Fuel leak

[fillpoke]

Started my m100 up today and noticed a strong smell of petrol. Upon investigation I found a pool of the stuff under the rear end. When I switched the engine off the leak stopped and when I switched it on it started pouring out again. Seemed to be coming from somewhere high up in the rear chassis. Any ideas?

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Since it is only leaking with the pump running,

Start with the fuel filter & fittings from under the car and if not that, remove the near rear wheel to look at the tubing.

You may have to take the stowage area apart but an external look might give you an answer.

[dapinky]

As you say that the car started up okay, I'm making an assumption that there is enough fuel getting to the engine to allow it to run.....

..... so I would suspect that it is a split/break in the return hose system.

(but it could easily be the feed pipework).

As the pump will operate for a short while when you turn the ignition on (to pressurise the fuel rail), I would start by turning on the ignition and listening to the fuel pump behind your head. If it stops 'buzzing' after a couple of seconds, then it has got up to pressure. Then have a look to see if anything is coming out of the bottom of the car. If it is, then the leak is (probably) in the feed system, if it isn't (but then leaks with the engine running), it is in the return system.... if it keeps buzzing, then it is a big leak - probably at the filter.

[HJ2]

And: Is the fuel tank completely filled up?

[fillpoke]

Thanks everyone. Had a look today and the problem turned out to be the hose between the tank and the fuel filter. As a braided rubber hose it looked fine but upon peeling back the braiding I found a split in the rubber. A new piece of hose has sorted things out. I found working in the area of the hood stowage very restricted so I removed the hood stowage area fibreglass lid. Only 4 x 10mm bolts and it made things much easier.

[HJ2]

Great and easy fix

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Thanks everyone. Had a look today and the problem turned out to be the hose between the tank and the fuel filter. As a braided rubber hose it looked fine but upon peeling back the braiding I found a split in the rubber. A new piece of hose has sorted things out. I found working in the area of the hood stowage very restricted so I removed the hood stowage area fibreglass lid. Only 4 x 10mm bolts and it made things much easier.

Just as a bit of information: The flex line you are describing is not original. The original was a nylon tube like the other lines but somewhere along the life of the car, the fitting going into the filter probably rusted and when someone turned the fitting to replace the filter, the line broke.

Because it is a pressure line you should try to get the best fuel approved hose to replace it and check it regularly as fabric (reinforced rubber) hoses eventually dry out because modern gasoline is more damaging to most rubber compounds.

[fillpoke]

Thanks Brit-Car-Nut, I'll do that....