Technical What could be causing this leak?

[tomfoster]

Further to my thread yesterday about brake fluid loss, this morning I jacked the car up and had a look underneath. There was a giveaway wet patch under the rear of the car, and sticky fluid on the underside of what looked to me like the fuel tank? Here's a couple of pictures:

It seems a strange place for brake fluid loss and I can't see where it's coming from. Can anyone help?!

 

[5abr3]

That looks like oil leaking out of the sump tank (probably the sump plug is the cause)

 

[richie.guy]

That looks like oil leaking out of the sump tank (probably the sump plug is the cause)

At the back behind the fuel tank?

 

[mossley puntos]

Hi
On your second photo tie wrapped onto the beam you can see the brake pipe going across. Directly above where the drip appears on the floor is a union in the pipe. Is this tight ?
Danny

 

[tomfoster]

That looks like oil leaking out of the sump tank (probably the sump plug is the cause)

As said above, this is at the back of the car. I replaced the sump some time ago and thankfully that's not the problem!

On your second photo tie wrapped onto the beam you can see the brake pipe going across. Directly above where the drip appears on the floor is a union in the pipe. Is this tight ?

I will go and check once the snow stops! There is a large wet patch on the bottom of the fuel tank, so it seems as though the fluid may be dripping from above the tank, then running down it - is there a brake pipe that runs above it?

Yesterday the brake fluid reservoir looked pretty much empty, but no warning light came on on the dash - is this normal? I'd have thought an ABS-equipped car would have given some warning of there being no fluid left?!

 

[5abr3]

sorry, don't know what i was thinking

I would imagine brake pipes will run along the underside of the chasis rather than above the fuel tank tbh

 

[fiatparts]

mark one punto`s have brake pipes running over the tank and there was a recall for them to be checked because they were rotting if you live near stoke on trent pm me cheers carl

 

[tomfoster]

Well, I got this sorted out in the end, and it was indeed one of the brake pipes that run down the centre of the car from front to rear, it was badly corroded. I rang Fiat about the recall, and my car was apparently done in 2003, so they only lasted about 5 years! Also, the fuel tank did have to come out in order to get at them. Plus, the extremely rusty bleed nipples on the rear brakes are now completely buggered! I hate working on these rusty old cars...

The car still failed its MOT afterward though - a dodgy track rod end, and excessive corrosion around one of the jacking points. I've done the TRE, but am going to have to go to a mechanic about the corrosion, as I don't know the first thing about welding :-(

 

[karbineftw]

As said above, this is at the back of the car. I replaced the sump some time ago and thankfully that's not the problem!

Hey sorry to ressurect an old thread but could you tell me how much you payed for your sump and where from? Thanks. Dan