Fuel pump leak?

[280sl1968]

I suspect I know the answer, but I just wanted confirmation from some of you.

Does this look like a fuel pump leak to you?

I noticed the dark patch on the ground underneath the fuel pump today but as I was in my suit so couldn't get on the floor to look closer, but took the pictures with my camera and it certainly looks "wet" and there is a whiff of gasoline under the car.

Does this normally warrant a replacement pump or can it be fixed quickly at the repair shop? A bit of an open question I know, but I just want some idea whether its might be an expensive job that takes the car off the road for a while.

Thanks

David

[dseretakis]

You might want to take another closer look while the car is running. It is very likely that one of the fuel lines or hoses in that area is leaking. Yes th fuel pump is quite pricey. $600 would be considered a good deal for the part alone. R/R is not particularly difficult.

[280sl1968]

By that do you mean when it's running I should see it actively dripping?

Typically, do the pump units themselves leak or is it more often a case of it being a leak at a pipe connection?

I hope it is the latter as it will likely be a cheaper repair!


Thanks

David

[menesesjesse]

The rubber gas lines are very prone to leaking especially if they are old.  Refit new lines and your problem should be corrected.  Make sure the clamps used are good quality because most shops will use th cheap ones from China on it and it will back off and leak again.   

[Naj ✝︎]

Could be just a frayed pipe?
One of them is sitting on  thr rough edge where the fuel pump shield has been cut to accomodate the new smaller type pump.

You also should investigate the oily/brake fluid patch on the tyre...

naj

[280sl1968]

I hope it is just something like that - I don't relish shelling out $600 for a new pump.

Yes, I noticed that oily looking patch on the tire in the picture. The car hasn't been moved for several days since coming back from the repair shop (it was in having the brakes bled because they felt a bit soft) so I'm thinking they were a bit sloppy with the brake fluid?? There doesn't seem to be anything leaking on to the tire while it's standing there.


Thanks

David

[ja17]

Yes,

Most of the time it is the fabric covered fuel hose.  The rubber dry rots and since it is fabric covered you cannot see the condition of the rubber until it begins to leak. In a pinch you can carefully cut the metal crimp off the factory fuel line. The fitting will now allow  a fresh non-original rubber fuel line to be clamped on. The maximum pressue this pump and system could develope is 45 psi. Normially it will only develope around 16 psi .  Make sure you use a fuel line rated for at least 45 psi.

[mdsalemi]

My local "foreign" auto parts store has proper fuel line hose by the foot, and proper clamps for it as well.  Since we are not exactly the bastion of non-USA cars here, I would suggest that the same in most parts of the USA.  So, replacing the fuel line AND clamps is a relatively simple and inexpensive task.