You suspect a fuel leak on your Fiat 500 , after noticing a stain which has formed on your parking space as well as significant diesel fumes escaping from your Fiat 500. However, you have no idea of the origin of the problem?
Added to the fact that it is not environmentally friendly, and with the current price of fuel, when you have a leak it is often not a problem to leave it lying around. Especially since the latter is generally followed by a particularly strong smell of fuel and it is not recommended to breathe this type of gas.
In addition, the fuel turns out to be a flammable material so it is not very careful not to clog it quickly.
Finally, a diesel leak in addition to the particularly unpleasant fumes and the fuel stain, will also be accompanied by overconsumption of diesel, engine power losses and a feeling of sudden acceleration after complicated starts. And in the long term this will damage the engine of your Fiat 500.
So in order to study the problem as quickly as possible, we will show you how to identify the origin of a fuel leak on your Fiat 500.
We will start by showing you by what means the diesel circulates on Fiat 500 . After that we will tell you how to find a diesel leak on Fiat 500 . Once you have found where the leak is coming from, we will detail you the causes of a diesel leak on Fiat 500 .
1-How does diesel circulate on Fiat 500
In order to locate the fuel leak on your Fiat 500, it is useful to know the path that the fuel travels inside your vehicle. This will make it easier for you to spot the problem.
In order to be supplied with hydrocarbon your Fiat 500 is equipped with a tank which is located at the rear of your vehicle. Before it was at the front so as to limit the journey, but today in order to reduce the risk of fires, it has been installed at the rear.
Often it is between the 2 rear wheels. This will protect the tank if you have an impact. Because when you have an accident and the tank leaks it disperses a flammable substance and it can quickly be dangerous.
Then this tank is equipped with a fuel pump or also called feed pump ou booster pump . It is mounted inside the tank and will supply fuel inside the pipes to deliver fuel to the front of your Fiat 500.
Then the fuel will go through the fuel filter so as to remove the residues and impurities which may be present inside the tank.
Following this, the fuel will go to the injection system of your Fiat 500 which also contains an injection pump. Generally the recent versions are equipped with high pressure injection. This will supply pressurized fuel to the cylinders which will be mixed with air to generate the energy to run the engine. The fuel will be exchanged for gas inside the combustion chamber and will escape through the exhaust valves.
In short, the fuel will travel a certain distance between the tank and the engine and circulate inside several components. This is the reason why the diesel leak analysis may be a little complicated.
But we will show you how to find it and find out the source of this leak.
2-How to locate a diesel leak on Fiat 500?
In order to know the source of a diesel leak you will have to examine the signs. Actually locating the leak will be very important because it will tell you which components may be impacted. Also knowing when the leak is spilling, with the engine running or off, will also be very revealing.
2. 1-Find the diesel leak on Fiat 500:
In the event that you have a halo of diesel under your Fiat 500 when it is parked, try to locate whether the task is at the front of the car or at the rear. This will allow you to identify whether the leak is in the tank or the injection system.
Otherwise when it is not at the ends it is likely that the leak comes from the hoses which connect the fuel pump, to the injection pump and the fuel filter.
2. 2- Check when the diesel leak is flowing on Fiat 500
If the diesel leak appears when you are driving your Fiat 500, it is likely that the problem is due to the injection or an air intake inside the suction circuit. This can cause a diesel leak when the pressure is put on. To analyze this hypothesis you should open the hood, rev up to see the leak. Examine the connections around the high pressure line and the injector.
Be careful if the problem comes from the high pressure pipes, it is quite dangerous, so before examining it, it is advisable to wait a few minutes just after stopping the engine of the car.
In the event that the leak spills when you fill the tank of your Fiat 500, be aware that it is possible that you have too much diesel inside the tank.
Finally if you perceive the leak when your Fiat 500 is parked, the problem may come from a leak in the hoses or the connection joints.
3-The origins of a diesel leak on a Fiat 500
3. 1-The diesel leak is located in the middle of the Fiat 500: Problem with hoses or seals
You should know that the fuel travels through a set of pipes and components sealed with the help of seals, but over time, oscillations, temperature variations, the seals may not be as effective.
Another possibility in order to circulate the fuel will pass through hoses, so in the same way with the movements of the vehicle or the engine it is possible that they will disconnect and be at the source of the leak.
Therefore if you are in this case you should check the seals and hoses to locate the leak. The price of repairs will not be particularly high, allow less than 100 euros.
3. 2-The diesel leak is at the rear of the Fiat 500: Fuel tank problem
The tank will allow you to store fuel so as to give you a little autonomy. Therefore when you roll the booster pump will draw inside the tank in order to supply fuel to the front of your Fiat 500 in order to refuel the engine.
If the tank is found to be the cause, you will smell a strong smell of fuel in the passenger compartment of your Fiat 500. The origin of the problem could come from the tank cap because it does not close properly, or from the fuel. fuel pump and why not a leak inside the tank.
Often the problem will be with the gasket of the booster pump, you will be able to hear a hissing noise coming from the tank. Or it can come from a hose which connects it to the fuel system.
Another possibility is too much diesel. You should know that it is advisable to stop the filling at the first click of the fuel pump, beyond the second click you run the risk of clogging the tank so it will be evacuated by a hose provided for this purpose.
3. 3-The diesel leak is at the front of the Fiat 500 with the engine running: injection problem
When the leak is at the front of the vehicle, it is often a problem with the injection system.
Indeed at present the majority of cars are equipped with high pressure injection, which is more efficient in terms of fuel combustion but also gives better engine power. However, this makes the system more fragile since it is constantly under high pressure.
Here it is highly recommended to carry out the repairs by a professional because with the pressure but also the fuel splashes it is necessary to make the repair with vigilance.
A number of issues could be causing it. This could be the disconnection of a hose or the premature deterioration of the O-rings. If so, the costs will be around a hundred euros for changing the seals.
Otherwise it could be a malfunction of the injection pump which no longer supplies the right amount of diesel or a reduction in pressure.
In addition, when the fuel filter is clogged and the injection system receives impurities, then the clogging of the injectors could generate significant impacts.
A concern inside the injection system is not to be taken lightly, prices will go up quickly, count around 1000 to 3000 euros if it is necessary to replace the pump or an injector.
To conclude : A diesel leak can have various reasons. First you need to find out if it is in the front or the back. When the problem comes from a hose the repairs will not be really expensive. On the other hand, when the problem comes from the injection system, it will generally be more expensive. In all cases you will have to go to a garage as soon as possible.
Consulting : regularly check the diesel filter because it will prevent dust from entering the injection system, which is really fragile and will protect you from leaks.
If you want to go a little further in the maintenance of your Fiat 500, you can consult the other pages on the Fiat 500.
