How frustrating is this

[Alanben]

My van has spent the last four months sat on my drive, looking longingly through the window. So after polishing her ,checking tyre pressures topping up fluids checking air bags pressures. We booked several cl's for later in July. We decided to go out for a shakedown drive out into the countryside.The Van had driven perfectly, we stopped at a lovely viewpoint and broke out the sandwiches. This is what its all about we thought. Then the smell of diesel fuel invaded the cab! on inspection we found a pool of diesel under the engine. So we went from elation to depression in a matter of minutes We drove straight back to the garage to be informed that the high pressure fuel return pipe had cracked. To get at the pipe, requires the front of the van to be removed including the radiator and the air conditioning gubbins. The next day came the worst bit! a call from the garage telling us that there were no replacement parts in the country and it would take the best part of two weeks to get them in stock and Just to rub salt in the wound, The bill would be around £800. The silver lining?our trip to Spain was cancelled so trying out our Spanish to get it sorted would have been a real headache. Just guess we will have to be patient for a little longer.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Sorry to hear that, what make is the base vehicle, assumed A class.

 

[pappajohn]

More likely the diesel filter housing has cracked.... Less than £100 and easy fitting.

 

[Phill D]

More likely the diesel filter housing has cracked.... Less than £100 and easy fitting.

i have to say that was my immediate reaction on reading the first part of the post...

 

[steve 6644]

Bummer! comiserations mate.

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[Nasher]

Commiserations

But I am a little concerned that you drove a van that you knew was leaking diesel......as a motorcyclist & cyclist, I hope it was a tiny, tiny amount

 

[9526]

Have you recently had it serviced (and had fuel filter replaced)?

 

[2bob]

was there not a re call for that pipe

 

[Alanben]

Sorry to hear that, what make is the base vehicle, assumed A class.

No , 2014 Ducato

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Can't see why it's a front out job. Ask them to check the fuel filter as these are prone to leaking, especially if serviced recenty. A replacement filter is around £100 and a 30 min refit.

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[GWAYGWAY]

check for it yourself and with a person that knows engines if you cannot. Garages are not good places for the uninformed.

 

[Alanben]

More likely the diesel filter housing has cracked.... Less than £100 and easy fitting.

Hi Pappajohn
Definitely the high pressure return pipe cracked or split. My mechanic wonders if it's a common fault, resulting in the shortage of the replacement part.

 

[Alanben]

Commiserations

But I am a little concerned that you drove a van that you knew was leaking diesel......as a motorcyclist & cyclist, I hope it was a tiny, tiny amount

Yes I was concerned as well! So we drove a mile or so and checked our snails trail and decided that the dribble wouldn't cause a hassard.

 

[Alanben]

was there not a re call for that pipe

Hi
I did wonder, but where do you check for re-calls? I did ask the question at the Fiat dealers if there was any recourse for recompense , as this part should last the lifetime of the engine, the answer was no chance on a six year old vehicle. It would be interesting know if others have suffered this problem.

 

[Alanben]

check for it yourself and with a person that knows engines if you cannot. Garages are not good places for the uninformed.
Hi GWAYGWAY
I have used this garage for years and trust them completely, but will ask the question aboutt the filter housing

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[2bob]

Safety Recalls 2011 | techtalk.ie
www.techtalk.ie › safety-recalls › safety-recalls-2011



Recall all affected vehicles for the replacement of the fuel pipe and fuel pump check ... usage the high pressure fuel pump check valve may be come loose and leak. ... 28/03/11,

 

[Alanben]

Can't see why it's a front out job. Ask them to check the fuel filter as these are prone to leaking, especially if serviced recenty. A replacement filter is around £100 and a 30 min refit.

I'm not sure where the fuel filter is, but the leak was at the bottom of the engine, but thanks for the info. I will talk to the garage tomorrow

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

The fuel filter is top right, at the back you can put your hand on it from the top of the engine. The leak, if its fuel filter, will not be that visible from the top, until you see a puddle under the van, it runs along anywhere, so just get them to check the housing. Have you had the van serviced recently? Without the proper tool the filter is difficult to seal and can be an issue if replaced at a service.

 

[dosser]

Ive a 2013 Ducatto and had a fuel leak it was coming from the high pressure injector hoses (think that what its called). The wee hoses that go between the injectors had perished and split they are under the plastic cover on the left hand side as you look at the engine. It just pulls off. Easy and cheap fix. Worth a look fuel was running down centre of engine.

 

[Alanben]

The fuel filter is top right, at the back you can put your hand on it from the top of the engine. The leak, if its fuel filter, will not be that visible from the top, until you see a puddle under the van, it runs along anywhere, so just get them to check the housing. Have you had the van serviced recently? Without the proper tool the filter is difficult to seal and can be an issue if replaced at a service.

Hi
The leak is defo from the right hand side near the bottom. The engine was serviced last year and we have driven around France and the Northeast since then with no problem. but thanks for the suggestion.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

My last van had a diesel leak from the filter, Fiat ducato 2007,first I knew about it was the diesel smell and puddle underneath. We were in Scotland, middle of nowhere. I had read on Fun about the filter leaking, so checked and yes it was. I wrapped it with a cloth and drove to a fiat garage. Needed to order one will take a few days and we can then look to book you in.they didn't have the right filter tool either. No thanks. Drove home with the filter well wrapped and ordered replacement one of e Bay. Job done. DIY..
No issues

 

[Phill D]

the filter on a 2014 ducato is not the old plastic type it is a metal cartridge canister sealed with no assembly or messing. just clip the hose connections in place, so unless the connections have failed it should not leak.

 

[june]

I had a similar problem van serviced fuel filter changed drove home could smell diesel looked underneath diesel leaking onto floor phoned garage who sent engineer straight up to my home (the one who serviced it and replaced filter) he put old filter back temporary said would collect van next day ( Saturday and they did) put new diesel filter in cleaned engine bay and underneath delivered van back to me technician said replacement filter had a minute crack in housing and that was causing fuel leak so get fuel filter replaced as others have said a a fraction of what 1st garage said

 

[triky]

My mechanic informs me that some early Fiat's did have a problem with the sealing rubber ring on the top of the filter cartridge .They were supplied with defective rings by the manufacturer .These crimped or pinched/cockle up then leaked ,blowing valuable diesel onto the road,and causing breakdowns.Not sure if a recall was issued though !!