Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
Fuel vapour drifting from under bonnet- White like a cloud
So I stopped and switched off !
Hi All
I have my Discovery III TDV6 S 2006 'on tour' in Europe and she's been fabulous as a tour vehicle, until 1) the virus stopped the touring; 2) I had a reconditioned gearbox fitted by a Greek garage.
200 miles after picking it up after the gearbox work, she's running very well, no loss of power, smooth idle and running; but a plume of white mist, smelling strongly of Fuel drifting out of the gap between fuse box and LHS injectors (LHS looking forward).
There's too much obstruction to see where it is coming from while I'm at the side of the road, stationary but engine running. I'll start dismantling the wiring loom, etc that obstructs the view, after I've checked with you good people.
I suspect a leak from the high pressure rail or an injector, but I'm surprised by the fine mist, rather than a spurt of more liquid fuel. Also, the car is running well??
I was confident in the Greek garage who seemed professional (and btw very expensive), until I checked under the bonnet and found an oily rag lodged at the side of the fuse-box. I'm hoping that perhaps there's another oily rag causing the mist - but I think not!
I've searched the forum for anything similar, but drew a relative blank, so maybe not a common problem (or my search capability is uncommonly rubbish).
Any initial ideas on what I'm facing. Any pointers to previous posts that I should look at?
I can't drive as the mist is likely to be very flammable, so any thoughts would be very welcome.
Best
Paul
28th Dec 2020 11:13 pm
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
Some photos
Last edited by Objective on 28th Dec 2020 11:41 pm. Edited 1 time in total
28th Dec 2020 11:18 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
"On tour" in a pandemic ...FFS 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
28th Dec 2020 11:21 pm
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
Nope, "on tour" before the pandemic, locked down since the pandemic.
28th Dec 2020 11:24 pm
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1929
FBH?PAGODA
28th Dec 2020 11:35 pm
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
Isn't that the unit forward of the fuse box? The dripping fuel is back beside the engine. Are there any photos of the Fuel Burning Heater's supply pipes to be seen - again my searches just show how to clean/refit the unit itself.
Thanks for your time and thoughts on this, very much appreciated
Paul
28th Dec 2020 11:40 pm
galwaygreen
Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: plymouth
Posts: 6525
could be fbh exhaust....near side wheel arch front...kicks in a 7 degrees i think
29th Dec 2020 12:04 am
Beanwood
Member Since: 16 Oct 2016
Location: Nr Bristol
Posts: 58
What's the temperature when it occurs/where you are @Objective ?
29th Dec 2020 12:20 am
PROFSR G
Member Since: 06 Mar 2017
Location: Lost
Posts: 5061
That sounds like either a ruptured fuel line or injector leak off pipe. If it is, it's a serious fire hazard if it gets onto the hot exhaust.
Form a cold engine, pop off the engine cover and replace the oil cap, then start the engine and get in there and find the leak. Just be careful its not a high pressure leak as it can do you real harm if you come into contact with it.
Everything around the injectors and general top of engine should be dry. yµ (idµ - eAµ) ψ=mψ
29th Dec 2020 1:24 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979
Objective wrote:
Nope, "on tour" before the pandemic, locked down since the pandemic.
Sorry, thought you said " I have my Discovery III TDV6 S 2006 on tour " and its now December ...my mistake 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
29th Dec 2020 1:47 am
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
Beanwood wrote:
What's the temperature when it occurs/where you are @Objective ?
Today its 23 degrees C - drops to a chilly 14 degrees at night. When this happened it was approx.20 degrees
29th Dec 2020 9:41 am
sarumlight
Member Since: 06 Nov 2008
Location: Off the Plain
Posts: 1593
I had an injector fail like that.
29th Dec 2020 9:46 am
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
PROFSR G wrote:
That sounds like either a ruptured fuel line or injector leak off pipe. If it is, it's a serious fire hazard if it gets onto the hot exhaust.
Form a cold engine, pop off the engine cover and replace the oil cap, then start the engine and get in there and find the leak. Just be careful its not a high pressure leak as it can do you real harm if you come into contact with it.
Everything around the injectors and general top of engine should be dry.
Top of the engine is dry, and starts getting messy just below the LHS injectors (so hoping they are seated OK). Then there's a mess of pipework, which I'd be guessing which is high pressure. I'll google "injector leak-off pipe" (many thanks - invaluable) but just from the rate of dripping onto the exhaust manifold, I'm hopeful its a fuel-line rupture - just 'normal pressure' from the fuel pump at the rear.
I'm keen not to have the billowing fuel vapour effect again, so I'll keep my investigations to 2-3 mins engine run time, and then switch off to let the manifold cool again. Would you know where a schematic (or better, some photos) of the pipe layout can be found. I'll be feeling around (unless I can find an endoscope . . .!)
Many thanks Prof, you've already been a great help. I'll report back soon.
Paull
29th Dec 2020 9:54 am
Objective
Member Since: 28 Dec 2020
Location: UK, but locked down in Greece
Posts: 15
sarumlight wrote:
I had an injector fail like that.
Hi Sarum, Do you mean with a white billow of fuel vapour on LHS of engine?
P
29th Dec 2020 9:56 am
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8243
If it’s a spray mist it the high pressure side, possibly a connector or joint not fitted correctly, I just hope they haven’t stuffed the rag down there to hide it, be extremely cautious of the spray if it is high pressure it can penetrate the skin.
Haven’t you got any breakdown cover? - AA or RAC, I wouldn’t dream of touring abroad without it.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
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