I just filled fuel in my car and when I returned home, I could smell funny. When I checked the car, I found stains on the driveway. Upon closer inspection, I could see fuel dripping down. I guess it's either fuel tank or rubber tube.
I am going to take it to a mechanic first thing in the morning however I am wondering how could fuel start leaking suddenly.
Also any idea how much it would cost to fix this leakage?
Mechanic is 3 km away, should I drive or get car towed?
No it's flat surface.
Do cars have overflow fuel pipes?
If you have a fuel leak, don't drive. If it hits something like the hot exhaust, you have a fire hazard.
Are you sure its a fuel leak? Should evaporate off the driveway in under 10 minutes.
Where about is the leak coming from? Got a photo?
So much this! If it's clearly leaking fuel, DO NOT start the car as will be major fire risk. You'll have to find the leak, stop it and clean up properly. Else call a mobile mechanic or get it towed.
Cleaning up fuel is the easiest thing ever. Wait 30 minutes and the fuel is gone. LOL
Here is a picture. It is now parked on car and I put wiping cloth to minimise mess.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/84336/62932/img_201810…
Looks like its at the rear of the fuel tank? If you could take a photo up above that exhaust it would be helpful.
Could be a fuel pump connection, fuel hose, fuel filter connection, hole in the tank, etc.
Likely have to drop the tank, not a hard job, being full of fuel makes it a bit harder though, LOL.
but you get free ALS
How old is your car? Could be a ruptured fuel line if it's an older vehicle.
Can you look directly up from where the puddle is and see whereabouts underneath the car it's coming from?
Yes it is 20 years old car. There was non leakage this morning but I filled up full tank this arvo. I am thinking I might have overfilled but would it result in leakage?
It's been 2 hours and fuel is still leaking.
Can you see exactly where its coming from?
Don't have tools to lift the car. This is what I could see when I took picture.
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/84336/62932/img_201810…
@Sshanaz: have you got the cloth around a hose? can't tell from the picture.
I wouldn't drive too far with it dripping on the exhaust though. It takes something that's red hot to ignite the fuel and the exhaust wont normslly get that hot, but I wouldnt risk it.
If you cant stop the leak, the safest thing would probably be to call a mobile mechanic in the morning to have a look at it.
Looks like it's leaking onto the exhaust pipe. Unless you want an afterburner feature I would not start the car.
the fastest and easiest way to find the leak is with a lit match.
but seriously, lay some newspaper underneath. petrol drips. find leak. plug with chewing gum - yes, this works as temp fix.
Hi Mac Gyver, is that you?
I'd be guessing its leaking from the connection to the fuel pump. They are often a very fiddly connector. Wouldn't surprise me if it was never pushed on far enough, and has simply slipped a bit too far
did you pump e10 ?
I don't know why you got negged, so I + to balance it out. This is a very valid question.
Old cars like OP's 20yr old car were not designed to take ethanol. So when rubber hoses are fine for fuel, ethanol kills them. dries them out and make them crack.
Yes actually I used E10. I wasn't aware that they can't be used in this car.
It's 1997 barina.
Use a cigarette lighter to find where the leak is coming from
I guess it's either fuel tank or rubber tube.
You guessed right
Also any idea how much it would cost to fix this leakage?
No idea, depends on what it is, how much of the car needs to be pulled apart to fix it.
Mechanic is 3 km away, should I drive or get car towed?
You drove from the service station ok ;)
If you have Roadside Assistance, call them and say you noticed leakage from under the car and are concerned about the safety before driving it. Don't mention fuel, they can have a quick look and shed some light. Perhaps even book the tow truck to the local mech if validated as a safety risk.
Good idea.
gunshot hole from bikies most likely
lots of drip points on ground - or have you been moving car back and forth?
indicates likely to be from top and it is running down in multiple locations.
.
I work in the mechanical industry and 9 times out of ten it’s the pan gasket attached to your fuel tank or depending on car it could also be the pump gasket if your car has a pump on the tank (which a lot of bigger cars do)
That's worrying that you work in the automotive industry. Fuel tanks don't have a "pan gasket". All cars have had the pumps in the tanks for a very long time now, nothing to do with the size. Last car I remember with an external fuel pump was a vl commodore it old mechanical injection benz, both from the 80s.
I literally had a brain fart but thanks for calling me out
I used the wrong term, pan gasket is for the oil pan at bottom of engine.
I am not a mechanic .. I am in customer service (service advisor) so I just tell people what mechanics tell me and tell them the bad news re price etc.
The majority of the time it’s the fuel pump gasket or the pump itself from what I have seen so far. Quite often it can be a leaking hose too.
Ford territory and Everest have two pumps. Standard in tank and high pressure on engine. Mercedes still use two pumps.
I know those three cars cause I had to price up replacements recently. Mercedes high pressure was $2200
Ford high pressure was $1900 the tank pump was like $350
Those are for diesels, the high pressure pumps are run mechanically off the engine, as they build insane pressures in a common rail diesel, we were talking petrol cars. In saying that, direct injection petrols also have mechanical pumps run from the engine, electric pumps can't produce the pressures required.
I don't envy your job, I've had to be the one dealing with customers and it's not enjoyable.
Update
Got my car towed via NRMA to a mechanic first thing in the morning. He was quite busy so he just looked into it and rang to advise that the hose which goes into a fuel tank is leaking.
He further stated he didnt have parts so he will check on Monday and provide repair cost.
Any idea how much it's going to cost?
Oooh nice one. Can't even +1 the idea but save you hundreds, cute.
didn't you ask him ? Hose 20 bucks I guess labour and inspection 1.5 hrs ?
As I mentioned above, I did ask him but he said he don't have parts so he will confirm pricing on Monday.
I just want to get an idea from people who have some knowledge/experience to see if his price will be reasonable.
What is the car? Year and model.
When I checked, I could feel rubber hose next to a fuel tank but can't confirm it was for fuel.
It's 1997 barina.
@Sshanaz: Hmmm, looking at a picture of a fuel tank for a SB Barina, there is 2 lines going to the pump, that'll be fuel to and from engine, but there are also 2 rubber hoses going to the tank, I have no idea what they are for. Maybe one breather hose, but there is a big rubber hose too?
Picture here, https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FUEL-TANK-SUITS-HOLDEN-BARINA-SB…
If its the pump hoses that are leaking, I can see why the mechanic would need to order them, the others look like normal hoses he would have in stock or easily available.
Depends what sort of hose. I could have metal lines going from the tank to the engine bay. In which case the mechanic will have to order one in.
Update:
Got car back today where the mechanic changed hose and total cost was $235. They advised that they had to order hose from Holden dealer($80) and they charged $155 for labour.
Thank you everyone for your input.
Yeah seems about right pricing. About 1.5 hours labour, especially if he had to drop the tank, isn't too bad at all.
Is it a sloping driveway? Could you have overfilled it and it is overflowing?