Fuel use and dripping exhaust

Afternoon Guys

I have been looking through loads of old threads this afternoon and getting myself more confused. The wifes Freelander 2001 1.8 has just cost us £50 in petrol to get to the lakes and back (1hr 15mins x2) up the motorway! It started knocking aswell and I have just found that an exhaust bracket has snapped (front). Now when starting it is dripping water from the gasket on the exhaust just after the lambda sensor and before middle box.

Before looking at this I checked the fuel pump to see if the seal was letting petrol out, no signs of fuel but it did smell very strong of fuel when starting (I dont think thats right either?). Could this drip / exhaust leak be causing the 02 sensor to run the fuel that rich costing the above? The engine is purring quite nicely? Although does have a tapping noise now?

Any suggestions and advice appreciated.

Is the MIL on?
If not then the mixture is correct.
Water at joints is common when the pipe is cold. Once it's heated, the moisture comes out of the back.
How far was your trip? Was the car heavily loaded and what were the road conditions?

Hi Nodge

Thanks for the reply - no the MIL is not showing. No load and perfect driving conditions, ran at 70 all way there and back, 130 miles. My reckoning about 15-20MPG.....somethings not right.....??

1.8 engines are condensatey engine if they only do short runs, then they steam like a train when they get properly warm on a run, also if the broken exhaust mount is also a broken pipe the fuel economy will be out of the window....