Fuel Tank Leak, I Think?

I could smell diesel whilst driving today. I decided to look at the tank under the seat.
This is what I find:-





I looks like the previous owner tried to seal it with silicone.


I was was wonder what each of the pipes do. I take it one is a return pipe and the other feeds. Which is which? What is the one with the wires?

Also could this contribute to my landy slowly getting sluggish?

Cheers in advance.

n00blet said:

I could smell diesel whilst driving today. I decided to look at the tank under the seat.
This is what I find:-





I looks like the previous owner tried to seal it with silicone.


I was was wonder what each of the pipes do. I take it one is a return pipe and the other feeds. Which is which? What is the one with the wires?

Also could this contribute to my landy slowly getting sluggish?

Cheers in advance.

Click to expand...

Hello,

Going by your photos, the right most pipe (closest to the front of the vehicle) is the fuel return line from your injection pump in the case of a 200 / 300 tdi engine, or your fuel filter housing in the case of a 2.5 N/A or TD engine. The centre most pipe is the fuel pickup pipe which connects directly to your lift pump. This is the main fuel supply pipe which looks like it is leaking diesel, so it will most certainly be drawing air in. The fuel pickup pipe tends to develop small pitts / pin size holes in the 90 degree bend at the top which will draw air in. If its corroded enough, it will leak diesel. This WILL be effecting the performance of your engine. Any air in your diesel will massively reduce power and efficiency. You can buy a new pickup pipe for about £15-£20 (only Land Rover manufacture them, hence the price). If it is just the seal beneath the pickup pipe that is leaking, this will not effect the performance of your engine - it just means that diesel seaps out when you brim the tank. The left most item with three wires connected is your fuel sender unit which measures how much fuel is in your tank. Beneath it is an arm with a float that sits on top of the fuel in your tank, providing a reading to your fuel level gauge depending on it's position.

-Tom

Ah cheers for the info bud.
It's a 200tdi.
Is there also a pump in the tank or does the lift pump do all the work?

After seeing this I feel like I should have a good look at the condition of the inside of the tank too.

Looks like the pickup or return plate is loose and lets diesel slosh out.

Take the plates off, clean it up till it's diesel free and put a bead of silicone round it (any good quality exterior silicone will do - they all resist oils) and tighten it all up. Leave it to dry over night before driving to give it a chance to harden up.

n00blet said:

Ah cheers for the info bud.
It's a 200tdi.
Is there also a pump in the tank or does the lift pump do all the work?

After seeing this I feel like I should have a good look at the condition of the inside of the tank too.

Click to expand...

Just a pickup pipe, return pipe, and fuel level sender.