1993 C15 1.8D fuel leak.

[AlF++]

So yesterday in the last 20miles of a 250 mile trip I started to smell diesel.
Being as I'd not long topped up the tank and I know I have a leaky fuel cap, combined with being on a twisty bit of the A39 I didn't think much of it.

Van was running lovely no issues.

When I stopped it looked like steam coming from under the bonnet and when I opened it there was diesel everywhere. First two injectors sopping wet, spray on the rad, sump was wet and everything in-between and behind.

It was also low on coolant, maybe two-three inches from the bottom of the tank on the rad. I'm not sure if these are connected.

This model doesn't have a temp sensor or an expansion tank.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Just as an aside is auto*c generally accurate with their part finding for these older model citroens?

[PaulC5]

Was it low on coolant when you last checked the level ?
You may need to clean everything up to help find the diesel leak point.

[AlF++]

Thanks for your reply

It wasn't the last time I checked.
I didn't check directly before setting off for the first half of this trip on Friday unfortunately, yesterday was the return journey.

We came back o the motorway rather than A roads so had less stops than normal and were also travelling faster

[CitroJim]

That almost sounds like a leakoff pipe has split/come adrift. Likely between injector 1 and 2. They are made of rubber and do harden and crack over time... It will be quite obvious. Check especially the blanking plug on the last injector in the daisychain.

Take care when checking for leaks after doing as Paul recommends. If the leak is from a high pressure delivery pipe, possible given how wet the injectors are and the apparent volume of diesel spilt, it can escape as a very high pressure jet and cut skin like a knife. Diesel under the skin is very bad news and at minimum it'll result in a nasty case of dermatitis and a long visit to A and E.

When I've traced such leaks, I've wrapped the suspects tightly and thickly in dry rags and looked for them getting damp to pinpoint the source of the leak.

[PaulC5]

Jim makes a good point about safety when checking for a leak, safety glasses/goggles might also be recommended.

[AlF++]

The leak has been found and the pipe secured thanks so much for the input.

The jubilee clips are just a temporary fix until.i get some proper crimp clips

[CitroJim]

That's good Pleased you've found it easily...