Fluid leak / Leak off pipes?

[Zimbok]

Hi, in recent weeks I have changed the glow plugs and the engine oil & oil filter.

Before the engine oil change I had a fluid leak of sorts evidenced by the oil (?) left on the drive under the engine area. I thought that maybe the oil filter was the problem and that it would be sorted out by the oil and filter change. Not so.

The leak wherever it is coming from leaves its mark about two foot back under the engine in line with the first letter of the numberplate (if you see what I mean).

I parked in a new bay in work today and checked that there was clear unmarked tarmac under the engine and when I went back after work there was a small patch of whatever it is underneath. Its not much of a leak, about a half a thimble's worth going by today's evidence, but losing that much every day can't be good. I have checked the oil and the brake /clutch fluid, and the P/S reservoir and all seems good.

I have been checking threads on here where oil leak is mentioned and "leak off pipes" is mentioned a couple of times. This has got me thinking as I thought it was an oil leak and hadn't considered a fuel leak. Could it be this? Is it a possibility that I could have damaged or loosened the pipe(s) when I changed the glow plugs? I don't recall noticing the pipes or even what they look like.

Would I have to take the intercooler etc off to get to them? If it is a cheap option would it be worth changing these as a matter of course, and if so what length of piping would I need to buy?

I'm clutching at straws here hoping it is an easy cheap fix!

 

[jims-terrano]

My 05 plate did exactly the same and Im wondering how to clean the block paving now I've got rid of the car.
Clivvy had the same issue a long time before I noticed it and I always assumed it was the leak off pipes same as his was. I've seen them replaced and the intercooler needs removing to get to the pipes.

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

suspect is diesel not oil proper.

just had mine done, yes intercooler needs to come off.

theres a stopper you cn ajust about feel on #4 rearmost near egr.
then three interconnects to next 3 injectors. these rot and leak.

ideally one from #1 to pump needs doing too but for mine wasnt rotten.

 

[firebobby]

What you need to do is confirm what is leaking...oil, water, fuel, brake/clutch fluid.
If fuel, then it's quite possibly the leak off pipes

 

[solarman216]

If yours is a Bosch setup then you have rubber leak off pipes and they do fail after around ten years, easy to change, if yours have the metal clips they will probably break or be misshapen on removal so do not bother to refit them (only some motors were fitted with them anyway) most motor factors sell the hose usually in 1 mtr lengths and that amount is more than enough, no 4 has a blanking rubber cap, to get round this just cut 2 inches of pipe and insert a bit of smooth tight fitting rod into one end and fit the other to the injector, do not make the links between the injectors any shorter than the originals rather make them a little longer and the last one on no 1 goes down to the pump this is a bit of a pig to get to but doable, Rick

 

[jims-terrano]

If it's like mine it is jet black just like oil but mine defo was fuel, not sure if it's heat or muck thats turns it so black. I also didn't get much of a diesel smell either.

 

[kitchenman]

I too have a'leak' I have a TD so not IC to move but can't see rubber pipes, narrow metal pipes seem to connect the injectors.

I have cleaned the head area with Gunk type stuff, no sign of any type of fluid after but drips still show on drive.

How do I determine what IP I have?

 

[solarman216]

My 05 plate did exactly the same and Im wondering how to clean the block paving now I've got rid of the car.
Clivvy had the same issue a long time before I noticed it and I always assumed it was the leak off pipes same as his was. I've seen them replaced and the intercooler needs removing to get to the pipes.

many years ago when I was a youngan I remember an old guy using battery acid to clean the workshop floor, granted it was not colored like your blocks might be but it certainly cleaned the floor of all the oil and grease, Rick

 

[solarman216]

I too have a'leak' I have a TD so not IC to move but can't see rubber pipes, narrow metal pipes seem to connect the injectors.

I have cleaned the head area with Gunk type stuff, no sign of any type of fluid after but drips still show on drive.

How do I determine what IP I have?

then you have a Zexel pump, but you still have the rubber pipe down to the injector pump, if you have leaks from the injector leak off's then most likely a fractured pipe, it is one pipe with 4 fittings and a half loop of pipe between each to absorb vibrations, they do not normally fail but it is possible, Rick

 

[rayf3262]

Fullers earth; AKA cat litter is pretty good at picking up oil.

 

[rustic]

Put some kitchen roll into the oil...
If it is black it is engine oil
If it is golden/clear... and smells of diesel.....hmmm.... it's probably diesel... lol

 

[perelaar]

For cleaning floor/driveway: try hand cleaner, the stuff that's used in garages. Will dissolve grease, oil, etc - and then remove it with water (jet wash).

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

For cleaning floor/driveway: try hand cleaner, the stuff that's used in garages. Will dissolve grease, oil, etc - and then remove it with water (jet wash).

I used washing powder and the cheap Lidl's oxyclean mixer 50/50. If the oil is still wet, put it on dry and use a stiff brush to work it in. If it has dried out, put the mix on then spray watet onto it and let it soak a bit before using the stiff brush to work it in.

Then fill the watering can with very hot water and rince off while still brushing.

 

[AlexD333]

I couldn't do the colour test because of muck, just dab it and smell, if diesel it should be obvious :thumb2

 

[Zimbok]

Thanks everyone for the replies, appreciated as always.

I'm going to try changing the leak off pipes. Process of elimination.

I've got a hell of a mess on my drive too. The picture below is my parking space in work. I'm trying to convince myself that not all down to the Terrano but also other cars that park there. I may be kidding myself.

Cheers.

 

[jims-terrano]

Eek same colour truck as mine was too, if you had bought that in the last two weeks I'd be saying it was my old truck lol.
I reckon you're on to a winner with the leak off pipes.
I would say your parking space looks like tarmac so you'll probably get away with chucking some sand down.

 

[danielj]

I had similar leak for sometime before finding source. By the time it hit the ground it was black, probably running down the engine casings or cross members. Was difficult to find source as it only happened when motor was running. Took off cover on intercooler rad and with motor running could easily see a spray from frayed fuel pipe on rearmost injector near bulkhead.

 

[kitchenman]

then you have a Zexel pump, but you still have the rubber pipe down to the injector pump, if you have leaks from the injector leak off's then most likely a fractured pipe, it is one pipe with 4 fittings and a half loop of pipe between each to absorb vibrations, they do not normally fail but it is possible, Rick

Thanks Rick I will take a closer look

 

[kitchenman]

if you have block paving local block paving guy said 'simples' lift the blocks and turn them over,
Drill a decent size hole, use Rawlpug with an eye, then decent crow bar and trolley jack to get the first one out

 

[Banshee]

I had a leak like that on the Maverick that was getting worse by the day!!!!

It turned out to be the lower crankshaft oil seal was leaking :doh

Was going to be a pig of a job so I'm glad that the stupid Polish truck driver smashed it up :lol