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Yesterday I fitted a new fuel line. Clues that the car had developed a leak were as follows:
- Petrol smell. I had originally put this down to overfilling.
- Car took longer and longer to start due to loss of fuel pressure.
- Stains on the ground under the fuel tank.
I guessed that the cause of the leak was leaking fuel pump sealing washers, as I had real problems fitting a new pump some time ago which didn't come with new copper washers. However when I eventually removed the fuel pump/filter cover I also cleanned out about half a dozen cups of sand and mud from around the fuel tank craddle. The flexible fuel line that runs from the filter to the top of the wheel arch was very badly corroded. After removing all the dirt I started the car to see a fountain of fuel coming from a hole.
I'm guessing that a similar problem caused the demise of Simon's GTS.
I also fitted a new flexible fuel line at the front of the engine fuel rails, I also purchased the Omega shaped flexible fuel line for the rear of the fuel rails, but postponed fitting that one. One last thing I replaced was the rubber boot around the petrol filler cap.
Total cost of parts was £170. As Stelios once said, "If you think safety's expensive, you should try having an accident". I do recommend removing the filter/pump cover and the fuel line cover in wheel well and cleaning out all the muck, you may be surprised at what you find.
Paul, 87 S4 Manual
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