THE ROVER SD1 FORUM

kiwi_sd1 · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 1:16 am Post subject: Fuel Leak

Hi all,

I went to use my Vitesse the other day and happened to notice a pool of fuel sitting on the inlet manifold immediately behind the Plenum. There was sufficient fuel for it to have started to flow on to the bell housing...needless to say I haven't used the car since!

I'm new to Rover's, and new to EFI systems - could someone please tell me where I should look for a possible source of the leak? I couldn't find anything at the front, it only appears to be collecting at the rear.

Many thanks,

Ray

ramon alban · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 2:13 am Post subject: Re: Fuel Leak

kiwi_sd1 wrote:

Hi all,

I went to use my Vitesse the other day and happened to notice a pool of fuel sitting on the inlet manifold immediately behind the Plenum. There was sufficient fuel for it to have started to flow on to the bell housing...needless to say I haven't used the car since!

I'm new to Rover's, and new to EFI systems - could someone please tell me where I should look for a possible source of the leak? I couldn't find anything at the front, it only appears to be collecting at the rear.

Many thanks,

Ray

Hello Ray, there are about 25 hose clips and crimps on the fuel rail and injector connections and as the joints are over 20 years old - they can leak. Tighten them up to see if that fixes the prob.

The joints will only leak under pressure so you need to get the pump running with the engine off for a visual diagnosis. I doubt if the injectors are weeping because the fuel would be inside not outside the manifold.

This will help you get the pump running and tell you about the fuel supply system.

Only registered users can see links on this forum!
Register or Login on forum!

look for other stuff on the website too.

_________________
Ramon

kiwi_sd1 · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 9:44 am Post subject:

Thanks Ramon - just been out and checked all the clamps and every single one on the driver's side was loose, but the passenger's side were all fine. Started it and ran it for a while and no evidence of any leaks so hopefully I've sorted the problem.

As is often the case, I have discovered something else - there is a small hose that has an elbow bend that connects into the back of the EFI unit. It is part of the air system as opposed to the fuel side of things. I don't know what it is called so sorry if it's not a good description! Rolling Eyes

Anyway, the hose has a large split where it is clamped and so it is sucking air - do i have to get an OEM part, or will it be possible to get a generic piece of hose and fit it - or does the elbow need to be molded into the hose? Sorry if the question sounds dumb Confused

. When I hold the hose back together the idle is higher and smoother so it's obviously having an impact on the system.

many thanks in advance for any help Smile

ramon alban · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:02 pm Post subject:

kiwi_sd1 wrote:

there is a small hose that has an elbow bend that connects into the back of the EFI unit. It is part of the air system as opposed to the fuel side of things. I don't know what it is called so sorry if it's not a good description!

Anyway, the hose has a large split where it is clamped and so it is sucking air - do i have to get an OEM part, or will it be possible to get a generic piece of hose and fit it - or does the elbow need to be molded into the hose? Sorry if the question sounds dumb Confused

. When I hold the hose back together the idle is higher and smoother so it's obviously having an impact on the system.

many thanks in advance for any help Smile

Hello Ray,

There must be NIL unmetered air entering the plenum, with one exception, the breather system which has very limited effect on varying idle speed.

Every leak must be found and corrected.

Only registered users can see links on this forum!
Register or Login on forum!

Read all the info on this link, it has a complete air leak test program which you can apply/adapt to your OZ Plenum, if that is what you have.

If the split elbow is rubber, it is easily repaired with CA. (superglue). If not, seal it with goo and bind it with tape, what ever. Just stop it leaking.

Otherwise replace it with any type of hose/elbow that resists closing up under vacuum.

From the drawings on my link let me know what function the hose serves.

_________________
Ramon

kiwi_sd1 · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject:

Ramon, you are awesome! Very Happy

It is the input pipe to the overrun valve that has split. I'll try the superglue idea and hopefully that'll do it. Yes, as soon as I close the gap by hand the revs increase which fits in with what you described in your document.

thanks heaps,

Ray

ramon alban · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject:

kiwi_sd1 wrote:

It is the input pipe to the overrun valve that has split. I'll try the superglue idea and hopefully that'll do it. Yes, as soon as I close the gap by hand the revs increase which fits in with what you described in your document.

Make sure there is no grease around before you use the superglue.

_________________
Ramon

Punx0r · SD1 Regular Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 231

I used generic automotive hose on this after mine split. It's a bit kinked as the curve radius is tight, but it seems to work ok.