A while back I posted about raw gas smell upon start up of my '95 960. I seem to remember Steve Ringlee replied to check fuel injector rail. I did check a few times because I had read the post by Tom Irwin at 700/900 FAQ, but I did not find a leak then. Yesterday I found it. It was the valve core (like those inside tire air valves) at the rear of the fuel injector rail. The valve core and screw on cap let gas leak out slowly. It was difficult to find that small amount of gas because it evaporated as soon as the engine warmed up. I replaced the valve core with a new one from the auto parts store. The repair looks OK for now. I recommend you buy one of those four-way valve core tools hanging next to the valve cores at the auto parts store. It costs about a buck.

Still, I have a question for the cognoscenti at Brickboard. Will the rubber seal on that valve core stand up to gasoline for long, or do I have to get a special valve core with a seal that will stand up to gasoline?

Best regards to all.

If it is truly rubber, the seal should be OK. Viton would be better.

I had the fuel rail fail in my car. It failed at the plug on the front of the rail.

Thank you for your reply. Are the seals made of rubber on run of the mill air valve cores sold at auto parts stores? I bought these at Western Auto and the brand name is Victor Products of Des Plaines, Illinois (but Made in China).

Where do I get valve cores with real rubber seals, or even better Viton? BTW, the valve core on the the car had a more or less transparent seal.

Your fuel rail failed like that on Tom Irwin's car. I take it you read about it at 700/900 FAQ in the 960 section.

I have no idea what the seals would be made of on standard valve stem replacements. My info comes from a chemical compatibility chart that shows what elastomers are compatible with what chemicals. Sorry.

Thanks for your prompt replies. For now, I guess the safest (or rather least risky) course of action would be to order that valve core specifically for the fuel rail from a discounter of original Volvo parts like www.swedishengineering.com or www.borton.com

That is what I would do if I were in your place!
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 100K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

This fuel rail seems to be a rolling hazard, with potential leaks out the front end as well (as Tom noted in his posts). This should be inspected regularly.