Leaking Diesel Around Fuel Tank

considp · Jul 15, 2013

Hi All,

I've been slowly fixing bits on my 04 Disco 2 and I am slowly getting there. Just got a new MOT, sorted the horrendous smell of a dog with b.o. that lingered, changed the coolant hoses, fitted dog guard, got new General Grabber All Terrains all round, so now for the tricky stuff!

I have known for a while that there are leaks, and not just because it is a Landie. My current task is to sort the Diesel that has been leaking from around the fuel tank.

I investigated the diesel leak by cutting a hole in the boot carpet (didn't fancy removing third row seats etc.) and lifting the access panel. The diesel isn't coming from the pump, but around the top of the tank is all wet and all around underneath. It drips when I stop, so assuming it is being lost under pressure, as opposed to just a hole in the side of the tank.

So wondered if anyone else has had this issue. I'm guessing leaking hoses to the filter? It would be good to know how easy it is to drop the fuel tank, as it looks straight forward, but I have learnt the hard way that even the easiest jobs can be a pig!

I am a novice when it comes to fixing cars. My last Landie was an 07 plate 110 that I just drove, so no experience with dismantling Discos, but willing and want to give it a go.

Would be grateful of any advice on this.

P.S. I have a pic of the top of the pump showing where diesel is covering but not sure how to attach it to this thread as it asks for a url?!

ifloochies · Jul 15, 2013

Had a similar problem as you have now after I took out the pump/fuel level sender assembly to clean the strainer. As it turned out, the fore mentioned assembly distorted the seal at the lip of the tank as it was pushed into place, causing a leakage of fuel at the top of the tank as its contents sloshed around. You could check if the big hold-down nut thingy is properly tightened, or if its the seal causing the leak. It wouldn't be a bad idea to run the engine whiles you check the four or so plastic pipes on top of the tank for any possible leakages. They have O-rings where they're inserted into the fittings and would most certainly leak if any of them fell out during any previous repair work.... All the best mate and let's know how you get along with it.

considp · Jul 15, 2013

Thanks for the advice. But I think the seal for the pump is ok, as there is no diesel in the recess where the pump fits into the tank. I think it must be the hoses. Just looked around at the price and these seem to cost a fair bit.

I think I will need to drop the tank so I can see the hoses and check for leaks. I'll post a pic of what I found under the inspection cover when I can get to my PC.

HenryD · Jul 15, 2013

There was a recall for Discovery 2's regarding fuel leaks at the rear of vehicle,don't know if this helps you

LAND ROVER Discovery Series , Diesel TD5 Recall - Possibility that the

considp · Jul 15, 2013

Thanks for the steer Henry, I'll check if mine is on the list and then I can try to see if any dealer would sort it?

Thanks again, really appreciate the help.

HenryD · Jul 15, 2013

Your's may not be related but worth checking.

considp · Jul 15, 2013

After your reply, just been searching on net and sounds like it could be the answer, but whether a recall or not I guess I need to look into. Cheers.

jamesmartin · Jul 15, 2013

hoses are common leak source bit of a fiddle to change and dont break clips that hold them in sender/pump unit as clips come with it

considp · Jul 15, 2013

Hi James, thanks for the advice. Is it easy to take out the tank? I couldn't see how I could get to trace the hoses without removing the tank first. I know diesel doesn't readily burn, but I am nervous about messing around with anything fuel related.

But I guess I'm going to have to have a brave pill and give it a go!

jamesmartin · Jul 15, 2013

i dont usually take tank out , just use long screw driver to remove pipes from clips on cross member ,remove both ends and pull out all 4 together , tape up new pipes so dirt doesnt enter and refit ,write down colour markers on pipes filter housing and sender unit first

considp · Jul 15, 2013

That's a great help James, many thanks. Sounds like I can give it a go!!!

Appreciate all the help.

jamesmartin · Jul 15, 2013

pair of thin nose pliers to hold clips in and std plier to pull pipe out of sender unit works ,other end push pipe on further squeeze the 2 side clips then pull back

considp · Jul 15, 2013

Great tips! Thanks again.

ifloochies · Jul 16, 2013

All the best, and do let us know how you get along with it.

discomania · Jul 16, 2013

considp said:
Thanks for the advice. But I think the seal for the pump is ok, as there is no diesel in the recess where the pump fits into the tank. I think it must be the hoses. Just looked around at the price and these seem to cost a fair bit.

I think I will need to drop the tank so I can see the hoses and check for leaks. I'll post a pic of what I found under the inspection cover when I can get to my PC.

Almost certain your fuel hose will have rubbed through. Some were worse than others and were recalled.

considp · Jul 19, 2013

Just checked and my vehicle was recalled and had the fix at a land rover specialist.

So unfortunately no Land Rover freebie, will have to get my hands dirty and wallet emptied!

considp · Jul 20, 2013

Just an update to say I changed the fuel hoses today. Took me about 3 hours, lots of swearing, diesel on my face and grazed hands. The hoses were seized onto the fuel filter manifold and getting the hoses off the top of the rear cross member was a fiddle. 122 thousand miles worth of crap falling on my head was nice.

Still got a problem as there seems to be a whirring from the pump I never used to have. Going to check over all fittings tomorrow to make sure ok.

Not sure if air in system is a problem?

considp · Jul 21, 2013

Few pics during changing the leads. Probably a simple job that I made difficult!

stevejtopp · Oct 24, 2017

considp said:
Few pics during changing the leads. Probably a simple job that I made difficult!

Hi
I can see how old this thread is but I thought I add to it !!
I replaced my green, high pressure line some time ago. Fitted the it as pre Landrover mod.
It’s gone again!
Seems the mod only makes it rub through somewhere else!
This time the hole is at the tank.
£45 later a new pipe turns up, fitted it.
This time I cut short length of rubber fule pipe, split it down the middle and slid over the new pipe at the bend where the old one rubbed through. This seems to have also stopped the pipe rubbing on the chassis in the usual place!
Why didn’t Landrover sleave the pipe in the first place?!
Can’t really complain my disco is a 03 and has done 195000 !
I have had it from new!
Only had a new starter, fule reg, fule pipe and injector wires

Leaking Diesel Around Fuel Tank

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