolant no corrosion never needs changing you won't kill gaskets and hoses look at Jay Leno's videos on it

[@Avi8tor857]

Take all the panels out and dust everything with a fine powder. Talc or similar. Fill the tank to the brim and drive it hard. Heat cycle it, etc. Then look for signs of a leak. I don't recall did you replace the charcoal filter? They can get saturated in fuel. Where do the fuel lines run? Any chance it is leaking in the middle?

[@jasonrendell1545]

If it has evap system have you checked the charcoal Caistor for fuel saturation, this can in some situations cause a fuel smell and also bring on eml light on under hard driving conditions.

[@alexcamron4136]

What about the lines where they run to the engine under the car?

[@waynerobinson4978]

JR..might help I remember when I had a similar issue with my car 🚗 and it was a pin 📌 hole 🕳 on the top of my fuel ⛽️ lines and got no drips or anything else it was just enough to leak and dampen the top of the lines right near the under body

[@janmartens7954]

Those Italian vehicles are very very nice, but a pita to maintain. My 2007 Aprilia Pegaso Strada is also a living animal. I takes a lot of experience to get it running well. Don’t be afraid to exchange finicky thing with tried and true components. After all, it’s just a airpumping machine. I would look a the filler workings because of the intermittent nature of the fuelsmell

[@davidmccormick1058]

Talk to Sam Crac. He has had the same issue and was able to use a cheaper costing fuel pump for a Volkswagen I think.

[@HacksawJimThuggin]

Maybe try the front end...fuel rail, connectors,etc. if the leak is under the hood, the fumes may be coming in through the front air vents

[@tuneskramer69]

JR, where should i look for on Airbnb? To find the mini resort

[@StephenRenwick-gk6fq]

Hi, just a thought regarding your dilemma. You have checked the gas tank and engine lines for leaks with the smoke, but have you lifted the car to see if there is a leak in the gas lines from trunk to engine? Keep up the good work.

[@Tacritania]

On my cheap little VW shitbox I had a fuel/oil smell in the cabin a few years after buying it and it was still under warranty. Took it to the dealer and it was discovered that the PCV connector on the head was broken (because cheap plastic). Dunno much about the Maserati engine, but maybe worth looking into?

[@rafibalouzian9951]

Check the front engine fuel lines. The fuel smell could be coming from the air vents.

[@DaveDivesIn]

Operate the valves with the scan tool

[@austinbahl6611]

I had this exact issue in an Infiniti G35, had gas smell when hot. It ended up being a purge valve on the charcoal canister.

[@jeffmac3071]

The Maserati is SMOKIN'.

[@360fanboy360]

try using some soapy water in a spray bottle while the tanks pressurized. even though its not showing smoke there could be a very very small crack on something.

[@DonaldMays]

i wonder if when the tank builds too much pressure it overpowers the check valve

[@TheBibliofilus]

In this situation I'd make a tiny, tiny hole beneath the cover on the fuel filler cap so it won't pressurize the tank and have any pressure venting outside the cabin.. And if nothing changes then replace the cap and those plastic lines on the tank, as plastic with age will allow fuel vapors to pass through. That's why you have a age limit on plastic gas cans too!

[@PaddyBoy644]

2:56 DEEZ NUTZ!

[@richardclark4610]

Whether it be a metal pipe of plastic/rubber hose, SOMETHING transfers the evap and fuel lines from the trunk to the engine bay. Those lines either go through the cabin or the frame area. Since you've checked everything at both ends, it's time to check those lines for cracks/chafing or connection leaks. Nothing else left. It's coming from SOMEWHERE and you haven't (mentioned) checked those tubes/pipes/hoses ???

[@xnadave]

I once owned a '92 Esprit that had a terrible fuel smell. Turns out that some genius engineer had routed a fuel line through the passenger compartment, behind the seats and under the rear window. It tended to fail after years of sun exposure. But, what can one expect from a company that uses plywood as a structural component in an $80k car? (There's a reason that Lotus resale value is utter crap.) Oddly enough: it also had a factory built-in K40, which was equally useless. At least the car looked cool.

[@drewdaskievige754]

Those screw-on pieces to hold the trunk panels in, Would it be to your advantage to melt a piece of sheet metal to it with a hole cut in it to screw on to the post?

[@thomasj.kappjr.929]

Did you cycle the pump with everything apart and the smoke hooked up ???

[@spikebrian]

Think it could be the purge valve at the front?

[@williamschmitz971]

I’m thinking the first clue you said was “when it’s outside in the heat” would make a difference?? As the fuel expands as it heats up, the vapors have to go somewhere-I’d have rolled it outdoors into the sunshine and then smoke tested too just to see! JMO

[@MatthewPOlans]

I LOVE that Camaro!!!!

[@FlynnsGarage]

Plot twist video title: John Ross's midlife crisis: I started vaping 😂

[@anangryoldman8469]

I don't think I saw you check the fuel delivery hose(s). from the pumps to the engine compartment.

[@juanceballos8423]

I had a similiar problem, for years. not even the dealer could not figure out change a bunch of parts. someday i went i bought the charoal filter. after i put the new one even the the check light came off and no more gasoline smell. hope it helps

[@RealSuburbanCowboy]

would it be possible to add UV Dye to the smoke mix and start checking with a UV flashlight?

[@UToobSteak]

Check the door/window seals

[@wadetyler5056]

Did you look inside the cabin for smoke? That’s where you’ve been smelling gas.

[@bugged120]

Have you replaced the Fuel Cap? I had an issue on my GM manufactured car and the Fuel Cap had a known issue, causing fuel fumes to enter the cabin. Replacing the Fuel Cap solved the problem.

[@Xcelor8]

Also check with a gas meter that can detect lel for gasoline.

[@benfrancis4896]

Didn't the Wizard do the pumps on something of Hoovie's, might have been one of his Ferraris, with the same setup, dual pumps in tank one of which failed. Might have been one of the Car Trek cars but he removed the pumps and cross ref'd the part numbers and got silly cheap replacements with same number off something random like a Renault or something.

[@whitetailfox1]

On a couple of the Ferraris he showed on the channel The Wizard found alternatives for that fuel pump that was cheap out of another car that was the exact same part number.

[@KeithJenkinsvideos]

How about evap canister lines that problems with those

[@user-vo5gb7tt7w]

Leaving the pigtails on the zip ties is really genius during the manufacturing process that saves so much time so you don't have to cut everything and then clean it up there's three times you had to put them on then when you go to service it all you need is an army pick or a shim and then you can recover the zip tie in its entirety without having to find any other additional tools and cutting it😮

[@kerrylewis2581]

Are you keeping this vehicle in your fleet? I'm curious if the smell is stronger in the summer months.

[@DaveJudd]

Had the same problem, it had a bad fuel cap seal in the summer parked up the smell was unbearable .

[@McTwistedTwisties]

Does that Maserati have a charcoal canister for EVAP? I know that it’s a common problem in the south because of the high humidity where those things just turn into bricks and you get all sorts of issues.

[@eldonerc2524]

You try some kinda uv oil and a black light? Might show up better. 🤔

[@brianselt291]

One would think that the wiring harness would have caps on the non-optioned cable connecters.

[@Wiiswis]

Any new merch coming down the pipeline? It’s been a while!

[@mschmitz57]

What about the fuel return line from the engine?

[@jamescraig4479]

20 minute vid on the Camaro please!

[@pastelero79]

How do you ask for an inflatable butt plug for your gas inlet from your neighborhood mechanic? What’s the technical term for that thing?

[@jmptaz]

Would it make a difference if you turned the key on or maybe start the car?

[@potatochobit]

cant you do a smoke test on the fuel tank through the DTML pump and it would tell you where the leak is?

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Evening John Ross

[@WatchJRGo]

Hey Douglas! 🍻

[@naor301189]

Wouldn't it be easier on your back to put the car on the lift? Love your videos!

[@sammikhail3837]

Any chance the leak is under the hood somewhere and the smell is coming in through the AC vents?

[@IansGarage]

You didn’t check the gas cap (on video anyway)! That was the cause of a gas smell on my Toyota when it had been sitting in the sun.

[@mitch1331]

If all the comments about the purge valves don't work, maybe try the smoke test again after you run down the tank to almost empty. The gas could he preventing the smoke from escaping.

[@B0xlife1]

Been a little while since I watched your videos but I noticed I don't know if you changed camera setup or not or change settings but there's a lot of focusing going on and a lot of unfocused blurry parts of the video just so you know.

[@beaseac]

Are any of the houses running through the cabin?

[@bikeman1x11]

did you fill tank with smoke then turn on fuel pump

[@brianselt291]

I would throw in a couple charcoal bags under the seats and in the trunk and see if makes any difference.

[@user-zc5gd8ki3u]

Other side of the purge valve, probably.

[@bigsmk9168]

There might be something going on with the steering column shaft insulator boot. Someone installed one backwards on my car and I was getting whifs of a little bit of everything. When it was fixed it was gone. I’m probably wrong though.

[@MagWorkz]

Test smoke with engine on, probably coming thru vents from engine bay