38 replies to this topic

[gsms]

Evening everyone,

I first used Optimax petrol about a week ago (before this it's always been the cheap stuff). Someone mentioned some additives which "clean" the fuel system (fuel lines etc.).

In the last few days I've developed a petrol leak for the first time. I only notice this when I park somewhere, and return to my car after an hour or so, to find a "rainbow" coloured trail starting from the car. Could the "cleaning additives" possibly have formed a hole in an old pipe/fuel line or gasket?

I'll put some newspapers under the car tomorrow to find exactly where the leak is coming from, but it would be good to know some possible causes..?

Any help appreciated. Cheers. Guy.

[jack_marshall]

I thought leaks where optional extra's on Mini's :erm:

[gsms]

lol, I don't mind about the odd water leak, but when there's petrol invloved I try to solve it asap!!

[Jammy]

Are you sure its petrol? Being a mini its most likely to be oil!

[nev_payne]

yeh rainbows = oil

fire = petrol

algae/fish or nature preservation for rare species underneath your car = water.

[Jackman]

yeh rainbows = oil

fire = petrol

algae/fish or nature preservation for rare species underneath your car = water.

Ranbows = petrol, i know had a trail of it when my float chamber stuck open

[Jammy]

You get rainbows in either petrol or oil, or any clear liquid that emulsifies with water I think.

[ian]

i'd change all the rubber fuel pipes asap, a lengh of pipe and new clips cheap from your local motor shop, worse bit is its a fiddly job. if you find its leaking from one pipe you know the rest are on there way too

[Grayedout]

If it is a fuel leak then get it sorteed ASAP because a likely place to leak from is the carb which is directly above a HOT exhaust !!!!!!!!!!!

Not a good combination !!! :gasp:

DO NOT put off fixing fuel leaks !!

[cooper_shaz]

I have seen a few leaks like that, is it from the front or rear of the car?
if it is the rear most likely suspet is where the pipe comes from the fuel tank and down through the floor and by the subframe.
The pipe rubs there and the leak appears, so a very easy fix.

2nd point at the front is, open the bonnet and look at the bulkhead/firewall you will see the fuel pipe come up there and go into a pot, the pipe splits there too, again a very wasy fix.

if any of these are split, just renew the lot, it is not a big job and will cost about a tenner or so, but could well save your life... and your mini..!!

[minislapper]

Could be the brake pipe itself which has corroded. With all the nasty wet weather it just rots it through. Once they go, they just go. About £7 for a full length pipe and not long to fit it. Good luck tracking it down.

[gsms]

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm going outside now to put newspapers under the car, to try to track where exactly the leak is. I'll check up in about half an hour or so and post up the guilty suspect!

Guy.

[gsms]

a likely place to leak from is the carb

It's an SPi by the way, thanks anyway though!

[Jammy]

Newspapers won't tell you where the leak is located, it'll just tell you where its dripping from. If your completely sure its petrol, run your engine for a few minutes (with foam fire extinguisher in hand), perhaps revving it a bit, and then have a look along the fuel line to see where its wet. If its oil you need to clean your engine, put it up on stands or ramps, and again run it for a few minutes, and have a good look around, if you look under the engine, make sure you put saftey goggles on, oil can be very dangerous if you get it in your eye!

[gsms]

Cheers Jammy!

Well I've just had a quick look at it, and its dripping a clear liquid where Cooper shaz suggested (by the rear subframe on the left).

What's strange is that i collected some drops in my hands and smelt them, but they smelt of nothing!! I think its water?! Surely even a few drops of petrol would smell a bit?!

...also there MAY be a leak from the fuel line, roughly where the cat is. More details later though!


I thikn I'll be replacing my fuel lines anyway now as petrol's not something to ignore. Is there a "fuel line replacement kit" which includes all the pipes and fittings needed..?

Cheers. Guy.