My NB has smelt of fuel for some time and I noticed today that there was a fairly constant drip underneath.
Doesn’t really look like fuel though, it kinda resembles that 0% fat milk that tastes like sh*t
See link for pics, its coming from the back just behind the diff - could it be a fuel line or bad fuel filter?
If it smells like fuel, then that’s undoubtedly what it is. First thing I’d check is the fuel filter, which sits above a cover at the rear of the car. If it’s the original the metal can might have rusted through. A pin hole leak can result in fuel squirting some distance and dripping off elsewhere, confusing the issue. I changed mine a few weeks ago - it was possibly the 1998 original and the metal can was rusty, although not leaking. I emptied it from the inlet side and the fuel (and debris) that ran out was and milky (possibly mixed with a little water).
cheers, that’s my Sunday sorted then!
Some fuel filters need special tools to undo the clips. Take care, one should read the service instructions first.
Most cars of various makes in that era had external fuel filters, and these were listed on the regular services for replacement. I put a tiny blob of paint on those on my two Vauxhalls, and because they were easy to see with a torch and mirror I could check if they had been done. At two different dealers when the cars were almost new I was charged for the filter replacement, but it had not been changed (same with the pollen filters). So I politely pointed them out and asked what else had not been done. I went elsewhere after that.
Even now I put the paint blobs on service consumables. But then I’m cynical, and prepared to be pleasantly surprised by a good job. The Watford Mazda dealer did not change the clogged (pollen?) cabin filter on my Mazda3 last month, but then they did not charge for it. Maybe they don’t know about it (neatly hidden behind the glove box). The date code on the cabin filter I took out corresponded to when the car was made, three years earlier.
Good point about the special tool to spread the clip connectors for the fuel pipes (and other cars with similar connectors), but with a little ingenuity it’s quite possible to undo them without it (and without breaking anything, which would be a show stopper).
What does need to be taken into consideration is that there is a special technique to de-pressurise the fuel system and after the pipes are disconnected fuel will continue to leak from the inlet pipe. Read the workshop manual.
Also, fire precautions obviously need to be taken. The last place to be in a fire is lying down under a car in a puddle of fuel.
If unsure about your personal ability, leave the job to a garage who will be able to put the car on a hoist.
Here’s a useful video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQbYs_6jrno
Thanks guys, we had a look this morning and it looks like the leak isn’t coming from the fuel filter.
Its way way down at the back of the car underneath the fuel tank. I can’t see an obvious hole though. Looks like I’ll need to take a look at the connectors?