1998 E320 petrol leak from fuel filter area

[ianwalter]

My E320 has a mysterious petrol leak - it only seems to occur when the car is started and driven after not being used for a week or two - yesterday, after being unused for a couple of weeks, I took the car out of the garage and just drove it a few yards up the driveway - when I got out (with the engine still running) I noticed a strong smell of petrol and a large fuel leak dripping from under the car in front of the left rear wheel. After switching off the engine the leak continued for some minutes until it stopped. Looking under the vehicle the leak was coming from around the plastic cover beneath the fuel pump and fuel filter- looks like the cover was filling with petrol - the only things above the cover are the fuel pump and fuel filter, the latter having 4 hoses connected to it. Today I removed the plastic cover but no sign of any leaks - I started the engine - still no leaks - drove the car for a few miles but still no leaks! Car has done the same thing a few times now after not being driven for some days/weeks. I did replace the petrol filler cap but no difference. Can anyone offer any explanation please. Ian.

 

[martyz]

Hi,it's one of the hoses around the pump/filter,they tend to weep then stop,they are plastic
pipes wrapped in cord then sleeved with rubber, you will have to wiggle them around to find the leak,what happens is the plastic pipe splits but is contained by the rubber outer sleeve .good luck

 

[ianwalter]

Thanks Martyz - you were absolutely correct - it was the hose connection from the pump on to the filter - the inner plastic had deteriorated. I replaced the filter, hoses and clamps. Simple job. Everything now OK. Ian.