Leaking fuel line 1.4 TDi

[wilsonian]

Hello,

 

My wife's 1.4 TDi has a recurring issue. The small pipe that runs between the tandem pump and top fuel pipe has been leaking. I've already changed it using a 8mm reinforced fuel pipe but tonight shes limped home only day after putting in half a tank. Turns out the replacement pipe (around 2 months old) has failed and leaked diesel everywhere.

 

I've seen people complain of this fault before but there never seems to be a solution. Does anyone know if I need a certain type of pipe that would resolve the issue.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

[Benji96]

I can't say I've heard of this issue but or know the exact pipe you are talking about but...

is the pipe rubbing anywhere (maybe a cover etc)?

 

where abouts does the pipe fail (near the attachments or in the middle, maybe at a tight bend)?

 

are both ends that are to be connected solid (I.e do they vibrate a lot/ without the pipe connected can you shake the ends)?

 

did you get the pipe off eBay? (Buy an OEM quality one from ECP etc etc)

 

when end you attached the pipedid you loosely connect both ends then tighten (if not the pipe might not have seated properly in the mounting)? 

 

[brian62c]

Snap! My wife's 2010 1.4tdi Greenline is spraying a very fine mist of diesel when the engine is running, making a lovely mess. It's coming from a short length of rubber hose (about 4-5 inches) connecting what I assume is the fuel pump to one of the metal fuel lines leading to/from the fuel filter. The leak seems to be where the hose is clamped. Presumably just down to perishing over time in a nine year old car?

I appreciate the advice from Benji96 above about buying OEM quality. I really need to do the job today so I think a phone call to our local dealership is in order.

[Tech1e]

5 minutes ago, brian62c said:

Snap! My wife's 2010 1.4tdi Greenline is spraying a very fine mist of diesel when the engine is running, making a lovely mess. It's coming from a short length of rubber hose (about 4-5 inches) connecting what I assume is the fuel pump to one of the metal fuel lines leading to/from the fuel filter. The leak seems to be where the hose is clamped. Presumably just down to perishing over time in a nine year old car?

I appreciate the advice from Benji96 above about buying OEM quality. I really need to do the job today so I think a phone call to our local dealership is in order.

 

Halfords sell a length of 7mm ID fuel hose, does the job just fine.

[brian62c]

1 minute ago, Tech1e said:

 

Halfords sell a length of 7mm ID fuel hose, does the job just fine.

 

Excellent, thanks for that Tech1e. What about the hose clamps? Are they reusable? Are jubilee clips up to the job? Our local dealer is very near to our local Halfords anyway so maybe I'll give them a bell first anyway.

[Tech1e]

Just now, brian62c said:

 

Excellent, thanks for that Tech1e. What about the hose clamps? Are they reusable? Are jubilee clips up to the job? Our local dealer is very near to our local Halfords anyway so maybe I'll give them a bell first anyway.

 

Jubilee clips are fine. Skoda wont supply a specific hose, just a length of fuel pipe. Might as well get from Halfords and save paying the dealer mark up, its doubtful they will have stock anyhow.

[brian62c]

5 minutes ago, Tech1e said:

 

Jubilee clips are fine. Skoda wont supply a specific hose, just a length of fuel pipe. Might as well get from Halfords and save paying the dealer mark up, its doubtful they will have stock anyhow.

 

Ha ha yep, I must admit that's been my experience so far with them! To be fair, it seems to be the same for any make. It's not like the old days any more, when they had a well stocked proper parts department.

 

Sounds like a plan to me. Appreciate your advice. Off to Halfords it is then ....

[mrgf]

2 hours ago, brian62c said:

Snap! My wife's 2010 1.4tdi Greenline is spraying a very fine mist of diesel when the engine is running, making a lovely mess. 

 

 

Sounds like a recipe for barbecued  car to me! Take great care with leaking fuel lines, especially with a petrol engine. I do realise we are referring to diesels here but think of the first three letters of the word diesel and that says it all!

[brian62c]

2 hours ago, mrgf said:

 

 

Sounds like a recipe for barbecued  car to me! Take great care with leaking fuel lines, especially with a petrol engine. I do realise we are referring to diesels here but think of the first three letters of the word diesel and that says it all!

 

The worrying thing is that she had been driving around with it doing that for a few days. She thought the undue diesel smell was from the school buses. If it was a petrol model, I think it would have been toast pretty quickly - and maybe the driver too! Doesn't bear thinking about .....

 

Job's done now - new bit of hose safely installed - but the car won't fire up now. Presumably because it lost a bit of diesel in the pipe swap? Any suggestions anyone?

 

 

[brian62c]

Could it be because I've got the front of the car up on ramps, so it's not level? I've looked at various posts and Youtube videos and they all seem a bit complicated to a VW newbie like me :-(

[SuperbTWM]

You have introduced air into the system.

 

I would try cycling the key to run the lift pump a few times see if that helps or you can use a piece of shorting wire with some spade crimps on to short the lift pump relay base to run it for a few minutes

 

Other than that, keep cranking and she'll fire up

Edited 26 November, 2018 by SuperbTWM

[skidpan]

Just remember that modern petrols and especially diesels work at a very high fuel pressure compared to years ago even in parts of the system that are considered low pressure. The high pressure parts of a diesel system will do damage to the human body if a pipe bursts. The pipes that Halfords sell are simply not up to the job unless its being used on a lawn mower (or possibly a Morris Minor).

 

Get the correct part or piece of pipe from a Skoda dealer (or VAG specialist at least), the risks of using substandard pipe and fittings does not really need considering.

[brian62c]

19 minutes ago, SuperbTWM said:

You have introduced air into the system.

 

I would try cycling the key to run the lift pump a few times see if that helps or you can use a piece of shorting wire with some spade crimps on to short the lift pump relay base to run it for a few minutes

 

Other than that, keep cranking and she'll fire up

 

Right, yes, thought that was the problem. By cycling the key do you mean just turning it until all the dash lights come on and it makes its usual gurgling and whosshing noises, without actually turning it over? Sorry but I have no idea what or where the lift pump relay base is, never mind shorting it! I'm relatively new to both diesels and VAG motors.

 

Have tried cranking it several times in succession but I'm wary of flattening the battery.

[brian62c]

9 minutes ago, skidpan said:

Just remember that modern petrols and especially diesels work at a very high fuel pressure compared to years ago even in parts of the system that are considered low pressure. The high pressure parts of a diesel system will do damage to the human body if a pipe bursts. The pipes that Halfords sell are simply not up to the job unless its being used on a lawn mower (or possibly a Morris Minor).

 

Get the correct part or piece of pipe from a Skoda dealer (or VAG specialist at least), the risks of using substandard pipe and fittings does not really need considering.

 

Maybe I'll be doing this job all over again then lol. To be fair, the pipe I got from Halfords looks pretty substantial and fit for purpose but I'm no expert. If it could be an issue, I'll happily do the job again with the "proper" hose - but not tonight.

 

Got to get the damn thing started first anyway :-(

[rum4mo]

If Tech1e reckoned that Halfords 7mm I/D would do that job, I'd say it was okay as he knows a thing or three about these things!

[brian62c]

11 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

If Tech1e reckoned that Halfords 7mm I/D would do that job, I'd say it was okay as he knows a thing or three about these things!

 

Well, tbh that's what I figured.

 

Got the bugger off the ramps now. Still no joy with starting it though. Looks like I'll be trawling FB for a local mobile mechanic .....

[skidpan]

1 minute ago, rum4mo said:

If Tech1e reckoned that Halfords 7mm I/D would do that job, I'd say it was okay as he knows a thing or three about these things!

 

I speak from experience as well.  Replaced several hoses on my classic using stainless braided hose supplied by a well known national supplier. It looked the bussiness compared to the old cotton braided stuff that had been there for many years. 3 years later I got a smell of fuel whilst driving and when I looked under the car I could see a wet union. Not far from home so turned round. When I got home and looked under fuel was dripping far worse thus I thought there must be a loose clip but how wrong I was. Tightened the union and the hose snapped, the rubber inside the stainless had turned to rock and cracked. After removing the pipe and the braided cover it was clear the rubber was simply disintegrating. The car could have easily have been written off. Soon found out it was a common issue and the best hose for modern fuels was a PTFE hose supplied by Think Automotive. A bigger to fit and the unions were expensive but 11 years on its still like new.

 

Regarding Halfords I bought a length of battery hose with pre-fitted terminals on either end to replace the original which had been rubbing. Quite by accident I spotted that the cable seemed very warm to touch and decided it needed investigating. Took it to a auto electrician and he was horrified. Despite looking like the dogs danglies the size of the conductor was tiny compared to an OEM cable. He made me up a propper cable using some heavy duty cable and its never been an issue.

 

Be very careful assuming Halfords sell quality stuff and be especially careful with fuel pipes. Look on the internet, there are loads of horror stories.

[brian62c]

Must admit I'm no particular fan of Halfords generally but you'd think they would have a bit of QC operating!

 

No offence to anyone on here. I'm only too grateful for anyone's advice and experience. Just about everyone here will know more than I do about Skodas - and probably cars in general.

[SuperbTWM]

2 hours ago, brian62c said:

 

Right, yes, thought that was the problem. By cycling the key do you mean just turning it until all the dash lights come on and it makes its usual gurgling and whosshing noises, without actually turning it over? Sorry but I have no idea what or where the lift pump relay base is, never mind shorting it! I'm relatively new to both diesels and VAG motors.

 

Have tried cranking it several times in succession but I'm wary of flattening the battery.

 

Yes, just turning the ignition on and off basically. 

 

Have you not got a battery charger?

 

Keep cranking it will start eventually

 

 

[brian62c]

Nope. Just a boost starter. Not much good if the car won't fireup anyway, presumably.

 

I've tried it until the battery has started to lose power. Nothing doing :-(

[mrgf]

It should self prime so if you run out of fuel, change filter, etc, it will take a few extra cycles, perhaps. You may have another issue!

[rum4mo]

I must admit that I'd expect any hose that Halfords are selling for use in fuel systems should be rated for that use and have the safe working pressure etc printed on it at reasonably short intervals, if it doesn't then prepare to change it soon.

 

That plastic cord reinforced clear tubing is quite strong, I've used it at work to make up factory compressed air extension leads, even in bigger diameters for heavy users (air glides).

 

Buying 12V power leads from Halfords, I'd expect that what you bought was for audio amps power etc, I've never ever considered playing with fire that way, the "good old" fat leads that looked like they were the same as the similar sized leads fitted by manufacturers - when modern cars seem to have a reduction in the thickness of the insulation only means one thing, not much copper in the centre = getting warm and dangerous.

[brian62c]

10 hours ago, mrgf said:

It should self prime so if you run out of fuel, change filter, etc, it will take a few extra cycles, perhaps. You may have another issue!

 

Oh I've got loads of issues, believe me .... but the car was running fine before this little saga. I'll just have to persevere - and get meself a battery charger to help things along.

 

I did kind of assume it would self-prime, otherwise I probably wouldn't have attempted the job in the first place.

[brian62c]

9 hours ago, rum4mo said:

I must admit that I'd expect any hose that Halfords are selling for use in fuel systems should be rated for that use and have the safe working pressure etc printed on it at reasonably short intervals, if it doesn't then prepare to change it soon.

 

That plastic cord reinforced clear tubing is quite strong, I've used it at work to make up factory compressed air extension leads, even in bigger diameters for heavy users (air glides).

 

Buying 12V power leads from Halfords, I'd expect that what you bought was for audio amps power etc, I've never ever considered playing with fire that way, the "good old" fat leads that looked like they were the same as the similar sized leads fitted by manufacturers - when modern cars seem to have a reduction in the thickness of the insulation only means one thing, not much copper in the centre = getting warm and dangerous.

 

It has indeed got stuff printed all along it - although I confess I didn't take time out to read it. To be fair, it does look like reasonably decent stuff. I'd very much like to get the brute started so I can see how the hose holds up!

[rum4mo]

Well maybe to make you feel a bit better, I used to have a B5 VW Passat 4Motion, it had an Audi V6 2.8 30V petrol engine and I replaced the fuel filter - then I could not get it to restart, bought a bigger/faster charger to be able to get the battery ready for the next assault, plugs out, spinning over to dump any excess petrol, plugs back in, almost got it to run. Repeated this a few more times - no good! 

Plan B call in the AA, no joy with the first guy but he knew a local AA patrol that “was known to be the guy” for tricky Vee engines, he turned up and reckoned that it had washed the oil out of the rings, so squirted some oil into all the cylinders, that did the trick!

It seems like quite a few Vee engines get into this situation including Jags!