Fuel system component leak

[annie0000]

Just been told my car (2008 clio with 15.5k on the clock) has failed it's MOT due to a Fuel system component leak. Is this something I would have noticed and is this something that is likely given the age/mileage of the car?

[tonyav]

annie, have they said exactly where it is leaking ie fuel tank, fuel pipe or fuel filter or any where else ? and no nothing to do with the age or mileage of your car.

[annie0000]

thanks tony they reckon it'll take an hours labour to check that so wont do it until tomorrow - just a bit suspicious. Would I have noticed a leak? - haven't been using any extra petrol - I park on the driveway every day and there is no mark or smell

[tonyav]

An hours labour !, they must know where it is leaking for them to fail it ?. Do you know if they are going to replace the leaky component ?.

[annie0000]

well they want to but I've said I'll pick up the car tonight and drop it back tomorrow but personally I am considering taking it elsewhere - just leaving to go and get it now

[tonyav]

Oh and annie i think you may well have noticed if you had a leak ( smell, damp patch on your drive way etc ).

[annie0000]

that's what I thought tony - just been out and sniffed the drive :o) and nothing!

[annie0000]

I park in the exact same place every day and weather is dry at the moment - no mark, no damp patch etc.

[tonyav]

annie, see if you can get someone else to check your fuel system for leaks, it would most likely only have to be a visual check underneath your car. when you collect your car ask them exactly what component is leaking.

[annie0000]

Hi tony - picked up the car but only reception woman about so no info. they told me that it would take an hour to identify leak (how they know that I have no idea!) but strangely wen I phoned to say I was picking it up she then said, oh we think it is probably the pipe so that wouldn't mean new parts so we could prob just fix that tomorrow....

My view is, how have they identified a fuel leak if a, they had no idea where it was and b, I didn't mention that I was having any problems - I went to sainsburys after the garage and was in over an hour - no marks under car when I left and I have thoroughly checked my drive and there are no marks and no smell. Also, surely if the car had a fuel leak, they would have to fail it and not allow me just to come and pick it up?

So presumably (as the MOT does not expire until Monday) they haven't failed it, just simply not passed it. Does that mean I could take it elsewhere for an MOT?

She also said that the handbrake notched or something, but that that wasn't a fail and did I want them to look at it which would again be an hour to look for the problem and then whatever to fix it. It didn't do that until they serviced it last year and my husband told me that they'd just tightened it and it was fine.

I am very doubtful now about what they are telling me.

[johnk]

Sounds like you need to go somewhere else for the MOT. If your husband could take it that would be better, lot's of garages see a woman driver as a mug.

[TWR]

Just 2 Questions Annie, did you just put some petrol in the car before the MOT? & did you take it to K.F.?

[annie0000]

Toureman - nope and nope - I fill it up on payday each month and that usually lasts me through. Took it to a local independent.

I took it back this morning and spoke to the mechanic - he put it up on the ramp and showed me the damp patch and let me smell his finger - eughhh!

I will wait and see what he says later when he has investigated.

[annie0000]

sorry, TWR not toureman - should have scrolled down again :o)

[TWR]

What area was the damp patch?