Return Pipe Leak, Arrgh

[mebedforduk]

On my 2.5est Ive got small leak thats getting worse.

Im assuming its a return pipe, this was also backed up by a verbal diagnosis by my indy

It drips slowly but say 50ml overnight from where the tank and rear cross tube meet just off centre to the drivers side. He said its a pig of a job as you have to drop the tank and exhaust to get to it, the pipe chaffes on the edge of the cross tube.

Looking at the layouts could it be a return for the centre sphere? is so could I not just run a new pipe from this under everything and onto the rubber pipe nearer the front of the car?

Or, as usual am I just hoping it will be easier than it really is

Im not too fussed with the loss at the moment, it just the MOt man has a fit as soon as he sees LHM, reagrdless if its part of the system or just an overflow

Cheers

[noz]

Mark,

I had the same problem although it was closer to the passenger (near)side (RHD).

Rather than a return pipe, though, it turned out to be a pressure pipe. Water and dirt seem to collect in the gap between the tank and the crossmember and there's probably a bit of chafeing going on too.

I dropped the spare wheel and carrier all together and dropped the tank at the rear only. I didn't have to disconnect anything to do with the tank. I pushed and pulled on each of the pipes in the vicinity working on the corrosion principle. Eventually one of the pipes fractured at the weak point which wasn't visible. It was clearly the offending pipe because the break wasn't new shiny metal it was rusted badly just at the point of the break. Once broken I was able to pull both ends free to identify the pipe and then made up a repair joint and replaced the section to the rear height corrector.

The problem is that there are several pipes which disappear over the top of the crossmember at that point never to be seen again. They are a pain but with a bit of perseverance you can fix it. You do need a pipe flaring tool and some repair joints from Pleaides though.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

noz

[mebedforduk]

Cheers Noz

Ive just dropped the tank off the scrapper for a fellow Xm and found it not as daunting as as it looks in Haynes.

I also had a look from the rear, Dropped spare wheel, rear exhaust and heat shield. Lo and behold all the pipes are on show.

Only snag is that now its hissing down with rain, working tomorrow, monday and tuesday and the car is booked in at the indy on wed

Still at least I will know for next time....

Thanks for your help, hopefully it will be a naff union that just needs a new insert.... dreaming again

Just got the rads, abs, speedo, window to sort now.

Cheers

mark