Skoda fabia leaking diesel

TG1

My car wouldn't start this morning, but I eventually got it going and it was grand. Diesel light was on which I thought was odd as I'd usually have a good 900kms out of a tank and id only done 760km according to the trip counter.

It was reluctant to start again after work but got going and was fine, but when I got home I spotted a puddle where I usually park. I got out and looked and its a fairly big puddle underneath the engine (which has me panicing that it might be oil) and still dripping.

It's a skoda fabia 1.4 2010, diesel, any idea what it is and how much it will cost me?

Toyotafanboi

It could be anything depending on where it's leaking from really. What end of the car is it leaking from at least? Any pictures? Could be as simple as an o-ring broken or as serious as a leaking tank. I probably wouldn't drive it in the mean time.

biko

Is it leaking diesel, or is it a diesel car that is leaking (something)?

TG1

biko wrote: »

Is it leaking diesel, or is it a diesel car that is leaking (something)?

It's leaking from the front end, which has me questioning if it's diesel, but the car smalls like a garage forecourt, and seems to be running heavy on Diesel today.

No oil lights or warning lights of any kind on the dash, and I dipped it there and the oil level looked ok.....

TG1

Also break fluid and coolant levels looked fine this evening but checking those 3 is the sum total of all my car knowledge! I did put a whitw paper bag under to see the drips and they were extremely oily but nearly see through, not much colour at all if that helps?

Toyotafanboi

Not being funny but what we are going on here is the car was difficult to start this morning, the range was lower than usual and there's a puddle under the car?

If it was leaking diesel particularly around the engine it would be very obvious, even to the untrained eye. The diesel is delivered under high pressure and it doesn't evaporate like petrol so if you had a fuel leak around the engine bay there would be diesel everywhere.

Does the car have aircon? Could the puddle have been aircon condensation (very popular this time of year) and the range on the dash is just a bit lower than usual?

TG1

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Not being funny but what we are going on here is the car was difficult to start this morning, the range was lower than usual and there's a puddle under the car?

If it was leaking diesel particularly around the engine it would be very obvious, even to the untrained eye. The diesel is delivered under high pressure and it doesn't evaporate like petrol so if you had a fuel leak around the engine bay there would be diesel everywhere.

Does the car have aircon? Could the puddle have been aircon condensation (very popular this time of year) and the range on the dash is just a bit lower than usual?

There was oily fluid all over the left hand side of the engine, but not the right as you are sitting in the car if you get me? Sorry, I really don't know much about cars other than how to drive them!

Nope, this model doesn't have aircon, so not that unfortunately...

TG1

Not sure if this is going to work but that was the fluid on the engine...

colm_mcm

Smells like diesel alright.

Toyotafanboi

Yeah that looks like it could be diesel. Might not be serious but you definitely need a mechanic.

TG1

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Yeah that looks like it could be diesel. Might not be serious but you definitely need a mechanic.

Sounds like money! Thanks for the advice, I haven't a clue on these things! Will get it to somewhere tomorrow.

tcawley29

It could be possible its something as simple as a hose disconnected of the fuel filter right?

I'm not familiar with the layout of that engine but maybe one of the other boardsies could tell you where it is for you to look.

If that is all it is a mechanic shouldn't be required

George Dalton

Looks like a 1.4TDI?

Those engines have a small 90 degree fuel pipe on that side of the engine that tends to split and spray fuel everywhere. Should be a cheap and easy fix but you need to get it looked at ASAP.

punisher5112

Do not drive it any further diesel can go up in flames just usually not as quick as a petrol if same happened.

It definitely has look of diesel spray, unless you went mad with wd40 or black to black on the plastics.

TG1

George Dalton wrote: »

Looks like a 1.4TDI?

Those engines have a small 90 degree fuel pipe on that side of the engine that tends to split and spray fuel everywhere. Should be a cheap and easy fix but you need to get it looked at ASAP.

Yep it's the 1.4TDI. hopefully it is that so, and not something more expensive!