R50/53 R53 fuel leak, fuel line replacement questions
#1
03-05-2019, 06:38 PM
R53 fuel leak, fuel line replacement questions
So the last couple of times I've driven my 05 R53 I've had an occasional strong fuel smell in the cabin. At first I attributed it to the near constant below zero weather, but decided to check it out today. What I've found is that the mesh covering on the lower half of the fuel feed line is becoming saturated with gas. I've pulled the intercooler off and looked around for an actual leak, but I can't see any leaks. I just know that every other time I drive it the hose gets soaked right around where the injector sits. No signs of an injector leak either. The only place I was able to find that has the right line in stock is ECS tuning and I'm not looking forward to the idea of dropping the subframe to replace the entire line. Is there a way to just replace the section between the fuel rail and the solid line near the firewall? Really appreciate any input, thoughts, and/or advice.
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ECSTuning (03-07-2019)
#4
03-05-2019, 07:13 PM
5th Gear
#5
03-05-2019, 07:17 PM
Will give it a shot tomorrow. I started it up earlier without the intercooler and the racket just about gave me a heart attack. In the meantime I'm gonna try to find a car to borrow until it's fixed. I would be more than a little upset if it burnt up after all of the work I've put into it.
#6
03-06-2019, 11:21 AM
1st Gear
#7
03-06-2019, 11:37 AM
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#9
03-06-2019, 01:47 PM
#10
03-06-2019, 02:04 PM
1st Gear
You will have to put the mini into front end service mode,disconnect some of suspension components.You'll also have to disconnect some up top engine stuff, possibly disconnect some harness connections. Its kind of a little job if your not familiar with everything, maybe a 3-4 hour job .That is a very brief description of everything haha.
#11
03-06-2019, 03:16 PM
So the last couple of times I've driven my 05 R53 I've had an occasional strong fuel smell in the cabin. At first I attributed it to the near constant below zero weather, but decided to check it out today. What I've found is that the mesh covering on the lower half of the fuel feed line is becoming saturated with gas. I've pulled the intercooler off and looked around for an actual leak, but I can't see any leaks. I just know that every other time I drive it the hose gets soaked right around where the injector sits. No signs of an injector leak either. The only place I was able to find that has the right line in stock is ECS tuning and I'm not looking forward to the idea of dropping the subframe to replace the entire line. Is there a way to just replace the section between the fuel rail and the solid line near the firewall? Really appreciate any input, thoughts, and/or advice.
That line has 60 lbs of pressure in it with the engine running, I'm really surprised there isn't some kind of spray visible.
Pull the intercooler, have someone else cycle the key from of to run (not start) a few times to build pressure in the system while you move and pull on things.
Then if you still can't find it...
If it were me, before I started looking at replacing the line, I'd pull and clean the quick connect between the line and the fuel tube, pull all of this injectors, inspect and clean the injector bosses in the intake and fuel rail, and replace all of the O-Rings. (don't forget to lube them)
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nameuser (03-06-2019)
#12
03-06-2019, 03:32 PM
Yeah, so am I. The connector itself is a little corroded and the line is showing it's age, but I'm with you. You would think that with that much pressure it would be a visible spray, and also a constant one. Maybe it is one of the injectors. Just ordered some o rings so that I can pull/clean the injectors and seal them back up just to be sure. I didn't even think of having someone cycle the key for me. Thanks for the tips.
Last edited by nameuser; 03-06-2019 at 03:36 PM. Reason: mispelling
#13
03-06-2019, 05:05 PM
I'm a little confused as to where it's leaking since the actual hose never meets any of the injectors.
That line has 60 lbs of pressure in it with the engine running, I'm really surprised there isn't some kind of spray visible.
Pull the intercooler, have someone else cycle the key from of to run (not start) a few times to build pressure in the system while you move and pull on things.
Then if you still can't find it...
If it were me, before I started looking at replacing the line, I'd pull and clean the quick connect between the line and the fuel tube, pull all of this injectors, inspect and clean the injector bosses in the intake and fuel rail, and replace all of the O-Rings. (don't forget to lube them)
That line has 60 lbs of pressure in it with the engine running, I'm really surprised there isn't some kind of spray visible.
Pull the intercooler, have someone else cycle the key from of to run (not start) a few times to build pressure in the system while you move and pull on things.
Then if you still can't find it...
If it were me, before I started looking at replacing the line, I'd pull and clean the quick connect between the line and the fuel tube, pull all of this injectors, inspect and clean the injector bosses in the intake and fuel rail, and replace all of the O-Rings. (don't forget to lube them)
Fuel spray was found in this area, just as the line tucks under the intercooler and sc horn.
A little corrosion but no noticeable leakage. The glossiness is from disconnecting the line.
#15
03-09-2019, 11:49 PM
#16
03-10-2019, 12:20 AM
1st Gear
#17
03-10-2019, 12:56 AM
#18
04-05-2019, 05:54 PM
So the last couple of times I've driven my 05 R53 I've had an occasional strong fuel smell in the cabin. At first I attributed it to the near constant below zero weather, but decided to check it out today. What I've found is that the mesh covering on the lower half of the fuel feed line is becoming saturated with gas. I've pulled the intercooler off and looked around for an actual leak, but I can't see any leaks. I just know that every other time I drive it the hose gets soaked right around where the injector sits. No signs of an injector leak either. The only place I was able to find that has the right line in stock is ECS tuning and I'm not looking forward to the idea of dropping the subframe to replace the entire line. Is there a way to just replace the section between the fuel rail and the solid line near the firewall? Really appreciate any input, thoughts, and/or advice.
Just curious if you ever had the hard-starting symptom in your instance. For me, the car always starts.....it just sometimes cranks for way longer than normal and then kind of sputters to life.....then runs fine.
#20
04-06-2019, 08:19 AM
if I turn the key and let it “prime” for a few seconds before starting, it typically starts fine and without issue.
#21
04-07-2019, 08:28 AM
5th Gear
I have been dealing with a periodic hard-start/crank issue for a while.....occasionally it coincides with a strong fuel smell.
Just curious if you ever had the hard-starting symptom in your instance. For me, the car always starts.....it just sometimes cranks for way longer than normal and then kind of sputters to life.....then runs fine.
Just curious if you ever had the hard-starting symptom in your instance. For me, the car always starts.....it just sometimes cranks for way longer than normal and then kind of sputters to life.....then runs fine.
#22
04-07-2019, 09:12 AM
Thats exactly the issue I have except it will start right up on two cranks after sitting overnight and with no hesitation from off to start on the key. Other times I can shut it off then try to start it ten minutes later and it will crank repeatedly and the sputter to life. Haven’t figured this out yet. New fuel pump and filter. Should the fuel system maintain 60 psi even after the pump initially shuts off after priming? Mine will immediately bleed down to zero after pump shuts off. But still doesn’t explain why it will start right up sometimes and not others.
#23
11-06-2022, 03:21 PM
Thats exactly the issue I have except it will start right up on two cranks after sitting overnight and with no hesitation from off to start on the key. Other times I can shut it off then try to start it ten minutes later and it will crank repeatedly and the sputter to life. Haven’t figured this out yet. New fuel pump and filter. Should the fuel system maintain 60 psi even after the pump initially shuts off after priming? Mine will immediately bleed down to zero after pump shuts off. But still doesn’t explain why it will start right up sometimes and not others.
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