FUEL LOSS

[red307cc]

Need help. I have a 2008 311cdi which is losing fuel. I've traced the source to what looks like a long breather pipe which is located at the rear of the engine. It looks like it drops down and is routed around the bell housing before ending just above the front axle.
a) Should this pipe be here or should it be connected at the end to somewhere?

b) Can anyone explain why it is constantly leaking fuel? If I go over 60mph the loss is horrendous with the whole underside soaked as well as the rear doors.

 

[Tony MB]

It could be the fuel return pipe broken..... the fuel pump will return more of the fuel than it uses sending it back to the tank.
You need to check on the tank end if it's broken some where.
Good luck

 

[om613]

Leak off hoses on the engine, under the cover.

When they go, the whole underside gets rust proofed!

 

[red307cc]

It does appear to be a breather hose. It doesn't look like it should be connected at the end and just hangs through a gap in the front axle. I've attached a small bottle to it to confirm my diagnosis and after a journey of 7 miles I have around 50mls of fuel collected. I'm unsure of what I need to do to prevent this continuing.

 

[Tony MB]

It won't be a breather pipe it will be a fuel return/leak off pipe it should be attached at the fuel filter.. check it out there should be 3 pipes into the filter

 

[red307cc]

Ok thanks for your advice. I'll check my connections at the filter.

 

[Westheath]

Need help. I have a 2008 311cdi which is losing fuel. I've traced the source to what looks like a long breather pipe which is located at the rear of the engine. It looks like it drops down and is routed around the bell housing before ending just above the front axle.
a) Should this pipe be here or should it be connected at the end to somewhere?

b) Can anyone explain why it is constantly leaking fuel? If I go over 60mph the loss is horrendous with the whole underside soaked as well as the rear doors.

It looks like this

 

[red307cc]

All pipes are connected at the filter. This hose is just plain rubber. No braiding or signs of any previous clamp at the end. It sits in a recess on the bell housing just where the starter bolts on. The recess looks like it's there specifically for this hose to rest in on its route. I've attached a photo where the hose can be seen in the centre.

 

[Tony MB]

Well I'm mystified now....Can't imagine what that could be

 

[Pathfinder]

Trace the hose to see where it is attached to at the other end.

 

[Tony MB]

Trace the hose to see where it is attached to at the other end.

Good thinking...... why didn't I think of that.... could help a lot

 

[Westheath]

There's a rubber drain off pipe fitted to the end of the valve cover that allows run off across the injector trough,
so if there's fuel leaking under the plastic cover from the injectors rubber spill pipe work etc it will run out of there.

 

[red307cc]

Thanks Westheath. Really appreciate your help and resistance to place a smart *ss comment. I'll remove the cover and see what's going on under there.

 

[om613]

Glad post #3 helped you...

 

[Westheath]

Its this pipe I'm referring to [32] that fits into the rear of the camshaft cover
and allows fluids to leak off the injector trough down the back of the engine/gearbox.
Usually leaking/loose injector pipes causes this.