diesel Leak under both wheel arches?

[Black Betty]

Hi There, my problem this week is diesel up under both front wheel arches. I've an 89' 1.6 TD. And at first thought the rubber hose at the top behind the fuel filler cap that attaches to the plastic filler pipe had perished as its wet with diesel. But then noticed diesel under the opposite wheel arch. It could be the diesel expansion tanks. But why would they leak at the same time on both sides?
I've recently been having a cooling system problem, where the water pipes get blown off. Though I thought this had been solved due to fitting a new Darlek cap.
Could these problems be related? (sorry if thats a stupid question, I'm not very techy). Is the diesel tank system pressurized? Could it be the hot weather? I'm a little confused. And would like to gather a bit info before I head to the garage.
I've already written this once but it disappeared. The first copy made more sense!
Thanks for any advice
Abbie

[Bigjcc55]

I had this happen to me about a month ago, it was the first time I had filled the van since buying it, it leaked from both wheel arches.
It was the small rubber breather hoses from the tank to the bottles under the arch, they had perished badly.
It was an easy fix, take the old ones off and measure and replace, it was a lot easier with the wheel removed and just a bit fiddly.

[AdrianC]

Could these problems be related? (sorry if thats a stupid question, I'm not very techy). Is the diesel tank system pressurized?

No, it's not. Well, not that bit, anyway.

Could it be the hot weather?

Nope. As BigJCC says - it's the breather hoses to the expansion tanks, dead of old age. There's four short stretches each side. Two are easy to see, the other two are at the other end of the hard plastic lines they're attached to. Six of the eight are easy, one's a bit of a pain, the last (rearwards, filler side) is tricky. All are doable removing nothing more than the front wheels. All you'll need is a metre or so of the right size of diesel hose (easy to take one of the short bits with you to the factor) and a stanley knife. Remove each, one at a time, cut the new bit to length, then just push-fit on.

For the tricky ones, if you reach right in and back, you'll feel where it needs to go. Then it's just a question of making sure your "muscle memory" knows exactly where it is, because you're working blind with fingertips...

The worst-case, though, is that that won't solve the problem, because the top of your fuel tank's rotted out. But we'll worry about that later, eh?

[Black Betty]

Thanks for the guidance. Think I might try doing it without removing the wheels. Jacking her scares me a bit. The back pipes do look fiddly. On the exploded image on wiki the back pipes don't look like they go anywhere. Thought about removing the bolt holding the expansion tank on. Then I can get to the back? Also the short rubber hose connecting the plastic filler pipe to the filler neck is pretty much had it. Saw one on Brickwerks site. So going to attempt to fit that as well. It jubilees to the plastic pipe but not sure how it fixes to the filler neck. Any Ideas?
Thanks Bjcc and Adrian for your help.
Looks like everythings perishing at the same time

[kevtherev]

I'd get rid of that fear ASAP... Thats what axle stands were invented for.
The VW jack is as good as any.
Or buy a 2 tonne trolley jack.

You have a van way past it's expected life span
These breather lines are the tip of a medium sized job
I would be looking for any other items that require renewal

Gearbox oil
Brake fluid
Fuel lines
Brake lines
Cooling system components

[AdrianC]

Thanks for the guidance. Think I might try doing it without removing the wheels. Jacking her scares me a bit.

It's a fear you're going to need to get over, if you want to ever work on the brakes or so many other bits of the van... <grin>

The back pipes do look fiddly. On the exploded image on wiki the back pipes don't look like they go anywhere.

They go to metal pipes which are part of the tank - the stub you need to find is probably about half way along the length of the tank.

Thought about removing the bolt holding the expansion tank on.

Wouldn't help. The access restriction is between the tank and the bodyshell.

Also the short rubber hose connecting the plastic filler pipe to the filler neck is pretty much had it. Saw one on Brickwerks site. So going to attempt to fit that as well. It jubilees to the plastic pipe but not sure how it fixes to the filler neck. Any Ideas?

The plastic filler housing passes through the metal from the front, with a metal ring containing the mounting bolts. Then the rubber boot passes over that from the inside, and a metal ring which it all bolts to. Usually, the metal bits are shagged, but BW do stainless replacements.

[Plasticman]

i think you need someone to show you how to jaqck it and support the van on the correct stands before you do it yourself if you have thoise fears,
what others have said is correct ref the pipes, tank is maybe shot as well??
also you dont as said need or want to remove the exp tank, the pipe that comes of the top of it is ,yes you guessed, another breather but only from the exp tanlk and the other end is lloose into the chassis so ignore this .
mm

[Black Betty]

The thing is, I don't want to have to do it myself. Little jobs always turn into big jobs teehee. Before I've started I think I'm out of my depth. Where did I put that number of 'I saw you coming motors'.

[Plasticman]

oh ok, then just find a good vw guy nearby and build a rapport
mm

[tommin]

Just replaced mine this morning, took all of about 2 hours. Did not jack up the van or take off the wheels. The tank was almost empty, so dropped it, removing the filler tube was the only awkward part (rusted screw at the neck end). It was good that i did drop the tank, as one of the rubber grommets holding the overfill pipe was not in correctly, and I did have a hole in one of the expansion pipes. So I replaced all the tubes both sides, not a difficult job, just fiddly. The hardest part was lifting tank into position, I did it single handed, but better if you have some help on that.

[kevtherev]

The thing is, I don't want to have to do it myself. Little jobs always turn into big jobs teehee. Before I've started I think I'm out of my depth. Where did I put that number of 'I saw you coming motors'.

You must have deep pockets.
You don't trust them, that's clear, so why not learn, hell, you ain't got anything to lose, that's what forums are for.
When your out of your depth, is where we come in.. we hold your hand and help you through.

Still, you have made a decision, you bought a van which needs constant attention, love and money... It's like a small child, not knowing how to cope with it's tantrums means you pay for someone to do it.
Finding a nanny that you trust is not easy

[Black Betty]

Cheers Tommin, interesting comment. The jubilee round the filler rubber disintegrated in my hand. Ordered a new one But have now booked her in to a garage. They didn't hang up when I mentioned her age so we'll see. Feel a bit of a light weight. But need to build up my tool kit, and my confidence.

Cheers Kev. Wise words. But my pockets are getting shallower by the day. I've had my van for 11 years. She's my only vehicle and She was in good shape due to daily driving verses regular servicing/repairs. But yes recently a move to the sticks and reduced funds and lack of willing mechanics (they don't want the trouble) and I need to face that if I want to keep her I'm going to have to learn a few things. I always said I'd get buried in her (Be careful what you wish for)! So better make her last. I'm good at DIY!

[Vaniller]

Find a local VW club? Sure someone would help you out with a relatively easy job like this and help build your confidence and experience too.
Good luck.